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Lotus Tattoo Meaning

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Lotus Tattoo Meaning

Lotus Tattoo Meaning

Lotus Tattoo Meaning
at-a-glance:

  • Light
  • Awareness
  • Illumination
  • Opening
  • Renewal
  • Creation
  • Life
  • Balance
  • Revelation
  • Direction

Much of the sacred symbolism behind the lotus comes from its relationship with the elements of water  and fire. 

It grows in the water, and so therefore the lotus is a natural tribute to water-affiliated concepts like: Dreams, Emotion, Intuition, Awareness, Purification. 

The lotus blossom opens each morning, unfolding its vitality in the face of the dawning sun.  This is the solar connection – the link to fire which proffers symbolism of: Passion, Vitality, Revelation, Clarity, Life and Vision.

These powerful symbolic meanings combined with the lush, elegant lotus make for a dynamic tattoo – especially for people wanting to convey a gentle opening to the profound simplicity of Nature as an analogy for walking along the spiritual path.

Lotus tattoo meaning is deeply rooted in spiritual purity.  The Buddha for example is seen emerging from the lotus. In fact the mantra “mani padme” meaning “jewel of the lotus” is a reference to Nirvana. 

Observation, meditation and focus upon the lotus is encouraged as a doorway to unique realms of perception.  The lotus is a portal to magnificent awareness – and many masters (ancient and modern alike) recognize this enchanting power of this beguiling blossom.  A lotus tattoo might serve as a constant reminder of the majesty it represents.

The lotus is symbolic of many vast concepts in ancient culture, such as:

  • The human heart
  • Unmanifested potential
  • The process of universal creation
  • The eight (petals) directions – navigation
  • Awareness rising out of chaos (blooms from murky water)

The blooms emerging from water, along with distinctly delicate features of the lotus are reminiscent of feminine qualities.  Egyptian, Hindu, Japanese and Indian cultures all recognize the theme of birth and renewal through the lotus. 

Are you birthing a new phase in your life that offers a gentle clarity in your inner views?  Are you emerging from chaos into a lucid illumination?  Are you seeking a daily devotion that represents renewal and rebirth?

A “yes” to any one of these questions might make you give more consideration to the lotus tattoo meaning.  If the lotus symbolism calls to you with a subtle song of tender elegance, it’s worth your time to look more deeply into its petals for meaning in your own life.

To be sure, there is a lot more involved to lotus symbolism than what I’ve covered here.  Do more research on your own – I guarantee your investment to learning more about the lotus will be enlightening.

Some other pages of interest:

Symbolic Flower Meanings

Flower Color Meanings

Nature Symbolism

Chakra Symbolism

Sun Symbolism

Water Symbolism

Posted in Egyptian Tattoos, Flower Tattoos, Good Luck Tattoos, Oriental Tattoos, Personal Observations, Plant Tattoos, Spiritual Tattoos, Symbolic Tattoos | No Responses »
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Om Tattoo Symbolism

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010

Om Tattoo Symbolism

Om Tattoo Symbolism

Om tattoo symbolism
at-a-glance:

  • Totality
  • Sustaining
  • Perpetuation
  • Threefold/Trinity
  • Sacred
  • Divine Expression
  • Indestructible word (truth)
  • Creation
  • Evolution
  • Manifestation

It’s amazing how a whole procession of meanings can tumble out of one little symbol.  The om symbol (a.k.a.: ohm, aum, omkar) is one such symbol – proof that BIG symbolism often comes in tiny packages.

Getting an om tattoo will convey an understanding of very primitive, ancient universal principles.  This symbol is actually a conveyance of sound – the sound of life.  Emitting the aaaaaauuuuuummmm sound from the vocal chords, is mimicking the harmonic tone of all creation. 

There are theories that the core of existence vibrates at a set-point.  From an abyss of nothingness there is uttered a divine call.  It is as if the cosmic mouth opens and presses out a sweet song of creation across the void. 

So, we can see how this one symbol packs a lot of power.  The song of creation is nestled in the sound of “om”  actually, there are three sacred vocalizations “ah” “uh” and “hmmm” – each slight nuance is made through the movement of the mouth & the focus of high intent.

This three-part verbal expression of the om is symbolic of so much. The advent and culmination of triangular principles like:

  • dawn, afternoon, dusk
  • creation, sustaining, destruction
  • conscious, unconscious, subconscious

Vastly powerful concepts all rolling around in verbal expression, tied to this sacred symbol.  The om is expressed most commonly in Buddhism, Jainism and Hinduism.

To be sure, the om tattoo symbolism conveys a reverence for life, an honor for creation and an understanding of the divine motion of the Universe.

Getting an omkar tattoo will galvanize these really heady concepts.  Permanent, ritualistic ink of this symbol is an appropriate conveyance of sacred awareness – timeless awareness – affinity for unifying forces scintillating within the core of natural progression.

Am I being over-dramatic about this om tattoo symbolism?  Maybe.  But to me, this symbol (and every symbol we boldly brand upon our bodies) is a very, very big deal. 

If we are going to ink it, we had better have an understanding as permanent and deep as our ink is.

Don’t stop here with your research.  Keep exploring this magnificent Check out the Wiki on om symbolism here.  I think you’ll like what you read there.

Posted in Celestial Tattoos, Good Luck Tattoos, Indigenous Tattoos, Personal Observations, Spiritual Tattoos, Symbolic Tattoos, Uncategorized | No Responses »
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Aztec Tattoo of Creation

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Aztec Tattoo of Creation

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

Posted in Astrological Tattoos, Celestial Tattoos, Good Luck Tattoos, Indigenous Tattoos, Mythological Tattoos, Native American Tattoos, Personal Observations, Planet Tattoos, Religious Tattoos, Spiritual Tattoos, Symbolic Tattoos | No Responses »
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Elephant Tattoos

Monday, October 5th, 2009

Elephant Tattoos

Elephant Tattoos

Symbolism of Elephant Tattoos
(at-a-glance):

  • Wisdom
  • Power
  • Strength
  • Peace
  • Luck
  • Longevity
  • Memory
  • Wisdom
  • Happiness
  • Nobility
  • Family/Community
  • Creation/Maternal
  • Good judgement
  • Fidelity
  • Determination
  • Invincibility
  • Consideration

Elephant tattoos, overwhelmingly seem to denote strength.  It’s no wonder – the animal is mammoth in size.  Weighing at over four tons and hitting over 10 feet tall, the elephant is a behemoth symbol conveying incredible power.

In spite of its girth, wildlife experts will tell you the elephant’s temper (unless provoked) is pretty low-key.  This is where many people derive special symbolism.  People who gravitate to elephant tattoos are often extremely powerful and can easily dominate – yet they prefer to keep peace and keep things calm.  Gentle Giants they could be described – just like elephants.

Elephants are extremely protective of their young and members of their herd.  This offers symbolism to people getting tattoos who place the value of their families above everything else.  Elephants will die to protect their family.  If you share the same fiercely protective instinct for your family, an elephant tattoo might be fitting for you.

The elephant is sacred to Buddha.  Legend indicates before Mahaprajapati Gautami’s incarnation as the Buddha, he developed in the womb in the form of a white elephant.  The white elephant is a pristine symbol of Buddhism to this day.  When associated with the Buddha, the meaning of an elephant tattoo conveys compassion, truth, peace, love and kindness.

Ganesha, a well-known Hindu deitiy has the head of an elephant.  Ganesha is thought to bring luck, and move obstacles out of the way for the pure of heart and intent.  A Ganesha tattoo often commemorates the god, and serves as a reminder that all hindrances are removed in faith and purity of intent.  Ganesha, is also a patron deity of art, science and as his elephant qualities imply, he is considered a god of great wisdom and discernment.

In regions of Tibet the elephant is associated with creation.  More specifically, ancient text depict an elephant holding up entire universe.  When the elephant is seen in ancient architecture holding up vast structures, carved in pillars and foundational stonework, this is symbolic of the stabilizing presence of the elephant and the legend of the elephant bearing the weight of the world – keeping the world on in place.  We also see this stabilizing symbolism of the elephant in India. People who “feel the weight of the world on their shoulders” may gravitate to elephant tattoos, and may be attracted to the elephant as a totem and as a giver of strength. 

Aristotle claimed the elephant abstained from sex while his mate was pregnant – a whole two years.  This lead to symbolism of chastity, patience, consideration and exhibiting thoughtful devotion in a relationship. This also carries meanings of prudence and moderation, which may appeal to some looking to commemorate these themes by getting an elephant tattoo.

Pliny, a Roman philosopher of the natural world had dealings with elephants while he served in the Roman Empire Army.  He said the elephant was every bit a sacred animal and symbolized renewal.  Pliny wrote that when elephants bathed in the rivers at night, this was symbolic of of purifying itself in the new moon. 

Roman perspectives also observed the elephant to be legendary for long lives – so they deemed the creature to be symbolic of immortality, longevity and living in harmony with divinity and nature. 

Alchemically, the elephant is attuned with Mercury, and thus shares symbolism of high intellect, communication, commerce and shrewd discernment.

Other pages to help expand your research on elephant tattoos:

Elephant Symbolic Meanings (full article)

Chakra Animals (including the elephant)

Elephant as a Good Luck Symbol

Elephant as an Earth Symbol

Elephant Meanings in Dreams

Posted in Alchemy Tattoos, Animal Tattoos, Good Luck Tattoos, Mammal Tattoos, Personal Observations, Religious Tattoos, Spiritual Tattoos, Symbolic Tattoos | No Responses »
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Spider Tattoo Meaning

Friday, May 1st, 2009

Spider Tattoo Meaning

Spider Tattoo Meaning

Spider Tattoo Meaning
(at-a-glance):

  • Thouroughness
  • Connectivity
  • Secretivness
  • Thoughtfulness
  • Practicality
  • Magic
  • Creation & Creativity
  • Simplicity
  • Luck
  • Motherhood
  • Progess

Spiders (and therefore spider tattoo meaning) share their symbolism with the webs they weave.  Countless ancient cultures hailed the spiderweb as a connective matrixfrom which all of creation emerged.  As the web mimics the interconnectivity of life/nature – the spider, then, is the creatrix.

For example, in India the spider is a weaver of reality and is a symbol of cosmic order.  In this light, the web of reality is spun from the womb of the spider and so, the spider is also a representation of the Upanishads (spiritual wisdom) because the spider is both the creator and the inhabitant of wisdom.  Spider tattoo meaning can also be connected to the Hindu concept of Maya (illusion) too as spiders weave crazy webs affecting perception. 

The spider is often considered a solar creature and is associated with the sun because of its radiating legs & radiating webs.  In this respect, the spider is also symbolic of: Life, vitality, health, radiating energy.

In Islam, white spiders are considered good luck symbols.  Black spiders…not-so-much.  :)

Alternatively, the spider is also thought of as a lunar creature and is linked with moon symbolism too: Passivity, intuition, mysticism, shadows, cycles, time.

Mythological deities associated with the spider:

  • Neith (Egyptian – the great weaver goddess)
  • Anansi (African – spider god who tutored humans how to weave)
  • Grandmother Spider (Native American Indian of Southwestern tribes - nature spirit connected to creation & wisdom)
  • Arachne (Greek goddess turned into a spider after she bested the jealous Athena in weaving skills)

Furthermore, the spider has eight legs which is symbolic of infinity, cycles, time, progression and harmonic balance (more on meaning of number eight here).

For more information on spider tattoo meaning follow these links:

Symbolic Spider Meaning (full article)

White Widow Spider Meaning

Good Luck Animals (including spiders as lucky omens)

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