Celtic tattoos

Tattoos are as popular today as they were in ancient times, but for different reasons. We wear them as decoration the ancients wore tattoos as permanent war paint. Their tattoos were designed with one thing in mind and that was to instil as much fear in their enemies as they possibly could. Wars were fought hand to hand and in battle warriors bared their chests in order to make sure that their tattoos were highly visible to the enemy. Tattoos indicated toughness and fearlessness when faced with danger. Tattoos were also designed as a method of identification, much like soldiers today wear 'dog tags'.

Popular tattoo choices
Celts once covered a large area of Europe and had their own languages and culture, not to mention religion. The symbols they used in those days are incorporated into the highly popular Celtic tattoos used today.

The Celts worshipped gods and goddesses, animals and the land, and as they were exposed more and more to Christianity, their symbols and shapes started to change into crosses and stars. One of the reasons for this adaptation was to avoid conflict with Christian beliefs. But, these adapted elements are what remains and what is most seen in traditional tattoos.

Celtic Knot Patterns
Although many traditional Celtic designs are copied in tattoos, perhaps one of the most recognizable and coveted tattoo is the knot. Knots resemble interwoven vines and are arranged to form a particular shape, for example a heart, but their shape can be almost anything a person can think of, from circles to the more complex star shape.











A Celtic knot also carries with it the symbolism recognizable by anyone who has even a slight knowledge of Celtic art which is that it represents continuous life as well as the season's cycles and the complexity of nature.

Animals were very important to the Celts, animals such as butterflies, dogs and geese. Butterflies were especially held in very high esteem by the Celts because of their beauty. Dogs symbolize loyalty and good luck while eagles are linked with death, so are ravens and other birds. Horses were sacred to the Celts and a tattoo depicting a horse is linked to mystery and magic. Power can be symbolized by a Celtic art tattoo of a bear while the dragon is associated with both power and magic. Sometimes an animal will be the main focus in a tattoo while others may form on a part of the background.

The number three, 3, has always featured highly in Celtic designs and is typically found somewhere in the design, at times even hidden deeply within it. It can be small or large.












Cross
The Celtic cross is without doubt perhaps the most recognisable of all Celtic designs and is a very popular tattoo subject. They are highly religious in their nature and quite often Celts will wear the design as a proclamation of their ethnic roots.

The Celtic tree of life is quite self-explanatory, it follows the same style as the knot and the cross but it is composed of interweaving lines which form branches around a tree trunk. It represents the beginning and end of life and also the eternal nature of the world we live in.

Claddagh
A Claddagh, though maybe not as well known is popular and is perhaps more recognizable to those of Celtic and Irish heritage. Consisting of two hands clasping a heart covered by a crown. When represented graphically in the form of a tattoo, it stands for everlasting love and loyalty.












The beauty of body art
Celtic designs are beautiful when incorporated into a tattoo and there are a host of different choices suited to both male and female. Almost every tattoo studio will offer a wide variety of Celtic tattoo designs.

Celtic art in the form of tattoos is very often seen as bands around the arms or on the wrist. More recently Celtic designs are being tattooed on the lower back. Celtic art is usually always done with black ink and the lines can be a combination of thick and very thick. Celtic tattoo designs have their origin dating back several thousand years and their aesthetic value has grown ever more popular since then as they are beautiful abstract works of art.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/Aztec%20Tattoos
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snake tattoos

It was over 50 years ago when I saw my first snake tattoo. My father proudly showed off his snake and dagger tattoo design he just had inked on his upper arm. I liked it too as he had incorporated my name in the design. He told me then he chose this design to represent strength and protection. If he were alive today, maybe he say something different, but I'm sure, in that tangled web of tattoos he eventually ended up with, this was still one of his favourites.

What is it that still draws people to this design? There are many answers to this and I will name just a couple. For example, the snake's popularity may have something to do with the rich history of myths and legends. One such myth is that of the ancient Greek myth of Medusa, the beautiful snake haired woman, who had the power to turn men into stone with a single glance, and I'm sure we know of a few women who still have that power today.

Snakes and serpents have a long mythological history associated with good and evil, life and death, beginnings and endings. When a snake sheds its skin it is seen as a symbol of rebirth, change, and healing.











Another tale of re-birth is that of the Ancient Greeks who had Ouroboros, a snake curled into a circle biting its own tail. The idea being that the continuing eating and re-growing of the tail is a symbol of the eternal cycle of ruin and re-birth.

The shedding of skin by the snake has also been associated with re-birth or new beginnings. The ancient Greeks believed snakes were sacred to the god of medicine Asclepius who had a staff with serpents wrapped around it, which you can still see today as a symbol in modern medicine.

What about the story of Hydra, a 9 headed serpent defeated by Hercules. The story goes Hercules had a difficult time killing the Hydra because when he cut one head off two heads would grow back. He eventually solved the problem by burning the stumps to stop another head growing, and the Hydra lived no more.












In some mythologies snakes are seen as the keepers of wisdom and sacred secrets. But the snake has also been show as a symbol of evil, death, or deceit. In Christianity, the serpent tricks Adam and Eve into disobeying God. Perhaps due to the deadly venom many snakes possess, myths involving snakes have often portrayed them as evil.

In Australia, India, and Africa, where snake myths are related to rainbows, and rainbows are often associated with rain and fertility. I like the story of Da, a mythological African serpent who kept the oceans and sky in place and we could catch a quick look at Da when a rainbow appeared.











Another reason for the snake's popularity as a tattoo design is that you can be incorporated with any other design, such as, hearts and daggers, or skulls and dragons. The beauty of the snake tattoo design is it doesn't look out-of-place with any other tattoo design.

And snake tattoo designs looks great with, or without the use of colour. You can have the brilliant array of snake scales in various shades from the very bright to a dull hue. Or no colour at all starting from a pale grey to a vivid black, and either way the end result I'm sure will look fantastic.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/Aztec%20Tattoos
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music tattoos

Music is not only a part of life, but it is a part of our very existence. The intellectuals in the old times believed that music was first discovered by man when he tried to imitate the sounds of nature- the sound of the flowing water, the blowing wind, the rustling leaves, the drizzling rains; and of course, the songs of the birds. Today, with tattoos becoming not only a part of fashion but a way of personal expression, expressing one's love for music through tattoos is very much in vogue. And there are a vast range of musical tattoos to choose from. And those really interested in the art of tattoo are willing enough to go through the temporary pain of the needle work to get the amazing mages etched on their skin forever.













Musical Notes: The various symbols of the musical notations are very popular, because even by themselves, they are very delicate as designs. The curves and the lines, their flowing style, all contribute to their popularity. Moreover, the safest as far as any kind of symbolism is concerned. And it is also a great way of expressing one's love for music.

Musical Instruments: Etching musical instruments for tattoos is one of the most popular images among the music lovers. Especially, they like to get a design of the musical instrument they generally play and love listening to. Among them the guitar and the drums are the most popular. Especially the guitar in flames is one of the most popular designs among rock music lovers, in one form or the other. Flutes, designed like serpents, and violins and saxophones designs have also been seen, along with various types of microphones and even headphones.











Musical Quotes: Famous lines from popular songs or sung by the favorite singers are also tattooed. The most famous among them are the songs of the rock bands, which have some really funky lines, explaining philosophies of life in a quirky way and the teenagers and young adults love to flaunt them. Lines form Sanskrit "shlokas" are also etched and some prefer to do them in the original "devnagari" script. Sometimes, even full passages in minute fonts have been known to be used as tattoos.











Moreover, compared to the more violent images, like some think them to be, of animals and weird symbols, which again are considered taboo by people of some community, the musical symbols are very delicate any design. So those who want to get a tattoo for purely decorative purposes feel them to be a good symbol to be used.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/Aztec%20Tattoos
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Sleeve Tattoos

Beautiful and striking are probably the most descriptive words to use when looking at a Japanese sleeve tattoo design. They are more commonplace in today's more liberal society. Should you get one?

What do you know about this type of tattoo? Do you know what "sleeve" means? Are you aware of what designs would make up a Japanese sleeve?

A sleeve tattoo is a term describing a design that completely covers the skin of the chosen area. Common body placement for sleeves is on the arms, and that is where we get the name. The tattoo looks like where the sleeve of your shirt should be.













Sleeve tattoos come in different lengths. These are:

1. Full Sleeve. Runs from the shoulder-blade all the way to the wrist.

2. Three quarter sleeve. Runs from shoulder-blade to middle/upper part of forearm.

3. Half Sleeve. Runs from the shoulder to the elbow.

4. Quarter Sleeve. Runs from the elbow to wrist.

As you can see there are many variations, and sleeves are not limited to the arms. Many people have taken the concept onto the lower limbs as well.

There is also the possibility of adding further work to the sleeve in the form of a "chest plate", which is basically covering the whole of the pectoral area leading off from the arm.

Sleeves can incorporate many styles of design, so long as the entire skin area is covered. However it is the Japanese sleeve which appears to be most popular.













Common themes in Japanese sleeve tattoo designs are dragons, koi carp, samurai warriors, geisha girls, cherry blossoms, water falls and hanya masks (a legendary Japanese demon).

The sleeve will often incorporate many if not all of these themes in one flowing design of intricate detail and vivid colour.

Full Sleeves are bold and in your face. Everyone will know that you are tattooed! However, if you are looking for some discretion but still favour this kind of tattoo, then a half sleeve could be a compromise. The sleeve can start on the shoulder and be cut short just above the elbow, enabling the tattoo to be hidden from view with a short-sleeved shirt.













Another advantage of the half sleeve, particularly for males, is that you do not have to consider any self grooming of the arm. A full sleeve is likely to end up being hidden under a forearm full of body hair and will need constant shaving for the tattoo to be seen in all it's glory.

Be aware that a sleeve tattoo will take some time to complete! You will be sat for many hours in the artists chair and thus these are a serious and costly undertaking.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/Aztec%20Tattoos
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Aztec Tattoos

The world of Aztec tattoo designs is a very tribal and important one indeed. What you need to know before you get an Aztec tattoo design is that permanence and creativity walk hand-in-hand. As the Aztec Indian tribes of yesteryear taught their troops right before a battle, patience, permanence and being creative on the battlefield are very important goals and should be held in the highest regards before and after and even during the battle. Sadly the Aztec Nation is just a distant but vibrant memory that was permanently erased from the Earth.













The History

Since tattoos have been around for many centuries and have been used for so many other reasons that go beyond aesthetic quality, it is important to understand the ancient tribes known as the Aztecs. The Aztecs adorned their bodies with tattoos much as we wear decorated dresses and business suits today. The Aztecs lived in the area of Mexico in North America. The popularity of their tattoo designs has never been as high as many individuals are really getting to know the Aztec culture and the creation of tattoo designs for the gods of their culture. The designs that are Aztec are also functional and helped to define a person and their well-known characteristics. Aztec designs shout-out volumes without speaking a single word.













The Culture

Most of the symbols that are taken from the Aztec tattoo designs symbolize eagles and the sun. For centuries the Aztecs ruled that part of the world and gave us some of the most beautiful and interesting Aztec designs. From the wild game that the Aztec people hunted and lived upon, to the gods that were in the heavens and all around them in their natural surroundings, the Aztec design department is a very busy one these days. Known for both beauty and supple quality of nature and fluidity of living within nature and within one's own means, the Aztec heritage and culture is one of the most interesting and beloved of all. Many individuals today lament the loss of the Aztec culture and wish that they could have done something so many centuries ago. Yet, there was nothing that could be done, as fate was called upon.

























Meanings of the Tattoos

If you choose to wear an Aztec tattoo, then it is best to research the meaning of the Aztec design symbol that you may put on your body. A great example of an Aztec tattoo design is the Aztec Thunderbird. Many celebrities as well as sports personalities and the common person sport this tattoo of a winged creature and do so with both pride and respect for the Aztec culture. Some of the most important design translations to know before you start to select an Aztec tattoo are that these symbols mean something, all of them. You must do your research and select one that is not just known for its aesthetic beauty but also has a deeper, more personal meaning to you. In this way you will not offend the Aztec people who are still on the earth and you will be seen as a respectful person.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/Aztec%20Tattoos
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