There can be little doubt that a Celtic tattoo is very popular at the moment, especially amongst the glitterati such as movie stars, sports stars and rock/pop stars. If you are planning to get one inked, you need to know the difference between a real ‘Celtic’ tattoo and a ‘tribal’ tattoo. There is a difference and, hopefully, this article will put you on the right track!

Knot Work

It is essential to look for excellent knot work in the design of your Celtic tattoo; an authentic Celtic knot has no beginning or end. Why? Well, this ‘never-ending’ knot design is a symbol of infinity in areas such as faith, love and life. These kind of knots have been used by meditators for centuries because they are ideal for fixing one’s attention (essential when attempting to reach a state of intense relaxation and concentration). In particular, the ‘Trinity Knot’ has proved to be popular with many people and is a fine example of a Celtic knot that is ‘unending.’

Symbols of Territory

The Celts were a mysterious people and often used different kinds of symbols as a way of demonstrating where they came from:

1. Harps and Shamrocks: Irish Celts.
2. Red Dragon and Thistle: Scottish Celts.
3. Daffodil and Leek: Welsh Celts.

It makes sense, if you have roots in these areas of the world, to add these symbols into the design of your Celtic tattoo. This will give you a more personalized design and be a talking point amongst friends and family!

More Celtic Symbols

This is just the beginning of the story because the Celts had many more designs and symbols in their art:

1. Numbers were very important to the Celts. ‘Nine’ was a special number with much power, as was twenty seven (9 X 3 = 27). ‘Three’ was also an essential number with lots of symbolical meaning (the relationship between the sky, earth and sea; the human soul also had a three-part nature). Other popular numbers, include thirty three (honor and royalty); five (family unit symbol in Ireland); seventeen (the passing of the moon and also the limits of generational ancestral memory in a clan).

2. The Celtic Cross/the Tree of Life. These symbols represent the amalgamation of Celtic Mysticism and Christianity by Druids around the seventh century. Again, these symbols are weaved into the fabric of endless knots.

3. The Claddagh. This symbol consists of a heart and a crown, both linking. For those about to get married this is a lucky symbol as it represents love and friendship.

4. The Pentagram. Over the years, this symbol has come to represent many things, sometimes evoking images of devil-worship and the supernatural. This is unfortunate, for the pentagram, to the Celts, represents the five stages of life: birth, youth, adulthood, old age, death. It can also represent the five elements: fire, water, air, spirit and earth.

So, this is how you recognize a Celtic tattoo. You now know that you need a mixture of these symbols in your design and a tattoo artist with some skill!

There’s been a growing interest in tattoos lately,and Celtic tattoo designs are no exception. Celtic tattoos have become a favorite design choice. It is no secret why these are so popular. They are oftentimes done in blackened color with lots of shading and the symbols used are intricate and beautiful. It’s thought that Celtic tattoo designs trace their origins back to a clan that inhabited the British Isles called the Picts. Just about all historians think that the Picts tattooed themselves by puncturing their skin with red-hot tools to produce complex and permanent artwork on their body. Later on, they began to using a blue pigment derived from the leaves of a native plant.

The designs created by the Picts began to have a mysterious religious and symbolic significance. Celtic artwork and symbolism embodied a mix of Druid and Christian religions. The Celts didn’t have a printed language and alternatively communicated their customs and beliefs by word of mouth. Once the first Christian missionaries arrived to the British Isles they established written communication within the Celtic culture. At the same time the monks adopted many of the active Celtic beliefs, and symbols into the Christian religion. This was done in order to bridge the gap between the Druid beliefs and those of the Christians. A great deal of this work was saved by the Christian monks in the “Books Of Kells” which is today housed at Trinity College in Ireland. Therefore the early tattoo designs of the Picts evolved over time and blended with Christian beliefs to form what we know of as Celtic artwork today. The Celtic Cross and Shamrock are two such designs that have survived the test of time.

The Meaning Behind Celtic Symbols

The Celtic Knot

Most Celtic artwork starts with a common knot design. These are attractive knots of interlaced lines that cross over one another repeatedly to produce an exquisite design. These knots don’t have a start or an end they are simply a perpetual knot that goes on eternally. These interwoven lines are thought to symbolize the spiritual and the physical realms of life, which become entangled with each other.

Celtic Tree Of Life Tattoo

Among the favorite themes of Celtic tattoo designs is the Tree Of Life. This in all likelihood goes back as a symbol to the Druidic religion, which was a nature, based religion. Trees frequently symbolize life, growing from a seed into a tree much like a person grows from a child into an adult. Trees are often seen as a life giving plant and are venerated in many naturalistic faiths. There is also an association with Christianity in the Adam and Eve story in which Eve eats the fruit from a tree.

The Celtic Cross Tattoo

Among the most popular and most lasting Celtic designs is the Celtic Cross. The symbolism here is obviously Christian and comes from Jesus on the cross. These are beautiful crosses done with interlacing lines of Celtic knots.

Celtic Heart Tattoos

Another favorite Celtic design theme is a heart. Celtic heart tattoos are once again intertwined knot work in the shape of a heart. Generally done in black color only but can also be done in color. These are exquisite designs and make great tattoos. These are particularly popular among women.

More Symbols Include:

Anchor: Steadfastness
Bell: Weddings, Anniversaries.
Chain Links: Linking of Lives, # of children, Years together.
Cross: Faith, Marriage.
Diamond: Wealth, Good Fortune.
Dragon: Symbol of Wales, Protection.
Flowers: Affection or Courtship, Friendship.
Heart: Love.
Horseshoe: Good Luck and Happiness.
Key: Home
Knot: Everlasting, together forever.
Leaves: Love Grows.
Ship: Smooth passage through life.
Vine: Love Grows.
Wheel: Willingness to work for a loved one.
Double Spoons: The Couple Together Forever.
Triple Spoons: Family.

Red rose body art show life, birth, procreation, death and rebirth. These tattoos are the embodiment of nature and the elements.

Flower tattoo designs are popular but the red rose beats them all, especially with women. Its almost as popular with men, since the rose has tremendous spiritual significance in the west. The rose design is considered to be a symbol of true love and has been revered in both, secular and religious context.

The rose has many accepted traditional meanings that are applied to the rose body art by association. It has become the ultimate floral symbol on account of its unmatched fragrance and beauty. The red rose can symbolize martyrdom. It’s associated with Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary. Several rose tattoos are worn to honor a deceased loved one too. If you want to get a red rose tattoo, it is important to know the meaning behind the rose colors.

A dark red rose stands for unconscious beauty.

The red rose is for courage, respect, romance and love. A red rose bud tattoo symbolizes loveliness and purity.

Blue roses symbolize impossibility.

Coral roses indicate desire.

Black rose designs mean death.

The white rose tattoo design is a symbol of innocence, reverence, youthfulness and purity. White rose bud tattoos also celebrate the girl-child.

The golden or yellow rose tattoo shows achievement or friendship.

Black rose with thorns body art design is also very popular. Tattoo artist say, a red rose with thorns reminds the person that beauty does not surface in the absence of adversity and sacrifice. The rose can be flaunted singly, as trailing vine or as a bouquet.

Rose body art have been popular in the west for decades. This piece of body art shares the most intriguing history and symbolism. The rose tattoo is a traditional choice and more popular than the hibiscus, daisy, lily or even the orchid tattoos. The lotus body art designs are probably the only ones that can be compared to these designs. Tattoo artists around the world have made an effort to promote the flower tattoo art. The rose tattoo is available in many different shapes and sizes. You can add to the flower design with a heart or fairy or even a butterfly. It can also be combined with a dagger, a tiger, a cross or even a Celtic armband. You can get a rose and barbed wire tattoo done on the shoulder or chest. Whatever you choose, its up to you and what your style is.

Be sure to visit our tattoo design shop.

Before you go to a tattoo artist to get a tattoo with a creative work of art, consider some common designs of tattoos. Naples abounds in mainstream art galleries and design parlors displaying tattoo patterns that can truly make heads turn. When you look around this colorful world of tattoo designs you will possibly feel puzzled about which pattern to choose. The following guide about the nine most popular tattoo patterns will help you choose the one best complementing your personality.

Star tattoo

It could reflect anything from the goal of your life, the birth of a child your astronomical ambition to touch the stars or simply your bright future. A tattoo artist can elaborate the meaning of a star tattoo depending on its number of points.   

Butterfly tattoo

The tender elegance of the wings butterfly has been always connected with spring, life and rebirth. Their mystifying quality also associates them with nature’s magical fairy creatures. A butterfly tattoo could also emanate the purity, gentleness and loving nature of your personality. When inked in strategic parts of the female body it could also highlight her sexy and lively qualities.

Cross tattoo

A cross is a dominant Christian symbol and can express your closeness to and reverence for God.

Angel tattoo

Angels are vowed as protecting spirits and you could wear an angel pattern in your body in remembrance of a dear, departed soul who you believe is in the loving care of the angels away from the world.

Skull tattoo

You could depict a skull on your body if you want to highlight a daredevil attitude. However, a skull tattoo is no more the prerogative of macho and mean class of boys.  

Celtic tattoo

The fantastic intricacy and completeness of its pattern makes it a popular choice of tattoo with art lovers. You could also use a Celtic tattoo depicting a prayer posture as a sign of your love for the religious faith of the ancient civilizations.

Japanese tattoo

These incorporate a variety of motifs including fish, flowers, snake, phoenix and Japanese characters like Kanji tattoo. Each of these reflects some aspect of the Japanese cultural history and Oriental mysticism.

Tiger tattoo

Tigers are synonymous with beauty strength courage violence pride and passion. A tiger tattoo is seen as a good luck charm for warding off evil influences from families and businesses.

Flower tattoo

Flowers bring out the beauty and feminine grace of women in general. The significance of individual flowers could vary with their colors shapes and the cultural context in which a tattoo artist inks one.  

These are just 9 of the most popular tattoos people ask us to do at our tattoo shop in Naples. We can use any of these ideas as a starting point to creating a custom designed tattoo for you.