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Tattoo designs - S >> Seahorse

Seahorse Tattoos - Creature of myth and fantasy, symbol of the imagination and creative spirit, the sea horse got its name from the ancient Greeks who called it Hippocampus (horse + sea monster). This benign sea-dwelling animal has a head with obvious equine features, but it derives its 'monster' aspect from its bony armour, its two eyes that are able to look in different directions simultaneously, and its prehensile tail that it uses to grip seaweed and other objects like a monkey. Quite coincidentally, the part of the human brain associated with memory is called the 'hippocampus', and perhaps for this reason the sea horse came by its association with the creativity.

In Irish Celtic tradition, the sea horse is known as the symbol of courage and forbearance at sea. The 16th century Irish heroine, Grace O'Malley, flew a sea horse flag on her seafaring expeditions. Her ancestors still fly the sea horse flag, today.

Tales of sea-nymphs riding herds of sea horses to rescue sailors in distress gave rise to the sea horse becoming a symbol of good luck for sailors. As an emblem of 'safe travel', the sea horse appeared on flags and ensigns. In 1748, an English frigate was named 'HMS Sea Horse'.

Sea horses have been made into charms honouring fatherhood, since it is the male of the species that becomes pregnant. The female deposits her eggs in a pouch in the male's tail, where they gestate for up to six weeks. For this reason, men may take on a sea horse tattoo when they become fathers for the first time. Otherwise, the sea horse tattoo is largely considered a female fashion statement, in part because it works well as a small design almost anywhere on the body. Its feminine, elegant, free-floating existence has earned it the connotation of 'free spirit'.

Past civilizations revered the sea horse as a therapeutic animal with magical and mystical powers. Its image graced the tiles and mosaics in ancient temples and bathing places.

Because of the ongoing myth that the sea horse has powers of healing - especially in China where it is thought to cure impotence by acting as an aphrodisiac - and subsequently earning fishermen as much as $555 a pound - the sea horse has been declared an endangered species.

Sea horses range in size from a quarter of an inch to a foot. Their habitat is amongst the sea grasses and coral reefs of temperate tropical waters. It 'snorts' its food - tiny sea-shrimp - through its snout, passing the remains out through its fins. It is also known as the chameleon of the ocean, due to its ability to change colour when sensing danger, thereby blending in with its surroundings.

Zebra sea horses are so named for their black-and-white striped heads. Others may be white, amber, or brown.

Get inspired by some really great images and photos in our Seahorse Inspiration Gallery

See also: Horse Tattoos, Marine Tattoos, Nautical Tattoos, Mermaid Tattoos

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Tattoo designs - S >> Seahorse

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