Skull Tattoo Meaning

Skull tattoo meaning and symbolism
at-a-glance:

• Mortality
• Protection
• Intimidation
• Death
• Intellect
• Warning
• Impermanence
• Big juju

Other than looking incredibly bad-ass, skull tattoo meaning can be powerfully profound to the wearer.  I personally love skull tattoos, and if I didn’t already have a bonzer theme going, I’d likely be skulled up with the best of them.

If you already have gobs of skull tattoos (like potato chips or cookies, you can’t have just one skull tattoo), or if you are thinking about getting your first, I have some symbolic suggestions for your creative contemplation.

Skulls (and therefore skull tattoos) are very big juju in aboriginal tribes (I’m talking African, Australian, and even Native American).  Skulls of the dead were retained and placed prominently at entryways. This warded off “evil spirits” but mostly (effectively) kept unwelcome guests at bay.  This is also a tactic of many other ancient tribal communities.  It’s a clever protection method, really. Honestly, wicked-grinning skulls instead of “welcome” mats at the front door is a pretty clear message.  What better way to say “go away.”  This might be the message you want to convey with  your skull tattoos.  If you’re an anti-social type, a skull tattoo might be the perfect way to say “buzz off bozo.”

Skulls have also been used as tools of intimidation in history.  Ruthless dictators and rulers collected skulls and strung them out as trophies – much in the same way a buck’s head is mounted on a hunters wall.  In this way, dominance is shown.  Skulls might also be used to adorn a conquered village.  A flag or some other makers mark would be left with the skull garland at the scenes of war crimes. This is a way to put a signature on the gruesome handiwork of raping and pillaging.   Lord Dracul was notorious for this; strewing skulls along villages he’d plundered as a calling card.  A way to say “been here, took everything, and leaving the skulls to prove it.”  If you dig Dracul’s vibe, and intimidation is your game – a skull tattoo might be your thing.

Now, I’m a deeply spiritual geek.  This makes me ponder silver linings and philosophical implications in most things – including skulls.  If you’re like me, maybe you’re looking for a softer side of skull tattoo meaning.

If so, consider the ancient Celts, who viewed the skull as symbolic of the anima, or the spark of life.  Specifically, the Celts knew the skull was the seat of the soul.  It housed the power-horse of human motivation;  the mind.  Celts were crazy about trinities, the two eyes and nose form a unique triangle in the skull – something the Celts considered to be symbolic of creation, cycles and the power inherent in life.  I’ve written a whole page on Celtic skull meaning here, check it out.  Pretty fascinating stuff.

Other philosophical fodder of the skull pops up in the Renaissance.  In this era, artists included skull imagery to convey a sense of impermanence as well as the folly of vanity.  Skulls in the Renaissance were symbolic of earthly things, greed and superficiality.  They were also a reminder of the temporary nature of earthly life.  “Everybody dies” is the theme here.

In alchemical symbolism the skull is considered the throne of higher intelligence.  It is symbolic of consciousness, rationality and prudence.  The skull is a elite icon distinguishing man from beast. 

The skull is the last bone in the human body that surrenders to decay. In other words, it sticks around the longest.  This is symbolic of the lasting legacy of human ingenuity.  These kinds of symbolic themes are also seen in paganism and occult theological groups of the day.

These are just a few ideas as you contemplate your skull tattoos or embark on getting your very first skull tattoo.

Don’t miss my other page on Celtic Skull Meanings here.

Or my post on Skull and Snake Symbolism in Mexican Myth here.

Or maybe you might dig my skull thoughts on my Death Card Meaning in the Tarot here.

Mermaid Tattoo Meaning

Mermaid Tattoo Meaning
at-a-glance:

• Seductive
• Alluring
• Feminine
• Emotional
• Tempestuous
• Wild
• Intuitive
• Reflective
• Enchanting
• Free
• Fluid
• Sensual
• Elusive

If you have an irrepressible love for the sea and this worlds’ oceans, a mermaid tattoo might be a very fitting symbol for you. 

Mermaids in myth are legendary for their unpredictability, and tempestuous ways.  Just like their home, the ocean, mermaids will never be bound to orthodoxy or convention.  Are you a wild one?  A renegade?  If so, perhaps the mermaids song sings in your soul – a song of passion and unbridled freedom.

Speaking of song, the mermaid is heralded for her enchanting voice.  Apart from her astonishingly striking beauty, mermaid song holds irresistible attraction.  Melodic narcotic. 

Indeed, she uses her looks and voice to woo unsuspecting souls at sea.  Depending on which myth you’re reading, a mermaid’s purpose for luring seafarers could be to offer refuge, salvation or pleasure.  On the flip-side, she could be offering death. 

I totally dig this whole “righteous vs. evil” two-face potential of the mermaid.  It screams duality to me, and of course underscores the theme of unpredictability.  A friend of mine, Monica, got a mermaid tattoo to convey her “flavor of the moment” attitude.  She takes a great deal of pride in her nature – which is technicolor, varied and mind-bogglingly changeable.  Her moods undulate like the seas.  She recognizes in herself the ability to be utterly charming, compassionate and kind – whilst at the same time, she  knows she is capable of dastardly deeds.  She’s okay with that, and her mermaid tattoo conveys that kind of cool self-confidence required to look with honesty at both sides of her behavioral coins.  Rock on Mon.

This kind of emotive metamorphosis is also associated with the moon, which the mermaid holds sacred.  We’ve all heard of unpredictable behavior and events around various phases of the moon….it’s why the root of “lunacy” is based on the Latin word for moon: Luna.  We know mermaids are energetically connected with the moon because the sea is influenced by it.  Also, in ancient depictions of mermaids, they are often shown with mirrors – which is a symbol of the moon.  So, we’re talking about a very yin, or femininine aspect here.

To be sure, mermaids are symbolic of sensuality, and I’ve known several people (men and women) who pressed ink to flesh in mermaid-form as a way to express their inner voluptuousness.  Where convention and taboo sometimes prohibits provocative behavior, a mermaid tattoo can speak for us in terms of eroticism and sexual confidence.  Very cool.

In myth (mostly Celtic, ancient European), mermaids were very big juju in terms of knowing.  They were thought to have deep psychic connection which makes utter sense as we learn the element of water is connected to concepts like: Dreaming, Intuition, Emotion, Deeper Knowing.  In this line of thought, mermaids are knowers of deeper, darker aspects of the soul.  Just as the sea holds unknown mysteries, so too do our own psyche’s – but legend indicates mermaids can see clear to the core of a human.  That kind of “clear-knowing” might also be a symbolic sea treasure as you consider mermaid tattoos.

These are just few thoughts about mermaid tattoo meaning for your contemplative pleasure.

Swim ’round my other page on Mermaid Meaning and Symbolism here.  You might find more inspiration for you mermaid tattoo from that article too.

Surf around a few other pages you might like:

Water Symbolism

Symbolic Undines (Water Elementals)

Nature Symbolism

Moon Symbolism

Dolphin Symbolism

More on Mermaid Meaning and Symbolism

Knot Tattoo Symbolism

Knot Tattoo Symbolism
at-a-glance:

• Connection
• Community
• Bond
• Family
• Magic
• Intertwining
• Network
• Promises
• Marriage
• Protection
• Good luck
• Reminder
• Vows/Faith
• Linking
• Release

Lots of cultures use the knot as a symbol for family ties, marriage and various connections in the community.  The term “tying the knot” came from Victorian era, a subtle way of saying a marriage is underway between couples obviously in love.

The love theme continues in ancient Rome where the knot is commonly seen in artistic renderings of Venus as well as Cupid.  In this aspect, the knot symbolizes union, and eternal bonds of love. 

In Celtic symbolism, knots will convey many different meanings – from signifying clans, family heritage, to expressing ties between human, animal, and the elemental and spiritual realms.  

Celtic knots, and so Celtic knot tattoos also convey a sense of continuity.  It’s a common myth that Celtic knots have no beginning and no end – and although this is a mistruth, the symbolism of infinite status of life is very accurate.  The ancient Celts, especially the druids had a keen sense of life and the afterlife and inherently understood the eternally cyclical nature of life.  Knots were a common motif to convey these eternal connections and revolutions in nature.

Egyptians also utilized knot motifs to express infinite life. For example, the Knot of Isis is kind of a spin-off of the ankh, it is said to symbolize the immortal status and the ties between the goddess and the divine.

Ancient European practitioners of magic, and even ancient Celtic druids are known to tie knots in sympathetic rituals.  This practice of tying knots is a galvanizing act of binding for many purposes.  A knot tattoo in this respect may convey a need to bind together loose ends within your life.  It can also be a symbol of protection – binding fears, or malevolent energy. 

Sympathetic magic is also powerful when untying knots.  A tattoo of a knot untied could resemble the need to surrender, let go of ties that bind, or come loose from limited living/thinking.

For example, Buddhist knots are untied to signify a spiritual adept releasing him/herself from the ties of materialism.  If your higher spiritual ideals are about opening yourself up, surrendering and untying the binds of worldly convention.

Continuing the spiritual symbolism of knot tattoos, we can look to several religious orders who have incorporated knots into their symbolexicons.  Like the Franciscan friars of old Catholicism.  Knots are used in their order to symbolize obedience and the vows of poverty and celibacy – a devotional emblem to their faith.

In Chinese symbology, the knot is a symbol of good luck.  It represents the binding of good energy, and the knot is an obstacle – prohibiting the entry of negative energy.  In this way, the knot is a symbol of protection from harming influences too.

Hopefully, these observations about tattoo symbolism might inspire you to fashion your own symbolic knots.  Are you are wanting to immortalize your undying devotion for clan, affiliation or lover?  Or, are you looking for a way to permanently express your spiritual liberation or obedience?  Whatever you are wanting to express, a knot tattoo might be the ink for you.

Still got loose ends about knot tattoos?

Take a look at my page on Celtic Knot symbolism here.

Thanks to Cari Buziak for the Celtic knot design shown above.

Shark Tattoo Meaning

Shark Tattoo Meaning
(at-a-glance):

• Power
• Assertiveness
• Instinct
• Focus
• Authority
• Effectiveness
• Calculated
• Confident
• Protection
• Graceful
• Strength
• Fearlessness
• Energy
• Knowing
• Self-assurance
• Survivor

Shark tattoo meaning deals with the indomitable spirit of the shark. These creatures are built for survival, (they haven’t evolved much in over 400 million years!).   As such they are perfect for people who want a tattoo to signify they are survivors.  Symbolically, this speaks to our human hearts, and tells us:

a) We are born perfectly designed (how can you improve perfection?).
b) Whatever life throws at us, we will survive.

To the Maori, the mako shark (mako meaning shark or shark tooth) is a sacred fish because of its status as “king of the waters.”  To their natural way of viewing life, the shark is a powerful symbol of victory and superior power to the Maori.  I’ve seen a few Maori shark tattoos (shark teeth, specifically) and indeed their bold presence is equally bold in symbolism.

Celtic shark tattoos will capture the symbolism of the scythe because ancient Celts (who were quite sea-savvy) observed the dorsal fin of the shark to look a lot like a sickle or scythe (the crescent blade used to harvest wheat. Also a sacred Druidic tool).  As scythes are synonymous with harvesting and also the closing of an agricultural season, the shark to the ancient Celts would speak of respectfully gathering resources while opportunity is available.  It also speaks of transition, cycles and acknowledging the passage of one phase of life into another.

Shark tattoos are considered symbols of protection – especially for sailors, pirates and those who travel often (particularly by sea).

Interestingly, the Hindu god Vishnu is sometimes shown leaping out of the mouth of a shark.  This can be interpreted several ways.  Predominantly it signifies the dominance of Nature; that Nature and her creatures must be respected – never underestimated.  This illustration also puts sharks on a divine level, having same status as gods and goddesses.  This reinforces shark symbolism of power and authority.

For more soulful insights and other pages of similar symbolism visit:

Shark Symbolism: Living Life Full-On

Water Symbolism: Emotional Intelligence

Water Totems: Swimming with Symbolism

Cat Tattoo Symbolism

Cat Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance):
 

• Independence
• Mystery
• Magic
• Secretiveness
• Feminine/Goddess Energy
• Stealthy
• Hidden power
• Aloofness
• Solitude
• Companionship
• Renewal
• Transformation
• Freedom
• Vitality
• Transition
• Luck
• Cleverness
• Intelligence
• Playfulness
• Wandering spirit
• Incarnation
• Apathy
• Authority
• Protection
• Royalty
• Shapeshifting
• Shadows
• Watchfulness
• Psychism
• Grace
• Beauty
• Adoration

With a long list of symbolic meanings like this, there are plenty of reasons to consider a cat tattoo for your next ink adventure.

We can make sense of some of these symbolic attributes by investigating the various cultural/mythological deities associated with cats.  Many of these deities are goddesses and have feminine/lunar qualities which carry themes of: Fertility, Nurturing, Emotion and Intuition to name a few. 

Here are some deities associated with cats to round out your research into cat tattoo symbolism:

• Artemis (Greek): Lunar goddess associated with hunting, fertility & protector of the sacredness of Nature.
• Diana (Roman): Also a moon goddess who help all wildlife and Nature as sacred. Governed the sacred act of the hunt.
• Hecate(Greek): Goddess guardian of the sacred feminine, holder of magic knowledge, cycles, transition, shapeshifting
• Bast (Egyptian): Solar goddess, fiercely protective of children and matron of childbirth, magic, ritual and sacred feminine
• Freyja (Norse): Goddess of love, beauty, pleasure, childbirth and good taste. Cats pulled her chariot.

I have several friends with cat tattoos.  Most of them tell me the reason for their cat-inspired ink is to memorialize the passing of a dear feline friend.  Those who aren’t commemorating their pet, tell me they got their cat tattoo as a symbol of protection.  They understood the ways of ancient mythological gods/goddesses and drew upon the protective qualities of the cat as a means to bolster their own confidence.

In fact, to the ancient Celtic way of thinking cats were consideredthe guardians of the Otherworld (or Underworld, depending which texts you read from various regions). Stoic, silent and mysterious, it’s clear why cats make outstanding Otherworld guardians. They keep the secrets of the Otherworld eternally to themselves, as the gaze with guile upon a world that does not see or understand the depth of their knowledge.  Astute, crafty and clever, cats were considered residents of Celtic mystic realms too. When invoked, cat energy can grant the caller a variety of insights regarding esoteric, ethereal knowledge.  These powerful meanings in Celtic lore often play an important role in selecting cats for tattoos.

I like the theme of shape-shifting when discussing cat tattoos.  In Japan, folk tales describe cats having the ability to walk between worlds.  Other Japanese legends tell of cats joining forces with women to shift their behavior and demeanor.  This tale seeks to explain woman’s unpredictable, sometimes secretive nature. 

Western European folklore also keeps record of cats aiding women in feats of shape-shifting.  Early writings about witchcraft report cats always drawing close to women practicing witchcraft – they were called “familiars.”  The term refers to the ability to move as a cat does in otherworldly ways… shape-shifting or casting out magic by secret means – just as a cat often moves about in sleek, stealthy ways.

Whether you are seeking cat tattoo symbolism in the form of honoring the passing of a beloved pet, or paying homage to ancient goddesses who claimed the cat as their companion in myth – to be sure, the cat is an awesome subject for your next tattoo.

More information for your Tattoo Research:

Cat Symbolism (domestic & general symbolic meanings).

Cat Symbolism in Tarot

Moon Symbolism

Celtic Symbolism

Cats as Celtic Zodiac Sign

Chain Tattoo Meaning

Chain Tattoo Meaning
(at-a-glance): 

• Confinement
• Oppression
• Enslavement
• Imprisonment
• Limitation
• Bondage
• Brotherhood
• Remembrance
• Communication
• Duty
• Honor
• Sacrifice
• Unity
• Command
• Linked
• Liberation (broken chain)
• Freedom (broken chain)

Chain tattoos are extremely powerful in their meaning because they deal with issues of freedom and bondage.  And, any time we talk about freedom we’re talking about human rights which strikes at the core of every human heart beat.

Broken chain tattoos can symbolize liberation from a harrowing/challenging time in life.  People who get a tattoo of a broken chain will likely tell you they may have been set free from a terrible burden.  The tattoo represents freedom from bondage – or the removal of a heavy weight upon their heart.

Chain tattoos that are NOT broken may convey the feeling of being limited, enslaved, or imprisoned.  I have a buddy who is serving life in prison and his chain tattoo meaning represents his life of being shackled with no hope of release.  He has 14 links on his chain tattoo.  One for each year he has served.  He’s told me that getting a new link tattooed to an existing chain tattoo for every year served is a relatively common prison ink ritual.

A chain tattoo may also symbolize honoring a bond of service or duty.  It may also convey a feeling of sacrifice.  For example, if you have served in the military, you may have felt bound (chained) to a code of honor.  There is no choice but to serve your country – but your heart may feel chained because of the pain and sacrifice this duty brings.  Chains in a military sense can also symbolize rank and office (ie: chain of command).

On a more uplifting note, chains sometimes symbolize an eternal connection with an ideal or a loved one.  A linked chain has been a symbol of marriage because of the immortal connection soul-mates share.  In this light, the chain stands for eternal love – especially in marriage. 

Homer, the epic poet of ancient Greece (author of the Iliad and the Odyssey) once made a philosophical observation that an ephemeral chain of energetic gold formed a connection between heaven and earth.  He said Zeus hung the chain himself as a way to keep the skies connected to the land. Plato called it a “rope of light” that encircled the Universe, holding all the energy in place.

A golden chain shows up in medieval Christian art as a symbol of divine connection – the chain is symbolic of prayer and it links man to God in unbreakable faith/communication.  Alternatively, chains also take on an oppressive tone, especially when depicted with demonic or devilish imagery.  In this light, chains are symbolic of being defeated by base/materialistic desires.

In ancient Celtic symbolism a chain is shown trailing down from the tongue of the Celtic god Ogmios and it rain to the ears of his followers.  This symbolizes the mesmerizing power of Ogmios’ words, and his effectiveness to capture his listeners attention.

In Indian religions like Hinduism and Buddhism, a chain is sometimes used to represent the chain of karma.  Karma is the action of life going through its cycles.  A teacher once told me our individual actions in each life make up our chain of karma and predicts what kind of life we will experience in the next cycle of life.  The term “breaking the chain of karma” refers to changing bad habits (breaking weak links) to liberate oneself from living out undesirable karma in their next life.

Chains can also be a symbol of friendship. More specifically, chains convey a sense of incredible strength and a joining together of a bond that can withstand all tests of time and hardship.

More information on this subject:

Chain Symbolism in Tarot

Feather Tattoos and Feather Symbolism

Feather Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance):

• Higher mind
• Freedom
• Ascended thoughts
• Enlightenment
• Honor
• Soul’s journey
• Dreams
• Inspiration
• Levitation
• High spirit
• Uplifting
• Hope
• Promise
• Faith
• Weightless
• Purity
• Truth
• Magic
• Spiritual messages
• Flying high
• Limitlessness
• Transformation
• Rejuvenation
• Free spirit
• Travel
• High class or status

Feather tattoos are often seen featured in Native American themed ink, and in this context the symbolism deals with approaching nature and the power of birds with honor.  Native Americans used feathers in ritual because they knew the spirit of the bird was represented by the feather.  Bird spirits are extremely powerful in purifying the spirit and cleansing the energetic environment.  Waving a feather over a sacred fire with pure intent is a way of uplifting the soul and expressing gratitude to bird spirits.

Feathers in Native American minds as well as many other cultures deals with communication.  Feathers are often viewed as messages from the spirit world, and feather tattoos will convey powerful ideals about holy exchange.  Indeed, many schools of thought believe seeing feathers on our path is a direct message from a loved one who has transitioned into the spirit side of life (deceased).

In Celtic symbolism and myth, Morrigan wore an intricate cloak of feathers (typically raven feathers) as a means to transform into a bird.  Legend indicates her ability to shift into bird form allowed her higher reasoning, and a “bird’s eye view” into spiritual realms.  In this form she could also easily travel the earth and spy about on people of interest to her motives.

If Egyptology is your thing, then a feather tattoo might symbolize the wisdom of the goddess Maat who is a matriarchal figure of truth and justice.  During mummification, Anubis and Maat compared the weight of heart against the weight of the feather to determine the purity of the soul (and eligibility for the entrance into the Afterlife without consequence).  If the heart was light as a feather, the soul was deemed pure and the spirit could move freely into further evolution.

As mentioned, Native American wisdom understands the feather to be an embodiment of bird spirit.  Eagle feathers had special meaning and were given to warriors as a tremendous honor of bravery and courage.  It indicated a nobility of the heart and allowed the recipient to take flight easily on spirit journeying. 

In this way, feathers are also status symbols in many cultures.  Plumed knights, feathered headdresses, feathered cloaks – these are all symbolic of higher class of people – usually for the brave hearted, or the spiritual master.

A more expanded view of feather tattoos deal with thought, intellect and the higher mind.  This is because feathers (birds) are associated with air, the skies, and the heavens.  This also forms a logical connection with dreams, inspiration, spiritual ascension and higher intelligence.

If you need more information on this subject, check out these pages:

Symbolic Meaning of Feathers (full article)

Bird Totems and Meanings

Nature Symbolism

Meaning of Buttefly Tattoo

Meaning of Butterfly Tattoos
(at-a-glance): 

• Metamorphosis
• Beauty
• Peace
• Immortality
• Dreams
• Spirituality
• Transformation
• Thoughts
• Life
• Playfulness
• Tranquility
• Delicateness
• Fertility
• Love
• Intuition
• Resurrection
• Tenderness

When considering the meaning of butterfly tattoos, I always think of psyche in Greek thought, where the term psyche is alternatively used with life.  In fact, the term psyche is translated to mean “breath of life.”  Further, Psyche in Greek myth is companion to Eros (think Cupid).  All this  plays nicely with the ephemeral butterfly symbolism of love, intuition, life, peace and beauty.

Meaning of butterfly tattoos may also deal with transformation because of the butterfly’s impressive evolution through life.  Follow this path of metamorphosis:

• Egg (beginning/birth)
• Larva (dependence/socialization)
• Caterpillar (independence/awareness)
• Chyrsalis (withdrawal/death to pettiness)
• Butterfly (emergence/illumination/awakening)

Pretty impressive, when we look at this amazing transformation with spiritual eyes.  Indeed, if you’re getting a butterfly tattoo – it is a symbol of significant transition and change in your life.

Japanese consider the buttefly to be a symbol of fine beauty and delicate feminine qualities.  Geisha’s are commonly identified with butterflies.

In esoteric Christian symbolism & art the butterfly is an icon of immortality and the resurrection of not only Christ, but an awakening to the higher love each human holds in his/her heart.

In Celtic symbolism the butterfly holds similar attributes and represents beauty, love, honor.  It is also a symbol for the soul in the Celtic mindset. (more on the Celtic meaning of butterfly can be found here).

In Chinese symbolism the butterfly is a sign of good luck, joy, abundance, health and blessing.

Follow these other pages for information on learning more meaning of butterfly tattoos:

Symbolic Meaning of Butterfly (full post)

More Butterfly Meanings  (including butterflies in dreams)

Celtic Raven Tattoo Meanings

Raven meanings for Celtic Tattoos
(at-a-glance)

• Military
• Magic
• War
• Oracle
• Prophecy
• Shadow
• Memory
• Secrets
• Warning
• Protection
• Solitude

Raven meaning for Celtic tattoos is based on Celtic myth and legend. Tales of the heroic Chuhulian, Bendegeit Bran, Lugh all speak of the raven in a prophetic capacity as well as power and protection.  Meanings of retribution come into play with female Celtic figures of power such as the raven goddesses Morrigan, Macha and Badbh.

Legend conveys the powerful Celtic goddess, Morrigan descending upon battlefields in the shape of 100s of ravens.  Morrigan, in the form of these shimmery black winged legions, would consume the souls of fallen warriors in battle and carry their souls appropriate spiritual realms.

Raven meanings of wisdom, prophecy and knowledge-keeping is connected with the Welsh hero Bran, the Blessed whose name means raven.

Bran was the holder of ancestral memories, and his wisdom was legendary. So much so, that he had his head (the vessel of his powerful wisdom) removed and interred in the sacred White Mount in London.

Ravens are still roosting there (in the Tower of London), and they’re thought to keep Bran’s wisdom protected and alive by their presence.  This plays in nicely with symbolism of protection the raven has in Celtic symbolism.

Raven meanings are also associated with the Celtic high king, Lugh who is considered a masterfully skilled in smithing, crafting, prophecy, swordsmanship, art and generally, an all-wise king.

In their association with the mighty Lugh, ravens take on a prophetic capacity.  Ravens were an oracle for Lugh, forewarning him of invasions and other information that allowed him to lay clever military strategy.

To be sure, raven meanings speaking of keeping and protecting sacred wisdom and mystic law.  It is thought ravens consume the soul upon physical death so that soul-knowledge will not die with the body – but rather lives on while carried aloft raven wings. 

For more information on raven meanings click here.

Find even more inspiration for your Celtic tattoos by visiting my Celtic Animal Meanings page (according to the Ogham) here.

Bear Tattoo Symbolism

Bear Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance):

• Resurrection
• Power
• Fertility
• Dominion
• Fortitude
• Motherhood
• Protection
• Supernatural forces
• Initiation
• Confidence

In ancient hieroglyphs the bear is thought to be the liaison, or Great Communicator between earth and sky.

Native North American Indian minds held the bear as a symbol of freedom and a ritual rites of passage.  Certain tribes understood the cycles of time and life.  Ergo, the bear is a marker for such passage because of the females unique process of birthing.   In a Native American light, the bear is symbolic of the potential potential power found in the concept of peace because this large, ferocious looking animal is actually quite peace-loving.

In Japanese lore the bears and therefore bear tattoo symbolism represents wisdom, stoicism, patience, strength and benevolence.  The bear was a sacred oracle to Ainu, who are an indigenous tribe of Japan.  These people were animists, (similar to other aboriginal people like Native American Indians of North America) and so their perspective of bear symbolism is a valid one.  Further, these people adopted ritualistic tattooing.

In Celtic symbolism, the bear is considered for her lunar power.  To the ancient Celtic mind the bear is associated with the moon, and thus carries a feminine theme with concepts such as: childbearing, mothering, and fiercly protective of family and young.  The bear is associated with the Celtic goddess  Artio.  Indeed, there is evidence of a powerful bear cult in which ancient Celts convened to honor and worship this magnificent creature.  Interestingly, and in spite of it’s nurturing connotations the bear is also a symbol for warriors and military to the Celts.

In Chinese symbolism the bear is associated with Yang enegy - masculinity, power, force, domination, authority.  Chinese legend states that if a woman dreams of a bear whilst pregnant, she will give birth to a boy (a very big deal in China).  She-bears are symbolic of maternal wisdom in Chinese symbolism.

Alchemically, bear tattoo symbolism can mean prime matter – the foundation – the first building block in alchemical symbolism.  In alchemy, the bear is also duplicitous in its symbolism depending upon whether the bear is hibernating, or active.  If hibernating, the bear is symbolic of the female, passive, dormant nature of potential (moon/quicksilver).  If active, the bear represents assertive, male, confident domain (sun/gold).

In Greco-Roman mythology the bear is represented by Diana/Artemis, goddess of the hunt and shares more affiliations with lunar symbolism.  Ursa major and Ursa Minor are the constellations of the Great and Little bears in the heavens.  These constellations represent Diana/Artemis, and also mark the seasons (more symbolic connections to the cycles of time and nature).

Shamanistically speaking, the bear is a protective, warrior representative.  It is invoked for the purpose of shielding the tribe from negative influences.  It’s energy is also called upon to calm and settle anxious tribes (hibernation).

If you found this post on bear tattoo symbolism helpful, you may also appreciate these:

Symbolic Meaning of the Bear (full length article).

Native American Indian Symbolism of the Bear. 

Crossing Paths with the Bear – Quick Symbolic Take