History of Crosses It is not known when the first cross image was made. However, after circles, crosses are on of the first symbols drawn by children of all cultures. As a basic design motif, the cross has appeared in pottery, weaving, carving and painting artifact of many ancient cultures. Cross symbols were used in the older, pagan religions.
The cross was used in the ancient world as a symbol of execution by crucifixion. And it became an important part of the Christian liturgy and art as a symbol of Jesus Christ's death. This Christian symbol is a long vertical bar intersected at right angles, usually about 2/3rds up by a shorter horizontal bar.
The Christians made a sign of the cross with the right hand both to profess their faith and to bestow a blessing. The early Christian clergy used small hand-held crosses to bestow blessings. Crosses were carried in holy processions. Later on, crosses were placed on altars in churches and erected outdoors in markets and along roads.
In spite of the fact that many folks associate tattoos with the disreputable sort of folks, Christian tattoos are immensely popular. These tattoos are a very unique and personal way for the bearer to identify with their Christian faith.
Christian Cross Tattoos Also known as the Latin cross. It is the most common symbol of Christianity that represents the redeeming martyrdom of Jesus when he was crucified. An enormous variety of Christian symbols have been turned into tattoo images – but the cross is the most popular tattoo chosen. The Latin pattern is a safe choice for first timers who are not sure just how much of the needle they will be able to stand.
Celtic Cross Tattoos - High Cross The Celtic cross is definitely one of the most attractive types of tattoo out there today. A border of Celtic knots that have no beginning or end surrounds the basic cross formation. Or the knot work/spiral might adorn the inside of the cross. The graceful and timeless beauty of these cross designs lends themselves particularly well to tattoo art. This tattoo is usually black and green.
Celtic tattoos of all kinds are an insanely popular design to get done today. Because of their detailed appearance, meaningful symbolism, and rich history - people are opting to go “Celtic.” The ancient history of the Celtic designs comes from Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales. This is a part of the world where so many people with similar backgrounds like to show pride in their heritage by getting a Celtic tattoo. The Celtic cross tattoo designs are easily the most widespread of all the Celtic images around. Bring the knot and the cross together, and you get some very heavy symbolism!
The Gothic Cross Tattoos The Gothic style mimics the German design of heavily adorned pieces fabricated from wrought iron. The Goth culture is marked with a fascination of Medieval, Victorian and Edwardian history. Gothic crosses also symbolize the feelings of depression, pain and anger. Today's Gothic cross tattoos usually incorporate dark and disturbing imagery. Crosses wrapped in barbed wire are common. Also crosses that are actually daggers with a single drop of crimson at the tip.
Conclusion:
Crosses represent so much symbolism and are extremely versatile. Is it any wonder that the cross tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo designs people ask for when they walk into a tattoo shop?
Becky McClure believes that the most important word after you make the decision to get inked is “Patience!” Pick the right tattoo design. Pick the right location on you. And pick the best artist you can find for your new body art.
http://www.dream-tattoo-design.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
The Meaning and Symbolism Behind Popular Butterfly Tattoo Designs
Butterfly tattoos are among the most popular tattoos today and the most frequently requested tattoo designs especially among women. This shows the major growth of women in the tattoo industry as a whole. Butterfly tattoo designs of course are popular among females just for their beauty! There is also a deep symbolism behind the butterfly that comes forms its short and amazing life.
A butterfly of course starts life as a caterpillar and goes through a major change as it becomes a butterfly. It makes a chrysalis or cocoon and then emerges as a beautiful butterfly. This lead many ancient cultures to regard the butterfly as a symbol of the impermanence and instability of earthly life. The amazing process of change from a caterpillar to a butterfly also captivated many ancient cultures that believed this was similar to the process of a soul's journey from an earthly body to a heavenly body. In fact the ancient Greeks often symbolized the human soul or psyche with butterfly wings in art.
It is easy to instantly see the beauty that a butterfly tattoo holds and the deeper meaning and significance of a butterfly and its life process make for a very popular tattoo design for women.
Looking for custom butterfly tattoo designs? Visit Design My Tattoos for custom tattoo designs done to your exact specifications. Or visit our celebrity tattoo galleries at the Tattoo directory.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Special Ideas For Armband Tattoo Design
When you choose upon having a tattoo armband design, the next step is to always go and check out what's tattoo designs are out there, simply by looking at what latest styles are gracing arms everywhere.
So here are some of the three most popular armband tattoo design ideas right now:
Armband Tattoo Design One - Tribal Design The recent resurge in public interest into these designs has meant that they are more popular now than they have ever been. Preferred typically by men, for a tattoo design, they take their influence from Celtic drawings or from art and symbols from as far away as New Zealand and North Africa.
Armband Tattoo Design Two - Half-Sleeves Design Not really an armband design in a typical sense, half-sleeve tattoo designs are still worth a mention here (even though they would be seen as a little bit more hardcore by some).
An example of a half-sleeve design, is the picture that hip-hop artist Eminem wears on his upper right arm, of his daughter Hailie. Its a design that draws, in complete, all over your upper arm from your elbow to your shoulder, inking a full bodied painting onto your skin.
Armband Tattoo Design Three - Far-Eastern Designs These tattoo designs are heavily influenced by Japanese art and tradition. Also Chinese symbolic lettering are always popular. Typically drawings of dragons curling around the arm, or tapered Chinese lettering spelling the name of close loved ones, give you more options for your armband design.
About The Author
Allen Stevens writes for www.TattooDesignOnline.net, a website that has an easy to search, free online database of tattoo designs for you to look through and gain inspiration from.
Three Steps To Finding A Tribal Tattoo For Woman
More and more women are opting to have tattoos, making it commonplace to observe women wearing tribal tattoos and other such body art. A couple of generations ago, fewer than 10% of women wore a tattoo, now that number is over 60%. So when you've decided that a tribal tattoo is definitely what you want, how should you go about finding the right one?
Step One: Tattoo Magazines Their are many tattoo magazines out there on the newsstands, but there are few dedicated solely to women. One such magazine is called 'Tattoos For Women'; from the Outlaw Biker Enterprises stables. You can get to see a lot of designs, specifically drawn for a woman, and get to form an idea of the kind of art you would be proud to wear.
Step Two: Tattoo Parlours All tattoo parlours will have on display the kind of body art they will do. Simply browsing through the artworks that they have on display on their walls will give you an idea of the type of tribal tattoos you may want. Never be afraid to ask the tattoo artist questions, and seek advice about what designs might be suitable. Also further questions such as 'Do you have references for your work?' or asking about costs, before having the tattoo done, are important too.
Step Three: Online Galleries The Internet is so vast an wide, it should come as no surprise that the Internet provides one of the best options for you to find Tribal Tattoo images. In fact, the tattoo designs online is so extensive, you should instead start to think about narrowing your search. For example, do you know what type of tribal tattoo you would like? Maori, Celtic, African or Native American? Once you start to narrow down your search, you will find that picking out a tattoo design will be much easier.
About The Author
For images of Tribal Tattoo Designs visit http://www.TattooDesignOnline.net, a website that has an easy to search, free online database of tattoo designs.
Step One: Tattoo Magazines Their are many tattoo magazines out there on the newsstands, but there are few dedicated solely to women. One such magazine is called 'Tattoos For Women'; from the Outlaw Biker Enterprises stables. You can get to see a lot of designs, specifically drawn for a woman, and get to form an idea of the kind of art you would be proud to wear.
Step Two: Tattoo Parlours All tattoo parlours will have on display the kind of body art they will do. Simply browsing through the artworks that they have on display on their walls will give you an idea of the type of tribal tattoos you may want. Never be afraid to ask the tattoo artist questions, and seek advice about what designs might be suitable. Also further questions such as 'Do you have references for your work?' or asking about costs, before having the tattoo done, are important too.
Step Three: Online Galleries The Internet is so vast an wide, it should come as no surprise that the Internet provides one of the best options for you to find Tribal Tattoo images. In fact, the tattoo designs online is so extensive, you should instead start to think about narrowing your search. For example, do you know what type of tribal tattoo you would like? Maori, Celtic, African or Native American? Once you start to narrow down your search, you will find that picking out a tattoo design will be much easier.
About The Author
For images of Tribal Tattoo Designs visit http://www.TattooDesignOnline.net, a website that has an easy to search, free online database of tattoo designs.
Japanese Kanji Tattoos - Meaning of Kanji Characters
Japanese kanji characters are so expressive and artistic. Basically they are ideographic characters, which means that each Kanji character represents a whole object, idea, or meaning in a visually expressive way. It is a very popular choice among those seeking Japanese style tattoo designs. With Kanji style characters, you can easily create and express nearly any meaning you want.
However, it is a good idea to keep in mind before you decide upon a tattoo that kanji is based on a different form of language and is unlike english in its construction. Be should be sure to spend time researching the authenticity of each symbols’ meaning. It could be rather embarrassing to learn later on after you have been tattooed that the Kanji tattoo you thought meant one thing turned out to be something completely different.
If you don’t speak Japanese it is very hard to find characters that say what you want and are not something that will turn heads with native japanese speakers for all the wrong reasons. Trusting a non native speaking tattoo artist is recommended either as the tattoo artist may be as much in the dark as you are. It is highly recommended that you do your reasearch before rushing off to get a kanji tattoo character done.
Celebrities with Kanji Tattoos Alyson Hannigan - Actress (Buffy and American Pie)
Janet Jackson - singer/actress Kelis - singer Alyssa Milano - Charmed TV Show Pink - singer Britney Spears - singer
READ THIS before you get a Japanese Kanji Tattoo!
However, it is a good idea to keep in mind before you decide upon a tattoo that kanji is based on a different form of language and is unlike english in its construction. Be should be sure to spend time researching the authenticity of each symbols’ meaning. It could be rather embarrassing to learn later on after you have been tattooed that the Kanji tattoo you thought meant one thing turned out to be something completely different.
If you don’t speak Japanese it is very hard to find characters that say what you want and are not something that will turn heads with native japanese speakers for all the wrong reasons. Trusting a non native speaking tattoo artist is recommended either as the tattoo artist may be as much in the dark as you are. It is highly recommended that you do your reasearch before rushing off to get a kanji tattoo character done.
Celebrities with Kanji Tattoos Alyson Hannigan - Actress (Buffy and American Pie)
Janet Jackson - singer/actress Kelis - singer Alyssa Milano - Charmed TV Show Pink - singer Britney Spears - singer
READ THIS before you get a Japanese Kanji Tattoo!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
Tattoos: The Beauty of Body Art Tattoos are becoming more popular in all cultures around the world. They are a representation of the person's belief's
Tattoos are becoming more popular in all cultures around the world. They are a representation of the person's belief's or attitude of their lifestyle. To the tattoo owners, they usually have a significant meaning, whether it is related to a group of people; such as tribal members or sororities, or an individual, such as a loved one, or a meaning the tattoo owner believes in. Even ancient kings had tattoos to demonstrate their status of authority and power.
Like the artist, it takes many hours of hard work and practice to become a tattoo artist. There are many facets to learn. Some tattoos have many painstaking details which take several hours to define, while other tattoos may be small and simple. When getting a tattoo, it is very important to check out the reputation of the artist. Using sterile equipment is of the utmost importance as an unclean instrument can lead to hepatitis C and possibly other problems. It is also extremely important to keep the tattoo clean so infection doesn't occur afterward.
It is completely an individual choice what kind of tattoo a person may decide to have done.The price may range anywhere from $35 to well into the hundreds, depending on the time it takes and the details involved. However, it is wise to pay a good price for a great tattoo, considering it is a lifetime decision and can only be removed with surgery which will cost even more if you are not happy with your tattoo.
With all of the things considered, getting a tattoo can be very safe and enjoyable if done properly. Referred to as body art, there are many beautiful and amazing tattoos to choose from. After checking out many different tattoos, I was very happy to find the perfect one for me. I love my tattoo and am so glad I had it done!
If you would like to get a tattoo, it can be a great experience. Just make your decision carefully as you will more than likely be wearing it for the rest of your life. It is a reflection of what you stand for and how other people will see you.
Mandy Morris lives in Chicago and is an author who is happy about her new tattoo. www.articlelinkto.com/tattoomenow
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com
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