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/cross%20tattoos
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turtle tattoos

Turtle tattoos are becoming an increasingly popular choice so if you think you might like a turtle tattoo, read on.

There are many cultures around the world that attach significance and respect to turtles through legend and folklore. The turtle is a fascinating animal, it spends its life in the water but lays its eggs on the land, and thanks to their unique shell they are well protected from predators and danger. Deep meaning, respect and importance have been attached to the turtle due to its mysterious way of life and the fact that it can live to a great age. It comes as little surprise that these fascinating creatures are revered in some cultures with almost religious admiration.

The turtle holds a sacred place in the cultural heritage of many Native American tribes. Many of them attribute the creation of the world to the turtle. The Huron people, for example, believe that in ancient time a sky girl fell to our world, which was made of nothing but water and water based animals. Those animals took her to the wise turtle who told them to put grains of from the sea bed on his shell. They did this and soon the land grew and grew and the sky girl was able to live comfortably, as this land grew it became the world as we know it today.











This is only one example of how the many cultures of the world incorporate the turtle into heir 'creation' myths. Often, the turtle is suggested to either carry the world upon its shell or is directly or indirectly used to support the world or the heavens. The turtle is mostly associated with the qualities of reliability and tranquillity among many different cultures, and turtle tattoos are often used to represent bravery, endurance, courage, wisdom, recovery, safety, security, perseverance and longevity.











Another advantage of turtle tattoos is the ability for the tattoo artist to place an additional image within the tattoo. Many tattoo artists like to use the shell of the turtle to include another design or symbol. For example, if you have a turtle tattoo, you could also include the Japanese character for strength or any other image you desired within the shell.











Obviously, you need not use Japanese characters within your tattoo; you can always choose an alternative design or symbol that contains significant meaning to you to be on the turtle shell. After all, the whole purpose of a tattoo is to make it a personalized statement and turtle tattoos are quite versatile. Now that you have discovered some of the myth and mystery surrounding turtles you need to find a turtle tattoo design to suit you. And remember, you can personalize it by adding designs into the turtle shell.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/cross%20tattoos
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cross tattoos

The Celtic Cross Tattoo is a revered symbol of the Celtic people whose origins lay in the British Isles. Since around 400 BC, the Celts have been using the Celtic crosses tattoo to intimidate their enemies. Fierce warriors, and brilliant artisans, the Celts gave many mighty armies their first taste of defeat. The brilliant intricate patterns of the this tattoo have many meanings, and symbolize the combining of Pagan and Christian beliefs in one item.

While the Celts did not leave an extensive written history, they left an oral one that moved down through the ages, and the written histories of those they fought bear witness to their tattoos. It is thought that Celtic cross tattooing began around the same time they started their metal and stone work.
For thousands of years people have gazed in awe at the complex network of Celtic Knots which make up the this cross tats, and have replicated them when ever possible. With spirals, and intricate twirls that entwine around the Celtic crosses tats, the Celtic Knot defies explanation. The artwork on a Celtic cross tattoo is based on the Druidic explanation that there is no end to life, so the Celtic knots have no beginning and no end.













While a Celtic tattoo is similar to the traditional Latin cross of the Christian faith, the differences set it apart. The Celtic cross is made up of short cross beams, which are equal in length and form four equal points of distance. Each point represents a natural element, earth, wind, fire, and water. With a circle placed at the crossing point, which represents sacred life-ongoing-eternal. This elegant and simple belief is a symbol of the life and death in all of nature as being an eternal movement/ The Celtic Knot symbolizes a joining of the spiritual and physical worlds.













The Celtic Knot work found on this kinds of tattoos has no scientific, literal translation. Its meanings lay within the spiritual beliefs of the designer, and the recipient. Celtic knots are interlaced with our physical bodies, and our spiritual beliefs that life is forever entwined with nature. They offer beauty, and complex designs that we can study every day, and still find something new to gaze upon. When other symbols are added to the Celtic cross tattoo, the meanings become even more sacred, and powerful to the person who has them on their skin.













Celtic cross tattoos have a closer similarity with tribal tattoos than with the Christian cross, as far as symbolism and meanings go. Like the bold darkness, and geometric patterns of a tribal tattoo, the Celtic tattoo communicates a feeling, rather than a representation of an object that is physical.
Knot work Celtic cross tattoos require the artist to be an expert in Celtic designs, in order to perform the delicate work of ensuring the lines are correct in shading, spacing, and ensure the delicate lines never touch so they do not bleed over.

When done correctly, a Celtic cross tattoo is a thing of rare beauty and design. It can hold power for those who believe in the symbols of the knots, and the points, and the other traditional symbols, such as the Dragon, and the Rowan Tree.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/cross%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/cross%20tattoos
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Dragonfly Tattoos

Dragonfly tattoos are for individuals who are searching for something beautifully offbeat. They are popular for many different types of people because they can be made so that they are feminine and colourful, or they can be drawn so that they are quite bug like, scary, dark, and masculine. Male or female, masculine or feminine, dragonfly tattoos are great choices for just about everyone who wants something just a little bit unusual.

Dragonfly tattoos are perfect for just about any part of the body. They are often basic images that provide a lot of visual impact. Dragonfly tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo styles available. This type of tattoo is actually quite plain to draw, so even if you are not an artist you can help design the dragonfly that you'd like to put on your body so it's unique to your personal style and preferences













Dragonfly tattoos have a quite mystical quality to them. A fairy tale quality that may be quite beautiful, but in a more distinct way than a fairy or butterfly image. Dragonfly tattoo designs can often be given a stark tribal look, for example, that's quite masculine. They are very popular today but for many years dragonflies were condemned and revolted in the western world. The Dragonfly has always been a mystery for the west and it is often assumed to be related to which craft and black magic.

There are many myths in western folk lore where dragonflies would do nasty things to little children and they were definitely associated with the devil. In America for several centuries, dragonflies were believed to have the power to stitch closed the eyes and mouths of sleeping children. People have always assumed dragonflies to be related to black magic in the western world. For over a thousand years dragonflies were considered to be 'witch animals' and were exterminated wherever possible.













Dragonfly tattoo designs can be seen landing everywhere on peoples arms, shoulders, chests, hips and lower backs. Dragonfly tattoo designs are wildly popular with women. They are fun and colourful while at the same time being a little more unique and unexpected. Dragonfly tattoo designs give you the same freedom of making a colourful tattoo perfect for those rather flirty locations like the hip or lower back and is indicative of a person who cannot be easily categorized, just like the creature that inspired it.

If you go to your local tattoo parlor to discuss dragonfly tattoos, the chances are that they will also have ample ideas for tattoo designs. The design may be a small sexy secret or a large tribute to the wild and free spirit that the dragonfly represents. Dragonflies are often seen combined with other mystical designs such as fairies, stars, skulls, arrows and moons.

























Dragonfly tattoos are a perfect representation for anyone who wants to express their free spirit. The dragonfly inhabits air and water realms in it's larval and adult stages and passes the influence of both these elements on to the wearer.The most sought after colours for dragonfly tattoos are black, grey, blue, green, orange, yellow, red, white, violet and purple.

The dragonfly tattoos are adopted by both men and women, young and old though they are often referred to as quite cute, sexy and feminine. Their universal appeal in conjunction with the great variety of styles and colours that they can be portrayed in means that Dragonfly Tattoos are just going to get more popular in the future.Source URL: https://andrewsanchez.blogspot.com/search/label/cross%20tattoos
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