Left or Right

[alexjxaver]

The old shaolin dudes use to get the tiger and dragon burned on them by the big old pot. But witch arm was the tiger on and witch arm was the dragon on? And does anyone have and pics or links to what these brands would of looked like?

[Thai Bri]

WTF for? Tell me you're not considering trying to do this to yourself. Puhlease!

[alexjxaver]

the thought had crossed my mind, but... no. I am thinking of getting them tattooed and a dark red to look like a brand.

But i need to know what to put where

[KTK]

The tiger was on the right arm and the dragon was on the left arm.

[Smart Fighter]

What is a Shaolin master?

Images of a monk, after many years of training, walking down a fire lit corridor, defending himself from the onslaught of one hundred and eight armed wooden dummies, and surviving, only to escape this mortal test by picking up a heavy cast iron pot filled with burning embers with the resulting painful branding of a tiger and a dragon on his forearms, is, well, bullsh*t. As far as I can honestly tell.

The monks of the Shaolin Temple laugh when I present this story to them, all giving me basically the same response, which goes something like this, "You Americans watch too much television." Some traditions dictate that this possibly fatal testing of a Shaolin monk before he became a master took place at the Shaolin Temple, some traditions claim that it took place at the southern temple at Fukien. Regardless, the present day monks, some of whom have studied Shaolin history extensively, refute the story as bunk.

That doesn't mean that a monk, who wanted to leave the Temple after his years of training, did not have to undergo any sort of testing. One's master would test a monk extensively prior to giving him permission to leave the Temple. (see Shi Xing Hong for more on this). A monk at the Temple is tested after a period of time, and if his performance, and his character, is acceptable, he is given a master's certificate. Remember, when the term "master" is used in these environments, it is used less to denote ability, and more to denote that one is a teacher.

Which brings up an interesting point? At the Temple, how does one denote one's gong fu ability, if they don't use colored belts or certificates to any large degree? From what I've noticed, one's ability is recognized over a period of time, and, no one, regardless of how good they are, goes to any length to demonstrate to others that one is better than them. The people that are good are just known to be good; the people that are bad, are helped. You have to think like a Chinese here.

Above is a statement from a martial arts historian who has interviewed several legitimate shaolin monks, its a good read check it out.

That being said, perhaps you can save some money, and tattoo "wannabe" on just one forearm, left or right shouldnt matter..

[alexjxaver]

the reason for getting it tattooed on me would not be to try and look like a shaolin monk, infact i realy dont want to be associated much with shaolin, i think now all it is is a name, i dont think there is even a real shaolin temple anymore, just people trying to make money off a name, and i am not a big fan of traditional martial arts. I would get it for the meening and theory behind it. Atleast what i was told the dragaon represents wisdom and the tiger is strenth. When some chinese people bow, they do it with the left hand over the right, saying that you sould use wisdom over power. Witch is what i belive, and what i say by getting that tattoo.

[Londo Molari]

I thought the tiger was the HARD side of Kung Fu and the Dragon was the SOFT side?

Also, I thought the Tiger was on the left and the Dragon on the right. I could be wrong.

[Smart Fighter]

the reason for getting it tattooed on me would not be to try and look like a shaolin monk, infact i realy dont want to be associated much with shaolin, i think now all it is is a name, i dont think there is even a real shaolin temple anymore, just people trying to make money off a name, and i am not a big fan of traditional martial arts. I would get it for the meening and theory behind it. Atleast what i was told the dragaon represents wisdom and the tiger is strenth. When some chinese people bow, they do it with the left hand over the right, saying that you sould use wisdom over power. Witch is what i belive, and what i say by getting that tattoo.

If you truly believe in that philosophy, I commend you. If you do, then you wear the dragon and tiger already on the inside wear it counts. Please accept my apology for assuming the worst about you, sometimes we can all jump the gun on these forums, sorry about that!

[alexjxaver]

thats OK. i do the same thing. cause there are definately a lot of idiots in these forums.

[Broadsword2004]

If you want an animal that is a true sign of strength and bravery tatooed on you, get a lion (male African lion), the tiger is just a big pussy cat.

[Thai Bri]

thats OK. i do the same thing. cause there are definately a lot of idiots in these forums.

Tell me about it........