Celtic tattoos are an awesome way to display the heritage of the Irish, Scottish or Welsh. It conveys pride in both heritage and ancestry. The meanings of the Celtic images are what inspire most tattoos of that nature today. The Irish Illuminated Manuscripts has books that offer many images that can be used for Celtic Tattoos.

Celtic tattooing is believed to have started back when Celtic Stone and Metalwork began. The Celtic artistry in general dates back thousands of years and includes their festive creations of metal, jewelry and weapons. For this reason, Celtic artwork and crosses that are commonly used for Celtic tattoos can be found all over Ireland today. These images often appear in many other Celtic countries in modern communities all over the world. With that said, it isn’t just the historic Celtic images that are being used for tattoos. Many of the original images have been modified almost entirely to create symbolism for today’s tattoo patrons.  It is fun and acceptable to play with Celtic tattoo images to create one that fits your heritage, spirituality, beliefs and tastes.

People get Celtic tattoos for different reasons. Some are far from their homeland and want to display their heritage. Others respect and admire the Celtic culture while some simply like the look of the image. While the reasons to get a Celtic Tattoo image inked on your body are endless, you should consider why and what the image symbolizes before getting the artwork permanently embedded on your body. Celtic tattoos can be very rewarding if you have researched the meanings, origins and different types of Celtic Tattoos. Simply put, it is important that you know why you want the Celtic tattoo image, not just because you quickly seen the drawing and liked the way it looked. Take your time; this will be with you forever.

While there are many Celtic tattoo images and variations that can have a plethora of meanings, we will cover the symbolic message of the most commonly used images. First, the knot tattoo is made of intertwining and twisting knots. Generally, they have no beginning and no end, which symbolizes the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth. The exception to this rule is the zoomorphic Celtic tattoo which comes to an abrupt end and incorporate animal heads, tails, body or feet at the ends. Some other variations of the Celtic tattoo include spiral designs, maze designs, color and size. Other meanings include those that defy interpretation on a very deep spiritual meaning that encompasses continual growth and progression. The deeper meanings and personal interpretations are one of the reasons that the Celtic tattoo has become so mainstream and popular.

Celtic tattoos can be recognized by their color, complex knots, intertwining patterns, animal forms, and symbols that are well known and indigenous to the Celtic world. While some Celtic designs are purely black, others have splashes of color to spruce up the art or make it appear more realistic. Take a look and find the perfect Celtic tattoo for you.

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The Celtic cross is beautiful in its rich décor and middle aged stone design, though these symbols likely date back to ancient times. Perhaps it’s the décor and lovely image that hypes tattoo enthusiasts’ world wide, or it may be the many interpretations of the meaning. Celtic crosses can have many different meanings including those of Christianity, Paganism, Honoring the four elements of even life after death.

For Christianity, it is believed that when the word of Christ made it to the British, the Celtic cross combined with the Christian cross, which made the Christian high cross. This would be one of the many variations of the symbolic image that is widely used for Celtic cross tattoos. For this reason, the Celtic cross tattoo is sometimes viewed as the most fashionable way to display a deep spirituality, love, and faith in God. While some use the Celtic cross to show their Christianity beliefs, the Pagans have their own set of beliefs in which the Celtic cross tattoo can be used to convey. For Pagans, the Celtic cross represents fertility. For this reason, those with Pagan beliefs would commonly tattoo their wives with a Celtic cross tattoo. The pagan Celtic cross would be another variation of the Celtic cross tattoo.

Another interpretation of the Celtic cross tattoo is of the four elements, earth, fire, air and water. Each point of the Celtic cross is supposed to be symbolic of each element. This belief is common among ancient people and Indian tribes. Some recent fantasy games and movies have exemplified the four elements making for an even more popular Celtic cross tattoo. When the Celtic cross tattoo is used to symbolize the four elements, it has a slightly different look. The design of the Celtic cross tattoo can be interpreted to refer to the permanence of life. The circle seen in the Celtic cross tattoo symbolizes the circle of life, which never stops signifying spiritual existence after death. The look of this Celtic cross tattoo gives yet one more design to this type of ink.

As you can see there are several different designs when it comes to Celtic cross tattoos. Some have intricate knots and designs that signify no beginning or end. The knots, regardless of the belief or interpretation of the tattoo, are both complicated and breathe taking. Some other designs for the Celtic cross tattoo may include a wheel and circle which is more modern, triquetras which stand for the father, the son and the holy ghost, and those which are a combination of several of the above. As you can see there are many different styles of Celtic cross tattoos so your choice should be carefully calibrated. Making sure that you are symbolizing your personal belief, rather than a decision based strictly on the image of the tattoo, will enable you to enjoy your Celtic cross tattoo for years to come.

Since any of the Celtic cross tattoo designs are quite intricate with deep meaning, it is important to research the meaning of the tattoo, look at many images to see which one you like and then combine the image with your beliefs. Additionally, you will want to select a tattoo artist that is knowledgeable and talented in both the history of the Celtic tattoo and an experienced artistic ability. As with any tattoo, it is permanent and serious thought and consideration should be given. With the right choice, your Celtic cross tattoo will be much more than ink; it will be a symbol of who you truly are.

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