Shooting Star Tattoo

Shooting Star Tattoo
Shooting star tattoos are a very popular image, being versatile and pretty. They are suggestive of wishes coming true. They are also indicative of a persons desires to achieve success or stardom. A shooting star tattoo can incorporate a ‘trail’ of smaller stars, which is very pretty and delicate, a great way for a tattoo to cover a slightly larger area but still remain subtle. These tattoos are also a symbol for success and good luck, albeit of a short lived nature. Shooting star tattoos can also symbolize a brief fleeting moment in ones life just like the brief wonder of seeing a shooting star race across the night sky. Brilliant and stunning but lasting only a few moments before they burn up in the atmosphere. They can also be a symbol of reaching one’s ultimate destiny and are popular among stars of Hollywood society. The color of the tattoo can also have a significance. The purple hues depicted in the photograph for example, denote wisdom, dignity, independence, creativity, mystery, and magic. It can also convey an underlying desire to achieve great wealth or material success. The lighter hues of purple around the shooting star tattoo may also convey a sense of nostalgia or a desire for romantic love.
Shooting Star Tattoo
If your looking for a particular meaning attached to shooting star tattoos, I’m sorry to disappoint you. There really is no predetermined symbolism for a shooting star. Back in many of the ancient cultures the aboriginal people thought that shooting stars were either the gods themselves or some sign from the gods. Thus the ancients would ascribe their own cultural meaning to these momentous events. Sometimes it might mean that more sacrifices are required by the gods or maybe it is time to plant the corn. Each of the different cultures had their own beliefs about what a shooting star meant. However, almost every culture held the star in high symbolic importance. In modern times we see shooting stars more for their beauty and brilliance and not as a message from the gods themselves. This allows us to ascribe whatever meaning we want. One of the common meanings that get ascribed to the shooting star tattoo is a seize the day symbol. A shooting star comes into the sky quickly and then burns out brilliantly all in a short span of time. Thus has lead some people see the shooting star a symbol to live life to the fullest. So, go ahead and get a shooting star tattoo and Carpe Diem (or seize the day)!

Snake Tattoos

Snake Tattoos
Snake tattoos are found in all forms of classic tattooing. That’s because since the dawn of man, the snake has had significant religious and symbolic meaning. So, it’s no wonder that the snake tattoo has always been a popular design choice. The concept of the snake as a symbol of wisdom and knowledge goes back a long way. Legends from the most ancient civilizations tell of the snake or serpent bringing about the creation of the planets. Indeed, the myth of Ouroboros which emerged in 1600 years BC in Egypt, features an enormous serpent devouring its own tail, surviving by devouring itself, symbolizing an unending, eternal cycle of renewal. This idea of a cycle without end is an echo of the concept of infinity. And in Greek mythology, the serpent was associated with the goddess of the moon. As a female symbol, it brings knowledge to mankind, while in other cultures it is portrayed as a goddess of mystery, birth and death. In the Americas, there are many myths that tell of snake people living underground, both as guardians of the next world, and of helpers of humans still living in on this earthly realm. Many of these myths are grounded in the observations that many snakes hibernate underground and seem to be renewed by shedding their skins on a regular basis. Thus, like the frog, a snake tattoo can be symbol of regeneration and rebirth. Of course, it can also be seen as a symbol of death and danger. It all depends on the bearer’s perspective of what the snake tattoo means to him or her.
Snake Tattoos
In this picture we are looking at two versions of the same snake tattoo at two different times of it being put on this persons leg. It is impossible to tell what kind of snake it is meant to be but certainly the fangs tell us that it is meant to be a poisonous snake. Meaning deadly. It is no accident that snake tattoos are so popular. As one of the oldest symbols in existence, drawings of snakes have been found long before any form of the written word appeared. In many cultures snakes represented life and death and also many times represented the Underworld.

The snake tattoos as symbols of wisdom and knowledge go back a long way. Legends from the most ancient civilizations tell of the snake or serpent bringing about the creation of the planets. Indeed, a myth from ancient Egypt suggests that there was an enormous serpent devouring its own tail and literally surviving by devouring itself, symbolizing an eternal cycle of renewal. This idea of a cycle without end is the concept of eternal life and infinity which brings us right back to the old yin yang thing once again. Needless to say snake tattoos can say an awful lot if you need them to.

Praying Hands Tattoo

Praying Hands Tattoo
The praying hands tattoo is a popular religious symbol but few people know the origins of it. The praying hands tattoo was originally drawn by a 15th century German artist named Albrecht Dürer. It was originally commissioned as an altar piece by the mayor of Frankfurt in 1508. It instantly became popular but the original was destroyed by fire in the year 1729. However a copy of the altar piece, as well as some earlier sketches survived. Today, the praying hands tattoo is not only the most widely known and frequently produced of his works, but it’s one of the most popular tattoo designs of all times. The image continues to move people’s hearts and minds, especially when combined with a variety of favorite tattoo icons, such as the cross or the rosary. As a matter of fact, there are probably more variations on this motif then any one person could possible keep track. The only limit to the design or how it’s incorporated into your collection of body ink is your imagination. And there is probably no better way to show your faith or devotion to God then to have a praying hands tattoo inked upon your skin.

Joker Tattoos

Joker Tattoos
Joker tattoos, and actually all clown tattoos have come to symbolize the humor and the hidden tragedy that often lurks behind life’s pale veil. While the clown may be seen laughing there is always the hint of sadness or sorrow that lies just underneath his facade. But, that’s where the similarities end between the joker tattoo and the clown tattoo. Joker tattoo have also come to be viewed as laughing people that has at the core of their personality a sinister or evil persona. This can be seen by the Joker tattoo in the picture. It’s a very good portrait of the joker character as portrayed by Heath Ledger in the Dark Knight. That character not only had a dark side to his personality but also was a sociopath. And that has almost transformed the entire joker tattoo genre. Now, individuals are getting highly exaggerated joker’s that allude to something deep, dark and potentially dangerous. It would be a perfect piece to ink into your skin. So, if your looking for a design that speaks about your fun and humorous nature yet identifies you as a force to be reckoned with then the joker tattoo may be the design that you want to get.

Tiger Tattoos

Tiger Tattoos
Tiger tattoos have different meanings to different cultures. The Koreans call the tiger the ‘King of the Animals’. In Hinduism the god Shiva, in his aspect of the destroyer, is depicted wearing a tiger skin and riding a tiger. In Chinese culture the tiger is often seen as a protector of men and often tiger skins were used to decorate a child’s room in order to bring good luck. Tiger tattoos thus can have a duality of symbolic meanings much like any other totem animal. Some Asian cultures have stories about were tigers, people that can change themselves into tigers. According to their legends, the Tibetans and Na-hsi of the Yunnan province in China have descended from tigers. The Na-hsi give tiger figures to boys and girls at their coming-of-age ceremonies and also to newly wed couples. Tiger tattoos have long been a fixture in indigenous tattooing in India, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, China and Japan. In these cultures it’s seen as a being of immense power, cunning, intelligence and sometimes savagery. Regardless, tiger tattoos are a beautiful addition to any collection of work and are often powerful and dramatic pieces. On a final note, a tiger seen emerging from one’s flesh, as in the picture, is often a symbol of inner strength and power.
Tiger Tattoos
When it comes to tiger tattoos this one is a bit different as it is not one of a ferocious tiger on the attack, which many of them are. This one is of a tiger who seems to be kicked back and relaxed with a very content look upon its face. Almost like it just got done eating its latest victim and is now resting and enjoying its full stomach. It is also somewhat rare to see a tiger tattoo that does not show its teeth or claws at all. It’s just sitting there acting like the cat that ate the canary. Being the ultimate symbol of power, speed and beauty this tattoo of a tiger seems to be playing to the beauty side more than anything.

I like tiger tattoos in general and I like this one. It is well done and it looks pretty cool but I don’t think I would get one just like it. I would want my tiger to show a bit of attitude. But then, the owners’ argument probably is that what we are seeing is the attitude. The tiger is calm and peaceful because it’s the toughest animal around and has nothing to fear from anything or anyone.

Chinese Words Arm Tattoo Picture


This guy has three Chinese characters on his arm. Above are three cute frogs. Nice rythym in the calligraphy font used for the Chinese words. Frogs are simple outline and shading and fit very nicely with the characters.

Female with Word Stomach Tattoo Design


This tattoo is a two word phrase: Gimme Danger.
Written in a nice cursive script in black ink on her stomach. Nice use of flourishes below the two words.

Foot with Three Words Tattoo Picture


A foot tattoo, "PRETTY HATE MACHINE" in capital letters. What is the significance of this, one wonders. Nice simple tattoo font used with simple sarifs.

Unique Fox with Necklace Tattoo


Beautiful art work of a red fox with a necklace. Expert artistry on the fine line work, the shading and the overall composition.

Unique Horror Movie Back Tattoo


Portraits of famous old movie horror characters. Frankenstein, Wolfman, etc. Nice mix of black ink and color.

Unique Goat Portrait Tattoo


An elegant goat in a suit with a monocle. He nibbles on his tie. The banner reads "indeed" in a typewriter font. Unique indeed!

Unique Banner on Knocker Tattoo


A purple banner reads "somehow for now" and a door knocker reads "this skin will have to do" What could be the story behind this?