Archive for Free Tattoo Designs
Japanese Tattoos
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The closest Japanese word for tattoo in use today is Irezumi – a word that suggests the addition of ink under the skin to leave a permanent mark commonly for decorative purposes. The word when written in different ways means different things. It literally means to ‘insert ink’ but with varying letters it could also mean ‘decorating the body’. The actual word for tattooing is very rarely used.
In ancient Japanese history tattooing was used for spiritual and decorative purposes; and this practice dates back to roughly 10,000 B.C! (Surprising isn’t it, to realize something as contemporary as tattoos can be so ancient a tradition!). Although several scholars have suggested that the markings found on the faces and bodies of figures dating back to that period in time represent tattoos, it is not undisputed. There is however, striking similarities between those markings and the tradition of tattoos found in other cultures. The Ainu people (indigenous Japanese people) are also known for their use of tattoos for communal purposes. There is no known connection however, with their practice and that of Irezumi.
Although tattoos were initially used to signify spirituality and status among the ancient society, by the Kofun period (around 300 – 600 AD) people started to use tattoos as means of marking criminals.
Through the years the practice of tattooing altered its significance in the Japanese society; during 1600 AD (the Edo period) however, tattooing began to evolve as the intricate art form – which it is today.
The practice was again outlawed by the Japanese government during the Meiji era (1868 – 1912) in an attempt to impress the rising West. Tattoos again came to be associated with criminals as they continued the tradition underground. They were linked to the Yakuza (the mafia of Japan) for several years and the bias is still visible in contemporary Japan. People with tattoos are still not allowed inside public baths, fitness centres and hot springs.
The Meanings of Viveca A Fox’s Tattoos
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Vivica Anjanetta Fox (popularly known as Vivica A. Fox), is a gifted actress and television producer. She is best known for her roles in feature films such as Independence Day, Set It Off, Soul Food, Why Do Fools Fall In Love, and Kill Bill: Vol. 1.
Vivica is of a mixed descent (African American and Native American) and was born in South Bend, Indiana in 1964. Vivica later moved to California to attend Golden West College and it was around that time that she also made her first foray into professional acting. Vivica started her career with roles on soap operas such as Generations, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless. Some of the other early roles she played include: Jazz’s sister on the successful comedy show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, and Beverly Hills 90210. Her big break in the film industry came with roles in movies such as Independence Day and Set It Off (1996).
She is not known for flaunting her tattoos as much as some of the other actresses and musicians, nevertheless, she has quite a collection. Vivica has a rose and a bunch of vines on her lower back. She calls them her “handle bars” (for what reason? I could only but guess)
She also has a tattoo of a tiny fox on her right arm. Is it a coincidence that her last name is also Fox? Maybe not! According to Native North American mythology a fox is representative of a trickster. A fox is known for its intelligence, its surprising cleverness in escaping traps – eluding predators and going about its environment at night. It represents a morally neutral person; someone unpredictable! Given Vivica’s part Native American descent, it is possible that the fox tattoo represents all those things.
Vivica also has a small tattoo ring around one of her toes (purely esthetic I suppose), a large cross on her back (right shoulder blade) and a vertical line of three Chinese language characters.
Cross Tattoo Designs
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The cross tattoo design is perhaps one of the most popular tattoo designs in use today. Every person I know (with tattoos), including some celebrities, has at least one cross symbol (if not more). Some people wear the symbol as an expression of their religious beliefs – they are Christian; they believe in the scriptural reference to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross – plain and simple. Some others however, give the symbol their own special meaning (not necessarily Christian). Very few people today wear the cross for its ancient symbolism – I’m talking of a period in time even before Jesus; a long, long time ago in human civilization.
It is believed that even back then, the symbol has significant religious attachments. Some associate the use of the cross symbol to the use of the early swastika symbol (which looks very much like a cross minus the handles). It is believed that this early symbol represented the tools used in igniting a fire and eventually became a symbol of the sacred fire or a symbol of the Sun. It is also believed to be representative of lightning or the god of the tempest. It is seen as the emblem of the ancient Aryan civilization (now adopted by the Hindu people. The Hindu swastika symbol looks very much like the Nazi German symbol but means something else).
Another such connection made to the contemporary cross is that of the ancient Egyptians – the ansated cross (also known as the Ankh or crux ansata). It is the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character that reads “eternal life”. The Egyptian gods of old are often depicted carrying this in their hand. It is believed that the Egyptian Christians (otherwise known as Coptic Christians) later adopted this symbol – perhaps drawn by its form or meaning – as the sign of the cross.
Cross tattoos are famous among men (worn on the shoulders, back, forearm). Women have a (usually) smaller and more feminine version (on the foot, ankle, hand, lower back).
Fairy Tattoo Designs
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Another popular tattoo design is that of fairies. Most women like the effeminate, delicate look of a fairy and perhaps it reminds them of their childhood – their days of fairy tales and carefree wanderings. I’ve never seen a guy with a fairy tattoo till date; have you?
The term fairy brings to mind the picture of a tiny human like magical creature with transparent wings – for instance tinker bell; but fairies were not always that cute. Folklore has it that fairies were initially depicted as tall, glowing, angelic beings or a shorter shriveled trolls! Their wings – another trademark of fairies today – are supposed to have become common in the Victorian era and in later works. The fairies of folklore although they flew, dint have wings. They flew magically – however small they were – sometimes on ragwort (a kind of flower) stems and sometimes on the backs of birds.
In some, other animals have also been described as fairies. This can be attributed to the fairy’s magical ability to change shapes. Like wise their tiny forms were magically assumed and not their original size. Much of the folklore talks about protection from their wickedness – you see fairies are not all angels! It is said that cold iron is fairies like kryptonite to superman. Some charms of rowan and herbs are also used to keep them away. Stories are told of them stealing babies and kidnapping older people as well. Some describe them as having green eyes and those using words to confuse people since they cannot lie. They are also often shown as ones that bite! They hate being thanked as they see it as a sign of someone who forgets the good deed done. They’d prefer a different sign that will guarantee remembrance.
Reverend Robert Kirk, Minister of the Parish of Aberfoyle, Stirling, Scotland, in 1691 wrote: “These Siths or Fairies they call Sleagh Maith or the Good People…are said to be of middle nature between Man and Angel, as were Daemons thought to be of old”. Some believe they are the dead or a particular class of the dead. A few other are of the opinion that they are “demoted angels”. After the angels’ revolt, when God shut the gates of heaven those that stayed in heaven became angels, those that were in hell became devils and those stuck in between became fairies.
The meanings of Ludacris’ tattoos
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Christopher Brian Bridges better known as Ludacris (I wonder if anyone played the ‘Ludicrous… I mean Ludacris’ joke on him) is an awarding winning American actor and rapper. He has won the Screen Actors Guild, MTV, Critic’s choice and the Grammy Awards so far in his career. Chris Bridges was born in Champaign, Illinois and had his musical influences at a very early age. At the age of 9 he moved to Atlanta which was when he wrote his first rap song; shortly after he joined an amateur rap group. He later went on to study Music Management at the Georgia State University.
Chris Bridges today is not only an accomplished actor and musician but also the founder (along with his manager Chaka Zulu and Jeff Dixon) of Disturbing tha Peace. I haven’t misspelled the ‘the’ in the name; they really do spell it that way. Disturbing tha Peace is a hip hop record label and Management Company, an auxiliary of Universal Music Group.
Just like several other rappers, he also seems to have taken a liking to the body art of tattoos (although he hasn’t over done it like some of them out there!) He has just three tattoos that I’m aware of, unless he has some hidden ones; two on one arm and one on the other.
On his right hand, he has the tattoo of Jesus on the cross. It is needless to say what that means! – He believes in God.
On his left, he has a set of praying hands imprinted on his arm. When asked what that tattoo meant, he said: “You wake up, and you go to sleep, and you thank God for everything you have. That’s pretty much the meaning behind that” – Good for you Chris Bridges!
The other tattoo on his arm is that of Disturbing tha Peace – the official symbol. After all, he is one of the founders of the record company, and after having “dedicated” his life to the company, it’s no wonder he feels it is dear enough to be on his skin as a constant reminder.
Chris Bridges does have a daughter named Karma with an Atlanta Attorney (Christine White). I wonder if she is dear enough to go on his skin.
Fish Tattoo Designs
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A popular tattoo design today is the various representations of fish. Many ancient cultures view the fish symbol as representing water, mother or great goddess. In early mythology the fish stood for the feminine and their power to reproduce.
In the Hindu culture the fish symbolizes marriage. It is said that when a bride first steps into her husband’s house, she carries a fish in her hand; and the most popular fish symbol is that of the astrological Pisces – two of them swimming in opposed directions.
Before the advent of today’s mainstream religions the symbol – a pointed oval – known as Vesica Piscis meaning fish bladder in Latin, was associated with fertility (and the feminine reproductive power).
In early church history the symbol was used as a secret code. Back in the day Christianity was not ‘allowed’ and Christians were persecuted for their faith; the early Christians drew the fish symbol on the walls of their houses to indicate to other secret Christians that it was a safe place for a gathering or worship. It was eventually included in the Christian church décor. The Greek word – Ichthus – for fish came to symbolize Jesus himself.
For most aboriginal people especially those that lived by the seas, fish were their primary source of food. The salmon, among all, has come to be the most venerated. It became a symbol of fertility, wealth and abundance.
According to Celtic myth the fish is a symbol of wisdom. Celtic myth tells the tale of how the salmon – after swallowing sacred nuts at the well of knowledge – came to be associated with wisdom and from there springs the belief that eating salmons will result in gaining wisdom!
Some Polynesian groups consider eels sacred and therefore cannot be eaten. To them it symbolized ‘justified revenge’. People of this culture prayed to the eels in order to dish out justice to an enemy.
In many Asian cultures, such as the Chinese ‘Feng Shui’, the symbol – fish in the water – would aid in warding off evil spirits.