Ink is fast becoming a common sight out of paper and on a more expressive canvas; skin. The art of tattooing finds its roots deep in tribal history when warriors marked themselves the fittest in a race of survival they didn’t know they were running. While historic inking represented and often conveyed valuable insights modern art of tattooing has a much diverse and intimate connection with the bearer.

For example a certain tribal community in Africa tattoos a teardrop next to their eyes in honor of each human life they take in battle, a humbling reminder of the value and regard held on account of human life while in a more modern setting Lil Wayne carries out the same tattoo for what appears to be the number of platinum albums he release.

Regardless of personal reasoning a few tattoos have held traditional symbolism and are still popular among certain communities, a note to ponder should you be contemplating going under the needle.

 

 

Stars

Stars are a common theme of many tattoos from celebrities like Chris Brown to Rihanna sporting stars on their skins, as sentiments of their achievements and dreams. Aside from the Hollywood glamour stars also symbolize many virtues and values. The meaning depicted by a star is often distinct from one another depending on the number of points the star has.

For example a five pointed star a symbol of military accomplishment often symbolizes power and strength while a six pointed star stems from Judaic tradition and depicts life. When circled a six pointed star stands for wisdom and inner intelligence. A shooting star is used to showcase an event of significance or a reminder of a life event.

A nautical star is sported by sailors to display one of the two sides of a ship, the starboard side shown by green and black nautical stars or the port side represented by red and black nautical stars. Sailors traditionally use these tattoos to symbolize their side of operation. Aside from this distinction nautical stars also show stability and a fixed goal or state of being.

 

 

 

Irish Claddagh

The Irish claddagh is a tattoo of two hands holding between them a heart often surmounted by a crown. This unique tattoo follows in the tradition of symbolizing the statement “let love and friendship reign” The hands representing friendship, heart depicting love and the crown standing for loyalty.

The tattoo is also used by Irish descendants to show their pride and theme of life. However despite the rather simple symbolism the tattoo is fascinating due to the change of meaning in accordance with its placement.

The tattoo placed on the left side of your body with the heart pointing outwards away from your heart shows that you are engaged while the same tattoo with the heart pointing inwards towards your own heart shows that you’re married. The same tattoo symbolizes friendship when placed anywhere on the right side of the body.

 

 

 

Animals of Love

Speaking of love, a popular theme of body ink many animals are associated with different perspectives of love. A few popular ones include a dolphin which in mythology is the preferred animal form of Aphrodite the goddess of love. The dove is a symbol of the spirituality of love.

In Slavic legend the departed soul takes the form of a dove when ascending to the heavens while in Hinduism the dove is the emblem of love.

A peculiar sign of love is the ladybug which follows the story that should you release one the lady bug will find its way to your loved one and whisper your name in his/her ear upon which your lover will make way to you hurriedly.

The number of spots on the bug’s back is said to be the amount of time before which the wish is granted.

 

 

 

Four Leaf Clover

The four leaf clover is a known symbol of luck and is signified as a petition for wealth and fame. The emerald hue of a clover is a representation of rigorous growth and development.

In addition to its base symbolism the clover is also seen as an icon of protection and security which wards off evil and mal intent. Other symbols of luck include horseshoes and shamrocks.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Dilshan Seneratne