Horned God Tattoo Symbolism
Cernunnos is the ancient Celtic god who is also known as the ”horned god” or “horned one.”
I’ve seen two Cernunnos tattoos, and they totally rocked my socks. After talking with the owners of these tattoos and combining my own knowledge/observations about this deity, I’ve decided to share a few thoughts about possible meanings of the horned god tattoo with you.
Cernunnos (horned god) tattoo meanings at-a-glance:
- Fertility
- Virility
- Strength
- Honor
- Courage
- Connection
- Community
- Shamanism
- Cycles of Time
- Stability
- Balancing Duality
- Sexual Power
- Male Power
- Female Power
- Unity with Nature
The horned god is (obviously) set apart from the rest of Celtic deities because of his spectacular antlers perched atop his head. Cernunnos’ totem animal is the stag, and where the beast is not depicted in ancient artwork, the horns on Cernunnos’ head mark the shamanistic connection with the stag. Both antler and animal are symbolic of male assertion, dominance, thrust, sexual superiority and action. Antlers are visible symbols of authority in the wild – and the bigger the rack – the more powerful the owner. It has to do with survival of the fittest. Only the largest and strongest rack of horns can insure a stag will lay with his mate and thus propel his lineage. Same holds true with the horned god. In this way, the horned god tattoo might be a the ticket if you are looking for artistic ways to express your confidence and full capability to provide for your community.
Cernunnos is nota statement of male dominance. Far from it. His horns are also a feminine quality when they are rendered as a crescent atop his head (instead of antlers). The crescent horns are symbolic of the crescent moon – which hearkens to feminine power. Also, the torc (a gold or copper piece of jewelry commonly worn amongst Celts) is symbolic of feminine energy. That the horned god wears the torc is a statement about balance and thoughtful union between male and female dualities. This balance is inherent in Nature, and Cernunnos is a major spokesgod for this kind of natural synchronicity. If you honor the energy of male as much as female (and vice versa), a Cernunnos tattoo will reinforce that stance.
The horned god is often depicted with a snake too (sometimes even a horned snake). This is symbolic of sensory perception. Snakes experience their world in uncommon ways. Through tongue and skin their primary data-gathering is accomplished. This is symbolic of sensual knowing – tactile understanding. Snakes are also symbolic of transition and transformation. It has to do with the shedding of their skin. If these aspects of the horned god tattoo really sing to you, then make sure to include Cernunnos’ totem snake in your design.
This is just a small portion of the potential tattoo symbolism behind the horned god.
Get full disclosure of the Cernunnos, The Horned God Symbolic Meanings here.
Other pages of interest:
Deer Symbolism (general)
Snake Symbolism (general)
