Meaning of Animal Tattoos & Animal Tattoo Pictures
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Animal Tattoos
When choosing a tattoo, one may consider various designs before choosing the one. Animals, are a more popular tattoo design that one would think, and people get animal tattoos for various reasons.
Throughout time and literature, animals of varying species will symbolize different things. So, when one person gets an animal tattoo, it may mark a turning point in their life, or how that animal represents their soul.
Plus, in today's society, animals are a big part of life. We spend millions on our pets, and many people reflect their love with tattoos of their beloved pets on their body.
Some people just find a fascination with an animal species, and feel the need to have it tattooed on their body.
Whereas, others may have a spiritual connection with the animal.
But, in any case, animal tattoos are popular among the masses.
The more common animal tattoos include:
- Koi
- Snakes
- Frogs
- Tigers
- Horses
- Birds
- Dogs
- Cats
- Dragons
- Butterflies
Koi
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Koi Tattoos
Relatively similar to goldfish, the Koi is a fish that is native to China, Japan, and Korea. They are represented by brightly colored fish usually surrounded by a wave or some form of water.
Koi fish are traditionally considered lucky, which is why they tend to be a very popular tattoo.
Itis said that Koi can climb waterfalls, and if they are caught, it will lie on the cutting board without waver, similar to a samurai warrior facing a sword.
Based on the legend that Koi succeeded in climbing the waterfalls at Dragon Gate, on the Yellow River, and was transformed into a dragon, it became a symbol of worldy aspiration and advancement.
Eventually, the fish came to be associated with masculine and positive qualities.
Koi can also represent courage, the ability to attain goals, and overcomine life's difficulties.
Snakes
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Snake Tattoos
Snakes can symbolize various things, which is why they tend to make a popular tattoo.
Deadly or dangerous
Medicine
Healing
Power
When seen eating it's own tail in a clockwise direction (head to tail), snakes are seen as one's own life or rebirth.
Many civilizations worship snakes. You can find cobra wrapped around the neck of Shiva and Vishnu; temples are found with snakes. Indian cultures pray to the snake. They even have a special day devoted to them.
Frogs
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Frog Tattoos
Frogs are another popular animal tattoo.
They are the symbols of:
Life
Fertility
Harmony
Licentiousness
Many Christians, these days, are getting frogs tattooed on their body because of the anacronym : Forever Rely On God.
Tigers
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Tiger Tattoos
Tigers are not only beautiful in the fur, but on skin as well.
They tend to be a symbol of:
Strength
Power
Medicine
Healing
Warrior
Tigers, in the Chinese culture are seen as an earth symbol and an equal rival to the dragon.
In modern literature, the tiger is seen as menacing and fearful.
You will find some cute and cuddly tigers, such as Tigger from "Winnie The Pooh", Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes comic, and Tony the Tiger.
Or you will see tigers such as Shere Khan, from The Jungle Book, who is seen as the wicked mortal enemy.
Horses
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Horse Tattoos
Horses aren't as popular as other animal tattoos, but they are gorgeous none-the-less.
Horses are symbols of:
Gracefulness
Beauty
Intelligence
Free spirited
Independence
Birds
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Bird Tattoos
Bird tattoos are popular and far ranged.
You will commonly find sparrows, owls, crows and ravens, doves, and hummingbirds.
Crows and ravens symbolize revival and messenger of God.
Doves symbolize Christianity, peace, hope, and new life.
Eagles can represent might, spiritual growth, and patronism.
Hummingbirds tend to represent a love charm and one who hoards.
Owls symbolize wisdom and imbecility.
Sparrows symbolize freedom, love, and loyalty.
Dogs
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Dog Tattoos
One may get a tattoo of a dog for various reasons. But, most of the time dog tattoos are a memorial for a beloved pet who has passed on.
Some breeds represent different characteristics that the person may want to have. Some breeds may represent a reputation that one would like.
For example, an APBT advocate may get a tattoo of the breed as a sign of loyalty, strength, and courage, but one who prefers their reputation, may get a tattoo of the same breed with a more viscious demeanor in order to represent power and the fear that is evoked from the breed.
Tattoo Designs
- BMEzine
Encyclopedia of body modification of all sorts. You can visit the User Gallery for more tattoo pictures. - Official Body Mod Organization
Find various pictures of different styles of tattoos, as well as piercings, and other body modifications. - Tattoos.com
Features tattoo pictures and images, articles, bookstore, yellow pages, and links to tattoo artists and design studios. - Tattoo Art
Tattoo designs. - Tattoo Johnny
Sells downloadable tattoo designs with stencils.
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Comments
I see a lot of swallows and thought they were beautiful. I was thinking of getting one but want to be sure I know what it means before I do. Do you know?
Swallows will have a different meaning to different people. In the past, they were common amongst sailers as they represented the trust of the Navy, as well as menaing that the sailor would return from the ocean safely. Swallows can mean loyalty, pride, freedom, and wealth.
It's said that in the past sailors would get a swallow on their chest after 5,000 miles and one on their side after 10,000 miles on sea.
Traditionally, sailors who had a pair of swallows on their chest would be pulled to Heaven by the swallows if drowned.
It's a common tattoo of those who have been in prison and done their "bird." In Britain, they represent "jail bird."
Swallows on the back of hands is supposed to give you faster hands, whether in fight or work.
There are other meanings, but those are the more common and traditional.
working
Theophanes says:
6 months ago
Interesting. I had no idea frogs actually stood for something. Another popular one is butterflies, the power of transformation. I really like the pitbull, it looks like a wtaercolor... how neat.