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Tattoo designs - S >> Scorpion

Scorpion Tattoos - The scorpion has long been a popular tattoo symbol in many different cultures, including a number of traditional tribal tattoo styles in Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In fact, almost everywhere you can find these potent relatives of the spider you can find scorpion tattoos. In most cases the scorpion tattoos are potent amulets and talismans - meant to protect the bearer of the tattoo and ward off both the sting of the scorpion and often times, evil spirits, for the scorpion is widely feared and highly respected by all beings, both natural and supernatural. Such is the power of the scorpion.

Orion, the Greek hero and giant, met his match in a Scorpion encounter. With the sting stuck in his foot, he was thereafter immortalized as the constellation of Orion fleeing the sting of his Scorpion killer.

There’s plenty of Scorpion imagery found in religious references. The Bible describes the Israelites trampling Scorpions as a metaphor for victory over the ‘venomous attacks of the devil’. In Buddhist mythology, a ninth century king dreamed of Scorpions the size of yaks, which he took as a sign to stop persecuting monks. You can still see the Scorpion on woodblock prints and wheel charms in Tibet and other Buddhist cultures. As a protective feature, it was also found on sword handles and personal seals, or in temples as guardians of the holy Dharma. Buddhists intended the Scorpion to be a symbol of pacification, which turned menacing at the first sign of anyone intending harm.

Scorpion has another facet more helpful to humans. Praying to the Egyptian Scorpion goddess was said to ease the pain of childbirth. It also stood as a symbol of maternal self-sacrifice. Amongst the ancient Mayans the Scorpion was associated with surgery, possibly because it numbed its prey before the big sting. In parts of Africa, the oil from the Scorpion’s venom has been traditionally used as a medicine.

Astrologically speaking, the ‘Scorpio’ is the eighth sign of the zodiac. It rules over the time period October 24th to November 22nd. Early Christians believed that sexual temptations were irresistible during that period, and were accordingly wary -- or alert! The Scorpion mating dance is exotic (if not erotic) and those born under Scorpio have a reputation for both eroticism and rather exotic tastes in the boudoir, in addition to notoriously prodigious sexual appetites!

More current myths and legends see the Scorpion as a favourite combat figure, starring as weapon wielding guards or devouring monster insects. You will see Scorpion Men in comics, games and animation, all battling to the death for supremacy in the imaginations of kids of all ages.

Tattoo Johnny Tattoo Designs - Lots of different scorpion tattoo designs by some of the world's top tattoo artists and illustrators.

Get Scorpion designs on t-shirts, hats, sweatshirts, bags & more.

Tattoo designs - S >> Scorpion

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