Japanese tattoos always show a close connection with Japanese tradition and culture. Tengu tattoos are no exception, unfurling the magic of Japanese folklore in front of our eyes. These tattoos are mostly present in standalone compositions.
However, they can also be present in many tattoos as ornamental elements or as one of many components.
The distinct facial features and expressions on the face of Tengus are the highlights of these tattoos. Further, you can see the use of a lot of colors in this body art.
Do you want to delve deeper into the symbolism and beautiful aesthetics of Tengu tattoos? Here is a detailed account of this unique body art.
What Do Tengu Tattoos Mean?
According to Japanese folklore, Tengus come from the mountains of the country. You can call them birdmen as they have the characteristics of humans and birds. They have the face of a human with ears and hair. However, their noses are extra long and sometimes those look like beaks.
Their tails are plumed, and they have wings on their heads. Traditionally, Tengus have red faces in tattoos. However, you will also find the use of green and black in these tattoos. Further, they are often dressed up as hermits.
Japanese folklore has many accounts of these creatures with a variable nature and a signature fickleness. However, there are contradictions in the perception of these creatures. Some myths project them as evil, while some do not find them harmful.
Myths that find Tengus harmful state that these creatures become angry easily and they can cause damage to human beings and the forests they stay in. They pretend to be nomads and trick many people in this way.
KarasuTengu Karasu (crow) and DaiTengu (great Tengu) are the two most common types of Tengus in Japanese culture. However, you can be creative and choose designs that adhere to your ideas of this mythical creature.
Tengu Tattoos: Demons Or Deities?
How your Tengu tattoo emerges will completely depend on the art and form of a particular design. As I have just mentioned, the myths around these creatures are diverse.
Some find them as the harbingers of epidemics, disasters, and all evil things. Some even call them entities that cause disturbance in the spiritual lives of Buddhist monks.
However, the complexity of Japanese traditions and myths compels us to see these mischievous characters in a different light. Being evil in nature, these creatures actually test the character of a Samurai and challenge him to stick to Bushido, a code of the Samurai warriors. These creatures even pose hurdles that Samurais need to overcome to maintain their honor, dignity, courage, and loyalty.
So, many people see these creatures as tattoos to overcome personal evil and weaknesses. In other words, these tattoos can be about your personal story and captivating designs that attract attention.
Are Tengu Tattoos Good Or Bad?
It’s difficult to adjust Tengu tattoos in the binary of good and bad. The common notion portrays Tengu as mischievous creatures.
However, in Japanese mythology, these Buddhist supernatural creatures are reincarnations of people who have been proud and boastful in their lives.
These creatures try to teach a lesson to people who are arrogant and do not adhere to “Dharma” in their lives. Tengus use their skills of trickery and their unmatched swordsmanship to make these people respectful to Dharma and teach them the art of humility.
Going one step further, over the centuries, Tengus have become associated with the balance of good and bad. In a way, these creatures represent the Yin and Yang concept of complementing the opposites.
Overall, for many people familiar with Japanese mythology, these creatures are like the protectors of personal virtues and they are honorable.
Different Tengu Tattoo Design Ideas To Explore
In modern culture, the Tengu tattoos have transcended the geographical barrier of Japan. Its spiritual symbolism has struck the chords of many tattoo enthusiasts, who see their body art as a tool for establishing a greater connection.
These tattoos are colorful and they are versatile as they beautifully fit with other elements in a design. So, let’s explore the best designs.
1. Only Face Tengu Tattoos
If you want a simple and cute Tengu tattoo, you can choose the “only-face” depiction of a Tengu. The unique facial features and a distinct expression will make it stand out.
2. Sleeve Tengu Tattoos
Get your entire arm sleeve tattooed with a Tengu design. These tattoos look colorful, and you can add as many elements as you want to the design.
3. Tengu Tattoos With Swords
Tengus are known for their unmatched swordsmanship. They are still respected in Japanese culture, especially in the military system.
Bring out the real spirit of Tengus by having a tattoo with these creatures and swords.
4. Tengu And Snake Tattoos
Snakes are the protectors, and they fight ill will. Tengus, the supernatural creatures to project Dharma, will fit well in a tattoo with snake motifs.
5. Back Tengu Tattoo
Let your back have the most illustrious Tengu tattoo with a lot of colors. You can even try incorporating different elements from nature, like flowers, leaves, and vines, in the design.
6. Black And Red Tengu Tattoo
Keep your Tengu tattoo vibrant by getting a design inked with red and black. You can go the traditional way by getting the Tengu face done in red and the outline in black.
7. Tengu And Dragon Tattoo
Putting a dragon and Tengu in a tattoo will be like the ultimate ode to Japanese mythology and symbolism. We all know that in Japanese culture, dragons are the ultimate protectors, and they are omniscient. Similarly, Tengus are the protectors of humility and Dharma. So, both these elements will look great in a design.
Further, even if you see Tengus as the symbols of evil, putting them together in a design with dragons will be like the balancing art of good and bad.
8. Comical Tengu Tattoo
With a long nose or beaks, Tengus have some funny or cartoonish attributes. You can use the fun elements and have the most comical Tengu tattoo inked.
9. Tengu Tattoo On Chest
When you are planning to have a colorful Tengu tattoo, you will need a big canvas like your chest. Your chest or back is the ideal body part to depict this unique tattoo on a large scale that highlights the overall aesthetics and vibrant nature of the designs.
10. Black Work Tengu Tattoo
If you have a penchant for Gothic aesthetic, you can always have a Tengu tattoo done in black. In Japanese tradition, Tengus and the color black are associated with evil.
However, as we explore the diverse sides of Tengu tattoos, we can say that these black work Tengu tattoos actually create a balance of good and evil in our lives.
11. Tengu Tattoo Collage
Don’t worry if you cannot make up your mind and choose a particular Tengu design. You can always go for a collage with four or five Tengu face masks featuring different expressions.
These tattoos will look cool on wrists, and you can even have them on your forearms or neck.
12. Hermit Tengu Tattoo
From the mountains of Japan, Tengus are often revered as hermits. If you are especially aware of their lives in jungles and mountains, you can choose an aesthetic tattoo design.
13.Warrior Tengu Tattoo
Tengus are known for their fierce nature and how they protect Dharma. You can take inspiration from their fighting spirit and have a Tengu tattoo inked on your body.
14. Red And White Tengu Tattoo
Red and white are the colors for your Tengu tattoo if you want to have a fierce character. In Japanese culture, red symbolizes strength and authority. White, on the other hand, stands for spiritual and physical purity.
If you are familiar with the symbolism attached to Tengus, you will know how they challenge the Samurai warriors to achieve these qualities by posing challenges.
15. Tengu Tattoo With Only Outlines
Do you want to have a minimalist Tengu tattoo design? Why don’t you choose a design that only has dark black outlines?
These tattoos look great on a smaller scale, and being petite in nature, they look great on your wrist, neck, and shoulder.
16. Tengu And Flower Tattoo
Taking your creative liberty, you can mix and match Tengus with floral motifs. You can let the flowers be in the backdrop, and the Tengu mask be prominently present in the forefront. Use contrasting shades and dark black outlines to make the design aesthetic.
If you want, you can also go for special adornments in these tattoos with a glittery touch.
17. Girl And Tengu Mask Tattoo
Along with Tengu masks, Oni maks are also quite popular in Japanese culture. In Tattoo art, the Tengu and Oni masks may look similar (though Oni demons have horns, unlike Tengus). However, Oni masks symbolize fear for the natural world, and they are used to scare enemies. Further, Oni masks are more suitable for women and girls.
Nevertheless, if you want, you can have a tattoo with a girl wearing a Tengu or Oni mask. Both designs have the potential to emerge as a statement body art.
18. Black And White Tengu Tattoo
In Japanese culture, black and white tattoos are quite popular. Having a Tengu Tattoo in black and white ink is an excellent idea in terms of visual aesthetics and symbolism. The use of black and white ink together can create the right dose of contrast in the design.
These two ink colors also go well with the meaning of Tengu tattoos, meaning the balance of good and evil.
19. Samurai Tattoo With Tengu Mask
Tengus have a long association with Samurai warriors. These mischievous characters challenge the Samurai warriors to remain true to their code and virtue. They are also seen as the symbol of balancing good and evil.
So, it would be a brilliant idea to have these mythical creatures with Samurai warriors in one tattoo. You can be as creative as you want with the scale and aesthetics of the designs. You can make the Samurai figure wear a Tengu mask or have the figures of a Samurai warrior and Tengu side by side.
20. Red, Black, And Golden Tengu Tattoo
Do you want your tengu tattoo to have a distinct character? You don’t need it to have all the colors in the world, as the use of too many colors can make the design look comical.
To keep the gravity of the design intact, you can go for a black background and a red and golden design in the foreground.
21. Green Face Tengu Tattoo
Traditionally, Tengu masks or tattoos are depicted in red. However, you can also get a Tengu tattoo designed in a green shade.
You can have this tattoo as a standalone design. At the same time, you can use different colors in the background to add more prominence to the design in the foreground.
22. Abstract Tengu Tattoo
Why don’t you add some touch of intrigue to your tattoo art with an abstract design? For an abstract design, you can take inspiration from the meanings and myths associated with Tengus.
If you have broad shoulders or a toned back, you can have the most artistic and abstract tattoos on these body parts.
23. 3D Tengu Tattoo
Do you want your Tengu tattoo to be realistic in its appearance? Why not go for a 3D design? 3D tattoos look great on forearms or as tattoo sleeves.
24. Tengu Tattoo On Thighs
You can use a lot of colors for Tengu tattoos, and these supernatural creatures look great in tattoos when paired with other elements. So, you can have a Tengu tattoo inked on your thighs.
Final Words
Japanese Tengu tattoos represent Japanese culture, and these are vibrant as body art. Despite Tengus being popularly associated with evil and mischief, these tattoos have other symbolism.
Often these creatures and the tattoos depicting them symbolize the balance between contrasting forces like good and evil. You also need to understand the mystical beauty Tengu tattoos have as they are the teachers of Dharma.
Tengu tattoos can be quirky, and they will look great on any body part, depending on the portrayal of the design and the scale. You can get these tattoos on your forearms, wrists, chest, shoulders, and even bald heads.
So, are you planning to get a Tengu tattoo anytime soon? Do you find our article on this unique creature and the tattoos inspired by them helpful? Please share your views with us, along with some additional insights on this mythical creature.
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