Torso Dragon

November 2011

Dragons do differ slightly from one another – although to the untrained eye, one large Japanese tattoo seems like another.  A dragon with its mouth closed, in a less aggressive stance is shown to not let evil in, the mouth open is used to let evil out.  A dragon can also clutch in one of his claws an object that is variously shown as a ball, a pearl, or a jewel, also known as “the closed-lotus form” essentially the essence of the universe, in order to control the winds, rains, fire and even the planets. This item is essentially seen in various Buddhist designs including temples and grave markers. It represents the spiritual essence of the universe, by which the dragon controls and protects it from those who might usurp those powers.