Moon Tattoo Meanings

• Dreams
• Intuition
• Feminine Power
• Divine Light
• Shadow
• Magic
• Purity
• Hidden Strength
• Sensuality
• Mysticism
• Cycles
• Subtle Energy
• Mystery
• Influence
• Eternity
• Fertility

All life is touched and stimulated by the moon, especially dark life.  Flora and fauna dance in lunar reels, enchanted by the wax and wane of the moon. 

Crazy mushrooms sweat from her silvery touch.  Oceanic mouths open and close in serenade to the lunar phases.  And those of us who are linked-in with hidden powers of the cosmos are prompted to bask in lunar rays for unique illuminations.

To be sure, when discussing moon tattoo meanings, we are diving into esoteric depths, where dreamscapes replace common landscapes and quicksilver visions lace our views.

The moon is a life affirming symbol.  It appears to be constantly changing, and so therefore it reminds us of the consistency of all life.  It is also symbolic of the cyclical nature of time – even karma.  Life moves in non-linear terms, and we all know karma is a big circle (what comes around goes around).  The moon in her phases reminds us of this kind of infinite process of recycling and regeneration.

Moon tattoos may hold a powerful appeal to women as we are inevitably tied to her cycles with our own.  Further, the moon is symbolic of feminine power and fertility.  Countless goddesses in myth are featured with the silvery moon to convey hidden power, secret wisdom and subtle influences. 

There are women who are capable of outwardly reflecting their inner pools of light and energy.  You know who you are.  Those of us who have easy access to these internal energy sources can intimately relate to the magnetism of the moon.  I think it’s the undercurrent of infinite potential that electrifies those of us who are plugged into lunar energy.  For those of you, a moon tattoo might be the ink that flips your spiritual switches.

Of course, men feel lunar luminescence too!  And, although the moon mostly resonates with feminine archetypal identification, there are very male associations too.   Off the top of my head I can think of some Native American tribes, Japanese, the Maori, African too – these ancient cultures prescribe male gender to the moon.  Also, the moon was (still is) a pivotal influence in hunting cultures and in these realms we see male deities – lunar gods.  In these scenarios the moon is consulted for optimal hunting and agricultural excellence.  All sources of provision which is a strong yang calling.

Here are a few snippets of lunar goodness from around the world:

Alchemical:  The moon coincides with the qualities of silver - a purifying, clarifying energy.  Reflective.  Strong, yet malleable.  It’s the “Lesser Work” in the evolutional scale of human development.  When joined with the sun (gold), the twain hold hands in a cosmic balance – the Greater Work of the balanced soul commences.

Archetypal:  The moon is the “Queen of Heaven”…goddess, mother, lover, priestess.  That’s some powerful archetypal energy and if these grand myths run through your lunar bloodlines, a moon tattoo might be the perfect conveyance.

Taoism: The moon is yin, and referred to as the “eye that shines through the darkness” – this is symbolic of illumined vision of a spiritual/enlightened nature.

Egyptian:  The moon is often linked to Isis, also known as the Queen of the Heavens – a cosmic creatrix. 

Native American: Depending which tribe you’re consulting, there are legends of the Great Woman (or Old Woman) beaming in the moon, she is eternal, and ever-watching over her children (all of creation) with objective knowing. 

Totemic:  The moon calls to many animals (including humans), and you might find moon tattoo inspiration from her many suitors in the animal kingdom.  Any critter with horns will be associated with the moon, like bulls - it’s the crescent horns they are reminiscent of the crescent moon – also symbolic of cycles, fertility.  Most nocturnal creatures are lunar affiliated too.  Rabbits, toads, cats….all great partners to moon energies.

I’ve written loads more on lunar symbolism. 

Check it:

Symbolic Moon Facts  (includes more about animals & dieties associated with the moon).

Native American Moon Sign

Native American Full Moon Meanings

Astrological Moon Sign Personality Types

The Moon Shining in the Tarot

Sun Tattoo Meanings

Sun Tattoo Meanings
at-a-glance:

• Energy
• Warmth
• Vitality
• Unification
• Radiance
• Spirit
• Power
• Focus
• Abundance
• Rejuvenation
• Growth
• Radiance
• Illumination
• Enlightenment
• Glory
• Strength
• Divinity
• Masculinity
• Dominance
• Wealth
• Seasons/Time/Cycles
• God

The sun is a provisioner of life.  Think about it, centuries before the advent of electricity, the sun predicted human cycles of life, availability of food, and therefore was a symbol of general well-being.

It still serves these purposes for the less technologically inclined cultures, and certainly this sense of well-being has not changed in the plant and animal king/queendoms.

In this line of thought, the sun is symbolic of productivity, vitality, energy and the ability to sustain vibrancy.  Are you a natural cheerleader?  Do you easily energize others? Are you able to project your passion as brightly as the sun and inspire others along the way?  If so, a sun tattoo might be a great way to convey these gifts.

The sun is the male (yang) counterpart to feminine moon.  It has a dynamic brilliance that is undeniable.  In generalized symbolic terms the sun represents an outgoing, radiant behavior.

Are you a leader?  Do you provide for your tribe or clan?  Are you always buoying, supporting and shining a light of clarity out for others to see?  If so, a sun tattoo may really resonate with you.

In early cultures, and even in certain spectrums of worship today, the sun is a representative of the divine.  In its male form, it was known as a god with very dominating, commanding, forceful influences. 

As a spiritual symbol, the sun is symbolic of consistency on our spiritual walk.  It also reminds us of our ability to radiate with the power of essential, spiritual beatitudes (truth, love, patience, compassion, etc).  The sun is also an icon of illumination and enlightenment in spiritual symbolism.  Is your spiritual evolution a primary focus in your life right now?  These sun tattoo meanings may brighten your objectives in a permanent way.

The sun has a very dynamic, vibrant personality and so those of you who lean to the sun tattoo may mimic this kind of active, energetic behavior.  If you were born under the sun signs of Aries, Leo and Sagittarius you may also gravitate to sun tattoos as these astrological signs are associated with the element of fire. 

For thousands of years the sun has featured prominently in the human consciousness.  This makes it “numero uno” in symbolism and so attributions of unification, solidarity, centering and singular view play a big part in sun tattoo meanings.  The sun sits in a throne in the center of our solar system – this makes it a prime focal point.  If you have something in your life that is central, perhaps a sun tattoo can convey this importance. 

In all cases, we all revolve around the sun, so its symbolism is going to be gargantuan and blindingly spectacular.

If you need more information on sun symbolism, like how various cultures viewed the sun as a symbol of life, strength and power…check out my other pages on the sun:

Sun Symbolism

Fire Symbolism

Native American Sun Symbols

Sun Animal Totems

Sun Yantras

Sun Symbolism in the Tarot

Aztec Tattoo of Creation

This Aztec tattoo stylized Aztec spiral symbol.  Each medallion in this Aztec symbol represents:

• Creation
• Vitality
• Life
• Astrology (cosmos)
• Order

Each of the spiral medallions also represent a seed of the Universe and also symbolizes a unique phase of life:

• Birth
• Childhood
• Adulthood
• Death
• Afterlife

This Aztec symbol is associated with the legend of Huitzilopochtil who created the moon by tossing his sister into the skies, the sun was made the same way as Huitzilopochtil hurled his brother into the skies.  The earth was made when Huitzilopochtil danced a spiral dance with his brother and sister (now the sun and the moon).  The seas were made by Huitzilopochtil’s sweat from the spiral dance.

These spiraling seeds of life are all moving together in perfect harmony – just as all the stars and planets are moving in gravitational orbit with perfection.  The Aztecs understood human life works in the same kind of rhythmic pattern, and this Aztec tattoo deftly depicts the flowing nature of life in all its perfection.

Another form of the Aztec legend states that in the beginning, there was an expansive void from which Ometeotl, the first Aztec god(dess) created himself.  Ometeotl was androgynous: both male and female, light and dark, good and evil (Ometeotl is represented by the center spiral seed in the Aztec tattoo symbol shown above).  Ometeotle birthed four children, who were deities and they were called the four Tezcatlipocas.  These four gods are represented in the four surrounding “spiral seeds” (medallions in the symbol) and are known as:

• Quetzalcoatl: God of light, wind, mercy and rules the southern directions
• Huitzilopochtli: God of energy, war, vitality, strategy and rules west directions
• Xipe Totec: God of agriculture, spring, renewal, gold and rules the north
• Tezcatlipoca: God of discernment, night, secrets, magic and rules the east

These four deities and their maker, Ometeotle, were considered responsible for all life and order as it is known today.  Hence, this is a powerful symbol of life; a powerful Aztec tattoo conveying cosmic order and harmony between all the elements.

Other pages of interest for your tattoo research:

Moon Symbolism

Sun Symbolism

Native American Symbolism

Mayan Symbolism

Hunab Ku Tattoo Symbolism

If you’re considering getting a Hunab Ku tattoo, here are some thoughts about the origin and symbolism of this mark.

The Hunab Ku is beleived to be ancient Mayan symbol which is a center feature in their sacred wheels of time or calendar systems.  There are also theories the symbol may belong to the ancient Aztecs.  The symbol is a vital cornerstone into understanding the cycles of life (and also the core feature to understanding Mayan myths).

The symbol Hunab Ku literally translates to mean: “One Giver of Movement and Measure” or “The One Source of Energy.”   With this kind of powerful concentration of energy, the Hunab Ku is also a symbolic representation of god; the one god, or the high god among the Mayans (although this observation hasn’t been proven, and you should read the “note” section at the end of this post).

And so, the Hunab Ku tattoo, can eloquently represent:

• the movement of life energy
• the cycle of life on a grander scale
• the order and balance of the cosmos
• the god force or infinite power available in all life

According to Mayan scholar Jose Arguelles, the Hunab Ku is the principle of life beyond the cosmos.  He says “It may be described as possessing a simultaneous spin and counter-spin motion radiating outward from a center-point of indescribable energy that pulses at a specific rate.  That pulse is the principle of life and all-pervading consciousness imminent in all phenomenon.”

Visually, we can see this symbol depicts the ancient tenet of balance in all things.  It’s even reminiscent of the classic yin yang symbol found in Asian symbology.  We see an equal balance of light and dark in the Hunab ku tattoo.  Ergo, this carries deep symbolism of finding a balance.  Balance in polarities like:

• shadow self and light self
• happy and sad
• mother and father
• night and day
• right and left
• sun and moon

Note: As with all ancient symbols, origins and traditional meanings can get fuzzy over time.  It’s important to know this symbol (illustrated above) is likely a modernization, and probably doesn’t look exactly as it did in ancient Mesoamerica. 

Furthermore, there is very little agreement about the actual meaning of the Hunab Ku.  My thoughts on the the Hunab Ku concept are based on  my observations of the indigenous culture and my impressions about the symbol.  With a little research, you’ll find varying ideas about Hunab Ku.  

At the end of the day, all you can rely on is what your heart and soul tells you about this piece.  Personally, I think that’s how our ancient Mayan and Aztec ancestors would want it.

Other pages of interest:

Mayan Symbols

Yin Yang Symbols

Native American Symbols

Spiral Symbolism