inspiration

...now browsing by tag

 
 

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

Feather Tattoo Symbolism

Tuesday, August 4th, 2009

Feather Tattoos and Feather Symbolism

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