History of oriental tattoos

Unlike the Chinese, the Japanese now get quite a lot of tattoos, but this was not always the case. In fact, for a short period of time at the end of World War II, receiving or giving tattoos in Japan was actually illegal. The end of the war marked the beginning of freedom in tattooing.

The alphabetic characters that appear in many Japanese tattoos are called Kanji. These symbols, by themselves or in combination with others, can show the full range of human emotions, thoughts, parables and poems.

In addition to calligraphy-like Kanji symbols, there are many different animal, spiritual and nature-based images and symbols that are put on the body in the form of Japanese tattoos.

More traditional Japanese tattoo styles depict dragons, koi, and other symbols of Japanese culture and way of life. These types of Japanese tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among women who have problems with this, sometimes with intricate tattoos placed on the thighs, back, ankles or arms.

I WANT TO GET A TATTOO

Difference between Chinese and Japanese tattoos

Mention in the history of Chinese tattooing dates back to around 5000 BC, and it is likely that the Japanese were inking tattoos on each other even before that, dating back to early Japanese artifacts dating back further than the days that include clay figurines with face tattoos.

In the early days of Japanese warrior clans, large and complex tattoos symbolized the warrior's ability to withstand pain. Larger and more complex Chinese tattoos were reserved for the bravest warriors.

As warriors began to fall out of fashion, Japanese culture moved towards the art of Japanese tattoos. Tattoos now symbolize appreciation for the finer things in life, often associated with wealth and power.

Today, like many Japanese, as well as people from all over the world, they love to look at the beauty of Japanese tattoos and the skill of the artists who create them.

Why Japanese Tattoos

People also choose to adorn themselves with Japanese tattoos because they are in love with the classic simplicity of Japanese Kanji characters, which can say so much in such a small space.

Japanese tattoo trends

You don't have to eat raw fish to enjoy Japanese tattoo. All you have to do is love the simplicity of Kanji, or appreciate the spiritual and natural elements that underlie many Japanese tattoos.

Blue bird of happiness

Tattoos have been known to mankind since ancient times. Initially, drawings on the body had a sacred meaning, each sign and image carried a certain message and played a protective role. In modern society, tattoos are done rather for beauty. For young people, this is a unique way to express themselves, say something personal to the world, emphasize individuality and simply decorate the body. Attitudes towards tattoos may vary, but looking at the ornate body designs, it is impossible to remain indifferent. Fans of art are always in the public eye, so they increasingly have to turn to the origins, the sacred meaning of the drawings. This is dictated by the desire to protect oneself from evil, an unkind eye, and envy through one or another drawing. Therefore, it is important to know what tattoo amulets exist, what their strength and secret meaning are.

Protective tattoos with secret meanings

In the ancient world, the most devoted fans of tattoos were the Egyptians. They decorated the body with small pictures, each of which had a specific meaning, protecting the body and soul from dark forces, the evil eye. This amulet tattoo was applied to children, adults, women and men, regardless of class.

Celtic male pattern

Each nation had special traditions, rules for applying body amulets, each image contained a magical meaning, powerful energy that influenced a person’s character. In addition, male and female drawings have completely different meaning, strength and direction of magical action. Before deciding to take such an important step in life, it is important to know what amulets there are and their meaning.

Owl is a symbol of wisdom and enlightenment

Slavic tattoo amulets

Our ancestors are wise people, Slavic history, traditions, culture are a valuable heritage for our contemporaries. Today Slavic tattoos are very popular, and this is no coincidence. Each image is a magical message, a powerful energy force emanating from the picture, so you need to choose it wisely. Runes, solar signs, geometric patterns, trixels, images of pagan gods - all this symbolized unity, secret knowledge, and the protection of the forces of the higher worlds. The right to choose and apply body marks was given exclusively to servants of the cult of ancestors - magi and priests.

Small trixel on the wrist

The gods of the Slavs were masculine and feminine, respectively, the runes also carried feminine or masculine energy. Therefore, Slavic tattoos are divided into women's and men's.

We invite you to take a closer look at their meaning:

• Ladinets. One of the most powerful Slavic tattoo amulets for women is Ladinets. It is a symbol of happiness, love, a protector from family adversity. The goddess Lada patronized female beauty and love; in the family, the woman called her husband “lado,” and he responded “ladushka.” Ladinets is depicted as a sun with its rays refracted to the right. Our ancestors believed that this direction was emotionally feminine.
• Lada Star. The symbol is directly related to the same goddess. Slavic amulets in the form of a star were applied to girls to ensure longevity and a happy female life. The symbolic star protects women in labor, preserves women’s health, and gives calm and prudence.

Women's amulet

• Bereginya is another Slavic amulet with powerful feminine energy. Depicted as a woman with birds in her hands. Slavic tattoos with the image of Beregini promise a happy fate, are a symbol of prosperity, fertility, and veneration of ancestors.
• Kolyadnik. A truly masculine tattoo amulet that was applied to boys at a young age. It was believed that the sign endows the young man with the strength and courage of a warrior, brings good luck, and bestows wisdom.
• Svarog Square. A primordially male Slavic symbol, it helps everyone who is engaged in physical work. Russian men have always been famous for their physical strength, endurance, and ability to work. The square of Svarog gave strength and also endowed the worker’s mind with ingenuity.

The Svarog square on the shield is a powerful symbol of protection

In addition to symbolic images of pagan gods, it was customary for the ancient Slavs to apply runic signs, images of animals and plants to their bodies. All drawings played the role of amulets, talismans for good luck, protectors from diseases, the evil eye and dark forces. After the Baptism of Rus', the art of tattooing began to be eradicated, considering it a manifestation of pagan beliefs. Today, Slavic tattoos are again being turned to as a powerful energy source of strength and protection. Ancient amulets and their meaning are magical; if our ancestors believed in their miraculous power, then why don’t we follow the established tradition?

Image of animals - totems as obreg

Oriental tattoos

The East is magic, enchantment, a separate world in which many strive to gain knowledge of the meaning of life. The ancient art of tattooing in Tibet, India, Japan, and China includes sacred signs, hieroglyphs, images of flowers, animals, and mythical heroes.

The dragon symbolizes strength and generosity, courage and endurance, nobility and wisdom.

Tibet is called the “Roof of the World”, this is no coincidence, because it is there that a person can learn ancient practices, philosophy, secret teachings, and unlock the potential of soul and body. Tattoos are one of the ways to protect yourself, achieve harmony with your inner self, and direct your energy in the right direction.

When choosing oriental signs, drawings, patterns to apply to the body, it is worth knowing about the meaning of each:

• Ohm. The most powerful Tibetan sign, the personification of sound, symbolizing the beginning of the creation of the world. It is believed that it protects from any misfortunes and troubles in life, helps to understand the situation, and find the right way out. This symbol should only be applied to the upper part of the body.
• Mandala. The luxury of ornate patterns, the intricate interweaving of lines that folds into a circle is a symbol of the Universe. The drawing will help maintain spiritual integrity, protect you from vanity, and turn to the main thing. By the way, according to the principle of the most ancient symbol in the East, the construction of altars, temples and even entire cities took place.

Mandalas “decorate” the chakras on the human body

• Lotus is a flower symbolizing wisdom and inner harmony. Such tattoos are applied by women to preserve purity, spirituality, to receive wisdom and tranquility as a gift from the Universe.
• Sakura is a symbol of blooming Japan, the personification of youth and beauty. Tattoos in the form of a delicate blooming spring tree are a favorite among young girls who are in search of love.

Sakura in bloom

The East is a delicate matter, this is manifested in the art of tattoos. If Slavic tattoos protect against evil forces, then the main meaning of the tattoo of the East is philosophy, knowledge of the individual, the search for truths within oneself.

Flower mandala

Native American tattoos

Indians are a developed and civilized people of North America. They are excellent hunters, builders, healers and brave warriors who defend their lands, and women are the guardians of the family hearth. Amulet tattoos for Indian men are not just a design, but a symbol with a secret meaning. The most popular body designs in Indian tribes:

• Dream Catcher. The most popular Indian symbol today, the protector of thoughts and dreams. Anyone who wants to get a tattoo in the form of a dream catcher should know that the sign should be applied to the body closer to the head, on the shoulders, back of the head or neck.

Protector of Thoughts and Dreams

• Kokopelli. One of the supreme gods of Indian tribes, symbolizes fertility, prosperity, and helps to unleash creative and sexual energy.
• Indian face. Not everyone knows that the Indians themselves could not apply such an image on the body. The privilege was given exclusively to the tribal leader. Today it is believed that the image of an Indian helps to find a soul mate and find family happiness.

In search of family happiness

Every Indian tribe had a totem - an animal protector, patron of the people. Tattoos depicting animals are popular, but not everyone knows their meaning. The wolf symbolizes perseverance and loyalty, the coyote - cunning, the bull - desperate willingness to take risks, and the bear - strength and courage.

Bird - a symbol of freedom

Often, an important life event pushes a person to decide to get a tattoo on his body. Drawings are often made to attract happiness, prosperity, and to protect oneself from evil and envy. Many people simply want to decorate their body with artistic painting. Remember that the choice of tattoo cannot be random; everyone must take into account personal aspirations, character, desires, so that the design protects and brings good luck to its owner.

Indian symbol of masculine energy

Do you want a tattoo? Decorating your body with drawings or inscriptions has been and will remain fashionable. The main thing is to choose the right tattoo, which will not only carry a semantic load, but will also stand out for the beauty of its execution. For a talented master, this is a completely doable task.

Getting a tattoo: how does it happen?

The first important step The way to getting a really cool tattoo is to choose a design based on its meaning. For example, the butterfly is very popular among girls, which embodies the symbol of rebirth, a new beginning and is simply a symbol of freedom and unearthly beauty.

Second step- decide on the style of the tattoo, because the same butterfly can be done in different directions.

Third step- preparation of a sketch and selection of a professional craftsman. It is better to work on the sketch together with the master so that he has an accurate idea of ​​the client’s wishes.

What styles of tattoos are there?

Nowadays, tattooing is primarily decorative in nature, which is why tattoo styles are so often mixed with each other. However, it is customary to highlight the basic, “pure” styles of drawings on the skin.

Ethnic style

The ethnic style of tattoos is the most common because it combines several directions. These are all kinds of images collected from the history of different peoples. So, ethnic tattoos include:

• Celtic style, which is clearly recognizable by its characteristic “braided” pattern - an ornament with expressive knots;
• Indian motifs, among which Mayan and Aztec style tattoos stand out;
• tattoos in the old-school style have returned to popularity; today such designs can be seen on the bodies of representatives of all segments of the population;
• Eastern style is ideal for expressing strength, devotion, feelings or your worldview. Most often, tattoo parlor clients want Chinese, Japanese or Indian oriental symbols on the skin. Hieroglyphs do not lose their relevance - beautiful and original at the same time;
• Polynesian is a tattoo style characterized by images with waves, ribbons, spiral patterns and radiating lines;
• Scythian is rich in various design techniques and animal motifs;
• The tribal style also belongs to ethno-tattoos.

Other tattoo styles popular now:

• fantasy style;
• animalistic;
• vegetable;
• Slavic;
• cybernetic;
• Black & Grey;
• dotwork;
• Blackwork-tattoo.

How to choose “your” tattoo?

There really are a lot of styles, and each of them contains thousands of designs, patterns and ornaments - you can get confused in your desires. Here are a few advice to help you choose:

1. There is no need to copy someone else's tattoo, even a beautiful one - be unique!
2. Study the portfolio of masters - perhaps some of the works will seem close to you in spirit.
3. Don’t think about what tattoos are in fashion, focus on your feelings, because you will have to become familiar with the pattern on your skin for the rest of your life.
4. Remember that a tattoo is more than just ink under the skin. We make them with the desire to display an intimate part of the inner world.

Be sure to choose a professional master who will make any of your fantasies come true.

A rose tattooed in a prominent place is a sign that you are happy in love. Traditionally this rose is red or pink. A black rose means the loss of a loved one, and a rose with an abundance of thorns means unhappy love.

2. Butterfly

The most wonderful transformation in nature occurs with butterflies: from a caterpillar to a beautiful fluttering creature. A butterfly tattoo indicates that a person is ready for serious work on himself and changes that will lead him to his dream.

Popular

3. Sakura

A tattoo in the form of a sakura flower in Japan is interpreted unambiguously: you are free and open to new relationships. Sakura is a symbol of sexuality and emancipation, inner strength and fortitude.

4. Ladybug

Throughout the world, the ladybug symbolizes good luck. This tattoo is suitable for those who hope for the best and... want to get rich: from a symbolic point of view, the ladybug attracts money.

5. Angel Wings

This tattoo is an amulet: it is believed that in this way you attract the attention of a guardian angel, who will now always be with you.

6. Lotus

A sacred flower means that you are under the protection of higher powers and have direct contact with the Universe. An excellent choice for fans of Buddhism and supporters of the theory of reincarnation.

7. Hummingbird

A rare tattoo option that symbolizes perseverance, incredible vitality and the ability to endure any blows of fate.

8. Hearts

Contrary to the seemingly obvious meaning, a heart tattoo means youth, naivety, spiritual purity, innocence and sincerity.

9. Stars

Five-pointed stars mean inner harmony, unity with nature and its elements; in particular, many experts in symbolism make a tattoo of four five-pointed stars as a sign of the four elements: water, fire, air and earth.

10. Sun and moon

The sun is a symbol of a man, the moon is a symbol of a woman. A double tattoo symbolizes unity, complementation, harmony, which its owner strives for.

11. Dandelion

A dandelion with flying “umbrellas” is a symbol of the transience of life; such a tattoo indicates that a person appreciates every moment of his life.

12. Arrows and arrows

Only forward! A tattoo in the form of an arrow or arrow speaks of determination and ambition.

13. Anchor

Constancy, stability, reliability: the anchor symbolizes a confident person who knows exactly what he wants.

14. Giraffe

An exotic option that symbolizes the desire of the owner of such a tattoo to reach all imaginable heights.

15. Snowflake

Just as there are no two identical snowflakes in the world, the owner of such a tattoo emphasizes her individuality and uniqueness.

16. Key

Curiosity and spontaneity are the secret meaning of a key tattoo. All doors will open for such a person!

17. Dragonfly

Grace, fragility and elusiveness: the dragonfly will reveal your subtle nature.

18. Diamond

Perseverance, versatility and high self-esteem: for such girls, a diamond is the ideal choice.

19. Swallow

This bird was of particular significance for sailors: if you see a swallow, it’s not far from land. The symbolism of this tattoo is similar to the original one: the swallow means hope, affection for loved ones and a kind soul.

20. Crown

Born leaders! However, in addition to ambition, the crown symbolizes self-control and a high degree of responsibility.

21. Frog

Frogs live both in water and on land, and in Eastern symbolism they mean high adaptability and good luck.

22. Cherry

A single berry is considered a symbol of purity and purity, while a double berry is considered a symbol of strong attachment to a partner.

23. Compass

In the sea of ​​life's currents, this person will choose the most correct path to the goal. Courage, passion for adventure and self-confidence - this is what a compass tattoo means.

24. Clover

Almost never found in nature, the four-leaf clover is a symbol of faith in miracles, the supernatural and magic.

Thanks to its mystery and originality, oriental culture has long conquered the whole world. The Oriental tattoo style has a large army of fans due to its extensive storyline and rich history. Oriental tattoos are the general name for body images associated with Asian countries from Japan and China to India. A distinctive feature of the Oriental style is the large size of the pattern and the play of colors. Often, oriental motifs cover the entire body, leaving only those areas that are visible empty. Bright and colorful motifs with unexpected color transitions are a characteristic feature of such tattoos, but despite the unexpected color schemes, the tattoo looks harmonious. The main motives of oriental tattoos are:

Flora and fauna;

Marine motifs;

National representatives: geisha, samurai, monks, sumo wrestlers;

1. Buddhist symbolism;

   Plots and episodes with the travels of fictional characters.

Given the size and complexity of the Oriental Tattoo, it is necessary to prepare for a step-by-step sketch over several sessions.

The meaning of oriental tattoos

A spectacular and bright oriental tattoo always carries a certain philosophy for its owner and often even changes his destiny. Therefore, it is worth carefully familiarizing yourself with the meaning of each symbol that you decide to apply to your skin. We will tell you about the most popular heroes of the Oriental tattoo style.

- The Dragon. In the East, the Dragon is a creature personifying wisdom, strength and respect. The appearance combines several images - a snake body, demonic gzala and eagle claws. If a luminous sphere is depicted in the dragon’s paws, then this is a symbol of control over the natural elements. It is rare to find a cunning and dangerous dragon; most often it is portrayed as benevolent and wise.

- Carp Koi tattoo. This symbol means moving forward towards your goal. Men prefer to portray Koi Carp, who thus emphasize their warlike temperament, courage, perseverance and masculinity. The colors for the tattoo are usually bright gold, like scales, with blue symbolizing water.

- Tiger tattoo in oriental style it is a symbol of strength and longevity. Girls with a tiger on their body want to emphasize their cunning and femininity. Often a tiger is tattooed, desperately fighting evil spirits, which also means protecting the owner of the tattoo from evil spirits.