TATTOO design

Cross tattoos are incredibly popular, and you don’t have to be a devout follower of any religion to have one on your skin.

Any tattoo artist can tell you that Celtic tattoo designs in general are always in demand. However, Celtic crosses are among some of the most popular cross tattoo designs. Celtic cross tattoos are full of intricate knot work, never ending and never beginning. Some people decide on Celtic cross tattoos simply because of their beauty. They do have deeper meaning than that to others though. Irish, Scottish, and Welsh descendants often have a Celtic cross tattoo to show their pride in their heritage. The cross also symbolizes constant spiritual development.

Another cross tattoo design that some may get because of their heritage is the Iron Cross. Originally the Iron cross was the symbol of the Teutonic Knights in the 14th century. Later it became a German military symbol in 1870. Today those who decide on Iron cross tattoos may decide on them because they stand for honor and strength. The Iron cross is a shorter version of the typical cross, along with it being wider at each end.

The Gothic cross generally has no religious or heritage based meaning behind it. Its basis is on the Christian cross, but it’s usually the center of attention in a tattoo design, along with things like knives, swords, or wires woven through it.

The Christian cross tattoo is obviously another very popular cross tattoo design. There are generally two main crosses that can then be interpreted artistically from the tattoo artist. The Latin cross is the simple wooden cross. The Crucifix is the cross with Jesus on it. It may or may not include the nails and the crown of thorns.

With any of these cross tattoo designs you can add whatever you need to make it your own. Some people decide to get a cross tattoo that also serves as an in loving memory tattoo. Tattoo artists can easily add a banner with names and/or dates to incorporate into your cross tattoo. Another popular idea is rosary beads with the cross at the end. A tattoo artist could work wrapping the beads around your wrist.

For less religious symbolism, some people like to have cross tattoos designed out of things that generally wouldn’t be considered a cross. For example, two swords crossing in the middle or a skull with the blades crossing through it. Others enjoy a simple wooden cross with vines or roses wrapped around it. The possibilities are endless.

Butterfly tattoos have been among one of the most popular tattoo designs that have been requested for woman over the past years. Butterfly tattoos hold a unique fascination with the human race and have always been subject to artistic expression whether it’s in music, tattoos, paintings, etc. With its vivid colors, striking lines, and distinctiveness, most people can’t disagree with the beauty of a butterfly.

There are literally millions of butterfly tattoo designs. With that in mind finding the right design can take time. Tribal style butterflies, Celtic butterfly designs, fairy butterflies, big bold butterflies, to small butterfly tattoo designs and anything else in between.

If you know you want a butterfly tattoo I would advise you to look at the designs below to try and open up your mind to all the different design possibilities. It’s also a good idea to look at real pictures of butterflies to understand their shapes and color patterns.

Butterfly tattoos can hold a variety of different meanings. If you’re not already on the bandwagon for a butterfly tattoo perhaps I can persuade you with the following information. Below I have given some information on what butterfly tattoos can represent, facts about butterflies, as well as testimonials from people that have received butterfly tattoo designs. Please keep in mind that a butterfly tattoo can represent different things to different people, below are just some brief examples.

Butterfly Symbolism

• Represents the fragility of life
• Transformation or change as well as love and joy
• Simplicity
• Peace
• A new life
• A new beginning
• Serves as a reminder to make changes when the opportunities arise
• The butterfly flight appears as though its dancing, a reminder not to take things so seriously

At first a butterfly is an ugly caterpillar and nobody even thinks to give it a second look. With time and dedication it transforms into something breathtaking. The metamorphosis process makes the butterfly a powerful symbol for transformation. Throughout our life we will be faced with change and transformation. A butterfly tattoo is an excellent way to remember that change, the dedication it took, and serves as a constant reminder to make the necessary changes when the opportunities present themselves.

Butterfly Facts

• About 28,000 known butterfly species throughout the world
• Butterflies weigh as little as two rose petals (could incorporate this into your tattoo design)
• The wings of a butterfly are actually transparent; the vivid colors are due to overlapping bright scales
• Butterflies only fly during the day
• You won’t kill a butterfly by touching its wings

Butterfly Tattoo Testimonials

• I just received my butterfly tattoo a month ago and for me it symbolizes a new life, a new beginning if you will. For years I have tried to please everyone by being someone I’m not. My butterfly tattoo was a gift to me for being me. The process was exhilarating and the tattoo is calm, vibrant, colorful, and most of all beautiful. Everything that I want to be.
• My grandma died and before she was buried she was put into her coffin in a closed depressing room that didn’t have windows or ventilation. A dismal electric bulb was the only thing that lighted her while her loved ones said goodbye. When they arrived into the room they found a butterfly flying around with its vivid colored wings and it has remained a mystery of how it arrived there. This incident caused me to get a butterfly tattoo. For me my tattoo symbolizes the spirit, life and death with its three stages of mankind, and reincarnation. Finally, it also symbolizes the short and intense life and the magic dust on a butterfly’s wing is our freedom that enables our flight.

In conclusion butterfly tattoos are not only a great choice for their vivid colors and beauty, but also for the deep rooted meanings they can provide.

Dragon tattoos are often used as a symbol of strength and power. They can also be an emblem of spiritual and magical qualities. These are very good reasons why the dragon is one of the best known mythological creatures around the world.

One of the things that make dragon tattoos so desirable is their colorful and bold designs. There are so many different ways to depict a dragon; it is easy to get creative. There are two designs that are seen most frequently. The first is the Western dragon — which has a thick, scaled body; bat-like wings, and a long neck. The second is the Eastern dragon — though still scaled, it has more of a serpentine body and generally does not have wings.

The Western dragon is most commonly used for its mythological history rather than for a deeper meaning. However, they can occasionally have a deeper meaning, such as the Celtic ‘circle of life’ dragon — which is meant to represent the cyclic nature of life. They can also show pride in nationality. An example of this would be the red dragon, which is the national symbol of Wales.

As for the Eastern dragon, it is more than a large, snake-like creature. These dragons illustrate the elements of fire, wind, earth and water. They can have far reaching implications, being neither good nor evil, they often represent the forces of nature, which can be both beautiful and brutal.

Although most dragon tattoos are colorful, they can also be done in black and shades of grey. Black and red is another great option, and is frequently seen in tribal tattoo designs.

Given the protean nature of dragons, it is possible to create a variety of scenes and a variety of creatures. One fascinating design is the koi fish dragon. The koi being a sign of masculinity, wisdom and longevity, is said to climb waterfalls and at the end of its trek, is transformed into a dragon. This design can be simple and show a creature featuring attributes of both a dragon and a koi fish, or they can be intricate and depict the journey between fish and beast.

The backdrop of dragon tattoos can be just as diverse as the dragon itself. Flames, flowers and symbols of peace are frequently used. However, you can tell a story with a landscape. A medieval castle; emerging from a cave, or a Japanese woodblock-type background with rippling waves, mountains and colorful skies.

Black or highly colored; placed in a small area of the body, or covering whole portions of the body. Whatever the design, dragon tattoos can symbolize power, nobility, magic and a transcendence from normality. It is often used as an expression of how we feel about our self, or how we would like to see ourselves — strong and free.

Just like other winged creatures such as the fairy or the angel, dragonfly tattoos are an extremely popular tattoo for women. Perhaps this is because dragonflies appear to be gentle, delicate creatures. In many ways dragonfly tattoos can represent a free spirit because their able to fly away at any time. It also embodies light because its shell contains a unique combination of proteins and minerals, making it catch and reflect the light of the sun in that special way that dragonflies have.

Additionally, in traditional Native American beliefs, the dragonfly symbolizes invincibility, wisdom, and agility. It’s also said to be a messenger from the spirit world. This is because it’s a part of two separate realms: air and water. Because it’s able to pass through these two different worlds, the Native Americans believed that it was about to pass between our world and the world of the spirit.

The image of the dragonfly is often associated with creativity and imagination. The way its delicate wings flutter in the air bring to mind images of fairies and magic, which puts the dragonfly in a rather romantic light. It’s no surprise why dragonfly tattoos have become increasingly popular.

And the size and variety of dragonfly tattoos almost rivals the amount of interpretations of the symbol. Common places to get a dragonfly tattoo include the ankle, lower back, shoulder, thigh, neck, and upper arm. Many women prefer small, discrete dragonfly tattoos that they can easily cover, whereas other women prefer larger monuments to the dragonfly on their bodies. Either way, dragonfly tattoos look simply wonderful.

Common designs can range from simple, elegant black dragonflies to complex, highly colorful ones. Because dragonfly tattoos are very popular designs are literally endless. There are dragonfly tattoos that look exactly like a real dragonfly and there are others that utilize a bit of imagination, making them look more dragon-like. Some of the designs include other images as well, such as words, hearts, stars, crosses, Chinese symbols, and myriad other images.

Because of all this, it’s not at all difficult to see why dragonfly tattoos have become so popular. For anyone wishing to get a tattoo, the dragonfly is an excellent choice.

In the latter part of the 1990’s, lower back tattoos became all the rage, and for good reason. The location is one of the most sexy and feminine parts of the female body, and gives you the choice of keeping it secret in a conservative style of dress or letting it show with a casual style, such as a crop shirt and hip-hugger jeans. The popular V shape that most tattoos on the lower back display gives balance to the art and further flatters the already curvy shape of a woman’s body. The showing of the lower back is often thought of as a way for a woman to exhibit her confidence and sex appeal. Adding lower back tattoos further accentuates the effect, making the lower back an excellent place to display the art that expresses both the secret and sensual qualities of a woman’s personality. In some religions, the lower back is believed to be the residence of the Kundalini, or coiled energy, and in others, the Shakti, which is the female aspect of the universe. Both of these beliefs are just more reasons that the lower back is a wonderful place to showcase a special tattoo.

When it comes to lower back tattoos, or any tattoo for that matter it is wise to consider whether you would like there to be meaning behind the art, or if you are just looking for something to express your personal style. If meaning is important to you, here are some suggestions to help make the process of choosing a design a little simpler:

The flowering lotus is one of the most popular designs for lower back tattoos. With its, buds, flowers, and pods, the design has come to symbolize the past, present, and future. Incorporating the lotus with a sanskrit or tribal design, the symbolism of the flower is showcased by your personal style while creating a balanced, symmetrical tattoo.

The Kundalini, which was mentioned earlier, is referred to in yoga as our inner snake-like energy. For such reason, the snake makes an excellent choice for lower back tattoos. Another way to express your energy within may be a design incorporating the Minoin snake goddess. When centered, then paired with furling vines, the design makes a statement of both strength and femininity.

If you are looking for a design that is merely an unframed image, a presentation of an eagle spreading its wings is one example that would suit such a request. The extended wingspan would keep the desirable V shape that is so popular for lower back tattoos, and the eagle is known as the symbol of courage and desire to explore the unknown, making this image a solid choice for the independent and daring woman.

Another thing to consider when planning lower back tattoos is the size. Take into account the type of image you have chosen, and how bold of a statement you wish to make. Designs with lots of color will be much bolder than those of a grey scale, so you may want to choose a slightly smaller size to avoid the possibility of the tattoo appearing overbearing. Yet be cautious of choosing a design that is too small, as this may broaden the appearance of your back. It is your personal decision on what is right for you when choosing between the many options for lower back tattoos.

of manipulation; he often causes people to commit the gravest of sins by using his charms alone. Since then, many people have created Devil tattoos to portray this kitschy imagery.

An extension of this variety of artwork is often seen with a female Devil. She is usually seen in the pin-up style, and is often displayed alongside an angel figure to show the contrast of good and evil.

Although it is natural for Devil tattoos to take on a sinister quality, many people opt to make it light hearted. Some figures assume a decidedly child-like quality. Rather than bearing a baleful image, they appear more like a chubby, red and mischievous toddler, much akin to the image of Cupid. These images will depict this small, naughty creature with a pointed tail and horns.

Many people choose Devil tattoos that are significant to them. For instance, in classic art, the Devil was shown playing the violin. A musician may find that this fits not only with their work, but their image of themselves.

Classical art is often used for tattoo designs. The Devil has appeared in many famous paintings, and the depth and detail of these works can be beautifully replicated onto skin. Considering that these paintings were meant to tell a story, it can create a picture that holds much meaning to the wearer of this art.

A lot of people decide to create their own designs for Devil tattoos. Some will use the literal figures, both archaic and modern, while others will pick only the pieces that are most appropriate to them. Some will choose to backdrop their picture of the Devil with the classic fire and brimstone perception of Hell, and others yet will show the Devil walking amongst us.

It is undecided whether the existence of the Devil is real, or simply a metaphor to explain why humans behave the way they do. Whatever your belief may be, using this symbol for your tattoo may likely be a metaphor for the way you behave.