Foo Dog Tattoo

What a Foo Dog Tattoo Really Means (With Pictures)

Protect your Skin with some Guardian Lions!

Foo Dog Tattoos

If you’re a tattoo fan and think you’ve never heard of a Foo Dog, think again.

The Foo Dog goes by many names.

You may have heard Foo Dog referred to as a Guardian Lion, a Komainu, a Fu Dog, Shi Shi, or Imperial Lions.

Foo Dog Tattoo

Not only that, but the Foo Dog has become quite the popular image for tattoo designs.

Sometimes depicted as colorful and playful- other times menacing, the Foo Dog tattoo is a crowd-pleasing design.

Foo Dog tattoos are particularly popular for men, though any gender may choose to sport this iconic tattoo design.

Let’s explore the origins of the Foo Dog, the symbolism behind this striking imagery, and why Foo Dog tattoos are a timeless choice.

What Does a Foo Dog Tattoo Mean?

Foo dog tattoos are typically chosen for the same reasons why they are made to guard buildings: they have the power of protection and bring good luck.

There is a difference between male foo dog tattoos and female food dog tattoos in their meaning.

Foo dog male tattoos represent power, strength, authority, and courage.

On the other hand, the female foo dogs are guardians of the soul and the female foo dog tattoo symbolizes support, have a nurturing spirit, are wise, and project goodness to others.

Foo dogs aren’t only a part of Chinese culture.

There are such things as Japanese foo dogs, which represent the life cycle and how life never truly ends, or in other words the Buddhist belief of reincarnation.

These foo dog tattoo meanings are not exactly comprehensive, because there are a lot of other meanings of foo dogs depending on the specific type of foo dog and the tattoo design.

Therefore, let’s take a closer look at what specific foo dog tattoos mean:

What Goes Well With A Foo dog Tattoo?

Foo Dog tattoos are versatile, and it is up to you and your tattoo artist to choose how your piece is designed.

Some opt for a more serious black and grey look, which is usually more representative of the stone guardian lions seen in front of many buildings in Asia.

Black and Grey Tattoo

Others may choose bright colors and a vibrant tattoo design with movement.

This imagery favors the “happiness and vitality” side of the Guardian Lion tattoo designs.

The yin yang element of the lions is often brought out by using complementary opposite colors in the tattoo design- a really nice effect.

Foo Dog Tattoo

There are a lot of different symbols that when added to the foo dog represent a new type of tattoo.

Let’s take a look at what happens when you add a new symbol to a foo dog tattoo:

  • Foo Dog and Flower Tattoos

Foo dogs are often paired with Japanese flower tattoos such as cherry blossoms or chrysanthemums tattoos.

Foo Dog and Flower Tattoo

Cherry blossoms are often chosen as tattoos to celebrate life and beauty.

Together with the foo dog, the tattoo means that you wish to honor the cycle of reincarnation and how beautiful life really is.

Foo Dog and Flower Tattoo

With chrysanthemums, the tattoo means a determination to protect others and be a good person.

  • Foo Dog and Pagoda Tattoos

Pagodas are popular symbols of Buddhism, so a foo dog with a pagoda tattoo could symbolize a belief in reincarnation.

Foo Dog and Pagoda Tattoo

Since Pagoda tattoos are symbols of masculinity, they bring out the masculine side of foo dogs.

This means that this tattoo represents power, strength, authority, and courage in the face of danger.

  • Foo Dog and Hannya Mask Tattoos

This tattoo combines two rather scary symbols that are able to strike fear into the hearts of anyone who tries to hurt you.

Foo Dog and Hannya Mask Tattoo

This tattoo symbolizes protection from danger.

It also represents extreme courage, meaning if you have a foo dog and hannya tattoo that you are the type of person who would be able to protect yourself as well as save others from harm.

  • Foo Dog and Dragon Tattoos

Foo dog and dragon tattoos represent good luck and fortune.

Foo Dog and Dragon Tattoo

This tattoo means that you have a lot of goals and aspirations, and you wish for your dreams to come true.

This tattoo might just help you with that dream because it is meant to bring anyone good luck.

  • Foo Dog and Samurai Tattoos

Samurai are known the be fierce warriors and strong a well as courageous.

Foo Dog and Samurai Tattoo

Foo dogs are strong and courageous too, capable of defending a building against the enemy.

Therefore, a foo dog and samurai tattoo symbolize protection against bad guys and means that you yourself are capable of defending those who you love.

Foo Dog Tattoo Styles

Choosing a style for your tattoo is always a fun step in the tattoo process.

You may choose a certain tattoo style for your foo dog tattoo based on meaning or perhaps based on the aesthetic.

Either way, let’s take a look at some foo dog tattoo styles:

Traditional Japanese Foo Dog Tattoos

When foo dogs are in a traditional Japanese tattoo style, they are often colorful and surrounded by cherry blossom flower tattoos, wind, and chrysanthemum flowers.

The Japanese foo dog tattoo represents reincarnation, so traditional Japanese foo dog tattoos are often related to Buddhism.

These tattoos also symbolize protection and good luck.

Traditional Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo
Traditional Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo
Traditional Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo

Neo-Japanese Foo Dog Tattoos

Neo-Japanese foo dog tattoos are colorful with crisp black lines.

These tattoos are Japanese so therefore they refer to reincarnation.

However, these tattoos also have other meanings, such as strength, having a nourishing spirit, and bringing help to others.

Neo-Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo
Neo-Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo
Neo-Japanese Foo Dog Tattoo

New School Foo Dog Tattoos

New School foo dogs tattoos, full of rich colors, look quite scary and for good reason.

Their vicious faces are able to protect you from danger and are full of strength, authority, and courage.

When they are female foo dogs in New School tattoo style, they have more of a nurturing protective side.

New School Foo Dog Tattoo

Foo Dog Tattoo Ideas

By whatever name you call them, Foo Dog tattoos are a beautiful symbol of regality, strength, balance, and vitality.

There are definitely a lot of people who could use a pair of Guardian Lions in their life.

We have come up with a few foo dog tattoo ideas that may just be what you choose as your next tattoo!

Let’s take a look at some of these tattoo ideas and what they symbolize:

  • Black & Grey Foo Dog Tattoos

Black and grey foo dog tattoos look very menacing and strong, symbolizing courage and protection.

These tattoos represent everything there is to do with protecting another human being.

If you have this tattoo, it means that you feel compelled to protect those who you love.

Black and Grey Foo Dog Tattoo
Black and Grey Foo Dog Tattoo
  • Foo Dog Tattoo Sleeves

Sleeve tattoos fill up your arm with foo dogs and other tattoo symbols which can either be masculine or feminine, depending on what you want your tattoo to look like.

Tattoo Sleeve

If they are feminine symbols, the tattoo represents a nurturing nature where you are someone who takes care of other people with kindness.

Foo Dog Tattoo Sleeve

If the tattoo is more on the masculine side, it means that you also take care of people but with your strength and power.

  • Foo Dog Tattoo Half Sleeves

If you have a foo dog half sleeve, it means that you did not want to go for the full sleeve and but still wanted a large foo dog tattoo.

Half Sleeve Tattoo

This tattoo can mean many things, such as strength, courage, good luck, or the fact that you are set on achieving your goals.

Foo Dog Tattoo Half Sleeve

Foo Dog Tattoo Placement

Placement is so important when picking out your tattoo, and foo dog tattoos allow for many options when it comes to placement.

Let’s take a look at some of the most popular tattoo placements for foo dogs:

  • Foo Dog Tattoos on Forearm

Foo dog tattoos on the forearm can be seen by others pretty prominently, therefore this is the type of placement that means that you want others to see your tattoo.

Foo Dog Tattoo on Forearm

Perhaps you want others to see your foo dog tattoo so that they know you can defend yourself, making others know not to mess with you

Foo Dog Tattoo on Forearm
Foo Dog Tattoo on Forearm
  • Foo Dog Leg Tattoos

Most people would not necessarily know that you have a foo dog tattoo if you choose to place it on your leg.

Therefore, this tattoo is like a secret covenant with yourself that you promise to defend anyone who is in trouble.

Foo Dog Tattoo on Leg
  • Foo Dog Hand Tattoos

Foo dog tattoos on the hand are highly visible and are often depicted as rather scary creatures.

Therefore, this tattoo is meant to tell others and make them understand that not only are you capable of defending yourself but that you are full of courage and valor.

Foo Dog Tattoo on the back of the Hand
Foo Dog Tattoo on the back of the Hand
Foo Dog Tattoo on the back of the Hand
Foo Dog Tattoo on the back of the Hand
Things To Consider Before Getting A Foo Dog Tattoo
  • It’s probably going to be big

Remember, Foo Dogs travel in pairs.

It wouldn’t be right to only have one!

They also tend to be incredibly detailed, whether you go for black and grey or color in your tattoo design.

This means your tattoo is going to take up some skin real estate.

  • It’ll Cost You

Big tattoos are expensive tattoos.

They take more time for your tattoo artist to apply, require more effort, and use more ink.

You’ll also want to give your tattoo artist a nice tip- so get a few quotes and save those pennies before you make your tattoo appointment.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, foo dog tattoos are meant to put other people in their place.

They are meant to show others that you are not to be messed with and that you are a strong person.

This would also be a great tattoo to get if you feel as though you could use some more courage in your life, almost like a promise to yourself to do better.

But if you are going to get a tattoo of a foo dog as they are sometimes referred to casually, it is best to pay them the proper respect and call them Guardian Lions.

A Foo Dog tattoo is a nice option because it represents the strength so many of us aspire to while being tempered by a more feminine, contemplative, and gentle quality.

Either way, foo dog tattoos are great symbols and, for men or women, are great tattoos.


Related posts: