竜
ryū
dragon
Considering 竜 (dragon) as a kanji tattoo? Here's what it actually means to native Japanese speakers — and whether it's a safe choice.
Cultural Assessment
Most Japanese speakers will read 竜 as dragon, the same mythical creature as 龍 (the traditional form). The first impression is strong, majestic, and culturally resonant — identical in meaning to 龍, but visually simpler. 竜 is the simplified form introduced in 1946 as the standard written character, while 龍 is the traditional form with more visual complexity. ...
How Japanese people actually react
Related Words & Alternatives
Etymology & History
Unlock Full Assessment
Get the complete kanji tattoo assessment for 竜 (dragon) — including how Japanese people actually react, related words, and etymology.