Tattoos of Nicholas the 2nd - the dragon (meaning, photo)
In Asian culture, the dragon is ascribed a special meaning. In particular, in Japan, the mythical creature is intended to bring good luck in affairs, bestowing great power on a person. It is also believed that dragon tattoo Dragon tattoo allows its owner to gain wisdom. Therefore, in the culture of the East, the Dragon is ubiquitous. By visiting these territories, Europeans, too, do not refuse to join their culture. One of them was the future heir to the throne, Nicholas 2. Evidence of this is the Dragon tattoo on the arm of Nicholas 2.
Tattoo of Nicholas the Second
Before his coronation to the throne of the Russian tsars, Nicholas traveled for 9 months. His journey took him through:
- Austria-Hungary;
- Greece;
- Egypt;
- India;
- China;
- Japan.
From there he returned to his homeland through Siberia.
At that time he was only 22 years old. He was traveling on imperial business. More precisely, he was to participate in the ceremony of laying the Trans-Siberian Railroad. Along the way, the future tsar was given the proper honors.
The reasons that prompted the heir to the tattoo.
An almost fatal situation happened to him in Japan - he was attacked by a police officer. The latter struck the heir several blows with a sword. Fortunately, the wounds he received were not life-threatening. Subsequently, the incident was regarded as an attempt on the heir to the throne.
The future Tsar Nicholas 2 after this incident, decided to tattoo a dragon. Japanese master nailed it on his right hand.
Interesting! Ordinary residents of the Land of the Rising Sun avoided the tattoo of the Dragon. It was thought to be more suitable for the lower classes of society, such as brigands, criminals, and beggars. But this did not stop Nicholas. He was also spurred on by the fact that in the 17th century, tattoos were firmly in fashion. Especially among aristocrats. Therefore, the prank of Nicholas II and his tattoo in the form of the Dragon did not cause much rejection.
Stuffing the Dragon
The flagship of the Russian squadron was stationed in the port of Nagasaki. Soon after the assassination attempt, Nicholas ordered that tattoo masters be summoned aboard the ship. He was accompanied by a Greek prince who also wanted a tattoo. So two tattoo artists were brought on board at once.
The Dragon tattoo was placed on the forearm of the right arm of Nicholas 2. The procedure was very painful and lasted about 7 hours. As a result, the tsesarevich got a black Dragon. True, he was not quite black. The tattoo of Nicholas II was colorful. The horns of the mythical creature were yellow, paws green, abdomen red.
Nicholas 2 himself liked the tattoo very much. He tried to always put it on display. If the sleeves were long, he would roll them up.
Why the Dragon
In Slavic culture the attitude to the Dragon was not very kind. Rather negative factors were associated with him. Then it is all the more surprising why Nicholas chose such an image. The future Tsar Nicholas II and the tattoo of the Dragon somehow did not fit. Confused environment future monarch even tried to attribute him membership in a secret order. The truth was simple. The young heir followed the example of his cousin, King George V. They strongly resembled each other and were bound together by close friendship.
The future King George of Great Britain, served in the navy. Among sailors, tattooing is more of a rule than a temptation. Nor did the cousin of the tsesarevich escape it. A cousin of Nicholas 2 also acquired a tattoo of the Dragon in Japan, but much earlier, in 1881.
This fact is not particularly advertised. That is, the monarch ascended the throne in no hurry to show his body drawing. True, he had no secrets from his Russian cousin.
Monarchs, both back in the day and now, were reluctant to let tattoo culture into their midst. But Nicholas the Second had a tattoo of the Dragon. The future tsar could only be excused by his youth. In addition, he was very close to Asian culture in general and Japanese culture in particular.
