What does a Turtle tattoo mean? Turtle tattoo - meaning and designs for girls and men Designation of turtle tattoo.

Today we will try to understand the meaning of a turtle tattoo. This ancient animal was mentioned in the ancient book of the universe. Then we were talking about a large turtle, on whose back the Earth was located. The creature was some kind of fire eater. For this reason, his figures on the roof are considered talismans protecting against fire. Interestingly, in ancient times, in Chinese culture, pieces of reptile shells were used for various predictions.

Since a turtle can live quite a long time, the image with it represents longevity. She is also quite vulnerable and therefore personifies an unchanging order.

In ancient times, the turtle symbolized fertility and platonic love. It was customary to use the protective function of the shell in various magical rituals.

These reptiles also played an important role in the art of Mexico. For the people of India, turtles were considered the second incarnation of one of the revered gods. Since these reptiles can live both on land and in water, we can talk about some kind of connection between water and land. The shell is the personification of protection from enemies.

The reptile can rightfully be called one of the most respected and at the same time ancient symbols. The ancient Chinese called this reptile the “Black Warrior”. It meant endurance, immortality and strength. This sign is an indispensable attribute of the Chinese battle banners. The people of China believed that the turtle could predict the future.

Symbolism

Reptile tattoos are done by both men and women. This body pattern looks especially impressive in the style of realism. The tattoo symbolizes patience, calm, constancy, and wisdom. In Greek mythology, this creature personifies the feminine essence, as well as a rich inner world. The turtle is often depicted with Aphrodite herself.

Thus, this symbol was used by the Romans.

For Christians, this sign personified evil. However, over time, the reptile began to signify the cleanliness and decent behavior of a woman who lives in her home as if under a kind of shell.

Since a turtle often hides under its shell, such a tattoo can be a kind of amulet.

Meaning for men

Sometimes tattoo artists and representatives of the stronger sex ask for turtle tattoos. Men most often choose beautiful drawings using the realism technique. Such images mean to them:

• calmness
• wisdom
• patience
• amulet
• constancy

A spectacular tattoo with the image of a turtle can tell about the calm, patient nature of its owner.

Such a man is wise and constancy. The original body image with a turtle is sometimes made by men because of the beauty of the image, and not because of its symbolic meaning.

What does it mean for a woman?

It’s not so often that women choose a tattoo in the form of a beautiful turtle. Similar drawings for the fair sex mean:

• patience
• chastity
• purity of thoughts
• wisdom
• calmness
• constancy
• amulet

An interesting image with a turtle on a delicate female body will tell about the wise and calm disposition of its owner.

The fair sex with such a tattoo has a kind and patient soul. Also, such a body design can be a real amulet for its owner.

Which image to choose for a tattoo?

Original turtle tattoos look impressive in different styles. They look especially beautiful in the realism technique. Such wearable images look very natural and unusual.

The images made are chosen not only by women, but also by men. Such designs look beautiful on any part of the body.

Polynesian turtle tattoos became common among Europeans no more than a few decades ago. For the first time, such a tattoo appeared among Pacific tribes; it could be used to determine a person’s status, his origin, or even his occupation. Only priests could apply a design on the body of a fellow tribesman, and the process itself was a real sacrament.

History of the symbol

The Polynesian archipelago includes about 1,000 different islands, but the most famous and mysterious is the culture of the Maori tribe. Representatives of this tribe communicated with the gods through tattoos, which they applied to their bodies using improvised means - animal teeth or incisors. The Maori greatly respected turtles for their longevity and strong shell, which is why they often got tattoos of this animal as a sign of their respect. First of all, the turtle was a symbol of wisdom, so such a tattoo could only be found among mature, wealthy and respected members of the tribe.

The meaning of the Polynesian turtle tattoo

Over time, the meaning of a tattoo in the form of a Polynesian turtle began to acquire more and more different variations, as the inhabitants of the tribe followed the life of these animals and noticed some of their features.

The main meanings of the tattoo are:

• Wisdom and prudence;
• Calm, slow, thoughtful;
• Patience;
• A symbol of a balanced person who carefully thinks through his every step;
• Stealth (due to a strong shell);
• Longevity or even eternity;
• Fertility and fertility;
• Hard work (when it is assumed that the picture shows a turtle at dawn).

Often, Polynesian tattoos with a turtle were a strong amulet against evil spirits and troubles in life. This meaning of the tattoo is associated with the fact that the animal has a strong shell, which will always protect it from enemies.

Places of application

The priests of the Maori tribe were well versed in human anatomy and always carefully thought out where to get a tattoo. The location of the design had to correspond to certain energy meridians of the human body in order to positively influence the owner of the tattoo.
The most common placement options for a turtle tattoo are on the arm, chest, or back. Mostly, the sketch is combined with other tattoos and forms a complete picture - a “sleeve” or even a larger tattoo the size of half the body. Less common is placement on the foot. The location of the tattoo does not affect its meaning.

Color spectrum

Polynesian tattoos are traditionally tattooed exclusively in black, since this color scheme allows you to get as close as possible to the spirits and reveal your energy (according to the Polynesians). No other shade options available.

Polynesian tortoise for guys and girls

The Maori tribe had a clear division of tattoos into male and female. The turtle belongs to men's tattoos; therefore, it does not appear on women. In modern culture, some girls still wear this symbol, although from the point of view of the symbolism of the sign, this is not entirely true.

Tattoo style

The only style for the Polynesian tortoise is the technique of the same name - Polynesia. Its peculiarity lies in the combination of ornate lines, labyrinths, and spirals, which form a single pattern. As a result, the tattoo somewhat resembles an image that was burned into wood. Every stroke of the drawing is crucial, so the choice of sketch should be approached responsibly - either turn to the indigenous inhabitants of Polynesia, or use ancient historical books.

Additional sketch elements

Most often, the tattoo is combined with a geometric pattern, forming a complete “sleeve”. Less commonly, you can find a combination of a Polynesian turtle with tiki masks, sharks, stingrays, dolphins, whales, and some other animals.

Hidden meaning of tattoo

Residents of the Maori tribe believed that tattoos not only allow you to get closer to the gods, but also significantly influence a person’s life and his destiny. Turtles were usually stuffed with men who wanted to stop participating in wars or hunting work, start a family and live in peace. Often such a tattoo was applied to mature people of advanced age as a sign of their settling down and wisdom, the transition from an active life to a quiet old age. In the modern world, a tattoo in the form of a Polynesian turtle is tattooed regardless of age, since the meaning of the design can be varied. First of all, this is still a powerful amulet that will especially help people with dangerous work - police officers, military men, firefighters, etc., because Maori tattoos protect only those who really need it and give goodness to people in return.

The turtle symbol is common and present in many cultures. The main characteristics are a hard, durable shell and survival, both in water and on land. These mammals travel long distances across the seas. Due to the prevalence of the symbol in various cultures where the art of tattooing was popular, turtle tattoos have become popular throughout the world.

The meaning of a turtle tattoo.

• Longevity. Turtles are long-lived. People choose such tattoos to show that something in their life will always be important and meaningful: be it love for a specific football team, music group or thing. Others apply tattoos to their bodies to wish themselves the same longevity.
• Fertility. Turtles lay hundreds of eggs at a time. They are a symbol of rich fertility. Men and women get tattoos to enhance the reproductive functions of the body.
• Security, amulet. Turtles are endowed with a hard, dense shell that can protect them from any danger. The shell is so strong that it is difficult to break. This symbolizes strength and resilience. For women it is a protective amulet. For men, it is a symbol of strength and perseverance in the face of the enemy.
• Devotion. Turtles swim great distances from home, but always come back. The tattoo will be a symbol of fidelity to a partner, friend or family.
• Determination. Turtles are slow animals, but they always achieve their goals, no matter how far away they are. People get tattoos as a symbol that they are “slowly but surely” moving towards their goals.

Choosing a place on the body for a turtle tattoo.

The tattoo can be placed on any part of the body, depending on the size of the sketch and style of execution. Large turtle tattoo – back, thigh, stomach, chest. Small neat tattoos - hands, wrists, neck.

Turtle tattoo style.

• Like in a cartoon. Characterized by bright colors and clear shapes, like in a children's coloring book. A cheerful, cheerful sketch is more suitable for girls.
• Realism. A popular style for performing a tattoo sketch for men and women equally. Shades of brown, beige, black, white and green are used. The design is voluminous, with many shadows and highlights. Also in this style is a tattoo of several turtles swimming in a line. A good location on the body is the forearm.
• Ethnics. These sketches are mostly done using geometric shapes and clean lines. The color of the turtle tattoo is black and white. A sketch in this style can be made in a small size and fit on a wrist or even a finger.
• Newschool. In this style, turtle tattoos are made with precious stones on the shell, with flowers, keys, images of a heart and other symbols. Bright colors and complex compositions are used. Suitable tattoo for men and girls.
• Lettering tattoo. This can be a sketch of a turtle in any style with a quote added above or below the drawing. Sometimes this may be a short word, such as "family", on the shell.
• Watercolor. Turtle tattoos for girls are often performed in this style. Delicate colors, soft blurred contours, smooth lines. The location on the body is determined only by the size of the sketch and the client’s desire.

Many people associate the turtle with slowness and calmness. In eastern countries, her image is one of the most ancient and honorable symbols in the world. If you like a turtle tattoo, then you should find out the possible meaning before going to the artist. The design is applied to different parts of the body using both black and colored paints.

What does a turtle tattoo mean?

Since ancient times, the drawing of this animal was considered a symbol of long life and immortality. Many people associate it with peace, and this is due to the fact that this reptile can live both on land and in water. Understanding what a turtle tattoo means, it’s worth mentioning another interpretation: the animal is considered a symbol of protection and steadfastness. This meaning arose due to the presence of a strong shell that protects the turtle. It is because of this that in Ancient China the image of a reptile was used by warriors, who thus received protection and strength for fighting.

Another meaning of a turtle tattoo for girls and boys is associated with the animal’s ability to hide in its shell. That is why drawing on the body is considered a symbol of internal contemplation and spiritual development. By the way, in China the turtle is more of a masculine symbol, but in Greece, on the contrary, it is a feminine one. The animal was considered a symbol of the Moon and fertility. If a drawing of a large turtle in the Polynesian style was chosen for the tattoo, then it will symbolize power. The thing is that the largest armored animals are found in this region. Even in Polynesia, such a tattoo was considered the most powerful.

The Taoists had their own meaning for a turtle tattoo, and they believed that such a design personifies the cosmos with the dome of the sky, the role of which is played by the shell. The American Indians put a tattoo on their back that represented a cosmic tree emerging from the back of a turtle.