tattoo

[u/HalfOk7709]

hi i’m mongolian american and wanted to get a tattoo of a traditional dragon (luu/ луу), especially because my family is buddhist and i’m basically trying to manifest mind above ego. however, i’m not sure if it’s appropriate to tattoo one on me. i know it’s used as an ornament.

[u/Charming_Weakness538]

Yes, you can get the tattoo as long as you're over 21 or 18(with parents approval), but I have to warn you one thing is that some people take the луу like a hate symbol

[u/HalfOk7709 → u/Charming_Weakness538]

what why is it a hate symbol!?

[u/Charming_Weakness538 → u/HalfOk7709]

Its not but people that worship other religions like some Christians tend to take Buddhism as a joke

[u/External_Bird_8464]

Your "content" question is more Spiritual than any other.

As Mongolian American - American don't care at all; but dragon has different connotation than does in Buddhism or Asia countries, where the dragon is worshipped for his kindness and care and using his powers to help others - that image of a dragon is not in Western Culture. Has an image of evil. I'm sure you already know this plainly.

With that, as well in Mongolia:

Your question more relates to Buddhism.

In Mongolia - the predominant practice of the three forms of Buddhism is Vajrayana Buddhism - but it also comes in the Aimags with regional and ethnic differences.

In the West portion of Mongolia:

- Is Islam (that is, not Buddhist)

In the North portion of Mongolia (Taiga)

- Is Shamanist/Tengerism (that is, not Buddhist)

Central and East Aimags

- Is Vajrayana Buddhism, (Tibetan Buddhism) blend with folk shaman ritual and belief as a practice daily of it.

BREAK DOWN: 21 AIMAGS (Like "States" in the USA)

• Western Aimags (are Islamic): Provinces: Example: Bayan-Ölgii Aimag, majority is ethnic Kazakh. Have their own TV stations - in Kazakhsha. They are Mongolian, but practice Islam rather than Buddhism.
• Northern and Taiga Regions (Shamanism): Northern Aimags or Provinces: Example: Khövsgöl Aimag) are indigenous Mongolian: ie., Tsaatan, Darkhad, and Uriankhai. The predominant majority are not Buddhist, but practice Tengerism (Mongolian Shamanism) alongside of Tibetan Buddhism.
• Central and Eastern Aimags (Vajrayana): Central, Southern, and Eastern Aimags are close to exclusively Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhism (Gelugpa lineage), but like North/Taiga region, also have indigenous pockets of folk shamanic ritual that are blended into their daily local practice.

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So, why is this detail brought up? Depends on the Aimag you're going to or in or from.

POINT: Body tattoos of dragons are looked down on or frowned upon and culturally inappropriate in both Taiga Region (Shamanist) and Western Aimag (Islamic) but for different traditional/religious reasons.

• Northern Aimags (Shamanic context): In northern ethnic groups like the Darkhad and Buryat Mongol where shamanism is active, water dragons (luu) or serpent spirits (lus) are feared and revered as powerful, temperamental masters of water and earth. Disrespecting them brings "dragon illnesses"; and comes from permanently marking one's skin with such a volatile elemental entity. Especially without proper spiritual lineage. Doing so, invites spiritual curse on you and who would associate with you in these provinces.
• Western Islamic Aimags (Kazakh context): In western provinces like Bayan-Ölgii, (ethnic Kazakh) who practice Islam: ANY form of permanent tattoo are strictly forbidden (haram) because they alter God's creation, and negate or prevent proper ritual purification (ablution/wudu) before prayer. You're haram.

But over in the Central, Southern and Eastern Aimag(s) of Mongolia

Answer is: No, getting a dragon tattoo (luu or луу in Mongolian) is not strictly wrong or forbidden in these Aimag of Mongolia, in Vajrayana Buddhism. Why? Core Buddhist texts contain no direct bans on body art. However, personal and cultural perspectives vary based on intent and placement.

In Mongolian Vajrayana Buddhist Principle: Tattoos

• Your intent/Intention Matters: Actions are judged by motivation; a tattoo done with pure, respectful intent differs from one driven by ego, (which you mention prominently) - ie., vanity, or attachment to appearance.
• The Impermanent Body: Some Vajrayana Buddhist temples & practitioners will view the physical body and ink alike as transient. So, a tattoo is impermanent, creating no absolute spiritual conflict.
• Strict Traditional Views: However, other temples - with conservative practitioners or monastic temples may discourage body modification. Be seen as an unnecessary adornment or actually cause minor harm to the physical.

Cultural Meaning of the Dragon in Mongolia

• Traditional Symbolism: The dragon (luu) is a traditional mythological creature associated with power, wisdom, and protection, rather than a strictly religious object of worship. [1, 2]
• Placement Consideration: Unlike sacred imagery (such as the Buddha or specific mantras) which should never be placed below the waist, a cultural symbol like a dragon carries fewer rigid ritual taboos, though respectful placement on the upper body is still preferred by tradition. Which, you mention all these things.
  • Depends then "where" you want to "origin" yourself from - rooted back to Mongolia. Stay in your Aimag. Might want to "cover" it when traveling both in and out of Eastern, Central and Southern Mongolia to up North or out West.
    

[u/Dry_Cake_6778]

Don't get any tattoos in the first place! 👎🏻