Celtic Tattoos for Men
Although Celtic tattoos for men have been around for a very long time, their popularity has grown in recent times. Many a times, people are under the impression, that only knotwork makes up Celtic tattoo designs, which is however not true. Lets find out about Celtic tattoos for men.
It will not be an exaggeration, if it is said that it is a rebirth of the Celtic tattoos for men. Sometimes, these Celtic tattoos are classified as tribal tattoos. This can be due to the use of heavy black line work, in these tattoos. Celtic tattoos are not just lines, they have deep symbolism and a rich history behind them. They in fact make for very intricate and beautiful interlaced designs. Read about Celtic history and culture, before you head to read about Celtic tattoos for men.
Celtic History and Culture
The Celtic culture goes back over 2700 years. Although it is so old, the Celtic culture still exists albeit it has undergone a great amount of change. The Celtic culture was first, majorly influenced by the Druids and later by Christianity, where the Celtic church came into being. The Celtic culture has existed across central and northwestern Europe. The Irish, the Scots and the Welsh are the Celtic people. Julius Caesar is probably the best known to the Celtic scholars for his description of the Druids and Gauls, which he mentioned in his writings about the Gallic wars.
Celtic Tattoo Designs for Men Celtic design tattoos are all steeped in meaning and most of them have deep hidden meanings to them. The images used in these designs are abstract, but the lines twist and turn and go back to make interesting and meaningful patterns. Let us see what are the male Celtic tattoo designs.
Celtic Knot Tattoo Design The Celtic knot design is not only seen in the Celtic architecture and sculpture, but it is also seen in tattoo designs as well. These knots are also known as “mystic knots” or “endless knots”. The knots are used as interlaced patterns with stylized knots. The knot designs are known to denote interconnection between a number of things and continuity or eternity, as the knotwork forms an endless loop, which has no beginning or end. Magical powers are also attributed to the Celtic knotwork. It is a very popular Celtic tattoo design. Of all the Celtic knot tattoo designs, the trinity Celtic symbol
is a very simple, but powerful tattoo symbol. The three corners of this knot represent different things for different people. For the Christians, the three corners denote the Holy Trinity of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, whereas for the Pagans, it denotes Mother, Crone and Maiden. In the New Age, the three corners have come to signify the trinity of mind, body and soul. For more information, read about Celtic knots and what they mean.
Celtic Spirals Tattoo Design
Spiral tattoo designs are similar to Celtic knot tattoo designs, but they do not have interlacing lines. The spiral tattoo designs consist of whirls and whorls of lines. They are a fascinating remnant of the Druid culture and thought, which got intermixed with the Celtic culture.
Celtic Mazes Tattoo Design
The Celts are famous for the wonderful mazes and labyrinths, that they built. The maze patterns are were commonly seen in the stonework, carvings and metalwork. These maze designs have also found a place worth mentioning in the Celtic tattoo designs as well.
Celtic Zoomorphic Tattoo Design
The meaning of the word “Zoomorphic” is animal shaped. These designs use animal forms of head, bodies, hands, legs, feet and tail to make various tattoo designs. These designs are also combined with the Celtic knot design.
Celtic Shamrock Tattoo Design Shamrock is a three leafed clover, which is often used to denote Ireland. It is a celtic symbol
for “Holy Trinity” in the Irish Catholic Church. Very often it is confused with the four leaved clover, which is considered as an auspicious design to wear on the body, as the chances of finding a four leaved clovers is very rare. Each of the leaves of this four leaved clover signifies different things. They represent hope, faith, love and luck. Read about Irish Celtic symbols.
Celtic Heart Tattoo Design
If you want to show the love for your loved one, you may want to get a Celtic heart tattoo design. This is a wonderful Celtic tattoo for men. It stands for the union of souls, and is hence a wonderful way to express your love and devotion. These knots combined with the Celtic knot tattoos are known as love knot tattoos.
Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo Design
This is a big tattoo design. According to some scholars, this is not an original Celtic tattoo. It is first said to have appeared in the Book of Kells. The tree of life symbolizes the garden of Eden and axis mundi, which is the connecting line between the earth, sky and the underworld.
You have just seen the wide variety of Celtic tattoos for men, and there are various Celtic tattoos for women as well, from which you can choose to have your unique tattoo design. You can also choose to combine a couple of these tattoo designs and represent your own belief and personality.
