Fish Tattoos

The image of a fish has many meanings, and depends a lot upon on the setting. Ichthus has long been used as a symbol of Christianity; the image of a koi fish is a symbol of courage, masculinity, and — depending on several other factors such as color, and the amount of koi fish shown — a plethora of other things as well. The god Ea was said to be an amalgamation of a fish and goat, and was the god of wisdom, magic and creativity; he later became the symbol of Capricorn. These are only a few examples to show the vast variety of symbolism available for the use in fish tattoos.

It may be tempting to keep within the lines of some of the deeper meaning fish tattoos; however, the large amount of aesthetically stunning fish available may make you decide on something else entirely. Some of the more interesting examples would be Betta and Discus fish. Betta fish (or Siamese fighting fish) are known for being a bit on the aggressive side, and are often kept in their own tanks. These beautiful fish may become a symbol of a person who believes them self to be something of a loner. Betta fish come in many striking colors; a deep, rich green and blue being the most common. Red, turquoise and even a brilliant, pearlescent white can also be seen. They are also known for their long, banner-like fins, which they puff out as a threat or a sign of courtship. Fish tattoos featuring the Discus can easily be translated to a peaceful, yet sensitive person. These fish are large and round, and have remarkable green, brown and sometimes orange patterns all around their bodies and faces.

Fish tattoos often feature the many myths and spiritual beliefs that this creature stars in. The Greek myth of Aphrodite throwing herself into the ocean, where she transformed was into a fish; Vishnu taking the form of a fish and guiding king Manu’s boat to safety are two great examples. One interesting idea follows the Native American belief that the fish is able to delve into the depths of the human psyche. For this idea, you could use a simple anatomical figure of the head and brain, and depict either a small or long bodied fish pressing itself into the deepest reaches of the mind.

Although fish tattoos are commonly used for their significant meaning, there is certainly something to be said for their varied, colorful, and graceful appearance all unto itself.

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Elephant Tattoos

Although not terribly common, elephant tattoos have a certain novel beauty and charm that makes them special. They also have a good deal of symbolism to back them up; wisdom, nobility, and of course, strength are some most obvious characteristic; however, elephants are also seen to be a charm for luck and good fortune.

Elephant tattoos can be either very realistic, or very cartoon-ish. The latter seems to be the preferred style. These generally exaggerate features such as the trunk, ears and tusks. They usually sport long eyelashes and an innocent appearance, and are generally seen in unusual situations; for example, being led on a leash, or laying in the lap of a pin up model, fairy or possibly even the wearer himself. The more realistic versions show the elephant in great detail, often showing every line in its thick skin. They are most frequently shown in their natural habitat; sometimes standing placidly in a field or playfully splashing water, while at other times, they are shown charging, or fighting with each other.

Some of the more aesthetically fascinating styles for elephant tattoos feature Indian designs. In India, and throughout Asia, elephants are held in very high regard; one example of this is the god Ganesh, who is shown frequently in art and architecture. For this style, you could show the portrait-style elephant with elaborately painted face and trunk, beautiful silks over its back, and exquisite jewels over its stout legs. You could also create a more artistic depiction, and show something similar in appearance to rough, fading paint in reds, oranges, yellows and pale blues. This elephant may have a very rounded outline, and feature similar trappings to the portrait elephant. You could also create something akin to a tile work elephant. These can be done in milder tones, with a great amount of detail in the background; however, the image of the elephant will likely remain largely the same.

Some elephant tattoos feature only the outline of this creature. These may show the whole body, or it may show a more aggressive version, with just the head swinging wildly up into the air. For this style, you could also include smaller details into the frame of the elephant; for example, you could show clockwork pieces within the elephant; you could show small flowers, gems or even the skeletal frame along the side of its body.

Although elephant tattoos are one of the lesser used designs, you can be sure that it certainly is not for lack of charm, style or symbolic meaning.

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Eagle Tattoos

Eagle tattoos have been an expression of freedom for ages. The appearance of an eagle has been associated with pride and patriotism, but they also make for striking pieces of art all unto themselves.

The majority of eagle tattoos feature the American bald eagle. These large, strong birds are often depicted with wings spread wide, and a determined expression on their face. They have broad, brown wings; a white head, yellow beak and talons and striking golden eyes. These eagles are generally shown alongside a swaying American flag, or intertwined with the body of the bird. One idea for this particular design is to place the eagle in flight, with the flag as part of its flapping wings.

Although the bald eagle is very popular in eagle tattoos, there are several different varieties of this creature. Many people prefer to use the larger types of eagle for their piece, as they allow for more detail. For example, when its wings are spread, the harpy eagle’s wings sport a bold white and gray pattern; the feathers on their head are also remarkable, as they appear in an almost crown-like shape. The harpy eagle is also known for its fantastic speed and strength, and is capable of carrying off large tree dwelling mammals. It was named after the harpies of Greek mythology, and can be depicted in tattoo art as carrying off the placid spirits of the dead to Hades. You could also show a more serene image of a Wahlberg’s eagle sitting peacefully on a branch with golden brown fall leaves, peacefully watching the landscape before it.

Many of the smaller varieties can also make for fascinating eagle tattoos. The short toed eagle has bushy white and brown feathers, and a needle-like beak; however, it still maintains the intense expression of the bald eagle. The main prey of this bird are snakes. You could easily depict the struggle between the comparatively small — but equally strong — snake, and the eagle.

Artistically speaking, given the beauty and variety of these birds, the diversity that eagle tattoos are capable of is plentiful. Naturally, these creatures create many scenes that can and have been translated into many mediums of art. Eagle tattoos are no exception when it comes to expressing the essence of not only their wild distinctiveness, but the freedom that they symbolize.

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