The Hidden and Secret Meanings in Tattoo Art
Posted by PAUL PARK
Introduction
Tattoo art has a rich, diverse history that spans cultures and continents. Although they're often seen as a form of self-expression in contemporary society, tattoos were originally laden with profound meanings, serving as symbols of social status, rites of passage, or spiritual beliefs. In some cultures, tattoos were thought to provide magical protection or healing. This article delves into the hidden and secret meanings that were historically embedded in tattoo art.
Key Takeaways
- Tattoos carry rich, historical meanings: Beyond their aesthetic appeal, tattoos often hold centuries-old stories and symbolism. Trent Aitken-Smith's book, The Tattoo Dictionary, provides insight into these hidden narratives.
Influence of technology in tattoo designs: Modern designs, such as QR and barcode tattoos, have gained popularity. These tattoos can reveal secret messages or health details about the wearer when scanned.
Tattoos as badges of membership or accomplishment: Whether it's the stars on a Russian prisoner's chest, the swallow on a sailor's arm, or a '81' tattoo on a Hells Angels member, these tattoos signify membership or achievements in particular groups or milestones in life.
The symbolism of everyday objects: Common objects like roses, butterflies, keys, dice, and more often carry deep symbolic meanings when inked as tattoos, ranging from expressions of love to good luck charms.
Cultural and societal significance: Many tattoos, such as Kanji, Ta Moko, or Pachuco Cross, hold specific cultural or societal meanings. These designs can signify community, tradition, solidarity, or heritage.
The use of tattoos as a form of silent communication: Certain tattoos like the semicolon or the teardrop communicate personal experiences such as mental health struggles or life in prison.
Brand and gang affiliation: Logos such as the winged skull, originally created by Harley-Davidson, have been adopted by gangs like Hells Angels to symbolize their affiliation and beliefs.
What Do Your Tattoos Really Mean? The Secret Messages Hidden in the Designs
In the realm of body art, every tattoo is a statement - a cross, a butterfly, a bird, or even a punctuation mark can tell a unique story. "People get tattoos for an aesthetic reason and don't realize there are often centuries-old stories behind the imagery," says Trent Aitken-Smith, editor of the industry standard, Tattoo Master.
Common Tattoo Symbols and Their Meanings
Certain symbols in tattoo art carry significant weight. For example, anchors traditionally represent stability and a connection to the sea. Roses symbolize beauty and passion, feathers denote freedom and spirituality, while skulls serve as a reminder of mortality or a celebration of life.
Conversely, sailors would often get Jesus tattoos on their back. The belief was that seeing His face would cause their officers to go easy on any potential whippings.
Personalized Symbols and Their Stories
Beyond common symbols, many individuals opt for unique designs that resonate with their personal experiences or aspirations. For instance, a compass might symbolize a journey of self-discovery, and a broken chain could represent overcoming adversity. These personalized symbols infuse tattoos with a deeply personal narrative, making each design as unique as its wearer.
Cultural and Religious Symbolism
Historically, tattoos have held significant cultural and religious meanings. Indigenous cultures like the Maori, Native Americans, and Japanese use tattoos to express their heritage and spiritual beliefs. The Maori's intricate patterns embody strength and identity, Native Americans see tattoos as sacred symbols connecting them to their ancestors, and traditional Japanese Irezumi tattoos serve as visual narratives telling stories of mythical creatures.
Polynesian Tattoo Art
Polynesian tattooing is among the most intricate and symbolic in the world. These tattoos, known as "tatau," were full of coded information about the wearer's lineage, achievements, social status, and spiritual beliefs. For example, turtle shell designs symbolized health and longevity, while the sun often represented riches and brilliance.
Japanese Tattoo Art
Traditional Japanese tattoo art, or "Irezumi," is rich in symbolism and mythology, with each design carrying profound meanings. For instance, Koi fish tattoos represent perseverance and determination, based on a legend where a Koi fish became a dragon after swimming upstream. Dragons, on the other hand, were considered protectors and symbols of strength and courage.
Native American Tattoo Art
Tattoos among Native American tribes held various meanings, often linked to spiritual beliefs or tribal identity. The specific symbols used in the tattoo art would often denote the wearer's tribe, status, or spiritual connection. For instance, a bear could symbolize strength and courage, while an eagle might represent spiritual protection.
Maori Tattoo Art & Ta Moko
Ta moko, a Maori traditional form of body art from New Zealand, focuses primarily on the face, considered the most sacred part of the body.
A tattoo's placement and location could amplify its associated symbolism. Tattoos on the hands may symbolize creativity, while those on the chest often represent matters of the heart. The act of covering or revealing a tattoo can also have symbolic importance.
For the Maori people of New Zealand, they were known for their distinctive "moko." Tattoos used not only as a form of identification but also to showcase a person's achievements, status, or ancestry. Every line, spiral, and shape was purposeful and narrated the wearer's life story. The "koru," a spiral shape, represented new beginnings, growth, and harmony.
Ancient Egyptian Tattoo Art
Tattooing in ancient Egypt was particularly prevalent among women. Tattoos often served an amuletic purpose, believed to protect women during childbirth. Many female mummies have been found with tattoo patterns of dots and lines, particularly on the lower abdomen, thought to safeguard against evil spirits and enhance fertility.
Celtic Tattoo Art
Celtic tattoos were highly symbolic, often incorporating intricate knotwork, spirals, and mythical creatures. The Celtic cross, a famous symbol, represents the union of celestial and earthly elements. Triquetra, or the Trinity Knot, signifies the life cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.
Nature and Animal Symbolism
Nature and animals carry potent symbolism. For example, a lion is often associated with courage, leadership, and strength, while a wolf can signify loyalty and independence. Incorporating such symbols allows individuals to connect with their primal instincts and the natural world.
Swallow
A sailor's swallow tattoo signifies a significant milestone - sailing more than 5,000 nautical miles. A second swallow represents double that distance.
Stars
Stars tattooed on the chest or shoulders in Russian prison culture denote a high-ranking criminal status.
Rose
A rose bush is believed to have sprouted from the blood of Adonis, Aphrodite’s love. In Christian imagery, it symbolizes Christ’s five wounds from the Crucifixion. A rose tattoo thus communicates a deep bond with undying love or religious faith.
Butterfly
In its simplest form, the butterfly represents transformation, renewal, and resurrection. Many cultures also associate it with the soul.
Numbers, Geometric, and Abstract Tattoos
Geometric patterns and abstract designs offer a unique approach to tattoo symbolism. Geometric shapes like triangles, circles, and lines can represent harmony, balance, or interconnectedness, while abstract tattoos convey complex emotions or ideas, inviting contemplation and introspection.
Die/Dice
In tattoo parlance, a pair of dice is typically inked with three and four dots on the visible faces, totaling seven. This reflects the lucky status of number seven and its winning significance in the dice game Craps.
Numerals
Gangs often use numbers to signify membership. An "81" tattoo might represent affiliation with the Hells Angels (8 = H; 1 = A), while a "12" denotes membership in the US prison gang, the Aryan Brotherhood.
Kanji
Kanji tattoos, which are based on ancient Chinese characters, are part of the Japanese writing system. These ornate symbols are rich in meaning but can be easily misunderstood.
Keys
A key tattoo might symbolize a desire to protect loved ones or valuable possessions. When depicted alongside a lock, it often serves as a metaphor for love or unlocking one's heart.
Semicolon
The semicolon, adopted by campaigners in 2013, marks membership to Project Semicolon, a mental health support group.
QR Codes and Barcodes
The world of tattoos isn't immune to technology's influence. QR and barcode tattoos are seeing a surge in popularity. They can reveal hidden messages or health details about the wearer when scanned, adding a modern twist to the traditional symbolic language of tattoos.
Gangster Tatts
Pachuco Cross
This gang tattoo is associated with Chicano (Mexican- American) gang members. It signifies solidarity and allegiance and is often worn between the thumb and forefinger of the left hand.
Teardrop
One of the most common prison tattoos, the teardrop has various meanings, including that the wearer has committed murder or lived a sorrowful life.
Winged Skull
The winged skull logo was first created by Harley-Davidson in the 1930s, symbolizing the fleeting nature of life and the endless cycle of life and death. Motorcycle gangs, such as the Hells Angels, adopted the logo as their own.
Conclusion
Understanding the historical context of tattoos provides an insightful perspective into the profound meanings these markings held for our ancestors. While contemporary tattoos may not always carry the same depth of symbolism, they remain a powerful medium for self-expression, cultural identity, and personal narrative. The beauty of tattoos lies in their ability to transcend time, unifying past and present through art etched onto the skin.
For more information on our sets, please take a look at our piece on Xtreme Inks: Artist Collections.
Before a master...
After a master...
TAGS:
