There are many different tattoo designs around, and for every design you can think of there are probably many different forms of that particular design. We see this with dragon tattoos, people don’t just have a dragon tattoo, they want the dragon tattooed in a particular way and each way has a different symbolic meaning – it is no different with the cross. The cross is probably one of the most recognized religious symbols in the world because of its association with Christianity. However, there are many different designs in cross tattoos and it helps to be able to tell one from another and to recognize just what the particular significance of each particular cross might be. The cross is actually a very ancient symbol that predates Christianity and was used by the Aztecs and by various pagan traditions.
The cross is one of the most frequently requested tattoo designs it is even more popular than the seemingly ubiquitous swallows and anchors. It can be quite confusing when there are so many different designs to choose from, and if, as we have already said, tattoos have particular personal significance, we want to be sure that the design is saying what we want it to. Nowadays many young Christians choose to have a Christian cross tattoo – these might be with or without the body of Jesus. Some Christian cross tattoos will depict the Sacred Heart along with the Cross, or with a crown of thorns. If the body of Christ is nailed to the cross this is often referred to as the Latin cross.
Gothic cross designs may not be specifically Christian as they often include some form of dark imagery. They may have some barbed wire around the middle of the cross or the cross may also be intertwined with a dagger. The Gothic cross is usually heavily ornamental with beveled edges and it symbolizes pain and anger rather than a message of hope.
The Egyptian cross or ankh is often known as the key of life it is a cross with a circular shape at the top. Tribal crosses often have flowing lines and very distinctive outlines. Then there is the Celtic cross which is gaining in popularity today and has a long history attached to it. Again the Celtic cross is usually intricately designed with loops and knot work wrapped around the area where the two parts meet. The loops are meant to symbolize the never ending circle of life and the knots symbolize the link between the physical and the spiritual world. One of the reasons this particular design may have become so popular is because there is a renewed interest in Celtic Christianity. The ancient Celts saw little difference between the natural world and the supernatural and there were prayers for everyday acts such as lighting the fire or making the bed.
For lots of great cross tattoo designs visit the Chopper Tattoo Gallery
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Cruz
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Tribal Tattoo Designs and Meanings
Tribal tattoos are the most popular tattoo designs around today. Just look at the amount of searches in Yahoo for this type of design. Last month there were over 64,000 searches. Some say you need to increase that by 7 to 8 times to get the number of searches in Google, giving around 500,000 searches. That’s a lot of interest.
Why are tribal tattoo designs so popular?
Tribal tattoos mean different things to different people but their appeal cuts across all boundaries - the boundaries of time, race, creed, sex and age. They have been around for centuries. It is reported that tribal tattoos were found on the mummified remains of a Bronze Age man who died over 5,000 years ago. The tattoos were of mythical creatures.
Cultures from every corner of the globe have practiced the art of tattooing, including the North American Indians, Maori, Polynesians, Samoans, Africans, Egyptians, Hawaiians and the Tahitians to name a few.
The general practice of getting a tattoo is popular these days, as it allows people to express a personal freedom and also a uniqueness, that defines them as a person and helps them express who they are. The tribal tattoo in particular is popular because of the mystery behind this form of tattoo and because the tattoo links you with other wearers, giving you a sense of belonging.
This style of tattoo is becoming a popular favorite of women as well as men. It looks great on the lower back, and some women have the tribal tattoo design wrap around their hips. The shoulder is also popular, as the tattoo can be shown, if desired by wearing a tank top.
What are the meanings of Tribal Tattoos?
In ancient times, the tribal tattoo was used to mark the person being tattooed as a member of a tribe, and in some cases the position of that person in the tribe, such as the North American Indian. In some cultures, the actual process of getting a tattoo was performed at a ritual, for example when the person was coming of age.
Other cultures in Europe would get a tattoo of their family crest, to identify their origins. In some cultures, the location of the tattoo on the body is as important as the tattoo itself, as different locations had different meanings. These days, the location of the tattoo comes down to self expression more than anything else.
The designs were, and are still, commonly linear geometric motifs. The tribal tattoo is traditionally black in color, although this has changed in modern times. The pure black tattoos give a more striking appearance, due to the sharp lines and edging. When color is added the edges become less defined in appearance.
What ever sort of tattoo you want, the most important thing is to get something that has meaning to You. If you have decided to get a certain design, but can’t find out the exact meaning of the one you have picked, make sure that it has meaning to you. You can also combine a tribal tattoo with another tattoo design such as an angel, cross, star, butterfly or something else that gives it more meaning to you. That will make it more unique, and make you stand out from the crowd.
Good luck in your serach for your dream tat.
I have reviewed the best tribal tattoo galleries on the net today at http://www.hottest-secrets.com/best-tattoo-galleries If you are after the best tribal tattoo galleries around check out the website review to help find your dream tattoo.
Good luck in your search for your ultimate tattoo.
Graeme Wheeler
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graeme_Wheeler
Why are tribal tattoo designs so popular?
Tribal tattoos mean different things to different people but their appeal cuts across all boundaries - the boundaries of time, race, creed, sex and age. They have been around for centuries. It is reported that tribal tattoos were found on the mummified remains of a Bronze Age man who died over 5,000 years ago. The tattoos were of mythical creatures.
Cultures from every corner of the globe have practiced the art of tattooing, including the North American Indians, Maori, Polynesians, Samoans, Africans, Egyptians, Hawaiians and the Tahitians to name a few.
The general practice of getting a tattoo is popular these days, as it allows people to express a personal freedom and also a uniqueness, that defines them as a person and helps them express who they are. The tribal tattoo in particular is popular because of the mystery behind this form of tattoo and because the tattoo links you with other wearers, giving you a sense of belonging.
This style of tattoo is becoming a popular favorite of women as well as men. It looks great on the lower back, and some women have the tribal tattoo design wrap around their hips. The shoulder is also popular, as the tattoo can be shown, if desired by wearing a tank top.
What are the meanings of Tribal Tattoos?
In ancient times, the tribal tattoo was used to mark the person being tattooed as a member of a tribe, and in some cases the position of that person in the tribe, such as the North American Indian. In some cultures, the actual process of getting a tattoo was performed at a ritual, for example when the person was coming of age.
Other cultures in Europe would get a tattoo of their family crest, to identify their origins. In some cultures, the location of the tattoo on the body is as important as the tattoo itself, as different locations had different meanings. These days, the location of the tattoo comes down to self expression more than anything else.
The designs were, and are still, commonly linear geometric motifs. The tribal tattoo is traditionally black in color, although this has changed in modern times. The pure black tattoos give a more striking appearance, due to the sharp lines and edging. When color is added the edges become less defined in appearance.
What ever sort of tattoo you want, the most important thing is to get something that has meaning to You. If you have decided to get a certain design, but can’t find out the exact meaning of the one you have picked, make sure that it has meaning to you. You can also combine a tribal tattoo with another tattoo design such as an angel, cross, star, butterfly or something else that gives it more meaning to you. That will make it more unique, and make you stand out from the crowd.
Good luck in your serach for your dream tat.
I have reviewed the best tribal tattoo galleries on the net today at http://www.hottest-secrets.com/best-tattoo-galleries If you are after the best tribal tattoo galleries around check out the website review to help find your dream tattoo.
Good luck in your search for your ultimate tattoo.
Graeme Wheeler
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Graeme_Wheeler
Tattoos - Rich History of Tattoos from Egyptians to Today
Tattoos have a rich history dating back thousands of years. The first tattoos were seen on ancient Egyptians and have been seen on numerous female mummies. Studies have shown that the first tattoos were actually created by women, for women!
Historically, residents of the South Pacific used tattoos as a way to mark their skills. Tattoos were also used as a way to ward away evil spirits and disease. Tattoos were seen on fingers and on the wrist, as well as featured prominently on the face and neck. Tattoos have also been used to designate membership in a society as well.
Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections received from the tattoos were quite common. Tattoos were seen in the western regions as well, although they certainly weren’t well accepted at first.
Beginning in the late 1960s, tattoos really began to become popular again. What we are seeing today is a tattoo renaissance which has taken its inspiration from places such as the South Pacific, French Polynesia, Thailand and Japan and raised the practice in the Western hemisphere to much greater artistic heights.
No longer are people content with walking into a studio and choosing some stock 'flash' design off the wall, with little regard to its placement of their bodies. Gone are the days of reckless abandon in choosing a tattoo. People want their body art - and it really is art - to symbolize something personal to them.
Modern tattoo artists no longer see the human body as a blank sheet of paper that they can draw on and never see again. Tattoo artists are not willing today to place dull lifeless designs in a seemingly haphazard way, but they tend to treat the body as a three-dimensional canvas onto which each tattoo is placed, to live in balance with the body and existing tattoos.
There are millions of stock flash designs out there for tattoos – including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today. Tattoo artists today commonly use the stock flash as a base from which to add their own artist's spin.
Today tattoos are more common than ever, particularly small tattoos. Men and women alike have tattoos, some small tattoos, some large tattoos encompassing their entire body. There are many positive things about tattoos, but there can also be some negative things as well. You must be realistic about your expectations, and take into consideration that this piece of art will be with you forever.
Most people who decide to get tattoos today choose them for their symbolic meaning, as well as the beauty. Although there are still a few people who get tattoos strictly based on their appearance, some of those people tend to regret their choice of tattoo later on in their life.
Other tattoos can be quite beautiful, and capture a lot of positive attention.
Small Tattoos have become completely socially acceptable, and nearly everyone has one. For help in choosing exactly the right tattoo for you, read more information at Small Tattoos
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Tutten
Historically, residents of the South Pacific used tattoos as a way to mark their skills. Tattoos were also used as a way to ward away evil spirits and disease. Tattoos were seen on fingers and on the wrist, as well as featured prominently on the face and neck. Tattoos have also been used to designate membership in a society as well.
Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections received from the tattoos were quite common. Tattoos were seen in the western regions as well, although they certainly weren’t well accepted at first.
Beginning in the late 1960s, tattoos really began to become popular again. What we are seeing today is a tattoo renaissance which has taken its inspiration from places such as the South Pacific, French Polynesia, Thailand and Japan and raised the practice in the Western hemisphere to much greater artistic heights.
No longer are people content with walking into a studio and choosing some stock 'flash' design off the wall, with little regard to its placement of their bodies. Gone are the days of reckless abandon in choosing a tattoo. People want their body art - and it really is art - to symbolize something personal to them.
Modern tattoo artists no longer see the human body as a blank sheet of paper that they can draw on and never see again. Tattoo artists are not willing today to place dull lifeless designs in a seemingly haphazard way, but they tend to treat the body as a three-dimensional canvas onto which each tattoo is placed, to live in balance with the body and existing tattoos.
There are millions of stock flash designs out there for tattoos – including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today. Tattoo artists today commonly use the stock flash as a base from which to add their own artist's spin.
Today tattoos are more common than ever, particularly small tattoos. Men and women alike have tattoos, some small tattoos, some large tattoos encompassing their entire body. There are many positive things about tattoos, but there can also be some negative things as well. You must be realistic about your expectations, and take into consideration that this piece of art will be with you forever.
Most people who decide to get tattoos today choose them for their symbolic meaning, as well as the beauty. Although there are still a few people who get tattoos strictly based on their appearance, some of those people tend to regret their choice of tattoo later on in their life.
Other tattoos can be quite beautiful, and capture a lot of positive attention.
Small Tattoos have become completely socially acceptable, and nearly everyone has one. For help in choosing exactly the right tattoo for you, read more information at Small Tattoos
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=TJ_Tutten
3 Ways To Find Free Tattoo Pictures
Once you have decided to get a tattoo, the biggest decision you will be faced is the design that you want your tattoo to be. There are many ways to get a great design and the best part is that most of the time, you can get free tattoo pictures that you might want.
Actual pictures are also great places to get ideas for your tattoo. People don’t often think about looking at photos for tattoo designs but these really are one of the greatest ways to get ideas for tattoos. Some may think that photos will be undesirable or too plain but even if you find that’s the case, they can sometimes spark imagination to come up with something great!
The library is a wonderful place to get free tattoo pictures. Not only might they have books featuring tattoo designs but, they may have books on tattoo artists that will feature some of these artists best works. If you don’t want a design exactly like something that may have already been done, these books are still a great place to get your creativity flowing to come up with a great design. Libraries also have magazines and these can be an abundant resource for finding ideas.
Tattoo enthusiasts are great sources to get ideas for your design. If you are okay with talking to strangers, you can ask people you see about their tattoos and ask for ideas on yours. You can also talk to people you know, or people you meet in the tattoo parlour. Tell them ideas for your design and see what they think. They may be able to build on your idea.
It’s not hard to find free tattoo pictures and designs. You just have to do a little bit of searching and keep your mind open to absorb ideas that may come in the strangest of places!
Discover the best online tattoo pictures recommended by Ricky where you can choose, download and print over 6000 different tattoo designs. Click here for more information.
Actual pictures are also great places to get ideas for your tattoo. People don’t often think about looking at photos for tattoo designs but these really are one of the greatest ways to get ideas for tattoos. Some may think that photos will be undesirable or too plain but even if you find that’s the case, they can sometimes spark imagination to come up with something great!
The library is a wonderful place to get free tattoo pictures. Not only might they have books featuring tattoo designs but, they may have books on tattoo artists that will feature some of these artists best works. If you don’t want a design exactly like something that may have already been done, these books are still a great place to get your creativity flowing to come up with a great design. Libraries also have magazines and these can be an abundant resource for finding ideas.
Tattoo enthusiasts are great sources to get ideas for your design. If you are okay with talking to strangers, you can ask people you see about their tattoos and ask for ideas on yours. You can also talk to people you know, or people you meet in the tattoo parlour. Tell them ideas for your design and see what they think. They may be able to build on your idea.
It’s not hard to find free tattoo pictures and designs. You just have to do a little bit of searching and keep your mind open to absorb ideas that may come in the strangest of places!
Discover the best online tattoo pictures recommended by Ricky where you can choose, download and print over 6000 different tattoo designs. Click here for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ricky_Lim
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