Phoenix Tattoo Pictures: Meanings And Cultural History

The phoenix tattoo is a sign of rebirth. It is the sign of longevity and long-lived prosperity and strength. This symbolism comes from the mythological origins of the phoenix. This mythological bird has been a prominent figure in folklore across many cultures, including Greek, Egyptian and Chinese cultures. It has even been associated with Catholicism, as a symbol of the rebirth of Christ.

The basic myth is that the phoenix lives for up to 1,000 years, then builds its own nest of twigs and ignites in flames. Once the entire nest and firebird burn away, an egg appears and the phoenix is born again. There are many variations on this basic myth, depending on the cultural reference you study.

In the modern world, the phoenix tattoo is among the most sentimental available. It is almost exclusively used to symbolize some type of rebirth or turning point in life. Almost every person who gets some creative form of a phoenix tattoo has a personal story behind the design.

Phoenix Tattoo Pictures:

The tattoo represents something deep that has happened in their life. In this way, no two phoenix tattoos are the same. The actual design of the bird and the colors chosen may be very similar in some cases, but the meaning that the tattoos hold for the person wearing them is almost always different.

In some cases the tattoos will represent a personal transformation while in other cases they may symbolize the belief that someone who has passed away still remains on earth in some form.

Phoenix tattoos can portray colorful birds with lots of beautiful feathers, but they can also be very minimalistic. They can appear as a tribal design in some instances, since they are etched in black and white in a pattern similar to many tribal tattoos. The basic symbolism stands behind them for most people, but great creativity can be used in the design process.

Picture of flaming phoenix in a striking position located on the back of the calf.

Picture of a high quality three dimensional bird with wings spread and extended tale. Design located on the back of a man.
Large masterpiece located on the right hip, ribcage and torso of a woman.

Here we have yet another picture of a excellent flaming phoenix tattoo. Breathing fire and located on the shoulder and upper arm area.

Egyptian Tattoo Pictures: Design Ideas And Popular Symbols

There are so many different Egyptian tattoos in existence today that it would be rather difficult to create a collection of them all. What brings all of these tattoos together is the incorporation of basic themes, people and ideas that represent ancient and modern Egyptian culture. Some of the more common design features incorporated in Egyptian tattoos include:

• Ankh (cross symbolizing Ancient Egypt)
• Egyptian Goddesses (each with their own symbolic and mythological meanings)
• Scarab beetle
• Tombs
• Mummies
• Hieroglyphics
• Mau (cats)
• Eye of Horus
  

There are some very unique designs that can be incorporated into Egyptian tattoos as well. For example, the idea of creatures that are half human and half animal are very popular in the tattoo culture. These tattoo designs have their roots embedded in ancient Egypt.

What is unique about Egyptian tattoo artwork is the culture that they are inspired by. Ancient Egyptians mostly tattooed women. Some of the first tattoos known to man are now being discovered on the bodies of mummies found in Egyptian tombs. These tattoos were often created with dots or slashes in order to create very basic pictures or hieroglyphic words.

Egyptian Tattoo Pictures:
Commonly used for fertility purposes, these tattoos were found more often on women than men.

Today, Egyptian tattoos are common with men as well as women. They are often used for the meaning of hieroglyphic designs, but many get them simply because they like the look of these ancient designs.

Some are simply black and gray while others can be very colorful with elements of gold. Most of the designs are very pleasant and peaceful in appearance, however, there are others that are specifically tailored to be disturbing in nature. Some are even quite romantic, such as those designed after the Egyptian Goddess of Love.

Egyptian tattoos can have a wide variety of meanings. Some may be sentimental, other are based on ancient traditions and beliefs, but most are used for their symbolic meanings or simply for their attractive appearances.

Picture of a wonderfully designed tattoo that combines the Eye of Horus with an Ankh. Plus a tribal inspired pair of wings.
Picture of a Egyptian warrior bird armed for battle and located on the right shoulder and tricep area of a man.
Picture of extensive artwork on the back of a man. A compilation of numerous designs including a large Pharaoh centerpiece.
Picture of an excellent tattoo on the lower back of a woman. A classic Egyptian symbol of a women with extended wings and head wear.
This cute masterpiece is a bit of novelty featuring a mummy-cat with skull, ankh and other elements of the culture.

Star Tattoo Pictures: Ideas And Meanings For Girls And Guys

Star tattoos can be designed to represent something personal or they can be chosen simply for their appearance. Stars are often incorporated into larger tattoos with a lot of fine details, though they are just as often presented independently. There are many different types of stars that can be chosen from and some artists will design their own stars with different colors, designs and shapes.

Two of the most popular star tattoos are the shooting star and the nautical star. Both of these images have a rich history in the tattoo world and can stand for different things. They are also very diverse in the way they are presented in tattoo form.

Shooting stars by nature shoot through the sky with brilliant beauty but then quickly fizzle out to nothing. Tattoos with this design are often used to symbolize periods of life that were short lived, but which will always be remembered. It is common to find names etched into the centers of these stars or somewhere in the stream of the rising star.

Nautical stars are tied to servicemen and women of the U.S. Navy and Marines Corps. Yet, they are used heavily by people who associate strongly with the sea today. These star tattoos have a very clear design with a particular pattern of shading or coloring.

Star Tattoo Pictures:

Both of these types of star tattoos can be shown as individual stars or as groups of stars. They can also be incorporated into other tattoo designs. For instance, nautical stars will often appear in tattoos reflecting ships, water, skeletons, roses and cherries, among other designs.

Star tattoos are extremely popular in Hollywood. You could compile a long list of celebrities that feature some type of star on their bodies, including Drew Barrymore and Gisele Bündchen. This is probably because celebrities think of themselves as stars, though some select star images for personal reasons just like everyone else in the world.

Picture of a pair of swallow birds perched on small branches while holding cherries with a smattering of small and large stars covering the back.

Picture of a lovely flower and a stream stars located on the hip and torso area of a woman.
Photo of a bright and colorful design featuring several musical notes mixed with numerous stars of various shapes and sizes.
Picture of many solid stars in black ink located on the stomach of a woman. The three larger designs all possess a unique shading and stencil effect.
And finally we see five solid black and bold designs gracing the top portion of a right foot.