The Lunar New Year, the year of the dragon, is in full swing since the festivities kicked off February 10 and wrapped up February 24. One way of commemorating the celebrations beyond the parades and festivals is through ink. More tattoo enthusiasts will be getting dragon designs inked on them, something that Los Angeles-based tattoo artists Sion Kwak and Sung-Jin Yin, who works under the moniker Intat, have seen over the past month, two artists who collaborate on a series of dragon-based designs—for women.
“Dragons have always been a highly popular tattoo theme, likely due to their meaningful symbolism and versatile design,” said Yin. “Since 2024 is the year of the dragon, more people are inclined to consider dragon tattoos, resulting in a surge in interest and demand.”
The demand for more dragon tattoos is in Asia, as well, with artists saying they’re a good luck symbol, positive energy and confidence. In 2022, the buzz around the House of the Dragon series helped make the dragon tattoo more popular, but it has a different meaning in Asia.
“In Eastern cultures, especially in Korea, dragons are perceived as powerful protectors that bring positive energy and ward off evil,” said Yin. “It’s a way to show courage and wisdom in dealing with life’s challenges and changes, and to express their commitment to personal growth.”
The duo has worked on a series of dragon tattoos over the past months, as there has been a spike in demand. “Dragon tattoos have a deeper value beyond mere aesthetic beauty; it symbolically represents an individual’s stories and beliefs,” said Yin. “It is a powerful way to express one’s inner values, beliefs, and life journey.”
In Asian traditions, the Year of the Dragon is said to be a year of magic and mystery. It’s expected to be filled with creative expression, love, luck, and imagination.“The Year of the Dragon means change and growth for us,” said Yin. “For both me and my customers, it can be the perfect time to reevaluate personal goals and make positive changes. In 2024, the year of the blue dragon will bring us new beginnings and possibilities.”
Intat is known for his traditional, fine line work, specializing in dragons and snakes. Meanwhile, Sion is known for her tattoos of the Norigae, a tassel charm popular in South Korea. Their work fits together like yin and yang. “Since we’re a couple and spend a significant amount of time together, we find it easier to discuss our artwork freely,” said Kwak. “It’s easy for us to experiment and collaborate on projects and maintain progress that works together seamlessly.”
Their tattoos couldn’t be more different, with the dragon tattoos being dark and full of tiny details, while the Norigae tattoos being lighthearted, simple, and free flowing. “Sion’s designs use the traditional Korean Norigae, knots, and strings to create harmonious compositions that flow with the body,” said Yin.
Kwak adds: “Intat prefers using detailed animal themes with delicate touches. Our collaboration combines our respective strengths to create unique and meaningful tattoo designs.”
The duo has combined a traditional, Asian-inspired dragon tattoo with the bold, red Norigae, adding feminine touch to dragon-like figures. “We believe dragons and strings complement each other well as a design because they share a common trait—a flexible and free-flowing figure,” said Yin.
Large-scale dragon tattoos are increasingly popular with women who want to cover a leg or arm with a sprawling dragon tattoo. “We believe that as tattoo culture has become more diverse, there’s more of a willingness to get them more freely and boldly than in the past,” said Kwak.
“It also helps that recent advancements in tattooing tech and equipment have made the process safer and more sophisticated. Dragon tattoos might be bold, but they’re certainly not out of the ordinary in 2024.”
As a couple, working together on tattoos has proved to help their own love blossom. “Most of all, working together makes our relationship more special and reminds us how valuable it is to share a common passion,” said Kwak. “Our collaboration reflects our love and dedication to the art of tattooing, showing how two different artists can come together in harmony to create something new and beautiful.”