July 2011 ~ High Quality Tattoo Designs

Wednesday 6 July 2011

Tribal Sun Tattoo Designs

In general, the sun is thought to be a symbol of glory, authority and brilliance, and because of this it has become a very popular image for body art. Tribal sun tattoos are a little different when it comes to symbolism, however, as its meaning often depends on the group of people who are using it. For instance, the Navajo sun emblem is connected to both war and creation, while the Mayans felt that it was an emblem for productivity and enlightenment.

Some of the most commonly seen tribal sun tattoos consist of sharp lines pointing out from a fine, black circle. These designs sometimes take on a swirling pattern that is used to represent the moving flames of the sun itself. Although this particular style is generally done in simple black, it may also be done in shades of red or deep blue. Sometimes people like to add embellishments to these pieces such as stoic-looking faces, astrological glyphs or religious artifacts.

Traditional symbols are also occasionally used for tribal sun tattoos. One of the more common emblems is similar in appearance to the modern take on tribal body art and consists of a small circle that is topped with seven sharp rays that curve to the right. This design, which is often done in black and outlined in red, is said to represent the seven energy centers of human beings.

Another traditional symbol that is used for tribal sun tattoos is the Hopi tribe’s sun Kachina. This symbol depicts a small, simple face that is horizontally split into colors of red and white. Surrounding this face is six sets of matching feathers. A second Hopi sun symbol shows another simple face that is surrounded by bright rays of red, white and yellow.

Navajo and Mayan symbols are two other great options for tribal sun tattoos. Like the Hopi emblems, the Navajo sun symbol shows a small white and blue face. This face is generally lined in black and surrounded by a blue circle that bears an arrangement of red feathers. The Mayan symbol is a little more unusual. This image shows a small circle within a circle that bears two long lines at the top. On either side of these lines are two other small circles.

The sun is the most precious source of light, growth and warmth. It provides us with clarity after a shadowy night and protection from all the things that lurk in darkness. For these reasons alone, sun tattoos can make a deep impact. But these are not the only reasons a person would choose such a design. The sun, much like its astral brethren, carries a good deal of mythology, symbolism and intrigue with it.

The sun god can be seen in nearly every culture throughout history. One of the more popular depictions, however, is the Greek god Helios. Helios is not only god of the sun, but the sun itself. This image can be beautifully translated into tattoo art. sun tattoosThe story goes that Helios drove a chariot led by four fire breathing horses every day, thus lighting up the sky. This image can be done in bright and bold colors, or black and white; it can be done in a classic painting style, or in a more modern illustration.

The beauty of sun tattoos is not only the simplicity of shape, but the potential for adaptability in design. For instance, you could try a monotone antique woodblock, or a colorful Celtic mosaic. You can mix symbols to tell a personal story; the sun blossoming from the stem of a rose to symbolize burgeoning love, or glowing behind a religious symbol to show the warmth one gets from their personal faith.

A very popular sun design is the tribal style. Tribal sun tattoos are usually very simple, using minimal colors (most frequently black, reds and occasionally blues), and sharp, clean lines. Although these are most often seen as a simple circle with jagged points jutting from it, there are a few other ways to utilize this style. For instance, you could use something a little softer, creating sun rays that look more like watery waves. You can also include a face or symbol in the body of the sun.

Sun tattoos can be light hearted and simple, or deeply meaningful and highly elaborate. However you so choose to depict this ancient and extraordinary symbol, you will be certain to make a fantastic statement.

Dolphin Tattoo Designs

For many people, dolphin tattoos may symbolize several things; wisdom, freedom and even a love for the open waters. Women and men everywhere are beginning to take a great liking to this design, especially those who have an affinity for the ocean and all the life within it.

One of the most popular images for dolphin tattoos is the appearance of a dolphin leaping forth from a spray of water. One interesting variation to this device is giving a portion of the skin the look of an undulating body of water, while the head of the dolphin appears to push its way through the surface.

Dolphin tattoos may also showcase an assortment of symbols and patterns. Rather than using realistic waves, you can include blue tribal designs, or even scrollwork waves. There is a variety of symbolism that can be used, such as dolphins encircling a globe within a tide pool; bicolored dolphins enmeshed to create a yin yang symbol; or even a Celtic knot, with three tails joined in the center. Boldly colored dolphins can also create a unique heart emblem, with fins meeting, bodies curved and noses touching in the appearance of a kiss.

Dolphin tattoos are frequently seen in a cartoon style. However, some people prefer to use a more realistic approach and create something akin to a portrait. For those with a more scientific interest, recreating the anatomical structure that can be seen in nearly any marine biology book may make for a unique take on dolphin tattoos. The divergent skeletal structure of these creatures may also make for an interesting twist on both dolphin and skeletal tattoos.

Given that many people get dolphin tattoos because of a personal bond or attraction they feel with them, you may also use the ‘man and beast’ style of art. This could be depicted as a human swimming in step with this mammal, or the fusion of the swimming man with the dolphin; either man becoming dolphin, or vice versa.

So whether your fondness for this design is due to aesthetic interest, or it is because of a more personal link, dolphin tattoos will show your engaging spirit and remain a reminder to enjoy your life and your freedom.

Chinese Tattoo Designs

Chinese art has always been a symbol of elegance and beauty, but over the last decade Chinese tattoos have had an explosion in popularity. The evidence of this can be seen in nightclubs, college campuses and celebrity photos, amongst other places. But what, besides the beauty of the art, would make these tattoos so popular? The main reason is that Chinese symbolism can be used to express so much, while still remaining simple and clean.

One of the most recognizable examples of this are kanji symbols. Though kanji writing has been adopted in Japan, the Chinese style of kanji has some modest differences and a wider vocabulary. These tattoos are often seen expressing certain emotions such as love, peace and even friendship.

Another common example in Chinese tattoos is the Yin and Yang. The exact meaning of this symbol is perfect balance. Each side represents a contrast; Yin being dark, earthly and female, Yang being light, airy and male. However, there are several ways people use this symbol, there is the classic round piece to start. Then the Yin and Yang enclosed in a lotus flower, the lotus flower being a another symbol of balance, not to mention perfection and purity. You can also do a Yin and Yang eye, which represents both an internal and an external balance; or a Yin and Yang heart, which can mean a balance of emotions.

chinese tattoosOne of the more striking pieces in Chinese tattoos is the dragon. Once associated with criminals, it has since become something of a trend in popular culture. The draw of this particular piece is that the dragon is seen as a symbol of power and even mystery. Many people, though, get these tattoos for aesthetic purposes without knowing exactly how they differ. For instance, a yellow dragon without horns is renowned for its knowledge, while a horned dragon is known to be the strongest of creatures.

Create beautiful scenes. For instance, bamboo — which is considered a symbol of longevity for its strength and resilience — and clouds as a backdrop to cranes, who are considered signs of wealth, long life and power; or deer, who are similarly thought to represent longevity through endurance and grace.

Chinese tattoos have long been associated with their meaning and each individual has their own reason, be it an expression of who they are, or who they want to become; a symbol of change in their life, or a reminder of those they love most. What makes a Chinese tattoo perfect is the variety and simplicity, being able to convey strong emotions with small symbols, not to mention that they will always be aesthetically powerful and graceful.

Hawaiian Tattoo Designs

Hawaiian and tribal designs are certainly popular amongst the tattoo world. In this article we will combine the two together to get a better understanding of Hawaiian tribal tattoos.

Tribal tattoos have always had a deeper meaning than just the decorations they represent today. Often they indicated rank in the community, skill, or family. As far back as the ancient Celts whose tattoos indicated a warrior’s abilities, tribal tattoos have identified some aspect of the bearer as they followed the musculature lines of the body and not the random placement of today. Most tribal tattoos were done as a silhouette of black or blue. Polynesian tattoos such as Hawaiian ones were brighter, larger, and more colorful than the Celtic ones.

Hawaiian tribal tattoos differ in that they are personal identifiers. Dolphins with their expression of joy, Arrows, and Sea Turtles with their symbolism of fertility all have meaning specific to the person they are on. One of the most common tattoos you’ll find in Hawaiian tribal tattoos is the Orchid with its beautiful petals and bright leaves. In fact while most people consider floral tattoos to be feminine, the orchid tattoo is often displayed by men of Hawaiian tribes. The rare ghost orchid when used as a Hawaiian tribal tattoo is an identifier of “rare beauty.” Another powerful tattoo reflected in the Hawaiian culture, the lizard, with its representation of both fear and respect was certainly a tattoo to pay attention to. Often the wearer’s rank was expressed by the size and location of the tattoo. The more prominent it was the higher the rank.

Typically, Hawaiian tribal tattoos would be on the leg, arm, face or body. The woman’s tattoo would be on her tongue, hands or wrists. Whether you want a dolphin to reflect the joy you’ve found, a ghost orchid for its rare and delightful beauty, or a tribal band on your arm or leg, Hawaiian tribal tattoos are a great way to express your homage to the Hawaiian culture.

Half Sleeve Tattoo Designs

Sleeve tattoos are definitely not for the amateur tattoo enthusiast. Whether getting a full sleeve, or only a half sleeve, these designs are not only bold, but very visible. However, if hiding your body art is not an issue, sleeve tattoos can be visually amazing, and leave you quite a bit of room for symbolism.

Some of the most popular styles for sleeve tattoos come straight from Celtic designs. Celtic knots are by far the most popular style in this genre, and rather than being several small pieces placed together, they are usually one long, unending thread that wraps around the arm. For a simple knot design you could either create a flowing version of the Dara knot (a symbol of strength and wisdom), or a plain spiral. For something a bit more intricate you could create a patchwork design of several different Celtic knots. For instance, you could use a row of triquetra knots (the emblem of a perfect threefold unity), and beneath it a row of quaternary (which has a similar meaning to the triquetra, only fourfold instead of three). Animals are also a frequently used symbol for arm sleeves: butterflies, horses, and even mythological beasts such as griffins are very common.

Floral artwork is also regularly used for sleeve tattoos. These designs often feature vines creeping up and around the arm – usually from wrist to shoulder – with small buds blossoming from the skin. It is not uncommon to see other things mingled with these vines. For instance, you may see insects such as ladybugs, spiders, or bees buzzing around the flowers; you may also see fantasy figures like fairies or elves clutching at the vines. For a different twist, the vine could make up the body of a snake or dragon with its head resting at the wrist, or even slithering beyond the sleeve onto your chest or back.

Most sleeve tattoos are a combination of many symbols that have significance to the wearer. For example, you might see a design that shows a cross the length of the upper arm surrounded by clouds with a bright sun rising up from behind it. You might also see a star sign mingling with the planets and stars that make up that particular character. Many people also like to use the symbol of a koi fish swimming upstream; however, you may like to create a fuller scene by using other Japanese symbols such as frogs (symbols of good fortune) idling in the more placid pool of water below the stream; butterflies (emblems for joy) flying in the sky above the stream, or even dragonflies (symbols for victory) swooping over the surface of the water.

There are an endless amount of images and symbols you can use, but whatever you decide upon, sleeve tattoos will always be one of the boldest styles around.

Tribal Tattoo Designs

Today, tribal tattoos are mostly used for their aesthetic appeal, but throughout history they have been worn as a way to signify heritage, spirituality, social status and the coming of age. Although ancient Maori designs are some of the most commonly seen styles, tribal pieces from around the world can be used to create unique and meaningful body art. Symbolism can vary widely and often depends on the tribe and the patterns that are used. As these pieces have strong historical significance, it is important to find an artist that is well versed in tribal art, as the culture of each tribe should be treated with respect.

Some of the most popular styles of tribal tattoos are Maori pieces. These designs have a long history of usage and often consist of simple designs that are made large and elaborate by sheer volume. Traditionally, no Maori design was ever duplicated, but most incorporated sharp spiral patterns that twisted and turned around limbs and over the back, stomach or neck. This is true today; however, many people like to add different patterns, as well as relevant symbols to their Maori tribal pieces. Many of these designs are done in black, but more modern styles may also make use of striking shades of red and blue.

Without realizing it, many people choose tribal tattoos that use designs from the tribes of Borneo and Polynesia. Tribal tattooing in Borneo often consisted of thick, black images that left portions of the skin exposed as a way of allowing the design to show through. These pieces are frequently made up of portrait-like images of animals and plants, and are often symbolic of accomplishments, as well as protection and identity. The Marquesan tribe of the Polynesian Islands created body art that took on distinct geometrical patterns, and often mixed these patterns with symbols and pictures. This mingling of images was, and still is, used to express the individuality of the wearer.

Haida and Celtic tribes also offer stunning tribal tattoos that can easily be adapted to modern body art. Haida pieces often consist of sharp lines that mingle with or make up the image of symbolic creatures, astrological emblems, plants or elements. Bears and eagles, suns and stars are some of the best known of these symbols, and they are often printed onto the skin in black and red ink. Celtic tribal pieces are frequently made up of slender, dark lines that are twisted into elaborate breads. These breads are often made to look like meaningful items like crosses, trees and animals, but are more commonly used to create simple and attractive patterns.

Fairy Tattoo Designs

The symbolism of fairy tattoos is vast and can mean everything from childlike innocence to spirituality, feminine strength to the forces of nature. In modern times, these dainty, brightly-winged creatures are seen as girlish figures; however, throughout history fairies have appeared in a number of guises – some of them being sweet and pretty, others being dark and brooding.

Most fairy tattoos have a distinctly feminine slant, which often depicts these folkloric creatures as small, sprightly girls that bear large, colorful wings. This particular design is often made to look similar to folk art, and often shows the fairy sitting atop a limb or lounging across the back or stomach of the wearer. Many people prefer to pick a particular color theme for their fairy such as varying shades of blue, red or purple, but a more unique touch would be to show the wings and costume of the fairy in a rainbow pattern. A variation on this would be to make the wings look like stained glass with a bit of sunlight shining through.

Cartoon-like fairy tattoos are another popular option. Although the cartoon fairy may be shown individually or in a traditional manner, many prefer to create larger scenes or show the fairy in a more unusual light. Scenes may show this creature flitting through a mystical forest or whispering into the ear of a peasant child. Unusual depictions may show the fairy as a curvy pin up model, a spunky flapper girl or tough punk rocker chick. Although fairy pieces are frequently worn by women, some men also enjoy the cartoon variety, as this particular style shows the more sensuous side of this creature.

Fairy tattoos may also incorporate other symbols. For instance, the fairy may be seen sleeping nestled in the head of a flower or riding on the back of a butterfly. Since fairies are frequently associated with spirituality, they may be mingled with religious emblems such as crosses, pentagrams or the om symbol. Some items may not be widely significant but may be important to the wearer. For instance, the fairy may be seen sitting astride a musical note, cradling the birthstone of the wearer or flying alongside a beautiful bird.

Skull Tattoo Designs

Though always a popular design amongst fanatics, the popularity of cranium tattoos has risen. Prior to this rise in fame, the symbolism was highly misunderstood as being something profoundly dark, evil & rebellious. However, there's plenty of positive connotations to be had from this design. The cranium is often seen less as a signifier of death, & more as a signifier of life. Or, , the understanding & acceptance of all things that come with living even death.Although there are many positive implications, there are, of course, some negative ones as well. However, some people choose to use these designs as a symbol of toughness or endurance. One of the most recognizable symbols is the skull and crossbones. This symbol is often used to indicate poisonous material.

Skull tattoos have also long been a symbol for bikers and pirates. Biker tattoos usually depict a skull that is flaming, covered in barbed wire, or with red eyes. They may also show a snake coiling in one eye socket and out of the other. Though this symbol can seem tough, it may also be seen in a positive light. For instance, in some cultures the snake is seen as a sign of knowledge, thus indicating that the knowledge and understanding of death may indicate power. Pirate skull tattoos, though, are often very clear about their meaning. They usually represent everything to do with pirate culture; a crossbones style skull with blades instead of bones, a pirate hat and a menacing stare, are all quite common.

Some people also like to balance out the ominous appearance with something a little lighter. For instance, flowers growing around or in the eye sockets of a skull shows a balance of light and dark, life and death. Skull tattoos may also have significance for those in the medical field, or those who have suffered and survived accident or illness. These tattoos may include many features that or important to the wearer and are often very realistic in appearance.

There are many reason to get a skull tattoo, but weather it is a symbol of life or a symbol of death, you will be certain to create a stir with this popular and misunderstood design.