Animal tattoos
The pictures of animals are used in tattoos from ancient times. It is so mostly because most animals have always been the part of cult traditions or rituals of ancient tribes and people. In every culture there are one or several sacred animals, the most used and popular in animal tattoo designs and all the ancient art. But one must not forget, that each mythology or religion can apply different traits to the same animal. The meanings of the animal tattoos are considered first of all according to the physical and inner traits of different animals. Sometimes additional magical traits are applied to some animals too.
All animal tattoos can be divided into two groups: existing animals and non-existing animals. To the second group we can put dragons, centaur, unicorn, gryphon, phoenix and other non-existing creatures.
The animal tattoos depicting birds and fish are divided separately. The animal tattoo is designed for a person to develop his personal attributes. Of course, many things depend on the way the person lives and his behavior. Each animal is associated with the row of definitions that describe the animal in reality, that may be similar to human traits.
So the pictures of the animals can be found in traditions, cultures and animal tattoos of ancient celts, maori tribes, Aztecs, Slavic tribes, Asian people and many more.
We can find a lot of different animal tattoos with a variety of animals depicted. Let us review the most popular amongst them.
Deer in the animal tattoo art is always kind, the symbol of everything positive. From the ancient times these good animals aroused admiration and respect of the people of different cultures and were striking them with their beauty and might. The meaning of animal tattoo depicting the deer often expresses and symbolizes male might, singularity and often applies to wonderers. Animal tattoo design of the deer also has some mystical grounds. It often equals with the Tree of Life, and if it is depicted with the battle with snake, it symbolizes the forces of good in eternal fight. The deer who tramps the ground symbolizes the winning of good over the bad. In myths and tales deer is always a positive character.
Animal tattoo representing Pegasus cannot be compared with others in terms of beauty and meaning. It is original and also it is full of ancient mythology and legends. That’s why with the first glance it arouses a good interest. Pegasus is usually depicted as white horse with wings, a god. Pegasus was the sun of Poseidon and Medusa Gorgon. According to one of myths he was born from Medusa, who was killed by Perseus when saving his lover.
Mermaids in animal tattoo designs are very cute and universal. It is a mystical creature with interesting appearance, that’s why the beauty of such tattoo is guaranteed. Also it is connected with a lot of myths and tales, and that makes it symbolic. First to apply such a tattoo appeared to be the sailors. They could be different in different countries.
Horses look very beautiful too. Their popularity among animal tattoo can be explained by ancient symbolism and elegancy. Now we cannot understand all the depth of the meaning of such animal tattoo, because in different countries it had different symbolic and associations. It can be the symbol of the sun and the symbol of the moon, can be connected with fire element and the water element. If the horse is depicted in color, many things depend on it. Light horses symbolize light and goodness.
There are many more animals, so if you want to apply animal tattoo you will have a great variety of designs to choose from.