Fish Tattoo Designs

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To truly explore fish tattoo designs they must be divided into koi fish and all other fish.  In general, water holds a symbolic meaning of depth of knowledge and dealing with the subconscious.  Water houses an endless mystery and represents things that are there but cannot always be seen.  Although there are numerous species of fish they hold prime symbolic meanings of eternity, fertility, creativity, femininity, good luck, knowledge, transformation and knowledge.

The History of Fish Tattoo Designs

To learn the history of fish tattoo designs they must be looked at geographically.

Grecian-Roman – The fish was sacred in mythology.  It held a meaning of transformation and change.  An example of this is in the myth of the Heroes and Aphrodite when they all turned themselves into fish to escape the ferocious Typhon.

Pagan – In Pagan traditions, the fish served as a symbol of feminism and fertility.  Water is considered a natural flow from the Divine Mother so fish, being creatures of water are part of the female deity of power.

Eastern Indian – In ancient Indian mythology a fish symbolized creation and transformation. This is represented in the myth where Vishnu changed himself into a fish to save the world from a flood, guiding selected boats to safety.

Christianity – Fish tattoo designs are common among Christians as they serve as a symbol of faith and abundance.  Man is represented to be a fish and the ocean is an abyss of sin.

Celtic – Fish, primarily the image of salmon, dealt with inspiration, wisdom, prophecy and knowledge.  Celts believed that salmon received their wisdom from eating sacred hazel nuts found in the Well of Knowledge and eating salmon would also give them great knowledge.

China – The fish is a symbol of fidelity and unity since they are often found swimming in pairs. Fish are often given as wedding presents for this reason.  They also are a representation of abundance and fertility due to the fact that they can reproduce in volume and speed.

Buddhism – The fish is a symbol of freedom and happiness.  It is also included in eight sacred Buddha symbols being lotus, conch, wheel, parasol, knot, banner of victory, vase and a pair of golden fish.

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Japanese Koi

The magical realm of the respected koi fish puts them in their own special category and makes them the most popular type of fish tattoos.  They can take your imagination into a fantasy land by their fluid motion and elaborate colors.

The Japanese symbolism of the koi fish is categorized specifically to their attributes so koi tattoo colors  are as symbolic as the fish itself.

Ogon – Platinum koi fish represents a fulfillment in wealth due to success in business.
Yamabuki – Gold koi fish symbolizes gold, prosperity and wealth.
Kumonryuu – Midnight black koi fish is named after the Japanese dragon of transformation as a symbol of bringing a positive change in life.
Kuchibeni – White and red koi fish that has a white body and red around its mouth inspires loving and long lasting relationships.
Kohoku – White and red koi fish with a white body and red on its head is to encourage career advancement.

Celebrities With Fish Tattoo Designs

• Charlize Theron – Actress and her mother have matching koi fish tattoos.
• Ryan Malone – Professional hockey player has a koi fish among the Japanese symbols.
• Alexander McQueen – Fashion designer has his koi fish on his chest.
• Caroline Murphy – Model displays her koi on her hip.
• Chester Bennington – Linkin Park singer has a koi fish tattoo.
• Daniel Cohn -Australian rugby player shows of koi in his full sleeve.
• Janine Lindemulder – Adult film star proudly shows off her koi on her chest.
• John Mayer – Musician displays a koi on his right shoulder.

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Dragon Tattoo Designs

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Dragon tattoo designs are a remarkable choice for body art because they are fluid and sinuous.  Since they have no corners or sharp edges, they are ideal to contour to or wrap around any body part.  Traditionally, the dragon is a symbol of danger or power but every dragon has its own representation in cultural myths.

Dragons have always been an object of fascination and curiosity.  Often on a man, dragon tattoo designs symbolize protection or power since men have always been considered a guardian of family and society due to dragons often representing wisdom and guardianship.  Dragon tattoo designs on women usually signify the beginning of new life, reserved strength and grace.

Dragon Tattoo History

Cultures have captured the image of the dragon in many ways through the years.  Vikings used to carve a dragon onto their ship’s prow as they had a strong belief that the dragon was able to grant them phenomenal supernatural sight.

Chinese emperors truly believed that dragons existed and that they were actually the sons of gods.  The Emperor’s chair was called the dragon’s seat while his robes were called dragon robes.

English dragons were dangerous and destructive, often being slain by brave knights in legends while in Russia, they were described as being monsters with seven tails and three heads.  Additionally, the rainbow-colored African dragon was good and Nana-Buluka’s companion.  This particular dragon is often characterized enveloping the Earth in a circle, holding its tail in its mouth.

Mesopotamian dragons represented knowledge and they were guardians of treasures while Sumerian dragons were devious and cunning.  Babylonian dragons were so powerful that it was believed that they assisted in the world’s creation.

Chinese dragons remain a symbol of power and imperial strength and are often depicted with five claws while Japanese dragons have four claws and a a representation of a caring father and husband.  It is also interesting to note that Japanese dragons have one less toe because they lost it from flying so much further during their travel to arrive at Japan.

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Types Of Dragon Tattoos

The dragon’s legends are always cloaked in mystery and magic and depicted as free and powerful.  They are derived from the bottoms of the oceans and the tops of mountains and are extremely intelligent and evolved creatures.  There are basically three different types of dragon tattoo designs being Western, Easter and Tribal.

Western Dragons – These dragons were evil creatures who destroyed villages and stole and guarded hoards of great treasure.  In tattoos, these types of dragons are a classic choice, representing freedom and great power.

Eastern Dragons – These dragons were ancient, kind, good and intelligent.  These are the Japanese and Chinese dragons and they display no wings yet mysteriously they have the ability to fly.  They represent good, knowledge ad mystery.

Tribal Dragons – These dragon tattoo designs are a symbolic representation of personality and inner feelings.  This dragon symbolizes freedom and physical prowess as well as a connection with nature.  Tribal dragons can mean something different to every person that displays them.

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Celebrities With Dragon Tattoos

It take a unique, powerful and really special individual to display a dragon tattoo on their body and these celebrities definitely fit the criteria.

• David Arquette – This actor has a dragon on his right calf.
• Mel B (Scary Spice) – Member of the Spice Girls group, she shows off her dragon tattoo on her back.
• Melanie C (Sporty Spice) – Another girl in the group Spice Girls who has a dragon tattoo except hers is on her right calf which is one of the most popular places for dragon tattoo designs.
• Brian Austin Green – Actor displays his dragon on his right forearm.
• Jeff Hardy – Here’s a powerful wrestler who opted for his left calf to be his dragon tattoo location.
• Pink – This talented singer boasts her dragon on her left thigh.
• Freddie Prince Jr. – A winged dragon appears on the upper left arm of this actor.
• Bruce Willis – This well known actor wears his dragon on his right shoulder.
• Nicole Appleton – All Saints band member shows off her dragon tattoo on her back.

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Butterfly Tattoo Designs

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Various butterfly tattoo designs are one of the most popular chosen body art images for women. These fluttering insects are not only beautiful, they are extremely symbolic and carry with them a deep history in many different cultures. They are truly an extremely versatile design and can be designed by using a real butterfly for inspiration or as something completely imaginative.

Butterfly tattoo designs allow for a great level of experimentation with shape and color and they harmonize well with other symbols such as flowers, angels, eyes, vines, flames, fairies, etc.The best thing about butterflies is that they are like snowflakes and no two are ever exactly the same so this design allows you to be completely unique.

Butterfly Tattoo History

Mythologies in many ancient civilizations have had a connection with this mystical creature which is a big reason why butterfly tattoo designs are so popular today. They are believed in many cultures to be a symbol of a human soul and as a night butterfly is attracted to a flame, a human soul is attracted to heavenly truths. Scientifically speaking, the metamorphosis of a crawling caterpillar changing into a butterfly is one of the most intriguing mysteries in nature. It is a magical, representative transition of new life.

Butterfly Representation On A Woman

Butterfly tattoo designs on a woman usually are a free-spirited acknowledgment of change. The change could be from a young girl to a woman, starting a fresh chapter in life or a positive and mental new beginning. Regardless of where it is placed on the woman’s body, its service is to serve as a portal to draw in energies of life and essences of human souls. It represents an unmatchable power that lies deep within all woman.

Woman that opt for this type of design are as diverse as the butterflies and can be patient, observant, creative, intelligent, deeply committed or in touch with nature. However, they can also be aristocratic, judicious, shrewd and reserved. It is a powerful symbol that can mean some form of representative change differently for every woman.

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Butterfly Tattoo Placement

Placement of the butterfly tattoo designs also have their own individual meanings as well. It is interesting to note that almost all women choose one of the chakra points for location and don’t even realize it. The seven points are crown of the head, forehead (between the eyes), throat, heart, reproduction (includes lower back and lower belly), solar plexus and tribal root (below the groin).

Placed on the shoulder blade, it generally represents a dreamer while the chest symbolizes an unconditional love either for someone or themselves. The lower back, which is the most popular for good reason, means survival, stability, prosperity, self-preservation, physical health and trust and below the belly typically represents virginity or a return to innocence.

Celebrities With Butterfly Tattoo Designs

• Krissy Taylor – Model displays a butterfly on her right foot.
• Julia Roberts – Actress has a butterfly on the lower part of her back.
• Melissa Joan Hart – Actress boasts a butterfly on her left breast.
• Anne Heche – Actress offers a butterfly on her lower back.
• Paris Hilton – A paparazzi favorite, shows off a butterfly tattoo between her shoulder blades.
• Elena Santarelli – Italian model and actress has a butterfly on the back of her right shoulder.
• Kimora Lee Simons – Fashion model and entrepreneur has a butterfly tattoo on her right foot.
• Drew Barrymore – A beautiful butterfly is displayed on this actress’ lower back.
• Dolly Parton – Famous country singer has a butterfly tattoo on her chest.
• Britney Spears – Singer chose her butterfly to be on her left foot.
• Lita Ford – Musician proudly boasts a butterfly on the right side of her buttocks.

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Interesting Worldwide Meanings From Mythology

• Greek – A new human soul becomes born every time a cocoon turns into a butterfly.
• Irish – Butterflies are souls belonging to the dead who are waiting for their turn to pass through purgatory.
• German – The dead become reborn as children in butterfly form to offer childbirth to childless parents.
• European – A feared omen of death. The human soul takes butterfly form.
• Asian – A symbol of joy as well as the essence of happiness.
• Native American – Believed that butterflies would carry their wishes to the heavenly Great Spirit.
• Aztec and Mayan – Symbol of rebirth, fertility, regeneration and happiness.

Holocaust Connection

Butterflies have a strong connection to the Holocaust. Barracks for children at concentration camps were covered in butterflies. Several hundred butterflies were scratched into the walls with pebbles as if the children all knew that they were about to die but left a message of hope that their souls would continue to live on in butterfly form.

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