Vines, Grape Vines and Ivy have long been prominently featured in tattoo designs and symbols, often intertwined with other floral and plant symbols, but often times on their own. Because of their shape and form, vines of all kinds have long been popular with tattoo artists for their ability to be draped, twisted, and coiled on the human body. Like water, smoke and flames, the leaves and tendrils of vines give extraordinary freedom to both the tattoo artist and the tattoo enthusiast to integrate different tattoo images and to use the natural aesthetic lines of the body. Aside from their natural graphic and design appeal, vines and ivy have a rich symbolic history all on their own.
How important is the simple leaf to life on earth? Consider this -- without it, evolution would have taken a radically different course. Light is processed through the cells of a leaf to create energy. The process is called photosynthesis, during which oxygen is released into the atmosphere. Leaves, from the smallest plants hugging the earth to the mightiest trees that tower far above us, are a food source for just about all living creatures, from the insect to the elephant, not to mention human beings. In ancient cultures, certain leaves were food for the gods, and why not? They constituted much of folk medicine, and now form the basis of modern pharmaceuticals. Many leaves are used in many cultures all around the world for the unique properties of the oils they contain, as spices -- think of the bay leaf, basil and oregano in your tomato sauce, not to mention the rosemary on your lamb -- and for their fragrant scent in perfumes and body oils, such as lavender.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect Vine or Leave tattoo.
Also Check out: Trees, Flowers, Fruit, Shamrock, Four leaf clover, Ivy, Bamboo and Flower & Plant Tattoo Index.
