Snake Tattoo Meaning

Snake Tattoo Meaning (at-a-glance):

• Renewal
• Protection
• Transition
• Mystery
• Defense
• Magic
• Infinity
• Sexuality
• Hidden
• Grounded
• Transformation

Snake tattoos are classic.  Utterly classic.  Ok, so I’m biased.

I’ve got quite a few serpentine tattoos.  I’m just compelled that way.  Fortunately, snake tattoo meanings are as diverse as my own views/moods/persuasions.  In other words, theses silky ink-sentinels are so vast in their symbolic potential, that they accommodate my own complexities without fail.  

If you’re a diverse soul, and recognize the depth of your own diversity, a snake tattoo might appeal to you too.

Why?  Let’s take a look at snake symbolism throughout various cultures.

In Greek myth, snakes are symbolic of health and healing as we see them associated with Asclepius (see the Staff of Asclepius tattoo meaning here), who was a renowned deity of medicine, healing and said to grant regenerative powers.  That sense of renewal comes from the snake who sheds off the old (skin) and emergest shiny, bright and new after each shedding. 

Snakes in many cultures (African, Chinese, Native American Hopi to name a few) are associated with water, and this emphasizes their connection to healing.  Why? Because water is symbolic of healing, cleansing and purifying. 

Are you intent on personal purification?  Is the concept of healing, renewing and clarifying vital to you?  If so, you may owe it to yourself to research this aspect of snake tattoo meaning.  The more you research this angle of snake symbolism, the more you may find yourself empowered by it.

Asclepius’ snake is singular, but myth also shows many deities with double-snakes, and these will have powerful meanings of balance, duality, and joining opposing elements for the purpose of unification – even enlightenment.  You can learn more about these symbolic concepts of double-snakes on my Caduceus tattoo symbolism page.

Are you acutely aware of the inherent polarities in all life?  Do you constantly seek temperance and happy-mediums and balance?  If so, you may want to look into some very ancient wisdom about the double-snake symbolism.  For example, you can look to ancient alchemy who use the double-snake illustration as a sign-post to denote the conjugation of opposites with a goal for higher (illumined, balanced, advanced) results (offspring/progeny – a union of two causing a birth of something new and fundamentally more advanced).  You can also research double-snake symbolism in Hindu myth/legend where you’ll learn about a metaphysical connectionas discussed in the kundalini phenomenon.

Snakes are also protective symbols.  They are considered protectors of the underworld in Greco-Roman ideology, and are often seen in funerary art to convey guardianship over burial sites.  Countless ancient cultures recognize snakes as protectors of abstruse mysteries, and that’s why we see snakes commonly adorn magical personalities through history.   Whether a priestess like Pythia or a sage like Hermes, when you see a snake associated with powerful archetypes of deep (esoteric/occult) wisdom, it is a symbol of protecting sacred knowledge.  Let’s face it, the snake can be a pretty intimidating force, and so, it’s a perfect icon for guarding that which is profoundly mystical.  Just another aspect to consider while you contemplate snake tattoo meaning. 

As you continue your research about snake symbolism, you’re going to find tons of meanings and varying discussions about what this noble creature represents.  That’s why I find it so appropriate as a tattoo.  The snake is a shifter, and as my own inner landscape shifts, I find my snake tattoos are fully qualified to shift with me.   To be sure, snakes can accommodate fathoms of moods, meanings and ideas – and so they make perfect emblems of power.

I hope you’ve enjoyed these scant thoughts on snake tattoo meaning.  Check out the links below for more rounding-out of your research:

Snake Symbolism (full-detail article)

Snake Totems

Double-Snake symbolism

Caduceus Tattoo Meanings

Staff of Asclepius Tattoo Symbolism

Uroboros Symbolism (the snake that devours its own tail)

Fire Tattoo Symbolism

Fire Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance):

• Power
• Passion
• Heat
• Desire
• Consumption
• Energy
• Transformation
• Vitality
• Sensuality

Mostly, fire shows up as an element within a tattoo – like a design enhancement to really drive home the idea of passion within the whole piece of art.

To me, fire symbolism in a tattoo talks about conversion and transformation.  Nothing comes away from fire unchanged.  Fire transforms everything within its path.  Fire alters the structure, function, appearance and even chemical compositions of everything it touches.  This reminds me of the alchemical credo: Transmogrification.

We see this kind of conversion in the alchemical phoenix.  Just when this regal bird is utterly consumed in flame, and we think its at the end of its cycle – it reemerges from its own ashes - transformed, renewed, purified.

Purification is a big symbolic bi-product of fire.  Sterilization, cleansing – even baptismal concepts are associated with fire.  If you’re looking for a tattoo element that conveys a sense of being reborn, fire might be a great tattoo element.  Or, perhaps you feel as though you are emmerging from a difficult ordeal, and you feel renewed on your life-path, a fire tattoo might be a good way to express that experience.

Countless ancient cultures have held fire as a symbol of hearth and home.  From the home fires of Hestia burning a sense of welcome and warmth, to the bonfires of Belanus (Celtic god) marking victory in protecting the clans against encroaching warlords – fire is a clear symbol of keeping community together.  Consider your own community – do the fires of connection and inclusion burn brightly within your own clan?  Are you the protector and the way-seer for your people?  If so, a fire tattoo might further embolden your passion for keeping your family together, safe and protected.

Fire reminds us of our passions – on a sexual level as well as spiritual levels. Flames are often depicted in ancient art to convey a sense of deep ardor (love) and burning desire.  It’s not all about sex though.  If you feel consumed by your faith, and surrender to your spiritual path daily – a fire tattoo might be a way to burn that ideal in your psyche.

Astrological speaking, there are three fire signs within the western zodiac: Aries, Leo and Sagittarius.  This denotes a personality with fiery passion.  If you’re getting a tattoo of your fire sign (your own, or of someone you love as a memorial tattoo), you may want to incorporate fire along with your astrological sign to convey a sense of adventure, boldness and high-energy.  Check out more on astrology signs and symbolism here.

If you need more kindling for your fire tattoo ideas, check out my Fire Symbols page here.

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

Rose Tattoo Meaning

• Honor
• Heart
• Devotion
• Purity
• Love
• Revelation
• Expansion
• Resurrection
• Beauty
• Divinity
• Victory
• Passion
• Balance
• Sensuality
• Spirituality
• Duality
• Romance
• Memory
• Secrets
• Vitality
• Trust
• Creativity

I see rose tattoos a lot. It’s no mystery why.  The rose is an incredibly powerful image whose symbolism transcends in elegant ways. 

Interestingly, many people with rose tattoos adore their personal blossoms, but are unaware of some of its ancient mysteries.  Let’s take a moment to smell the sweet scent of rose symbolism through the various perspectives:

Roman – Honor the Fallen:   In the height of their time, roses and rose petals were strewn across the bodies and/or grave sites of soldiers.  Red roses were used to symbolize blood shed for the Roman Empire.  Red is associated with Mars, the god of war.  It’s also associated with Venus, goddess of love.  The intoxicating scent of roses lifted through the air, and carried the spirits of fallen heroes  into the loving arms of Venus with Mars looking on with fierce pride.  There are themes of resurrection here, which can be incorporated into your own ideas of rose tattoo meaning.

Greek – Erotic Creative Vision:  The rose is associated with heavy-hitters in Greek myth like Aphrodite (lovely love goddess), Hecate (the insanely powerful dominatrix of the intangibles), Dionysus (that affectionate hedonistic party animal).  We see themes of eroticism, mystery and sensuality in these Greek gods who partake of the velvet realms of the rose.  I’m particularly intrigued by the rose’s association  with the classic Greek Muses, especially Erato who was a heart-stopping beauty.  She was gifted with spectacular creativity too.  Roses are symbolic of her ability to pierce the heart of man with her intoxicating song and beauty.  And so, your rose tattoo can woo the creative, sensual muse and goddess from within.

Rosicrucian/Alchemical - Unfolding Progress:  The Rosicrucian’s, an elite fleet of visionaries formed under the fatherly tutelage of Dr. Christian Rosenkreuz held the rose at the center of their symbolic focal point.  The rose is featured as a symbol of spiritual progress – an unfolding or blossoming to ever grander heights in human evolution.  Traditional rosy crosses are multi-layered.  The center section of the rose is symbolic of unity and reminds the observer that god is the glue of all life.  Other layers will point to initiation and progress along the pilgrimage to enlightenment.  So, if you are experience a resurgence of the soul – a rose tattoo meaning may convey a sense of transformation, blossoming and unfolding beautifully to share new depths of yourself with the world.

Christian – Unblemished Bliss:  The rose often adorns the beloved Mary in Christian art as a symbol of purity, innocence, beauty, sacrifice and perfection.  From fragrance to visage – the rose is a fitting brand for the blessed Mary.  The “Rose of Sharon” is symbolic of the Church.  Colors also play a part in rose meanings in Christian thought.  White roses are symbolic of purification.  Red roses serve as a memorial to the blood of the slain Christ.  If you have aims to express your faith in deeply symbolic ways, then a rose tattoo may be for you.

This is a little trip around the world in terms of seeking rose tattoo meaning. 

Want more? 

I don’t blame you – I always want more too. . . and here are some links that provide exactly that:

Symbolic Rose Meaning

Language of Flowers (including the rose)

The Rose as a Flower Zodiac Sign

More Symbolic Meanings of the Rose (on my blog)

Symbolism of Flower Colors

Caduceus Tattoos

Caduceus Tattoos
(meanings at-a-glance):

• Healing
• Renewal
• Life
• Vitality
• Harmonization
• Unification
• Integrity
• Authority
• Health
• Circulation
• Honor
• Travel
• Protection
• Fair trade
• Commerce
• Transcendence
• Dualism
• Magic
• Wisdom
• Equilibrium
• Fertility
• Transformation

Caduceus tattoos should not to be confused with the Staff of Asclepius tattoos.  Even though both have come to be known as symbols of healing and the medical field, the caduceus is much more dynamic in its meanings (as you will see while comparing the at-a-glance symbolism between the two tattoos).

At its core, caduceus tattoos are symbolic of unification of opposites: Male/Female, Yin/Yang, Light/Dark.    The harmony of dual forces is seen by the opposing snakes wrapped around the staff. 

Themes of healing, homeopathy, nature and holistic approaches to health are captured in the serpents too.  Snakes in ancient Greece, where this symbol originates, were symbolic of transformation. 

The shedding of the serpents’ skin is symbolic of slipping off the old self (illness) and moving freely in the fresh, newly healed self (wellness).

The wings of caduceus tattoos symbolize higher thoughts, higher mind, high integrity and the intent to serve others in a higher capacity.

The staff or center rod in the caduceus symbol represents power, unification, and connection between heaven and earth (as well as the point of focus between duality).  The staff is the connection between high and low (thought and body) and facilitates easy communication between the two. 

Caduceus is a symbol of messengers in myth such as the Greek Hermes (Mercury in Roman myth) because the center staff conveys transportation of energy between mind and body (heaven and earth, male and female, shadow and light, etc.).

Deities who adopt the caducues include:

• Hermes (Greek): Travel, Commerce, Trade, Speed, Messenger
• Mercury (Roman): Speed, Intelligence, Youthfulness, Health
• Anubis (Egyptian): Afterlife, Spirit, Protection, Preservation
• Baal (Phoenician): Fertility, Abundance, Agriculture, Leadership
• Ishtar (Babylonian): Fertility, Sensuality, Military, Love, Passion
• Isis (Egyptian): Magic, Femininity, Motherhood, Fertility, Protection, Beginnings, Nature

For more information on this subject:

Caduceus Symbolic Meaning (full article)

Staff of Asclepius Tattoo Meaning

Snake Symbolism

Staff Symbolism in Tarot

Symbolism of Wings

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
• Appreciation

When considering the meaning of butterfly tattoos, I always think of psyche in Greek myth, 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 a companion to Eros (Cupid).  All this  plays nicely with the ephemeral butterfly symbolism of love, intuition, life, peace, adoration and beauty.

The 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 a singular way of being)
• Butterfly (emergence/illumination/awakening/evolution into a new phase of life)

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.

The Japanese consider the butterfly 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.

I hope you have enjoyed these symbolic thoughts on butterfly tattoos.

Flit through my other butterfly pages for more symbolic nectar in your search for meaningful tattoo information.

Symbolic Meaning of Butterfly (full post)

More Butterfly Meanings  (including butterflies in dreams)

Koi Tattoo Meaning

Koi Tattoo Meaning
(at-a-glance):

• Determination
• Aspiration
• Bravery
• Perseverance
• Success
• Luck
• Excellence
• Good fortune
• Willpower
• Transformation
• Intelligence
• Diligence

Koi is actually a type of carp or sturgeon.  Chinese legend tells us of the few, strong and proud koi who swum upstream with the promise of being transformed into a magnificent dragon. 

These courageous koi fought against raging currents of the Lung Men (known as the Dragon’s Gate) on the Yellow River.  It is said these determined fish showed grand excellence and brave-heartedness in their desire to become dragons. 

What’s more, their arduous upstream battle to become dragons was made more challenging because only during a certain time could this transformation take place.  Only during the third full moon of each year.  A small window of opportunity, but to a willing few, the promise of metamorphosis from fish to dragon was worth the risk.

Koi tattoo meanings also deal with intelligence, and in Chinese symbolism these fish represent success in academics, scholarly persuits and high acumen.

Other Koi tattoo meanings:

• Gold koi = wealth and prosperity
• Platinum or silvery koi = success in business
• Black koi = most likely to cross Lung Men and win transformation into dragons.  Symbolic of success after a change.
• White koi = advancement in social settings (career and family)
• Red koi = (red markings) success in love and romance.

I hope you have enjoyed these thoughts on koi tattoo meanings.

For more information, continue your research with:

Symbolic Meaning of Japanese Koi

Water Totems and Meanings

Symbolic Meaning of Fish (general)

Chinese Dragon Meanings

Fox Tattoo Symbolism

Fox Tattoo Symbolism
(at-a-glance): 

• Clever
• Playful
• Focused
• Shapeshifting
• Skillful
• Secretive
• Resourceful
• Health
• Sexuality
• Lucky
• Vitality
• Guile

Symbolism of the fox has tricky connotations.  In fact, the fox is connected with the trickster archetype, Loki in Norse myth.  Native American mythology of North America indicates the fox as a trickster too – but of a morally neutral position – ambivalent to consequences too.

In truth, the fox is incredibly intelligent.  It gets its tricky symbolism because it’s astoundingly adept at escaping traps, evading predators and moving around (particularly at night) in its environment.

Symbolism of shapeshifting comes into play from Chinese symbolism as well as Japan, Native North American Indians, Eastern India, to name a few. These and other various cultures recognized the fox’s ability to adapt to its environment and escape from harm by seemingly supernatural means. 

Fox tattoo symbolism in this light will indicate: Intelligence, adaptability, strategy – and a stealthy (but lovable) way of moving in social circles.

As a symbol of sexuality, we think of the term “foxy” as an adjective for sultry beauty.  Indeed, Chinese lore indicates various fox parts (testicles, tail, teeth, claws) were used as aphrodisiacs.  Thankfully, we have tattoos to convey sexual prowess- no need to go chopping up fox parts.  Sheesh.

In European folklore the fox is symbolic of stealth, cunning and slyness. 

The red fox is particularly symbolic of sexual prowess (red being a symbolic color of the root chakra, or primal energy).  The red fox is also associated with the realm of solar animals and carries meanings of: Vitality, Life, Energy and Health

It’s black feet and legs are symbolic of that sneaky nature I’ve been talking about here.  It conveys a feeling of being able to shadow about, and obtain things in a cloaked manner.

Here are a few other pages that will enhance your thoughts about fox tattoo symbolism:

• Fox Symbolism
• Symbolic Fox Sightings