Animal Tattoos
From LoveToKnow Tattoos
Animal tattoos are popular because animals are popular. This statement may seem overly simplified, but when you consider all that animals symbolize, it is a mouthful. The first things that humans ever drew were animals, so it is a natural progression that today animals are the subject of tattoos across the world.
What Animals Symbolize
In cultures all over the world, animals of all kinds signify many different things. Animals are perceived by many as the holders of secrets that mankind cannot access; the keys to a world of goodness that we can not enter without them. Animals of all kinds are symbolic of:
- Luck
- Fortuitousness
- Agility
- Protection
- Guidance
- Abundance
- Energy
- Wisdom
- Uniqueness
- Kindness
- Love
- Loyalty
- Nobility
It is no surprise that just as in life, tattoos of cats and dogs are the most popular of all the non-fantasy animals. Cats of all kinds from tomcats to panthers and leopards to lions all symbolize similar things — nimbleness, quickness of wit, and the ability to maneuver into or out of any situation and the ability to foresee what lays ahead. Dogs are symbols of loyalty, greatness and heroism, trustworthiness and infallible instinct. Different kinds of canines can say different things as tattoos, for example, a puppy may suggest innocence or playfulness while a pitbull may stand for fierceness, anger, power or strength.
Chinese Zodiac Animals
It is not uncommon for people to have the animal of their birth year from the Chinese Zodiac tattooed onto their bodies. These Chinese tattoos break down as follows:
| Animal | Birth Years | Characteristics |
| Pig | 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007 | quiet, intelligent, lucky, honest |
| Rat | 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996 | Charming, attractive, hard-working, perfectionist |
| Ox | 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997 | Inspiring, patient, eloquent, stubborn |
| Tiger | 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 | Sympathetic, pensive, courageous, indecisive |
| Rabbit | 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999 | Well-spoken, ambitious, tactful, kind |
| Dragon | 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000 | Energetic, eccentric, giving, brave |
| Snake | 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001 | Wise, sympathetic, determined, self-reliant |
| Horse | 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002 | Hot-blooded, intelligent, popular, independent |
| Ram | 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003 | Shy, passionate, gentle, elegant |
| Monkey | 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004 | Clever, inventive, erratic, superior common sense |
| Rooster | 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005 | Pensive, capable, outspoken, brave |
| Dog | 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006 | Loyal, honest, stubborn, natural leader |
How to Choose the Animal for You
You may have a certain inexplicable calling to a specific animal — this animal may simply speak to you and that may be enough to earn it a spot on your living canvas. For others, a more complex sentimentalism or explanation may be necessary. For those people, looking into the Chinese Zodiac may be a great idea. Others may want to look into their heritage and see what kinds of animals are among the mythologies there. Common crest animals are horses, lions, sheep, moose and even fish. Often an animal may be a part of a larger scene, such as with Aztec tattoos that depict whole settings within a myth. Regardless of whether you are looking into Celtic tattoos or larger scenes like whole leg tattoos, always consider animals. The symbolism is rich, deep, ancient and heavy. There are more animal tattoos than any other type of tattoo with the notable exception of Kanji tattoos. The best part of choosing an animal is the uniqueness; with billions of species to choose from, your tattoo can be yours and yours alone.
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Comments
That sounds cool. I want to get one made up for my family on my arm. I'm a snake, so I was thinking about having my arm wraped in a snake, with my families symbols inside of it, a ram, dog, and somehow add a dragon in there too.
-- Contributed by: mikeyes
-- Contributed by: fredrikayes
-- Contributed by: fredrikaThis page has been accessed 19,121 times. This page was last modified 19:17, 25 November 2007.
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