Archive for Butterfly Tattoos
Tribal Butterfly Tattoos
Posted by: | CommentsSince both tribal and butterfly tattoos are so popular these days it’s no wonder that tribal butterfly tattoos are being seen more often. As we saw in the article titled Celtic Butterfly Tattoos, the symbolism surrounding these designs is quite interesting and probably adds to their popularity.
Symbolism
Butterflies often represent:
- rebirth
- renewal
- perseverance
- rejuvenation
- the soul
Tribal tattoos often represent:
- a person’s identification with a cultural heritage, belief, or practice.
- an allegiance to a specific social group or culture.
Although you may see phrases like Polynesian tattoos, Celtic tattoos, Japanese tattoos, Filipino tattoos, or Maori tattoos, they all fall under the category of Tribal Tattoos. Tribal tattoos tend to be abstract in form and black in color however due to their recent popularity many of them are now applied in different colors.
Tribal butterfly tattoos are some of the most interesting tattoo designs available because of the artistic nature of the design. When viewing a tattoo of this nature your eyes are automatically drawn to the central image of the design, the butterfly. Some of the designs are so abstract that you may not recognize the butterfly at first glance. This makes the tattoo more interesting and by extension, often draws attention to the wearer!
Like many butterfly designs, tribal butterfly tattoos look great in the lower back area. However, unlike regular butterfly tattoes, tribal ones look good on both men and women.
As with all tattoo designs it’s important to follow the guidelines below:
- Start with an image that has clean, clear lines.
- Make sure the image has smooth curves.
- The curves should not be too close to one another otherwise the tattoo artist may have trouble applying the design to your body.
- Get a Xerox copy of the image in the exact size you want it placed on your body. This is very important because a design that looks great in a large size might not be appropriate as a smaller tattoo because the image may lose too much detail.
UPDATE: Attached below are tattoo flash sheets of tribal butterfly tattoos. Feel free to use them as you see fit:
1. Click on any image to open it inside a blank window.
2. Print.
For photos and more information on Tribal Tattoos see:
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: Butterfly Tattoos
Posted by: | CommentsButterflies have been popular in fashion for many years. You see butterflies in jewelry, shoes, handbags, etc. Butterfly tattoos are popular because the insect has so many beautiful colors.
Butterfly patterns are easy to create as a tattoo on the body because everyone is familiar with the basic shape: the oblong middle body with wings on each side. Regardless of whether the tattoo is permanent or temporary, deciding on which colors will go into the butterfly wings and which patterns will be used is lots of fun. And the color and pattern combinations are endless.
When selecting a butterfly tattoo you should first decide on the color scheme. Choose colors that compliment not just each other but also your skin type. And be sure to choose colors that will look good on you whether you do or do not have a tan! Also, remember, butterfly patterns and colors are usually symmetrical, so the colors in one wing will be the same on the other wing. Or, to be original, you could choose to have different colors in each wing. It won’t be natural but it will definitely be unique!
You should next choose the size, shape, and pattern for the butterfly itself and the butterfly wings. Butterfly wing shapes differ depending on the type of butterfly you choose. You may want to search the Internet for butterfly types to help you decide. You should also decide whether you want your butterfly wings to be a realistic or abstract shape. Realistic shapes make the butterfly look natural or real. Abstract shapes will make the butterfly wings look more “drawn” or stylized. For example, butterfly wings that are oblong in shape aren’t realistic; they’re more abstract. You’ll need to decide which one you prefer.
Perhaps the most important decision when choosing butterfly tattooes deals with the location of the tattoo itself. The most popular location for tattoo of this design is the upper arm however some people choose to get smaller tattoos on the outside of the ankle. Lower back butterfly tattoos are also gaining in popularity amongst women because of the graceful nature of the butterfly shape. Imagine how nice that would look with each wing on each side of the lower back.
No doubt, butterfly tattoos are more popular with women than men however a more “masculine” butterfly tattoo that looks sci-fi in nature would work for a man.
Regardless of your choices, butterfly tattoos are some of the most popular and admired types of tattoos available.
Here are a few examples:
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If you’d like more information on butterfly tattoos and would like to see more photos see the articles below:
