Skull Tattoos

The skull tattoos carry many different meanings to them. It takes but a very minor change in any image of a skull to change its meaning. In most cases the skull stands for bones which last longer than anything in the body and as such stands for the ultimate truth. But then you put a rose with one and it has a different meaning. Put a candle with a skull and it has yet another different meaning. From the research I did there seemed to be no end to how the meaning could be altered quite easily.
I personally like skull tattoos and I think that is way most people get them. This one is kind of a scary one and it seems to have some sort of gargoyles or something like that painted around the outside of it. But no matter, it’s still a pretty scary tattoo. Skulls like this are meant for the single purpose of intimidation. They are to make others think its wearer is a tough guy, of that I am sure. So if you are going to wear on like this you should at least be confident that you can back up what it may imply.

Obviously there are many different types and styles of skull tattoos out there for one to choose from. You have the cool ones, the funny ones, the nasty ones, the wicked ones and many others in between. This one I would have to say is one of the wicked ones. This tattoo looks to me like it is suppose to be some sort of Nazi skull and if that is so, then it is meant to stand for hate. There is no doubt about that. At the very least the star on the helmet this skull is wearing seems to symbolize some sort of military or authoritarian figure which in either case can’t mean anything good.
Skull tattoos have been around for a long time and have been made to symbolize many things, but in most cases it has something to do with a man’s mortality. Meaning death of course. For one person it might mean they are not afraid of death while for another it might be a warning that if you mess with me you might be messing with death. In either case, wearing big bad scary looking skull tattoos like this certainly make a statement. And that statement is mostly, stay away from me.

Lotus Tattoo

The lotus tattoo pictured in the photograph is a perfect example of what one can do when working with ancient symbols. The artist has combined the lotus with the symbolism of a candle. Both symbols have similar meanings as being casters of the light that dispels darkness. They can both be seen also as illuminators of the human soul. When taking as a whole, especially with the red color, this lotus tattoo means casting off the cloak of ignorance and embracing enlightenment. This lotus tattoo also has additional meanings that not many people are familiar with. In many Eastern religions, the lotus carries the same significance as the rose does in Christianity. Just as the "Rose of Sharon" – a flower that blooms in the desert – is the symbol of Christ, the lotus likewise emerges from the mud as the symbol of the Buddha in many parts of Asia. In Tantric and Yoga philosophy, the body’s seven energy centres (or "chakras") are crowned at the top of the skull by the "thousand-petaled lotus" which symbolizes the attainment of enlightenment. Regardless of the religion of the bearer of this lotus tattoo, it’s obviously a person looking to get greater meaning out of their existence.

This is a beautiful and well done example of a lotus tattoo. This flower design has had deep cultural and symbolic meanings since the dawn of mankind. In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it’s religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful. So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form. Lotus flower and peonies are also two flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to koi Fish tattoos. Ironically enough the two koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and the power to overcome impossible odds. Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus tattoo has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. So, the lotus has not only infiltrated the popular artwork of these cultures but have also permeated the tattoo art forms as well.

Celtic Tattoos

Celtic tattoo designs are some of the most interesting and intricate tattoo work one can get. It’s often composed of a series of interlocking and inter-weaved lines, spirals and circles which are both beautiful and steeped in symbolism. While no one is sure of the exact origin of the designs, most scholars cite influences from Irish and Welsh societies. And there are many different types of celtic tattoo designs which include knots, shields, crosses and looms. They can be displayed individually, as part of larger more elaborate designs or include the addition of polymorphic creatures such as the flying horse or griffin. The celtic tattoo in the picture contains a dragon element which further adds to its symbols. In many cultures the dragon represents personal power and the attainment of power and glory. The rest of the design is typical of a celtic shield knot, though it does appear to have some gothic elements added to it. It may have been used as a clan crest at some point in time or the wearer may be using it to elude to it’s deeper symbolic meaning. This celtic tattoo design is symbolic of great personal power through harnessing the deeper forces of nature.

One of the most easily identifiable celtic tattoos is the celtic shield knot. There are strong Norse design influences in Celtic knot work, and there is some debate as to the exact origin. Clearly there were exchanges between cultures through both trade and conquest. The complexity of Celtic design is thought to mimic or echo the complexity of nature, the use of celtic knots in spirals and mazes, the intricate interweaving showing no beginning and no end, reflective of the cycles of the seasons and of life. Celtic tattoos like the shield knot were often emblazoned on warrior’s shields and armor. Besides their symbolic meaning they were often used as a means of identification among clans. Entire families, everybody from close clansmen to distant cousins would often bear the same symbols. It made it quite a bit easier in the heat of battle for one to recognize friend from foe. Another popular design in celtic art is the celtic cross. This symbol is believed to predate Christianity by at least a thousand years. No matter what capacity you use celtic tattoos you can be sure that not only are they visually striking but bear a long and honored history.