Archive for May, 2008
Lower Back Tribal Tattoos
Posted by: | CommentsHistorically tribal tattoos indicated one’s social status or membership in a community or group. The designs themselves were used to define a person’s identity and ideals. Depending on the type of tribal tattoo chosen the symbolism and meaning of the design varies. Tribal tattoos are especially nice for the lower back because they tend to be drawn from left-to-right thereby making them a prime candidate for that body area.
Let’s learn a little about the meaning of tribal tattoos:
Maori Tribal Tattoos
The Maori tribe can from ancient New Zealand. They are noted for wearing leg and face tattoos. They are also recognized as outstanding wood carvers whose designs would often contain spirals. “Moko” or facial tattoos were used primarily as a form of identification. They believed that when someone died their true identity would shine through the tattoo.
Celtic Tribal Tattoos
Although the people from the Celtic tribes have almost all disappeared their cultural influences are still a part of our art forms and music. Celtic tattoos are comprised primarily of intertwining geometric lines, knots, and spirals. In some instances the lines themselves are shaped to form images. In other cases the outline of an image is filled with Celtic designs. Celtic designs are very popular now and come in many different variations.
Native American Tribal Tattoos
Native Americans also applied and wore tattoos. Warriors would wear tattoos as a badge of honor to represent their strength and courage. They usually wore tattoos of animals (primarily predators) which represented their masculinity and virility. They believed that a portion of the animal’s strength would be given to the wearer after the design was applied to the skin.
Polynesian Tribal Tattoos
Many believe that the Polynesians are responsible for the introduction of applying artistic scenes onto the body. Their tattoos usually illustrated meaningful events in the life of the wearer or perhaps his social status. In some instances the bodies of tribe members were almost entirely covered in tattoos.
Here are some examples of lower back tribal tattoos:
Celtic Butterfly Tattoos
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Celtic butterfly tattoos are a popular design choice these days. This may be linked to the symbolism that surrounds Celtic and butterfly designs:
1. Celtic cultures consider butterflies to represent rebirth and growth. Since butterfly larvae transform within the cocoon and emerge as a beautiful creature people who have gone through tough times and emerged better and stronger may choose these tattoo designs.
2. Butterflies represent the soul.
3. In Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together represent undying love.
4. They can also represent luck and upcoming fortune.
Because most celtic butterfly designs are small they are good candidates for tattoos on the upper arm, ankle, or shoulder. However Celtic butterfly images can also be used in lower back tattoos if they are combined with Celtic designs outside the wings.
Celtic Knot Butterfly Tattoos
Celtic knots are intricate and sometimes asymmetrical designs that usually have no beginning or end. They were originally used by Celtic monks while praying to help them focus. As monks bowed in prayer they would rub their fingers along the knots to maintain their concentration.
Celtic knots were also used to symbolize Christianity. A popular three-pointed Celtic knot represents the Christian Trinity.
There are many ways in which Celtic knot butterflies are formed:
- Take a Celtic knot design and shape it to resemble the image of a butterfly.
- Fill just the body of the butterfly with the image of a Celtic knot.
- Fill both the body and the wings with several Celtic knot designs.
Before getting a Celtic butterfly tattoo it’s important to start with a clear image with clean lines. Your tattoo artist will then outline the tattoo onto your skin before filling it in. Celtic butterfly tattoos usually don’t take too long to apply because they are usually comprised of a series of lines with minimal filler.
Here are some examples of Celtic butterfly tattoos:
For more information on butterfly tattoos see:
Most Popular Free Tattoo Patterns: Dragons
Posted by: | CommentsAnother popular tattoo design choice involves using images that depict dragons. There are two different types of dragon tattoo patterns available: ones that depict the eastern dragon and ones for the western dragon.
Eastern Dragon Tattoos
Eastern dragon tattoos have positive meanings. They depict compassion, benevolence, fertility, protection, intelligence, good will, and good fortune. Most eastern dragons are drawn as creatures of beauty. In China, shrines and temples have been built to honor them because some believe they control the lakes, rivers, seas, and rain. Some Chinese cities have pagodas where people still pray to eastern dragons and burn incense.
According to Chinese mythology eastern dragons were great consuls of powerful Chinese rulers. Although the eastern dragons were usually kind and wise, they were sometimes vain and became angry when their advice was not followed. They expressed their displeasure by causing natural disasters. The more powerful eastern dragons were able to create droughts or floods. Smaller dragons were believed to make roofs leak or cause rice to stick. To appease the dragons people would set off firecrackers or carry large paper dragons in parades.
Dragons were believed to represent the essence of life and have breath that was celestial, called sheng chi. Eastern dragons were believed to provide life sustaining water used not only for drinking but also for irrigating crops. In many ways dragons were believed to be similar to what we call Mother Nature. They were also considered to be symbolic of good fortune and have the ability to ward off evil spirits and protect the innocent.
Western Dragon Tattoos
Western dragon tattoos have more negative meanings. They depict greed, destruction, and chaos. They are usually drawn as bloodthirsty, fire-breathing creatures.
Overall, dragon tattoos are more popular with men than with women, perhaps because the dragon symbol is usually indicative of strength and aggression.
Here are some examples of dragon tattoos:
