Celtic tattoos and their meaning

Celtic designs impress with beautiful and endless lines imbued with the deep meaning of the ancient tribes.

In the article, we will describe the designation of Celtic tattoos, the most popular in Russia, and we will figure out which images are most suitable for girls and men. A selection of photos and sketches will help you visually appreciate the beauty and magnetism of each image.

Intricate designs have been a part of Celtic culture. Ancient tribes applied them to weapons, clothing, dishes, temple walls. Each ornament had its own meaning, but the meaning of most of them is forever lost.

Irish monks in 800 created the manuscript "Book of Kells", where they captured all the ornaments, redrawing them from stones, household items, jewelry, metal products.

The Celts were skillful but fierce warriors who attacked neighboring peoples in order to expand their lands and increase their prosperity. Despite the cruelty, they were wise and believed in the rebirth of the soul. On the battlefield, the Celts seemed to be reincarnated as animals, frightening the enemy with their fearlessness, cries and strange wearable images.

The culture of the conquered states influenced Celtic tattoo designs and their meanings, especially under the influence of Christianity. Slavic, Byzantine, Indo-Aryan motifs are intertwined in each ornament. In the 20th century, many wearable pictures have several meanings and attract not only symbolism, but also beauty, perfection of lines.

Celtic-style tattoos at first glance consist of several elements: curls, loops, intricate knots, spirals, geometric shapes, resembling wicker basket of different shapes... If you look closely, each pattern is one line, and its end is connected to the beginning. Based on this, almost all drawings mean infinity, a close connection of all living things with the Universe, earth with the sky, a constant cycle of life, because the tribes believed that a person could survive several deaths and come back to earth. Among the Celtic tattoos there are amulets and talismans.

The most ancient images:

• • Celtic braid tattoo. It can be inside the image or frame it, symbolizes the unity of the spiritual and earthly paths.
  • Medallion is a strong protection, depending on the elements it attracts friendship or love. The image is universal, since it can be worn not only on the body, but also in the pocket, using it as a keychain. If you believe in its symbolism, then over the years its power increases.
  • The Celtic talisman is a symbol of wealth, luck and health, often applied to attract financial well-being.
  • The spiral, mostly triple, denotes spiritual growth, with the advent of Christianity it symbolizes the Trinity.
  • Celtic knot tattoos resemble an infinity sign and denote the unity of spirituality and the material world, eternity, perfection and strength. It can be a separate pattern or an additional element in the pattern. He is often credited with magical properties. The triangular knot is a symbol of the Holy Trinity for Christians or the triune goddess for pagans, and can also denote the unity of mind, soul and body.
• The Celtic tree of life tattoo is one of the largest paintings, applied mainly on the upper back, suitable for both girls and men. Perhaps she is not an ancient symbol, as she was only depicted in the book of Irish monks. Having fallen under the influence of Christianity, the sign became a symbol of the knowledge of evil and good. The Celts personified the tree with wisdom, comprehension of truth and the cycle of life. The picture is depicted so that the roots intertwine with the branches, forming a circle of the sun. Many believe that it is of a religious nature, but more often they mean love of life and a continuous path. The warriors believed that the souls who went to heaven would definitely return to earth and so it would be forever. The warlike people performed rituals near the tree and set up crosses. These places were considered sacred, even Christians often built their churches there.
• The Celtic bracelet tattoo features intricate designs, and in the center is a heart with a crown of devotion supported by two hands. The image is considered a knot of love and denotes bright feelings, friendship and fidelity, symbolizes the spiritual closeness of two people. The tattoo will look spectacular on the arm.
• The Celtic cross tattoo means the unity of the 4 elements and is considered the most ancient symbol. Its ends are slightly expanded: the boundaries of consciousness also increase. A circle is depicted around the plexus of lines - a sign of the sun, which was always revered by the ancient tribes. The cross became popular with the help of St. Patrick when he tried to convert the Irish to Christianity. Due to the two opposite religions, confusion in meaning has turned out, contradictory symbolism is often encountered. Catholics believe that the cross is a divine and boundless love for humanity, the Celtic priests add it to phallic symbolism, personifying it with fertility and prosperity. Body painting helps to cope with troubles, increases inner strength. A Celtic cross tattoo on the arm or back looks original for girls and men.

Flora and fauna in Celtic tattoos

The warriors on the battlefield tried to reincarnate into beasts. They believed that it was possible to inherit the temperament of animals only through food, so before the battle they drank the blood of a wolf to be brave and hardy, and ate boar meat to get its ferocity and strength. Celtic animal tattoos are saturated with this symbolism, only in a more positive shade.

Deer - masculinity, nobility and prosperity. He was considered a solar animal and personified with the rebirth of the soul, since he sheds the horns (the tree of life), and new ones grow in their place. They were nailed at the entrance to the house to attract wealth. Often the god descended to earth in the form of a white deer to help the hero in his search for truth.

The Celtic dolphin tattoo is the guide of the soul to the sacred islands, the spirit world, as well as the protector of travelers and sailors. He was considered the helper of the goddess, who showed the way on earth and in heaven. Fish among the priests of the warlike tribe were a symbol of the highest wisdom. They were the companions of the most ancient god Liir, the lord of the oceans. They compared the expanses of water to the Universe.

Celtic dragon tattoos are a symbol of power. The tribe considered them to be soothsayers and guardians of portals to another world.

Celtic priests (druids) applied body designs to all prominent parts of the body: face, hands, shoulders. The main niche was occupied by birds - a symbol of spiritual freedom and divination, but they also symbolized death, since they were the first to fly after battles to take the souls of the slain and take them to heaven. The meaning of birds is very diverse: the pheasant and the raven helped to see the future, peacock was a symbol of purity, the dove - love and spirituality, the duck contributed to the unification of earth and heaven. Warriors stuffed the image of a heron, so as not to lose their vigilance in battle, or a partridge for cunning and ingenuity.

The shamrock (three-leafed clover) is a part of Irish culture. It mainly denotes love for Ireland, its traditions, but Catholics associate it with the Holy Trinity. Clover with four leaves - a symbol of faith, love and hope with good luck, can be supplemented with other signs (horseshoe, cards, money).

Celtic style tattoos for men - strength and character

Men choose large body paintings. Stuffing men's Celtic tattoos on the back, you can emphasize your determination and courage. The picture looks very impressive on a muscular body. For slender guys, you can choose an image that visually enlarges the muscles, but it is not advisable to apply them to the front of the leg and from the elbow to the hand.

The ornament will look great on the shoulder, neck and forearm. Men choose simple Celtic designs, dragons, crosses, the tree of life, predators, less often dogs.

Celtic style tattoos for women

Miniature body paintings do not look as pretty as large ones. Braided and curled lines tend to fit snugly together and can blend into a black spot, but neat patterns can also be selected. When choosing a body site for an image, it is worth considering durability tattoo... On stretch marks, scars and faded skin, it can become distorted and lose its attractiveness. Celtic tattoos look original on the shoulder, forearm, ankle, back, arm.

The Celtic sun looks beautiful in the form of a circle, in the center of which intricate spirals with knots are intertwined. A symmetrical ornament looks great on the back, resembling openwork wings. Often, girls fill the image of dogs. The picture protects from all evil, is a symbol of caution and loyalty.

Celtic horse tattoo, the spirit of the goddesses of fertility, brings beauty and gives vitality, secret knowledge, indomitability. Usually it is placed on the back, and only the head is depicted on the shoulder. Ancient tribes personified animals with speed and movement.

Hare - a sacred animal, a companion of the moon goddess, brings prosperity, abundance, adds strength and health to young mothers. The tribes believed that he weaves the fate of man. The butterfly looks elegant, especially on the ankle or shoulder. She is often depicted as small in size and with beautiful graceful wings.

Although black and gray colors prevail in Celtic tattoos, girls can complement the picture with a different shade, make it more feminine. If you choose the openwork ornaments correctly, you can emphasize your uniqueness.

Photo of a tattoo with celtic patterns on the head

Photo of a tattoo with celtic patterns on the body

Photo of a tattoo with celtic patterns on the arm

Photo of a tattoo with celtic patterns on the leg