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TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - WATER TATTOOS
Tattoo Symbol Index -
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Tattoo designs - WXYZ
>> Water Tattoos
 Water Tattoo Designs -
Water tattoo designs, or tattoo designs where water is a prominent
feature are both very old and very popular across a wide variety of
tattoo genres.
The world was once thought to be composed of the four basic elements
of water, fire, earth and air. In both the West and the East, there
are many symbols associated with the different elements.
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The four elements still maintain a powerful symbolism within the
overall realm of imaginative experience and are thought to still
possess a strong correspondence to internal states and emotions.
The twelve Zodiac signs in Astrology are each assigned a primary
elemental influence - people are often described as a Water Sign, a
Fire Sign, an Earth Sign and an Air Sign. |
The Water signs are:
In China and Japan, the
Koi or Carp are representative Water Symbols. In Asian
mythology, there are dragons that represent all four Elements and
Water Dragons are symbolic rulers of the weather and water, and a
potent symbol of power. Of all the dragons, Water Dragons are
thought to be the most serene. Almost every body of water, river and
stream is thought to have it's Water Dragon protector. Asian
tattooing often features water and waves as a motif.
In traditional tattooing among the Polynesians, water and waves form
a strong graphic element among the standard design elements.
In the West, the whole genre of Nautical tattooing based around the
life of sailors and seamen prominently features water. A life spent
on the sea represented travel and adventure and while often
rewarding, was not without great risk.
Perhaps the most obvious general symbolism of the elements is the
division between masculine and feminine. Fire and air represent the Yang within Chinese thought and symbolize the masculine archetype,
the active state and the thinking function. Water and earth
represent the Yin within Chinese philosophy and symbolize the
feminine archetype, the passive state and the intuitive function.
Fire and air have found a historical association with the sky and a
relationship with the well-known symbolism of the Sky Father. The
earth and water have been associated with the symbolism of Mother
Earth.
 Water as an Element is thought to represent the Feminine, and is see
as a powerful force for change. Water is associated with the
principle of "moisture" and the circulatory movement of blood and
sap as life within vegetation and animals. It is also associated
with the water of the womb where individual life comes from and from
the water of the oceans where human life evolved from. Water has the
power to abolish, dissolve, purify, wash away and regenerate. In
opposition to this is the principle of "dryness" and the static
condition of life.
Get inspired by some really great images and photos in our Water
Inspiration Gallery
See also:
Nautical Tattoo Index,
Marine Life Tattoo Index,
Japanese Tattoo Index
Choose your own water tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com.
Find and buy the water tattoo design that's perfect for you.
Get your water tattoo design ideas from Tattoo Johnny
Tattoo designs - WXYZ
>> Water Tattoos
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