In Ernest Hemingway's classic tale 'The Old Man And The Sea' a marlin plays a critical role opposite his protagonist, as man and fish grappled for control. More than just a creature from the sea, the marlin holds a sacred place in ancient symbolism, much of which carries over today. With its long snout and powerful dorsal fin, the marlin...
What better way to show yourself as a victor among mere men than with a laurel wreath tattoo? Laurel wreaths are presented to winners of competition or other types of battle, so there's a manly tradition to get a laurel wreath tattoo to show your manliness and aggression. The practice of presenting laurel wreaths to victors dates back to the...
The Mayan calendar is one of the most intricate and complex inventions of humankind, which makes it an equally challenging--but infinitely rewarding--inspiration for a tattoo design. The Mayan calendar is separated into three cycles: the Tzolkin, with a duration of 260 days, the Haab, with 360 days plus five days "out of time," and the Long Count, which is indicated...
Throughout the centuries when the bubonic plague ravaged Europe, doctors and self-proclaimed physicians donned an eerie uniform intended to shield them from the deadly miasma. Adorned in long dark robes and tall hats or heavy hoods, plague doctors wore beak-like masks stuffed with pleasant smelling herbs, spices, perfumes, and dried flowers that would "filter" and ward off the stench of...
The Zia people of New Mexico are an indigenous tribe that regard the sun as a sacred symbol. As such, you can show your support for this people and their symbol by getting a Zia sun symbol tattoo. The red and the yellow look very striking and would suit well any guy who wanted to get this tattoo. This symbol...
What better way to show your devotion to old school gaming and retro technology than with a pixel tattoo? There is a variety of games that you can choose from when it comes to drawing on old pixel art, or you could create your own pixellated design to get tattooed on your body. You can also go with just traditional...
What better way to show your devotion to Jesus than to get the sign of the fish, or ichthys, tattooed on your body? This is a classic symbol that dates back to the early days of Christianity and serves as an excellent way to denote your devotion to the lord. The first appearance of the ichthys symbol dates back to...
Aside from escargot and The Neverending Story's iconic racing snail, you may be wondering why this slow, slithering creature resides on the list of potential tattoo art. The ancient Aztecs viewed the little snail as a sacred symbol of the cyclical nature, or circle, of life, evident in the circular swirl of the snail's shell. The Aztec lunar deity Tecciztecatl...
Knives hold a long and intricate history, from simple early cave tools to precisely engineered military instruments. Where symbolism is concerned, there are as many metaphors and correlations for the knife as there are uses, be it dagger, machete--or switchblade. The switchblade earned its hallmark notoriety thanks to 20th century pop culture, though its design and function date back centuries....
What better way to show your fandom for Florida State University than to get a commemorative tattoo done? Founded way back in 1851, FSU is the oldest higher education institution in the state of Florida, making it as historic as it is awesome. The university campus contains a whopping 16 colleges, and it's considered a prime site for research. Florida...
