It might surprise some to find that Zodiac symbols include more than the common astrological signs. The word zodiac refers to the imaginary heavenly belt containing 12 constellations. However, not all cultures include twelve signs or symbols in their astrological beliefs.
The Burmese refer to eight zodiac symbols that signify divine balance and harmony. The animals used as symbols relate to the day of week you were born, with Wednesday having two representative elephants, one with tusks and one without, depending on morning or afternoon birth. These are said to indicate personality types and traits that are common among each sign as well as one’s ruling planet and direction.
Your Chinese zodiac sign is determined by the lunar year in which you were born. There are twelve animal signs that relate also to your “element” such as wood, metal, water, fire, and earth, as well as your personality characteristics.
The Native American zodiac is a base 12 system too and uses animals as symbols also. This system is based on the day of the month you were born and holds the belief that each of us is assigned an animal spirit at birth. These spirits are to guide us through life and protect us as well.
Another zodiac belief system is Celtic tree astrology. This Druid belief held that your personality and character was based on the season of your birth during the lunar year. There are 13 symbols all of which are tree leaves because the Druids believe trees to be vessels of great wisdom and insight.
There are other astrological or zodiac symbols as well, such as flowers, which correspond to the date of your birth or gemstones, which relate to your traditional zodiac symbols. The gemstones are said the enhance abilities, transform realities, and hold healing properties. If you are looking for some zodiac tattoo designs check out our Tattoo Me Now review. Tattoo Me Now is a membership site with thousands of tattoo designs you can download and print out.
The flower has been a symbol of natural beauty for hundreds of years. While flower tattoos are more likely on females, these vibrant images are not just for women. Flower tattoos have adorned virile men for years as accompaniments to other symbols such as crosses, banners, and various other figures. Such tattoo designs can be found at membership sites such as Tattoo Me Now and Chopper Tattoo
Besides being beautiful, flowers are representative of many ideas and beliefs. Flowers in general symbolize nature, birth, regeneration, and the cycle of life. Individually, most flowers have significant associations as well.
The Rose is likely the most popular flower tattoo. The significance of the rose is its association with relationships. The color plays a key role in what the flower represents, for instance, the red rose proclaims beauty, love, courage, and respect, the yellow rose speaks of joy, gladness, and friendship. The pink rose symbolizes appreciation, and grace, while a black rose signifies death. The number of roses is a significant symbol as well. A single rose of any color says devotion, two roses intertwined cries “marry me”, and six roses imply a need to be loved or cherished.
Next to the rose, the Iris is the most symbolic flower. Named for the Greek goddess, the Iris has long been associated with good news. The three petals represent faith, courage, and wisdom.
The lotus flower is symbolic of perseverance in adversity, faithfulness, beauty, and light. It also represents purity and divine wisdom. The Anemone and the Poppy represent death and sleep, and Carnations can mean many things based on the color. A white carnation, once considered an aphrodisiac, symbolizes betrothal, love and fertility, while a yellow carnation signifies rejection and a red one denotes an aching heart.
There are many striking flowers to choose from when considering a botanical tattoo. The most effective are those that are bright and colorful, have recognizable petals and stems, and represent clearly the sentiment of your choosing.
Getting a tattoo is a very personal and permanent reminder or symbol of someone or something you hold dear. The Cross is a very common tattoo and while that might not surprise you, it might surprise you to find that the cross has been an important symbol for centuries, predating the Christian cross. Before getting a cross tattoo it would be worthwhile learning its history and origin.
The symbol of the cross has been found on artifacts dating as far as 1500b.c. The cross symbol has been found in nearly every known culture on the planet and has various meanings, but nearly all of them refer to the sacred, protective, and transcendent.
The cross can represent an intersection of time, space, and psyche. The sign of the cross has been associated with torture and death, and for the Christian it represents not only those things, but also forgiveness and renewal.
While some denominations argue that tattoos are forbidden in The Bible, this is a matter of dispute. The verse that comes into question is Leviticus 19:28. Most scholars agree that this was a cultural and ceremonial edict and not a moral one. Most agree that if you believe in Christ as your savior then you agree that His death on The Cross was propitiation for your sins and that makes the matter moot.
Designs For Cross Tattoos
There are many cross symbols to choose from and the style often determines what is being represented. A cross within a circle often represents the seasons or cycles of nature, eternity, or unity and is one of the oldest symbols in the world. The Egyptian cross represents both physical and eternal life, and Chi-Rho, The Celtic, and many other cross designs represent the Christian faith or some saint.
There are many cross designs and coupled with banners, flowers, names, or other meaningful symbols, the cross tattoo has definitely “made its mark”. If you would like yo make your make with a cross tattoo, check out the membership site Tattoo Me Now and Chopper Tattoo. They have hundreds of cross and religious tattoo designs to view and print out.
Polynesian Tribal Tattoo
Body art is not a new idea. Archeological evidence proves that man has adorned himself for thousands of years. The oldest form of tattooing involved tribal art that identified the wearer; as part of a specific tribe, according to rank or status within a particular group, for protection or status, as a form of intimidation for warriors, to signify that a person had achieved adulthood or was ready for battle or marriage, or even the number of victories in battle or on hunting expeditions.
One very popular category of body art hails from the Polynesian culture. Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, and Māori design, whether traditional, authentic, modern, or enhanced are beautiful, intricate works of art on a canvas of skin. Traditionally completed over a number of days, the Samoan tattoo was a mixture of dots, lines, waves, and net like combinations. Placement ranged from simple to elaborate as well including simple chest emblems to sleeve to full body coverage.
Mayan and Aztec tattoo design includes various elements of nature including celestial bodies, trees, plants, and air, water, and land animals, all integrated with intricate shapes to make colorful and striking images. The Native American tattoo offers vivid and beautiful designs that incorporate natural and spiritual element as well.
Often tribal art is interesting and intricate, most symbols are very visually appealing, but all have significance for those belonging to that culture. Those who care deeply about preserving their culture find that a tattoo is a great way to accomplish that and encourage discussion and awareness of that culture.
When choosing tribal are for a tattoo, please use caution and respect as some symbols were sacred and inappropriate use might be offensive to members of a specific tribe or nation. If this is a concern of yours, research your design choice carefully. You can find many great Tribal Tattoos at Chopper Tattoo.
With the number of people getting their first tattoo increasing, the demand for tattoo removal is also on the rise. Some studios have even started to provide laser tattoo removal to customers unhappy with their tattoos. There are plenty of reasons for people wanting their tattoo removed; often the completed tattoo looks very different on skin compared to the design, or the tattoo artist wss not capable as you were lead to believe and the tattoo you have is a disappointment and something you try to hide.
And it’s not only poor-quality tattoos that cause people to have them removed. Some people mature and outgrow their tattoos. Tattoos bearing a partner’s name have to come off when the relationship ends, or people’s circumstances changes, meaning they cannot sport their beloved tattoo on their body part of choice because of a new job or other social situations. Despite the tattoo revolution of recent years, tattoos on exposed body parts are still not universally accepted in most workplaces.
Laser Tattoo Removal
Laser tattoo removal is a costly, pay-per sessionprocedure. Depending on the size of the tattoo and the type of pigments used,it usually takes several sittings to remove a small tattoo. Have I mentioned that it is painful? No? Well, it is very painful. So much so that each session requires several weeks’ of healing time.
The process of laser removal is fairly simple. It is just like getting a tattoo only more painful. The laser beam hits the ink as the tattoo is retraced; the ink breaks down and is processed by the body. The tattoo appears to fade progressively after each session. As luck would have it, badly executed tattoos are often easier to remove, as the ink has not penetrated too deeply into the dermis, while more accomplished work can require more treatments.
It is not unheard of for people who can’t afford laser tattoo removal to have their tattoos erased by using acids or having a layer of skn removed. Needless to say, these are drastic and invasive ways of dealing with the problem. However, there are other options that are safe and inexpensive.
An offending tattoo can, with the help of a skilled artist, can be covered up by another tattoo.A cover-up can render the tattoo underneath completely undetectable, although sometimes the old tattoo is incorporated and refined into the new work. Another alternative is a product called Get Rid Tattoo Naturally that uses common house hold ingredients and natural products to fade tattoos without causing any skin damage.
Today, Japanese tattoos are very popular and now well-know to Western eyes. Thanks to the power of the Internet and the spread of Japanese traditional and popular culture, Japanese tattooing conventions are less of an arcane event they they used to be.
Like many Japanese traditions and customs, Japanese tattooing is an art unto itself. However, Japanese tattooing is still regarded with some suspicion in mainstream Japanese society. People who display their tattoos may be ostracized and struggle to rent an apartment or secure a job. Even being admitted to hot spring bath houses or public swimming pools can be problematic.
No doubt, from some Hollywood movies you have seen, you’ll know that Japanese tattooing is associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Yakuza members are renowned for their extensive full body tattoos. These tattoos are revealed to other gang members in ritualistic ceremonies or tattoo festivals, but otherwise tend to be covered up by clothing, as they are considered a private endeavour, not to be shared with strangers.
The Yakuza tradition dates back to the era of the Shoguns, when criminals would be marked with crude ring tattoos signifying their status and convictions. The subsequent adoption of tattooing as a sign of belonging underlines their refusal to abide by the rules and conform to society.
Recently, Japanese tattoo masters have traveled to tattoo shows in the West and divulged the finer points of their art, books have been published on the subject, and a few western tattoo artists have actually completed much sought-after and rare apprenticeships with Japanese tattoo masters.
Kanji Tattoos
Kanji scirpt tattoos are becoming increasing popular with Westerners. Kanji is one of the writing systems in Japan, in which abstract symbols are used to communicate. I must note that Kanji script tattoos are not what we would call traditional Japanese tattoos. While I have seen hundreds of Westerners with Kanji tattoos, I have never meet a Japanese who has had one. Most Japanese find it amazing and quite add with the westerns fascination of Kanji.
However, to the Western eye Kanji have mystic and a natural beauty. If you decide to get a Kanji tattoo then you want to make sure you get what you want. I have seen several Kanji fail tattoos over the years. I met on man who though he had the kanji “Samurai” tattooed on his arm when it was in fact “ambassador”. On an other occasion, I saw a man with a Kanji tattoo on his foreman meaning “family”. The problem was, while it is translated to family in most dictionaries, the symbol actually relates to things done at home like “house work” or “home tutor”.
If you are wanting to get a Kanji tattoo and need an accurate translation of a word then I recommend you purchase Design For You – Japanese Symbols Takanori Tomita, a Japanese Translator specializing in translating and designing Japanese symbols. If you are looking for traditional Japanese tattoo designs the I recommend you check Tattoo Me Now.
