Tattoos are more than just body art – they represent all the difficulties, events, and setbacks a person faces in life. Tattoo artists around the world declare that the meanings of tattoos vary from person to person. It is the story and the background behind each person that adds depth to meaningful tattoos. The culture of the person also plays a vital role in determining what body ink means to them. A broken anchor can represent the freedom of one person or represent the loss of someone by another. As you go through this guide, you may not get exact answers, but it will help you mold ideas in your head so that you know what to ask for when you visit the tattoo parlor again.
Animals occupy a special place in the world of body art. Lions, tigers, and eagles are some of the most popular. Eagles are powerful raptors and are a symbol of nationalism in many Eastern European countries such as Mexico, Egypt, India, Armenia, and of course America. The eagle symbolizes power, superiority, courage, and feathers signify authority for Native Americans, and therefore it is perhaps the most common in power meaning tattoos for people around the world.
Another interesting animal that is often used in meaningful tattoos is the Okami, “Wolf.” Living in packs and hunting mercilessly, these animals represent violence, protection and power. The ancient people of Japan used to invoke the wolf gods to help protect their fields from damage caused by wild boars, foxes, and deer. The she-wolf is also considered the mother of Rome, as the myth says that a she-wolf saved the two brothers, Romulus and Remus, and raised them. These two were the founders of Roman civilization. In biblical texts, the wolf symbolizes greed and curse.
Monkey tattoos have also gained a huge following in recent years because they represent mischief, energy and liveliness for young people and children. The monkey also symbolizes the rebirth of Buddha and is similar to tricks and ugliness. In Chinese culture, the monkey is considered a greedy and mindless creature. Japanese popular folklore is made up of the “Three Wise Monkeys”: Kikazaru (hear no evil), Mizaru (see no evil) and Iwazaru (speak no evil).
The most colorful, bright, realistic and artistic tattoos are those of the Chinese zodiac sign, the Dragon. Dragon in Greek means giant serpent born in water. European fables depict the dragon as a fearsome monster that lives a life of seclusion in mountain caves. Knights in shining armor fight the dragon and conquer it to save and protect its people. The dragon also represents immortality, wisdom, strength, and longevity in Asian culture.
When it comes to water-born animals, dolphins constantly appear in meaningful tattoos. These beautiful creatures gained widespread attention after the release of “Flipper”, an American film. Ancient Greek coins consisted of an engraving in which a boy rides a dolphin. Hindus regard dolphins as creatures that bring good luck.
