angel tattoos

Flower Tattoos

Flower Tattoos

Flower tattoos are often highly valued among women looking for their first piece of body art. It’s form and shape reminds us of the gentle platitudes of the female form and for the most part flower tattoos are of a feminine nature. But, the symbolism of the flower tattoo design depends entirely on the color and the genus of flowers indicated. Each indigenous flower has it’s own unique symbolic characteristics. Next to the ubiquitous rose, the iris is the most highly symbolized flower. With Christianity, the triple petals of the Iris came to symbolize the Holy Trinity. The colors of the Iris -blue and white- became associated with the Virgin Mary. The Archangel Gabriel is depicted holding the flower in his hand when he appeared to her, establishing it as a symbol of purity. In Medieval England, noblewomen often took the Iris as a symbol of virtue and had its image incorporated into their personal seal. The Violet, Hyacinth, and Narcissus are all flowers with names derived from Greek mythology. The Violet, for instance, took its name from the little nymph Io, much loved by Zeus. To avoid his wife’s jealousy, Zeus changed Io into a heifer and put her in a field of sweet purple violets!

Flower Tattoos

This is a perfect example of a flower tattoo that is rich in symbolism. Depicted in the photo is a cherry blossom being suckled by a butterfly. Both the flower and the butterfly are quite symbolic on their own merit but when combined a whole new dimension is added. The cherry blossom is a symbol of female beauty and sexuality. It’s also a symbol of the fragility of life. Everything that was ever born will die and that is reflected in the frail, but beautiful pale petals of the cherry blossom. It was a symbol that is favored among the Samurai nobles of ancient japan. It reminded them that everyday death is beckoning to them and that one day they will have to face their mortality. The butterfly is also a symbol of the feminine gender but it’s also a symbol of the impermanent and fleeting. When combined the two symbols in one flower tattoo represent the fleeting nature of physical beauty and sexuality. This flower tattoo expresses the divine beauty of youth which will eventually come to an end. It is reminiscent of the spring which burst forth ripe with color and then slowly fades as the seasons transition to summer, then fall and eventually winter.

Flower tattoos

Lion Tattoos

Lion Tattoos

The lion tattoo is often a beautiful and contradictory symbol in tattooing today. These creatures embody pride, strength, nobility and loyalty. Yet, at the same time they can be symbols of savagery, fear and are sometimes depicted as being vain. The Lion was often used as a symbol of Royalty, as in many cultures it was considered the "King of the Beasts". In early Christianity, as Jesus was seen to be the "King of Kings", he was often represented by a Lion, and a Lion was the symbol of St. Mark. The Lion is mentioned many times in the Bible and the time when a Lion lays with a Lamb is seen as the dawning of a New Age. In African cultures the Lion was a powerful symbol in many Creation Myths, as both Creator and Destructor, and in some cultures the Lion figured prominently in rites of passages to becoming a man and full-fledged warrior. To kill a lion single-handedly was the height of prowess for a hunter. But in many African fables the Lion is often depicted as a vain, arrogant creature who is often out-witted by smaller more clever creatures. So, as you can clearly see the lion tattoo has many different meanings to different people.

Lion Tattoos

Very few things in history have stood for as much as the lion when it comes to tattoos, or any other sort of thing. At one time or another the lion has been worshipped and revered by many of the peoples throughout this world. Firstly is the obvious. When you see lion tattoos you think of speed, agility, the king of the beasts and all of that good stuff. Including of course the lion as the astrological symbol of Leo and as such represents the sun.
The lion tattoos also stand for power and courage and everybody likes to be thought of as these things so that could be one reason why lion tattoos are so popular. This particular picture of a lion tattoo is a nice one. It’s a lion who seems to be sitting in contentment as it looks out over it’s domain, knowing it has nothing out there to fear. But just like it sits there content we can see in its eyes that this cat is not to messed with in any way, shape or form. The best advice would be to walk around and give it a wide birth. Maybe that’s what people with lion tattoos are saying to others. Leave me alone and you’ll be better off.

Leg Tattoos

Armband Tattoos

Armband Tattoos

Armband tattoos are some of the most popular type of tattoo designs to this day. If you think about it the reasons are pretty clear. The armband tattoo can make a very sharp statement and it’s also one that can be proudly shown when the person wants to, but it can also be hidden the sleeves of your shirt if you need to. Armband tattoo designs can be as complicated as the person wants them to be. Finally, armband tattoos can look good on members of either sex, men or women. Another great thing about an armband tattoo is that armband tattoo designs run the gambit among many different styles. A whole lot of different and varied designs can be used with as much or as little detail as the bearer wants. That’s why Celtic armband tattoos have become the rage, because of the complexity of the design. I particularly like the chain link effect of Celtic tattoo designs. The armband tattoo in the picture is a perfect example. It combines the tradition Celtic knot work into a design that is both striking and very original. And I like the way the ends curl up to make "devils horns". I think it’s a classic example of what can be done with an armband tattoo.

Armband Tattoos

There are many different types of traditional armband tattoos. There are tribal and Celtic armband tattoos and of course popular Polynesian designs, which is where the armband tattoo originated from. Armband tattoos have been used for centuries in the Polynesian islands, and because of the exploration that went on in the seventeenth century, the idea was brought to Europe around that time. Today’s Hawaiian band tattoos are a remnant of that ancient tradition. Of course, the Polynesian islanders used a different tattooing technique, a very painful one in fact, where a shark’s tooth was sometimes used to pierce the skin. Their tribal armband tattoos would still be much admired however. In fact, modern armband tattoo designs incorporate many elements of these traditional Polynesian designs. Among the Hawaiians and the other Polynesian islanders, an armband tattoo showed rank or status. Interestingly, they had much the same function as armbands sewn onto military uniforms. So, that’s a possible symbolism you can include into your armband tattoo design. But, regardless of what meaning you attribute to them, armband tattoos will probably remain one of the most popular types of tattoo, because of their high visual impact and the great range of images that can be adapted to this type of tattoo.

feminin tattoos on lower back

feminin tattoos on lower back

Winner Of The Deer Tattoo Photo Contest !!!

Since May, Field & Stream magazine had been gathering reader shots of bucks and does forever inked on skin for their deer tattoo photo contest. After much debate, they picked this one for the winner. John G. Fedish, the winner of the contest won a Leatherman Surge muti-tool for sending this shot of some impressive ink. He said it was the best buck he has ever taken and he just wanted it tattooed on his arm. He said he just described the last few moment he saw the deer before he harvested it and the artist captured it beautifully.

Traditional Japanese tattoo show

Japanese tattoos are known for their full body styling, bold lines, historic patterns and traditional images. The techniques for tattooing that developed in Japan used hand tools, and it wasn’t until the mid 20th century that machines first came to Japanese tattooing.
Incredibly popular are the Tattoo Contests, which will be held in various categories such as black and grey, best small piece, best large piece etc., where visitors take part in an exciting competition in which art and fun are the real winners.

On September 21st to September 23rd of 2007, Starlight Tattoo will be accompanied by world famous tattoo artists at the Meadowlands Exposition Center! THIS IS THE ULTIMATE TATTOO EVENT OF THE YEAR! Covered by every trade magazine world wide! News & Radio coverage. Celebrity appearances! Vendors from clothes to tattoo supplies, piercing supplies, accessories, and merchandise. Doctors for laser tattoo removal, Seminars in Art-History and Law of Tattooing. Contests all weekend long! HENNA ARTISTS, T-Shirt designers, SOMETHING FOR EVERY BODY.

The Times reported that “The traditional show on the Tattoo” was very much in evidence as middle-aged rockers of both sexes mingled with a new, younger breed of heavy metal fans, but amid the throng of Motorhead and Anthrax T-shirts were dozens of stylishly dressed young women, many of them sporting large, but beautifully crafted, Oriental tattoos. The trend for bold statements rather than cute little hearts and butterflies appears to be growing as one in eight Britons are now estimated to carry this particular form of adornment.

Hori Toshi is one of the greatest hand tattooing masters of all times. So do not miss this rare opportunity to see this master working in traditional Japanese style on the East Coast! Japanese tattoo is called “irezumi” or “horimono” in Japanese. In Japan, tattoo is usually considered to be a symbol of a yakuza and tends to be perceived negatively by people. For example, many public bath facilities in Japan inhibit customers who have tattoos from entering. Traditional Japanese tattoo covers arms, shoulders, and the back. In recent years, it’s becoming popular for Japanese young people to get contemporary tattoos.

Meanings of tattoo

Meanings of tattoo

Author: Russian Criminal Tattoo | Posted at: 2:28 AM |

There are not all the tattoos, the meanings of the rest I will describe in the following message with photos.Many of the meanings i do not know,they can explain only host of tattoo.


Epaulette - mark of distinction for some merit.

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Stars have 2 meanings;
1-Vor v zakone.Еlite of russian criminal world.
2-Otritsala.Who not working for administration of prison and does not comply with their laws.

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Virgin Mary wearer has been a thief/criminal from their early days or protection from some misfortune.
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Beetle symbolize a pickpocket. The acronym ZhUK (literally “beetle”) stands for Zhelayu Udachnykh Krazh (“May your theft be a success”). Tattooed on hands, as well as other parts of the body.

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Churches - The number of dome towers (cupolas) indicates either number of prison terms or number of years of the sentence.

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Runes - One who does not confess, also tattooed as sign of rebellion to authority, again not usually associated with the Nazi symbol.
SS - Sovranil Sovest' - Preserved the conscience.

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Tiger - Aggression towards police officers.

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Sailing Ship - Thirst for freedom.This means that the wearer is willing come along with an escape plan. Anyone planning an escape will know that the wearer will be keen to be a part of it.

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Spider within a Web - Can indicate a drug addiction. It can also mean that the wearer is a thief. If the spider is shown moving upwards it means the wearer is still an active criminal, if the spider is moving downwards it means that the wearer is intending to leave the thief’s way of life.

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Setting sun - this tattoo is usually accompanied by birds flying over the horizon. It represents freedom.

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Cat symbolizes luck and caution, and the acronym KOT-Korennoy Obitatel Turmi(literally “cat”) stands for Native Prison Inhabitant. The cat is also the symbol of a pickpocket. At one time, a bow tie was forcibly added to the picture of the cat’s head on pickpockets who had broken the thieves’ code and sided with the cops or prison authorities. Now, however, cats with bow ties have become common, and there is no stigma attached to the bow tie.

Cat with keys - Thief home.

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Crucifix - Criminal avtoritet.

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Eyes on the upper/middle torso they literally mean that the wearer is keeping their eyes open.

Eyes on lower backside that is to show that the prisoner is used for sexual gratification.

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Stalin and Lenin - considered sacred, so inmates would tattoo the faces over their hearts and vital organs so guards would not hit or shoot them in that spot of the body. Nowadays these tattoos are rarely used.

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Stars on knees it means you bow to no authority.

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Bells - Literally signifies that the wearer will serve his full given sentence, from “bell call to bell call”.

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Swastika/nazi symbols - are a sign of rebellion against Russian prison authority. Doesn’t literally mean that the wearer is a nazi sympathiser.
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SER - Svoboda Eto Ray - Freedom Is Paradise.
SER in english is Sir.
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BARDAK - Knife,woman,drugs,alcohol etc. This is what is killing us.
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Bat - Night thief.
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Bull - means cruelty and rage.Prisioners with this tattoo are bulls and fighters (who make the physical execution on the orders of the vor v zakone).
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MIR - in russian is peace or world but here MIR mean Menia Ispravit Rasstrel - Execution will reform me.
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BARS - Bey Aktiv Rezh Suk - Beat Active Cut Bitchs.
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Committed a crime in places of deprivation of liberty.
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Rose - ruined youth.
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A monk writing in a book with a quill pen is a “scribe,” a criminal who is dexterous with a razor, knife, or a sharpened coin. Often, a pickpocket who is extremely skillful at surreptitiously slitting open pockets, handbags, etc.
In russian argot quill is knife,write is cut.
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The knife in the neck means that the owner of tattoo someone cutted.
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Joker - player of gambling games.
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WOLF - VOLK - Voru Otdishka Legavomu Krishka.I had many problems with the translation.VOLK is Thief's Break Heat's Done for or something like that.
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