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Tattoo designs - P >> Peony

Peony or Peonies Tattoos - In traditional Japanese tattooing, certain design elements are often paired together, dragons, lions and demons with various flowers - in effect a delicate balancing of power with beauty. Peonies, or "botan" are a flower symbol that is traditionally paired with a Japanese lion, or "Shishi". This pairing is called Karajishi, and the ferocity of the lion is tempered by the beauty of the peony. But rather than merely being a simple symbolic example of Yin and Yang at work (see also, Yin-Yang), the peony is a powerful tattoo design element in its own right.

As a tattoo design, the peony symbolizes wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. According to Japanese tattooing tradition, peonies also symbolize daring, risk taking and the gambler's or Samurai's devil-may-care approach to life. A gambler's next bet may be his last, a true Samurai according to the Code of Bushido, or The Way of the Warrior, lives each day as if it may be his last.

The peony is a potent symbol of beauty, of the fragility and fleeting nature of existence and the knowledge that acquiring great rewards comes only by taking great risks.

Get inspired by some really amazing images and photos in our Peony Inspiration Gallery

See also: Flower & Plant Tattoo Index, Japanese Tattoo Index

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Tattoo designs - P >> Peony

Tattoo Symbol Index - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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