Commemorative tattoos

Commemorative tattoos  

Commemorative tattoos are used to remember or mark an important event such as a death, world disaster or triumph in war. Most commemorative tattoos are "custom tattoos" that 

Commemorative tattoos can also mark the passing of a loved or celebrate a birth or the 

Criminal and Prison Tattoos

The symbolism of prison and criminal tattoos is an area of real esoteric interest to some and of real interest to the police. An article written by Sergeant Ken Whitley called Tattoos: Recognition and Interpretation" claims that a tattoo can tell you three things about a convict: "who he is, where he has been and what he has done."

As these kinds of tattoos are usually done in prison, freehand with ink from a pen. A sewing needle is used to form a picture or a word. Prisoners also make a homemade tattoo machine out of a ball point pen, a guitar string and a nine volt battery.

Police often use the images in a tattoo to identify parolees and suspects. For instance, a gun pictured downwards means the man prefers to be armed. Images of walls, towers and barbwire signify he has been in prison for some time.

Clock faces without hands = Doing Time Spiders or cobwebs on shoulders = Doing Time

Tombstones with numbers on them = The number of years they were in jail’

Tombstones with R.I.P. on them and numbers = Mourning the death of a friend who died on the inside

Eight balls = Means being "behind the eight ball" or bad luck.

One laughing face, one crying face = member of a gang, "play now, pay later."

The anagram SWP = Supreme White Power

The word Peckerwood = Male White Pride

Featherwood= Female White Pride

"100% Pure" = White pride tattoo

Granite block walls + Time in Old Folsom Prison

Cell Window with sun or bird = Waiting to get out.

Face of female crying = Has loved one waiting for him to get out.

SUR = Southerner

Norteano = Northerner

Prison block wall with bricks falling outward = On the inside wanting to get out.

Demons and Monsters

As tattoos, the creation of demons and monsters on the skin work psychologically and spiritually in the same way that images of skulls and bones do.

The symbolic purpose of the monster is to protect the wearer from evil spirits who may identify the beast as being part of or a guardian of the person. 

Devils, gargoyles, winged creatures and dragons are the most popular type of monster motif. Many of these types of tattoos are custom designed to create anthropomorphic creatures.

Eastern Symbols?

There are literally thousands of Eastern Religious symbols that find their origins in countries such as China, Japan, Tibet and Thailand.

Perhaps one of the most popular of these symbols is the lotus flower that symbolizes the oneness of being with universal consciousness. The symbol stands for the six syllables of the holiest mantra of Tibetan Buddhism ("OM Mani Padme Hum") together form a very powerful symbol of balance, liberation and enlightenment.

Another popular symbol is the OM symbol, which consists of many curlicues. The symbol represents is the highest name of God and is the most venerable Hindu symbol of spiritual knowledge. Many traditions use the symbol for meditation, and its corresponding syllables as a powerful mantra.

The Yin-Yang is a dynamic symbol representing the flow and interaction of the two polar energies of male and female whose totality encompasses creation.

An Enso is Japanese 'circle', and is painted in a single brushstroke. It is a Zen symbol of the true nature of existence and enlightenment.

The beauty and antiquity of Chinese Symbols make them attractive for meditative, decorative or talismanic use today. These include Chinese characters such as the "Double Happiness Sign" and the characters that comprise each of the Chinese astrological signs.?

Egyptian

Egyptian tattoos are usually an expression of an affinity with the occult. The most popular tattoos are the eye of Horus, which is a powerful symbol of protection, health and wisdom. Goddesses such as Isis, the Goddess of Wisdom and Bastet, a goddess with the head of a cat are also popular Egyptian tattoo motifs.

Fairies, Pixies and Nymphs

These mythic creatures that have existed in every culture since before the birth of Christ are especially popular choices for tattoos for women. Most designs find their origins in Celtic or British art.

The most popular fantasy figures are dragons, wizards and unicorns.

Images of wizards, with their long cloaks and white beards are associated with pagan and Celtic magic. Modern versions include images from the Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.

The Dragon is a potent Celtic, Greek, Roman, Japanese and Chinese symbol of protection. They represent an affinity with the occult and magical powers as well.

Unicorns represent the uniqueness and fragility of the individual and is a tattoo image very much favored by young girls.

Flames?

Whether they represent the purifying aspect of holy fire or the burning flames of Hell, flames are a huge motif in tattooing. Part of the reason for this may be that flames provide a brilliant background that allows a tattoo to really stand out.

Common motifs include motorcycles in flames, babes in flames, sacred hearts in flames, 

Flora and Fauna

Whether they be large and elaborate, tiny and demure or part of the background of a tattoo, flowers are one of the most common motifs found in tattoo art. The rose with its association with romance and fidelity probably tops the list when it comes to favorite flowers.

Below is a list of common flowers and their symbolic meanings.

• amaryllis - pride, pastoral poetry
  
• anemone - forsaken
  
• aster - symbol of love, daintiness
  
• azalea - take care of yourself for me, temperance, fragile passion, Chinese symbol of womanhood
  
• bells of Ireland - good luck
  
• bluebell - humility
  
• cactus - endurance
  
• camellia (pink) - longing for you
  
• camellia (red) - you’re a flame in my heart
  
• camellia (white) - you’re adorable
  
• carnation (pink) - I’ll never forget you
  
• carnation (red) - my heart aches for you, admiration
  
• carnation (striped) - wish I could be with you
  
• carnation (white) - sweet and lovely, innocence, pure love, woman’s good luck gift
  
• cattail - peace, prosperity
  
• chrysanthemum (white) - truth
  
• chrysanthemum (yellow) - slighted love
  
• crocus - cheerfulness
  
• cyclamen - resignation and good-bye
  
• daffodil - regard, unrequited love, you’re the only one, the sun is always shining when I’m with you
  
• daisy - innocence, loyal love, I’ll never tell, purity
  
• dandelion - faithfulness, happiness
  
• fern - magic, fascination, confidence and shelter
  
• fir - time
  
• forget-me-not - true love, memories
  
• gardenia - you’re lovely, secret love
  
• heather (lavender) - admiration, solitude
  
• heather (white) - protection, wishes will come true
  
• holly - domestic happiness
  
• hyacinth (blue) - constancy
  
• hyacinth (white) - loveliness, I’ll pray for you
  
• iris - fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, wisdom and valor, my compliments
  
• ivy - wedded love, fidelity, friendship, affection
  
• jonquil - love me, affection returned, desire, sympathy, desire for affection returned
• lily (white) - virginity, purity, majesty, it’s heavenly to be with you
  
• lily (yellow) - I’m walking on air, gay
  
• lily (calla) - beauty, remembrance
  
• lily (day) - coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother
  
• lily (tiger) - wealth, pride
  
• lily of the valley - sweetness, tears of the virgin Mary, return to happiness, humility, you’ve made my life complete
  
• magnolia - nobility
  
• mistletoe - kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India
  
• myrtle - love, Hebrew emblem of marriage
  
• narcissus - stay as sweet as you are
  
• orange blossom - innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness
  
• orchid - love, beauty, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children
  
• palm leaves - victory and success
  
• peony - happy life, happy marriage
  
• poppy (general) - eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination
  
• poppy (red) - pleasure
  
• poppy (white) - consolation
  
• poppy (yellow) - wealth, success
  
• primrose - I can’t live without you
  
• rose (bridal) - happy love
  
• rose (dark crimson) - mourning
  
• rose (hibiscus) - delicate beauty
  
• rose (leaf) - you may hope
  
• rose (pink) - perfect happiness, please believe me
  
• rose (red) - love, I love you
  
• rose (tea) - I’ll remember always
  
• rose (thornless) - love at first sight
  
• rose (white) - innocence and purity, I am worthy of you, you’re heavenly, secrecy and silence
  
• rose (white and red mixed) - unity, flower emblem of England
  
• rose (white-dried) - death is preferable to loss of virtue
  
• rose (yellow) - unfaithful,
  
• rosebud - beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love
  
• rosebud (red) - pure and lovely
  
• rosebud (white) - girlhood
  
• roses (bouquet of mature blooms) - gratitude
  
• roses (single full bloom) - I love you, I still love you
  
• snapdragon - gracious lady
  
• spider flower - elope with me
  
• tulip (general) - perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland
  
• tulip (red) - believe me, declaration of love
  
• tulip (variegated) - beautiful eyes
  
• tulip (yellow) - there’s sunshine in your smile
  
• violet (blue) - watchfulness, faithfulness, I’ll always be true
  
• violet (white) - let’s take a chance
  
• zinnia (magenta) - lasting affection
  
• zinnia (mixed) - thinking (or in memory) of an absent friend
  
• zinnia (scarlet) - constancy
  
• zinnia (white) - goodness
  
• zinnia (yellow) - daily remembrance 

Goth

The Goth culture is identified by its fascination with existentialism, depression and anarchy. The tattoos tend to be black, Nordic or Germanic in style and feature a fascination with medieval, Victorian and Edwardian history.

Common Goth symbols include the Christian cross, the Egyptian ankh (a symbol for eternal life), the Egyptian "eye of Horus", the German Iron Cross and the Satanic inverted pentacle. Bats, griffins and images of the "undead" and howling spirits are also identified with Goth culture. 

Griffins

Formerly adornments that guarded the turrets of ancient architecture these mystical winged creatures are also now the spiritual guardians of the human body.

Griffins are most popular with bikers, Goths, Wiccans and pagans.

Hearts and Love Symbols 

The Heart symbol is self-explanatory, having been the universal symbol for love between the sexes for aeons.

Logos

Logos can be words of wisdom, such as the classic Hell’s Angel’s logo "Born for Fun, Loyal to None" or they can actually mean the real corporate thing. In fact, the latest fad amongst corporate types is to have the logo of their company tattooed somewhere. This is true of the computer company Apple that now boasts something called "The Apple Tattoo Cult."

Just about any logo or catch phrase can become a tattoo. In fact perversions of logos are also very hip in tattoos. An example of this is the image of the cocaine spoon with the Coca-Cola beneath and the words "It’s The Real Thing."

Mermaids

Mermaids represent a lot of things to different people. For sailors they represent rescue from death at sea. For women, mermaids represent female sexuality and a reliance on intuition. The tattoo below has a definite South Pacific flair to it.

 

Ocean and River Life

The most popular oceanic tattoos are fish, whales, crabs and dolphins.

Fish are associated with messiahs and saviors. The ithycus fish, which is a Christian symbol, represents the renewal faith and is constructed from two simple curved and crossed lines.

In China, carp represent love and courage. Goldfish represent gold coins. In North American Native Indian lore, salmon love and courage as well because of their ability to swim upstream to spawning grounds. Fish are also associated with the Western zodiac symbol of Pisces.

Crabs are also a common subject of tattoos, simply because they represent the astrological sign of Cancer.

Whale tattoos are often borne to support the ecological causes of the creature. In most cultures, whales are identified with an emergence from depression and "the dark night of the soul" as well aligning oneself with the water element.

Dolphins represent joy and harmony in Western culture. In South Pacific and Native American cultures the animal is thought to carry departed souls to their next incarnation.

Pin up girl tattoos have something to do with the phrase "a sailor has a lady in every port." Explorers in the South Pacific came home with tattoos of their exotic feminine finds on their arms. Some of these tattoo designs were morphed into goddess like creatures who were thought to protect the men while they were at sea.

The pin up tattoo hit it big during World War I and World II, at the same time as magazine pin up girls came into fashion. Image of the Gibson girl and Betty Grable adorned the forearms of fighting men. During the Korean War images of Marilyn Monroe and Rita Hayworth were also popular.

The lighter pin-up girl tattoos were based on popular celebrities. The dark side of this motif was represented by images of goddesses, witches, Viking Queens, Amazons and anthropomorphic creatures.

Portraits Realism

Simply an expression of affection for one’s family, it is a popular custom in the South Americas to have one’s children and wife tattooed some place on the body so that they can be carried with you everywhere. Usually these are photo-realistic portraits done in fine-line and black and grey.

Religious - Symbols of Faith & Spirituality

Crosses, praying hands, flaming sacred hears and doves characterize religious symbols. Also quite common are full reproductions of the Crucifixion and other well- known scenes from the Bible. Devout followers will often have fully landscaped myths tattooed on their backs, chest and arms depicting such scenes as The Last Supper or to- scale reproductions of famous works such as the Sistine Chapel.

Tribal

The tribal tattoo is based on primitive traditions and is usually black and white with strong organic references such as horns and branches. The tribal style can be informed by a number of cultures include Native American, Maori, African, Celtic and Viking styles. 

Wiccan and Pagan Tattoo Motifs

Everything Celtic, angelic, flaming, bony, satanic, druid-like, natural or celestial can comprise a Wiccan or pagan tattoo. Images of Gods or Goddesses or their symbols also comprise the vast array 

Below is a list of common images found in these religions.

The Rose Cross is a very important symbol in the Western Mystery Tradition, originating with the Rosicrucians. It is a holistic symbol incorporating elements of the Kabbalah, alchemy, astrology and esoteric Christianity, among others.

The Eye of Horus is a powerful symbol of protection, health and wisdom from ancient Egypt. It has its origins in the legendary battle between the gods Horus and Set, over Set’s murder of Horus’ father, the god Osiris.

The symbol of an ’eight on its side’ is sometimes known as the lemniscate and is a symbol for infinity, eternity, the numinous and the higher spiritual powers.

The Triquetra is a beautiful symbol of trinities, often encountered in Gothic and Celtic art. It is usually found in Pagan or Christian contexts, but it can be used to represent many three-fold systems.

The Spiral is a common natural form and an ancient mystical symbol. It represents the forces and patterns underlying creation, as well as evolution and self-transformation