Sleeve tattoos are hot and more and more people are getting full sleeve tattoos these days. Probably one of the most popular source for sleeve tattoo designs are Japanese tattoos. These traditional and classic design work great for a full sleeve tattoo. Their beauty, use of color and rich symbolism has lead these designs to be sought after. In this article you will learn a little more about popular Japanese sleeve tattoo designs.

Koi Fish Sleeve Tattoos

Koi fish are probably one of the most popular and deeply symbolic of all the Japanese tattoo designs. In the Japanese mythology it is said that koi fish swim up this mythical stream seeking enlightenment. As they struggle and fight to swim up stream they learn lessons from other animals and they evetually get to the top of the stream and become enlightened and turn into a dragon. Thus as a tattoo they often represent the qualities of strength, power and fighting against the status quo or against adversity. They are also seen as a symbol of good luck. Almost every temple in Japan from ancient times to this very day have some koi pond in front of them. They are seen to be strong and powerful yet at the same time deeply peaceful and reflective. Thus they make for a very power symbol to get a tattoo of.

Cherry Blossom Sleeve Tattoos

Cherry blossoms are another very common symbol among traditional art of Japanese tattoos. In fact the symbolism and art of Cherry blossoms goes way beyond just tattoo designs it is the one flower more then any other flower that holds a deep significance in the Japanese psyche. Cherry blossoms are this incredibly beautiful flower that only comes ones a year and in fact the Japanese mark their calendar and the beginning of a new school year in sync with the Cherry Blossom season. The fascination with Cherry blossoms goes all the way back to ancient times. Many of the ancient samurai participated in Cherry blossom viewing festivals and used the images of the cherry blossom in their art and poetry. They believed that life was short and ever changing and the time on this earth should be lived to it's fullest and with the greatest amount of beauty and honor as possible. Then a person will pass quickly into the next realm just as the cherry blossom quickly falls from the tree. The impermanence of life is seen through the cherry blossom flower. Thus these wonderful flowers make a great part for a full sleeve or sleeve tattoo design.

Dragon Tattoos Sleeve

Dragons are one of the most popular of all the traditional Japanese tattoo designs. Dragons have long been a part of Japanese folklore and art and this has lead to a prominence of them in the art and designs of tattoos. These beautiful creatures have deep symbolic ties also. The Japanese believe that these mythical beasts represent good luck and good fortune as well as power and strength. Therefore they make a great tattoo design with a rich symbolic meaning to them.

There are thousands and thousands of traditional Japanese tattoo designs. The three above are the most popular and commonly used and richly symbolic tattoo designs but they are just a small fraction of the total amount of Japanese tattoo art. All of these subjects make great tattoo designs and if you are considering one of them do some more research on these great tattoos.