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Wings tattoo

Since ancient times, people, with the help of drawings depicted on their bodies, wanted to say something to the world.

The first tattoos appeared during the primitive communal system. Then the signs on the body meant that a person belonged to a certain tribe, a kind of activity. We can safely say that in ancient times, almost all nationalities had their own special style of wearable arts.

However, with the spread of Christianity, tattooed people began to be branded as pagans and sinners, persecuted and contemptuous.

It would seem that the culture of tattoo will completely disappear. But as if in a mockery of excessive fanaticism, a new wave of tattoos swept Europe thanks to missionaries. The harsh seafarers were truly delighted with children when they saw the brightly painted bodies of the natives and wished to stuff something similar on their bodies in memory of their travels.

The great navigator James Cook made a special contribution to the return of tattoo culture to Europe. Actually, he first heard the word "tattoo" from the inhabitants of Tahiti.

In the 1891th century, the art of tattooing was firmly rooted in the territory of old Europe. At first, wearable drawings were only the privilege of sailors and other working professions, but then with the invention of the American Samuel O'Reilly in XNUMX, tattoo machines became widespread among representatives of other sectors of society.

Today, a representative of any gender and age can get a tattoo for himself (the only condition is to reach 18 years old). Wings tattoos for girls and guys have gained particular popularity. We will tell you about the meaning of this symbol in our article.

The history of the wings symbol

The symbolism of the wings dates back to the times of Ancient Egypt. Then the pharaohs adorned themselves with images of outstretched wings in order to deliberately emphasize their position over their subjects, as if towering over them, because for a long time, representatives of any culture have associated wings with the divine essence, God's messengers, angels.

In the myths of Ancient Greece, there is a beautiful, but sad legend about Daedalus and Icarus. Long, long time ago, the great inventor Daedalus lived in the world. It was he who taught the Greeks to sculpt statues and build magnificent buildings. But one day, by chance, Daedalus had to leave his native Athens and seek asylum on the island of Crete from the cunning king Minos. The king allowed the talented sculptor to settle in his domain, but on one condition - Daedalus would work for him for the rest of his life. Out of despair, the unfortunate inventor agreed to this deal.

Years passed, the son of Daedalus Icarus was growing up. The soul-tearing longing for his native Athens more and more tore the inventor's heart, because, as you know, a bird does not sing in a cage. Likewise, a sculptor cannot create in captivity. Once, when Daedalus fixed his gaze on the sky stretching over the sea surface, he saw two birds soaring. Inspired by the ease and freedom of their flight, Daedalus decided to build wings for himself and his son in order to fly away from the hated Crete. Since then, inspired by his close freedom, the inventor began to walk along the seashore every day, collecting feathers of large birds, which he tied with a linen rope and glued together with wax.

And so, when the invention was ready, he and his son put on wings, took off and left Crete. The astonished people looked at two little men in the sky with shining white wings behind their backs and reverently whispered that these were the great gods rushing to Mount Olympus. But suddenly grief happened - young Icarus did not obey his father and wanted to fly higher, to the Sun, intoxicated by freedom of flight. From the scorching heat of the sun's rays, the wax that glued the ropes melted, and feathers scattered in a gust of wind, and Icarus fell from a height directly into the waves of the raging sea. So the wings first lifted him, but then they also destroyed the young man.

Wing Tattoo Ideas

When the art of tattooing became available to everyone, many styles of body painting appeared, the variety of which can satisfy even the most demanding tattoo fan. As soon as they do not depict tattoos with wings: here there are images of magical elves and fairies, which are often found in the image of young and beautiful girls with wings, and a tattoo of wings on the chest, there are even wings on the arm. Nevertheless, the most common option is still considered to be a tattoo of wings on the back, on the shoulder blades. By this, the owner of such a drawing emphasizes the similarity of his nature with the angelic.

As you know, the true image of an angel in Christianity coincides little with the generally accepted one. These winged divine messengers are far from sinless, they can descend to such truly human vices as pride, anger, etc. Everyone knows the fallen angel Lucifer, who was once an angel of light. Deceived by glory and pride, he was cast into hell and since then has been a servant of the devil, who often takes on his guise.

We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the main tattoo styles in which you can depict wings in the most harmonious and original way.

Graphics

Depending on the semantic load of wing tattoos, masters select a suitable style for their clients. If, for example, you want to capture one wing on the shoulder or the classic version - on the whole backthen the best solution for you is graphic arts... A distinctive feature of this style from the usual black and white tattoo is a special technique of applying color, which is performed using small lines. The bright, undiluted black color is a characteristic feature of the graphics.

Trash polka

The word "trash" in translation from English means garbage. The name of the style clearly conveys its main theme, which in general terms can be dubbed "the aesthetics of the disgusting." Lovers trash polkas they love to challenge society with its meager canons and rules by applying contradictory images to the body. Most often, skulls, weapons, elements of the post-apocalyptic world are depicted in this style. If you see a person with wings depicted in the trash polka style, then such a tattoo means: freedom or death. How similar is the motto of the anarchists, is not it?

Newschool

New school differs from the traditional old school of the XNUMXth century with its mermaids, roses, and anchors in breadth of subject matter and better performance, because after the invention of the tattoo machine, almost any artist can do it. Like old school, Newschool's hallmarks are bright (if not acidic) colors, clear lines, and a black outline. Colored fairy or butterfly wings made in the new school style will be a great addition to the elegant image of a young girl.

Minimalism

Minimalism is perhaps the most modest tattoo style. There is no place for flashy, catchy sketches, a riot of colors. The main feature of minimalism is simplicity, like Chekhov's: brevity is the sister of talent. Accuracy and clarity of geometric lines, discreet colors (often black and white), small size - all this is the hallmark of minimalism. For fans of this style, small wings on the wrist or wings on the neck are ideal.

Wing compatibility with other symbols

Since the symbolism of the wings is inextricably linked with the divine (angels, cherubs), lovers of such themes often depict an angel with huge wings on its entire back. Admirers of gloomy symbolism can depict a fallen angel with scorched wings (Lucifer), who bowed his head mournfully. Some people prefer to depict the remnants of broken wings on their backs, as if bringing themselves closer to the image of a fallen angel. Fans of trash polka can fill a skull or a cross with wings in black and red tones. Girls can decorate their bodies with a drawing of a beautiful fairy or elf with colored wings.

The symbolism of the wings

Yet for most people, wings are a symbol of freedom, a soaring free spirit. They are chosen for tattoos by strong, strong-willed people who firmly hold the blows of sometimes evil fate, trying to prove their strength to the whole world. Skeptics can gloat, they say, Icarus also wanted freedom and crashed. But the rebellious spirit of tattoo fans presupposes a bright, eventful life, in which it is not scary to burn out in the sun, but it is scary to live it dimly, without knowing what the happiness of free flight is.

Photo of wings tattoo on head

Photos of wings tattoo on the body

Photo of wing tattoo on hand