Maori Tattoos – Symbols from a Unique Culture

Maori tattoos are another very popular choice for people looking for unique symbols with strong cultural significance. Before you select your Maori tattoo it is important to understand the history of these proud people. The Maori people are the indigenous Polynesian population of New Zealand. They can trace their links to before the 1300s, but by the late 18th century they had lost most of their land to the Europeans and the culture and numbers went in decline. In the late 19th century, their numbers began to increase again and their culture began a revival in the 1960s.

Because of the long and at-times difficult history of the Maori culture, Maori tattoos carry deep meaning for their tribal members. It is thus wise to explore the meanings and history behind these tattoos to fully understand and appreciate their significance. Know that these images are deeply rooted and revered in Maori culture today and be sensitive to this in choosing Maori tattoos. In fact, some people pay their respects to the tribe and their symbols by contacting a member of the tribe to find out what the Maori people feel about the particular image. You want to choose Maori tattoos in part to preserve their culture and to honor their history.
For the Maori people, tattoos tell a story. Their tattoos are done to their faces and bodies and are called ‘moko’. Getting a tattoo is an important event for the Maori, a celebration of the passing into adulthood. As such, a tattoo represents the courage and strength of the individual. It is symbolically important as the adult will need to face the inevitable hardships and trials of life with courage and strength. Mostly it is the Maori males who have the tattoos. Maori women often wear their tattoos on their chin. For either gender, the tattoos were always placed to be highly visible. Maori warriors also have swirling tattoos placed on their buttocks, trailing down their legs to the knee.

As you begin your search for Maori tattoos, bear in mind that you want to do your research. There are many examples of what are called Maori tattoos, but which may not be original in design. Maori tattoos are precise in their design, and each line tells a story with its own meaning and significance. Every pattern was highly personal, depicting the individual’s status, rank and ancestral heritage. Thus it is important not to directly copy a design, but work with your tattoo artist to design something unique.

Maori tattoos are revered for their intricate spiral shapes, and curvilinear designs, rather than for colorful artwork. The designs are highly creative and striking. Popular places for these tattoos are the legs, arms, back (or lower back for women), and to a lesser degree the buttocks. In some instances people choose to get them on their faces or chins.

To respect and honor the Maori people, you need to keep in mind that Maori tattoos have important and strong sacred meanings for them. They are not merely designs worn for aesthetic purposes. Keep this in mind and your Maori tattoo will have greater meaning for you as well as you honor this wonderful culture.

Thinking about Lower Back Tattoo Designs

When you are thinking about lower back tattoo designs, there are a number of things to consider and an even larger number of styles to choose from. One of the reasons that people commonly choose the lower back for their tattoo is that it isn’t visible as often as on other parts of the body. Another reason that the lower back is chosen is that it offers a very nice canvas for which to design all kinds of interesting tattoos.

On women especially, lower back tattoo designs can be sexy and sensual. A tattoo can enhance the curves of a woman’s low back, making it look sinuous and feminine. The base of the back is also a great choice, because it won’t wrinkle and change as much over time. But remember, any time you get a tattoo over a bony area (in this case the spine) it will be a more painful option. Areas that are fleshier, with more fat deposits or muscles underneath are less painful.

Lower back tattoo designs can range from a single image, to a larger, more sweeping design. You can choose to have your tattoo stretch horizontally or vertically, or both. Wraparound tattoos that cross the lower back are also beautiful choices. Egyptian ankhs, crosses, dragons, flowers, floral wreaths, Celtic symbols, hearts, butterflies, ribbons, or tribal symbol tattoos are all popular choices in lower back tattoo designs.

Lower back tattoo designs are also a great way to break into the world of tattoos. You can keep this one more hidden, and for your next one, consider having it placed on a part of your body that will be seen more often. You can start with a central symbol, and then eventually have it branch out into a larger composition.

Some of the things you want to consider in your choice of lower back tattoo designs is how much of it you want to show and when. For example, for the ladies, do you want it to show above your pants, when you wear a low back evening dress, when you wear a bathing suit? Having it hidden keeps more of a mystery, while placing it so that it will peek out more often gives a tempting glimpse at what may lie below.

When you are considering lower back tattoo designs, you might want to browse pictures of actual tattoos to see how various choices will look. Taking into account the curves of the back is important, but it can also add an interesting dimension to the overall design. Depending on the overall placement of the tattoo, you may need someone to help with your tattoo care once it’s completed. Also line up clothing choices that will allow the tattoo to heal well and fast. Wearing pants that are tight at the waist will likely need to be avoided. And as for any tattoo – special care in sun is a must – don’t forget your sensitive lower back tattoo!

Irish Tattoo Design – Invoke the luck o’ the Irish

One of the first things that comes to mind when searching for an Irish tattoo design is the spirit of the luck of the Irish. It is a fun, somewhat whimsical idea, with celebratory overtones that reminds people of St.Patty’s Day, leprechauns, and lucky four-leaf clovers. An Irish tattoo design is a popular choice for people wanting to give a nod to their own Irish heritage or because of their interest in Ireland and Irish history. Whatever the reason, an Irish tattoo design is a great choice and may even bring you luck!

An Irish tattoo design can be applied to nearly any part of the body, because they lend themselves well to a wide variety of sizes. Wrists, ankles, the tops of feet, arms, lower backs, shoulders/shoulder blades, the backs of necks, behind the ears, above the breast area, anywhere along the arms, and calves are amongst the most common places chosen for an Irish tattoo design. Green is the predominant color in an Irish tattoo design, but using that as your starting point, you can add other secondary colors to the tattoo to mix it up. For example, having a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, makes for a colorful, vibrant and positive image in a tattoo. Add a leprechaun pointing the way to your own pot of gold is a fun and happy image that shows your optimism and sense of whimsy.

Having a small four-leaf clover tattooed somewhere hidden on your body is a fun way of keeping your own little good luck charm with you at all times. Having a larger design is a way of showing the world that you believe in your own good luck and fortune because you carry it with you all the time. This also makes it a popular choice amongst competitive athletes. Show it off and give your competition something to think about it!

Another popular and very meaningful Irish tattoo design is that of the claddagh. This depicts two hands holding a heart, topped by a crown. The heart stands for love, the hands symbolize friendship, and the crown means loyalty. It is a symbol of friendship and love, and is also a popular ring design. Claddagh rings are a traditional Irish ring that may be given in friendship, or worn as engagement or wedding rings. The meanings behind the Claddagh design are as follows: “With my two hands I give you my heart, and crown it with my love.” or “Let love and friendship reign forever”. Having the Claddagh design can also be incorporated with one of those sayings for a very meaningful and sentimental Irish tattoo design. It is also a wonderful tattoo to share between best friends or life partners/spouses.

So, as an expression of love, friendship, a connection to Ireland, or to lead the way to your own pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, have an Irish tattoo design inked on you. May the luck of the Irish be with you!

Frog Tattoos – a Fun and Popular Choice

Frogs are very popular in our society and frog tattoos can be cute, quirky, colorful, and fun choices, but did you know that frogs also have a long place in history amongst many different cultures with a variety of important meanings? In some cultures a frog represents good luck, while in others they are considered sacred. Frogs in nature come in all kinds of colors and patterns. Shades of yellow, red, blue, bright orange, green and brown, as well as spotted frogs are found in the more than 5,000 species on our planet.  There are many fascinating aspects to consider when choosing a frog tattoo.

In the totem pole tradition, a frog represents metamorphosis and regeneration. In the coastal tribes of North America, frogs represent prosperity and wealth, and in Native American tribes, a frog symbolizes the Great Rainmaker. In Scotland and Western Cultures, frogs are good luck symbols, for the Greeks and Romans, frogs stood for fertility and harmony, in Japan, they mean energy and perseverance, in China, frogs represent prosperity in healing and business, and in Borneo – they symbolize the Creator of Men. The Haida consider frogs to bring harmony and keep balance, and in ancient Egypt, they represent life and fertility, and symbolize the protector on the journey to the afterlife.

Let’s also consider some of the many instances of frogs amongst our folklore, fairy tales, movies, literature, tv, comic books, and video games:

* Kermit The Frog
* The fairy tale The Frog Prince
* The video game Frogger
* Tv show Futurama – Hypnotoad
* Marvel Comics – King Solomon’s Frogs
* Harry Potter – Trevor
* Looney Tunes – Michigan J Frog
* Wind In The Willows children’s book – Mr. Toad
* Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Punk Frogs
* The film Tijuana Toads
* The animated series Hoppity Hooper
* Honey Smacks Cereal – Dig’em
* Battletoads
* The Kine Saga – Bufo and Bunda
* The Adventures of Victor and Max – Carden

There are many others, but this will begin to remind you of the great variety of frogs throughout our own culture and those around the world. Another aspect to consider is that some species are poisonous, adding a dangerous element to your selection of frog tattoos. It might say that you are both handsome or beautiful, interesting, but untouchable.

Searching for frog tattoos will give you a great many styles to choose from and you can personalize them with colors, designs, and meanings to suit you. They can be silly or serious, cartoon-like, stylized or realistic. Frog tattoos are a wonderful way to represent the natural world in all of its brilliance and color. You can take the frog shape, then add your own intricate designs and color patterns. Adding vines, water lilies, and flowers are another great way to enhance the design of frog tattoos. You have a wonderfully wide selection when considering frog tattoos and they can be made small enough to have inked on just about any part of your body.

Floral Tattoo Design and Flower Tattoos

The choice of floral tattoo design and flower tattoos is as wide and varied as the species of flowers in the world and more. Taking a part of the natural world and designing it into something that is uniquely you is a beautiful choice in your tattoo.

Floral tattoo design and flower tattoos are very popular because of their versatility. Your tattoo is a reflection of you, and by depicting colors, style and composition you can have different meanings. Floral tattoos that show a flower or flowers in full bloom can symbolize passage into womanhood, or an openness to life, that you seek the warm rays of the sun, and bloom from it. Flowers showing petals falling off can speak to past heartbreak, while showing a flower just beginning to blossom may symbolize a stage in your life where you are changing, growing and evolving. Flowers are delicate in nature, yet can show resilience year after year.

Men, too, may choose a floral tattoo design as part of a larger tattoo, or as a memorial to a lost loved one. In this case, flowers may be draped across or below a cross, with the name of the person inscribed. This allows them to keep a constant reminder of what that person meant in their life. Similarly, a flower tattoo may be used as part of a tribute to a romantic partner, to show their love and passion for that person.

Floral tattoo design and flower tattoos are often depicted with other elements, such as hearts, animals, birds, butterflies, fairies, blades of grass, and with vines, or stems. Incorporating a favorite saying, word, or name are ways to further personalize your tattoo. Many people start off with a single flower and eventually grow it into a larger scene. For this reason, floral tattoo design and flower tattoos are a popular and easy choice for a person’s first tattoo. Flowers will never go out of style – they are a beautiful and colorful part of our natural world.

Having a combination of different flowers in your floral tattoo design can be aesthetically pleasing and also represent different elements from your life. For example, a floral bouquet can represent different family members, such as sisters, or a mother and daughter(s) or children, a mother, grandmother, and granddaughter, or other group of women that you belong to.

Your floral tattoo design and flower tattoos can depict various aspects of your own personality through the choice of color and style. A Hawaiian lei is a gorgeous example of floral tattoo design with its bright, beautiful colors, and possibilities for having the tattoo draped down a back, across a shoulder, around an ankle or wrist, or waist. Your flowers can be small or large, and in any color combination that you desire. They are a lovely way to ink a permanent adornment onto your body in place of or in addition to other accessories. There are just so many choices and combinations. What will your flower tattoo mean to you?