One of the most sacred and most beautiful leaves is the lotus, whose symbolism goes back thousands of years. In sacred Buddha art it is depicted seated on a giant lotus leaf an emblem of purity and beauty. It also carries a lesson about living in the world, since it grows in the mud yet remains untainted by it. The lotus retains its pristine purity in part because of the leaf's capacity to filter away dust and dirt. Apparently, nothing sticks to the lotus due to microscopic bumps of its surface. Young lotus leaves are edible.
Tattoo art has embraced many leaf motifs, one of the most popular being the Japanese maple, a symbol of time passing. The design often conveys the leaves as floating, carried on the wind. In Japan, it's also the symbol of lovers. In some Japanese tattoo designs, canopies of maple leaves float over shoulders and drift over the torso. Another favorite for covering large areas of the anatomy are bamboo leaves. The samurai's sword guard the tsuba was often inscribed with a leaf motif signifying status and reflecting the personality of the owner.
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.
