Japanese kanji for dragon: 竜 and 龍 — which one to write
The Japanese kanji for dragon is 竜 or 龍, both read as “ryū” (kun'yomi たつ, “tatsu”). 竜 is the modern simplified form, 10 strokes; 龍 is the traditional form, 16 strokes, often chosen for tattoos and signs. The word for dragon in Japanese is 竜 (ryū), and in 竜巻 (tatsumaki) “tornado” it uses the kun'yomi.
The Japanese dragon does not guard treasure or breathe fire: it lives in water and is responsible for rain. Hence 竜巻 — “dragon scroll,” meaning tornado. The character 龍 with sixteen strokes is still written on temple gates because the simplified version seems too light for such a creature.
How to write the Japanese kanji for dragon
竜 — значение: dragon — онъёми: リュウ、リョウ、ロウ — кунъёми: たつ、いせ — 10 штрих(ов). Modern form, 10 strokes. Click “Show stroke order” — the strokes will appear as if written by hand.
竜 or 龍 — what's the difference
This is one character in two forms. 龍 is the old, full form with 16 strokes; 竜 is the simplified version that entered the school list after the writing reform. In newspapers and textbooks, 竜 is used; in names, temple names, restaurant signs, and tattoos, 龍 is used because it looks more imposing.
Readings: ryū and tatsu
The on'yomi リュウ (ryū) is used in words and names: 恐竜 (kyōryū) — dinosaur, 竜神 (ryūjin) — dragon god. The kun'yomi たつ (tatsu) is used in native Japanese combinations: 竜巻 (tatsumaki) — tornado, and in names like Tatsuya. The Year of the Dragon in the Eastern calendar is also 辰/竜, “tatsu”.
Words with dragon
| Japanese | Reading | Translation |
|---|---|---|
| 竜 | ryū · ryū | Dragon |
| 龍 | ryū · ryū | Dragon (traditional form) |
| 恐竜 | kyōryū · kyōryū | Dinosaur (literally “fearsome dragon”) |
| 竜巻 | tatsumaki · tatsumaki | Tornado, funnel cloud |
| 竜神 | ryūjin · ryūjin | Dragon god, lord of water |
| 登り龍 | noboriryū · nobori-ryū | Rising dragon (classic tattoo motif) |
Dragon for tattoo: what to choose
- For tattoos, 龍 is almost always used — the traditional 16 strokes look denser and “older”.
- 竜 is not worse in meaning, but it is perceived as the school form from a textbook.
- “Rising dragon” — 登り龍 (nobori-ryū) is a set phrase, not an invention.
- The stroke order of 龍 is complex: the left half is written entirely from top to bottom, only then the right. This is visible in the finished work.
Write 竜 yourself
Trace the character along the guides — the system will evaluate each stroke.
FAQ
- How do you say “dragon” in Japanese?
- 竜 or 龍, read as “ryū”. The kun'yomi is “tatsu”, used in words like 竜巻 (tatsumaki) “tornado” and in names.
- What is the difference between 竜 and 龍?
- They are the same word in two forms: 竜 is the modern simplified form (10 strokes), 龍 is the traditional form (16 strokes). The meaning and reading are the same; only the appearance and style differ.
- Which dragon kanji should I choose for a tattoo?
- Most people choose 龍 — it looks more imposing and is associated with tradition. 竜 is also correct, but it reads as the “textbook” version.
- Is the Japanese dragon the same as the European one?
- No. The Japanese 竜 is a water deity responsible for rain, without wings and without treasure. Hence 竜神 (ryūjin) — “dragon god” and 竜巻 (tatsumaki) — “dragon scroll,” meaning tornado.
Updated: 2026-07-25