Irish Tattoos

Ireland also known as the Isles Of Emeralds has inspired painters, sculptors and artists for centuries with its beautiful designs and symbolism. It is no wonder that these symbols and beautiful designs have made their way into the artwork and design styles of tattoo artist. Irish tattoos are very popular among tattoo enthusiast. Some people love them because they are of Irish decent or have a special connection with Ireland in some way. While others just get Irish tattoos because they are great looking and have a deep and significant symbolism behind them that people are interested in. If you are thinking about some type of Irish tattoo then this article will help you find what is right for you. It will discuss some of the most popular designs, the symbolism behind some of those designs and getting ideas for creating your own unique Irish tattoo.

Popular Irish Tattoos

Below are some of the most common symbols associated with Ireland and some fo the most common and popular symbols to start to create a tattoo from.

Claddagh - The Claddagh is an image of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it.

Celtic Knotwork - Celtic knotwork which is often associated with Irish and Scottish art is a series of knots that are one piece of endless rope intertwined to itself in an endless knot. These were created by the early monks who illustrated the Bible and other "Illuminated Texts".

Celtic Crosses - One of the most common themes in Celtic knotwork are crosses. These are beautiful crosses that often feature Celtic knotwork in the middle of the cross but also might feature spirals or step patterns.

Harps - Harps is a traditional musical instrument of Ireland and the symbol is often associated with Ireland in general.

Fairies - Well you already know what faeries are but they come from the early Irish beliefs in spirits and nature beings that lived in the forests.

The Symbolism Of Popular Irish Tattoos

The claddagh

The claddagh is seen as a symbol of friendship and love. The two hands represent friendship while the heart represents love of course. The crown on the top represents loyalty. This makes a great tattoo for two lovers and it is a much better choice then getting someone's name tattooed to your body because even if the relationship changes a claddagh is kind of a universal symbol for love and friendship so it is much easier to explain if things change in life as they often do.

The Celtic Cross

The Celtic cross was a symbol that predates Christianity and can be traced all the way back to the early Druids that lived in the area of Ireland. They practiced an form of naturalistic or a nature based religion. The cross at that time was meant to represent the moon goddess. However, as people started to convert to Christianity and Catholicism the cross came to be what we know it as today a symbol for Christ and Christianity.

Getting Your Own Ideas

One of the best things about tattoos is once you know the symbols and the importance behind them you can often create your own unique tattoo design by combining things together or creating things in a new way. So your own particular tattoo does not just have to be one Celtic cross piece of flash that you see on the wall at a tattoo shop. Instead you can be creative and create your own unique tattoo design. Take the things that are important to you and in your life. Values, thoughts, beliefs and people that you hold near and dear and then design tattoo that somehow symbolizes this. You can often use the design motifs such as the Irish tattoos to create something unique an individual to you.