god

...now browsing by tag

 
 

Cloud Tattoo Symbolism

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

 

Cloud Tattoo Symbolism

Cloud Tattoo Symbolism

Potential Cloud Tattoo Symbolism
at-a-glance:

  • Mystery
  • Illusion
  • Dreams
  • Intuition
  • Culmination
  • Secrets
  • Potential
  • Emotional
  • Epiphany
  • Revelation

Of course, cloud tattoos don’t have to have meaning or symbolism (gasp, did I just say that?!?).  Often clouds are used in tattoos as accentuation’s, great design elements.  Or, sometimes cloud tattoos are even used as clever cover-ups.

For those of us (like moi) who tend to read symbolism into everything, clouds never leave us high and dry in their symbolic meaning.

In Greco-Roman mythology, clouds are considered homesteads of the gods.  Clouds always clung to Mount Olympus, home of the gods, and so therefore they became synonymous with deific dwelling places.  By the same token, clouds were considered to be an accumulation of godly messages.  Storm clouds then would signal bad news & light-bright puffy clouds would be carriers of significantly more hopeful messages.

In Chinese symbolism, clouds represent transition and transformation.  Clouds seen in ancient Chinese art often point to the process of transformation from primitive/banal to ascended/spiritual.   It would seem this path to soulful evolution is just as transitory and unpredictable as clouds themselves.  Fitting symbol for the ways of spiritual progress.

Hindu and Tibetan perspectives about clouds reveal concepts of transition too – but in more of a temporary way.  In this view, clouds are symbolic of impremance.  If you’re into zen, a cloud tattoo feature might be the perfect way to convey your devotion to impermanence, and your whole understanding of detachment.

Clouds combine the symbolism of both air and water.  In deeply esoteric and occult symbolism, air represents the realms of the mind (thought, mentality).  Water represents themes of emotion, intuition and the psyche.  Combined then, cloud tattoos in this way of thinking might convey a message of tempering & balancing emotion with intellect. 

Clouds also hold rain, and that is an ancient symbol of fertility, abundance and prosperity.

I hope these thoughts on cloud tattoo symbolism clear away any fog you might have. 

Keep breezing through potential symbolism with these other pages of interest:

Native American Wind Symbol

Cloud Meanings in the Tarot

Air Totems

Sylphs: Air Elementals

Water Symbolism

Posted in Celestial Tattoos, Mythological Tattoos, Native American Tattoos, Oriental Tattoos, Personal Observations, Symbolic Tattoos | No Responses »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Sun Tattoo Meanings

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010

Sun Tattoo Meanings

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

Posted in Alchemy Tattoos, Astrological Tattoos, Celestial Tattoos, Christian Tattoos, Good Luck Tattoos, Indigenous Tattoos, Mythological Tattoos, Native American Tattoos, Personal Observations, Planet Tattoos, Religious Tattoos, Spiritual Tattoos, Symbolic Tattoos | 1 Response »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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 »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Hunab Ku Tattoo Symbolism

Friday, October 9th, 2009

Hunab Ku Tattoo 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

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 »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Angel Tattoos

Monday, May 4th, 2009

Angel Tattoos and Meaning

Angel Tattoos and Meaning

Angel Tattoos and meanings
(at-a-glance): 

  • Hope
  • Trust
  • Faith
  • Messages
  • Divinity
  • Spirit
  • Awareness
  • Higher thinking
  • Spiritual progress
  • Intelligence
  • Intermediary
  • Innocence
  • Purity
  • Warrior
  • Courage
  • Love
  • Power
  • Protection

Angel tattoos signify the relationship between heaven and earth.  Traditionally, angels are viewed as intermediaries or messengers between divine beings (the god of your understanding) and humankind.

Angel tattoos are often incorporated into memorial tattoos to imply guardianship of the soul.  In this light, angels are called upon to protect and guide the souls of our loved ones into the higher (heavenly) realms of life.

Angels are also used in tattoos to convey feelings of power, courage and victory.  Throughout history, angels have represented tremendous determination and amazing skills in battle.  Take archangel Michael for example.  This angel is the ultimate warrior, and his countenance can be used in an angel tattoo to express strength in the face of adversity….particularly strength of a spiritual kind.

And speaking of spiritual faith, angel tattoos are a perfect way to express a deep, unwavering faith.  Angels are watchers – they are forever observing and maintaining the spiritual light of the soul.  An angel tattoo can remind us of our inner light and we could even say our tattoo angels are a testimony to our faith in keeping ourselves focused on the light of Spirit. 

I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on angel tattoos.

You may also be interested in:

Posted in Celestial Tattoos, Religious Tattoos, Spiritual Tattoos | 1 Response »
Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Installed by SimpleScripts