Celtic Symbols

Celtic tattoos have survived the millenniums as a symbol of pride and tradition. Since the first Romans saw that tattoos adorned on the body of dead Celtic warriors, there has been a fascination about the tattoos and how the body art both inspired the warriors into battle and how they made the connection between tribe and clan. Today Celtic tattoos have regained their popularity and have hit the tattoo world like a hurricane. People are clamoring to have the Celtic tattoo to be apart of their body are collection and seemingly want to know the connection to the honor and loyalty of a civilization past.

When picking out a Celtic tattoo there are many designs in which to choose from. You have to consider the area of body you want to place the tattoo in order to make it more appealing to the eye of the beholder. The length and width of the tattoo should show some symmetry to the body area where you wish to apply the art. For example a woman with skinny ankles would not want the person looking at her to be attracted to her flaw. Instead she might decide to put the tattoo around her calve in order to draw attention to a body part more pleasant. Other reasons to choose the tattoo to fit your body part are the intricacy of the design. A very intricate design takes a steady hand for the tattoo artist and a proper canvas, your body, to get the job done right.

A popular tattoo that is drawn from European beginnings is the Celtic cross tattoo. Appearing around the 8th to 11th centuries, the Celtic tattoo represented a cross. The cross is decorated with an intricate knot pattern that flows within the cross with no evidence of a beginning and end. The Celtic cross is presumed to have Christian religion backgrounds, but it is presumed by some acadamians that the Celtic tattoo had more pagan backgrounds. Pagan means that it is not Christian and should not be confused with Satanism or other dark arts. Whether Christian or pagan, the Celtic tattoo that is shaped like a cross is one of the most popular Celtic tattoos today.

There are other Celtic tattoos that have different shapes and meanings to their form and most can be found at a tattoo artist that specializes in Celtic tattoo art. The artwork and intricacy of the knot pattern can make this an expensive tattoo and you would want to make sure that the artist was credible when negotiating a price. Selecting and wearing a Celtic tattoo is a life choice and you must be able to make sure the design you choose will last and that you will be happy with your choice in years to come. Whether it is for religious or historical reasons or you want to show the pride of your heritage, a Celtic tattoo is a symbol of honor. Don’t just rush to your local tattoo shop and pick out a Celtic tattoo that looks good. Research the history and when that ink meets the skin you know you will be following the tradition of a true warrior nation.

Celtic tattoo designs are among the top favorite tattoo design choices among people who want to get inked.  Celtic tattoos, with its beautiful knots and symbolisms, are very intricate and interesting pieces that are sure to capture any person’s attention.  It not only is pleasing to the eyes, but it actually packs a lot of history, culture and heritage into the design.

The history of the Celts goes back thousands of years ago.  At some point, the whole of Europe was actually Celtic, and England was governed completely by the Celts.  They had their own language, culture, and religion.  The symbols that they used during those ages served as the basis for today’s modern Celtic tattoos.

Originally, the Celtic people worshipped several gods and goddesses but as time passed, they were eventually exposed to Christianity.  This change is evident in the symbols and shapes that they use, which incorporated many Christian elements such as crosses and stars.  Most of the Celtic tattoo designs used today were also based on symbols form illuminated manuscripts and ancient art from England, Scotland and Ireland.

The Celtic warriors covered their bodies with tattoos as a sign of their courage and strength.  During wars, they went to battles bare-chested so their tattoos can easily be seen by their enemies.  It was thought that their tattoos could instill fear and intimidation in their rivals and enemies, and they wore it proudly.  During those times, having numerous tattoos was a sign of fearlessness and bravery.

Today, Celtic tattoo designs have evolved, incorporating several traditional Celtic symbols into the tattoo.  Most of these designs were customized to portray the different representations in Celtic art.

A prominent feature that makes Celtic tattoo designs a favorite is its intricate and elaborate knot work.  These knots look like interwoven ropes or vines and are usually designed to form a certain shape or pattern for the tattoo.  The possibilities are virtually endless, as these knots can be made to form any shape from the simplest crosses and circles, to the more complicated stars and other combinations.  And what’s especially interesting about this knot is that it forms a complete cycle, and there’s basically neither beginning nor end to a Celtic knot.  It just goes on an on to form your desired tattoo design.

If you’re one of those individuals fascinated with Celtic tattoo designs or if you have a Celtic heritage and you want to express your pride in being a Celt, getting this tattoo is definitely for you.  However, you must keep in mind that because of its intricacies, not many tattoo artists can give you the precise line placement and details needed to ink an impressive Celtic tattoo.  It is usually one of the tougher tattoo designs and if you want to get inked, it helps to choose the right tattoo artist who has a lot of experience in inking Celtic designs.

Celtic tattoo designs are beautiful tattoos for those who have an eye for detail and intricate art work, and for those who appreciate the rich history and culture that comes along with it.

Ireland is the home of the Celtic people. This warrior nation excelled in combat against such nations as Rome and Gaul. Sometimes the lost and sometimes they won, but they left a legacy that has transcended to modern times. These warriors were proud of their clan and practiced Celtic tattooing or body art as a form of expression that showed their loyalty and promoted the clan in which they belonged. Recently Celtic tattoos are becoming popular as a way to signify a purpose or statement. Even more common is that a person picks out their Celtic tattoo for aesthetic purposes only.

The Celtic tattoo patterns are found in the ‘The Book of Kells’ which is a pictorial display of Celtic tradition and heritage. Used by tattoo artist around the world the Celtic tattoo is the most recognizable among the tribal tattoo genre. Taken from the metalwork that resembled the tattoo and the tattoo themselves, the artwork and intricacy of each tattoo shows labor and faith put into its creation. The talent of the original artist should be sought in the tattoo artist that you choose. The process is labor intensive because of the intricate pattern and could be expensive, but you will come out with a tattoo that any person of Celtic descent would recognize with honor.

Known as the hardest designs in the world by tattoo artists, the Celtic tattoo session can take up to several hours were a simple tattoo can be accomplished in one or two. The extra effort and skill it takes to get a Celtic tattoo also requires the monetary application that fits that skill. Celtic tattoos can run from two hundred dollars all the way up to five thousand dollars. Some traditionalists will t ravel to Ireland, Scotland, or Wales to have the tattoo applied by one of the descendents of the Celtic clans. If you travel to some of these destinations to have your tattoo drawn, be prepared to be turned down by some artists because you are not of Celtic ancestry.

The popular areas of the body where a Celtic tattoo can be drawn are usually around the bicep or calve muscles. These tattoos not only draw notice to these areas but on most people it gives a sense of beauty. Weight lifters and other athletic people that have large muscles in this area of the body choose to put their Celtic tattoos there to give that area more notice. There are some cases, with especially women, the Celtic tattoo is extended and drawn around their waist curving toward sensual places of their body. This alluring tattoo will carry the same Celtic design but will alter to place emphasis on the curve of the body and the amount of exotic design the customer wants. The extreme body art enthusiast has been known to have a Celtic tattoo around their neck or across their forehead. These areas of the body are for experienced tattoo wearers who consider their entire canvas for the art.