The mysterious and mysterious existence of the inhabitants of the sea depths has always attracted people, so their images very often appear in literary works and cinematography. Not without the attention of these animals and lovers of body painting, so today to meet a tattoo with one of the representatives of the underwater kingdom is not uncommon. One of the many sketches in this theme is the image of an octopus. The history of this tattoo has a very long history, and around this marine animal folded a lot of legends. The octopus is a multifaceted and rather ambiguous creature, which some peoples feared, largely because of its intimidating and unusual appearance, while others, on the contrary, admired it. Sailors told the most amazing and sometimes scary stories about this creature, but often stuffed its images on their bodies as a talisman against bad luck on voyages. It was said that these huge "monsters" turned over the ships with their tentacles and dragged them to the bottom, and that it was because of the octopus great whirlpools appeared on the water surface, in which the ships sank. And what does this animal symbolizes in the tattoos today? We will find out below in the material.
General meaning
The modern meaning of the tattoo with octopus, or as it is also called - an octopus, in most variations is not at all associated with negative characteristics. The unique structure of its body, or more precisely, the absence of a spine, allows the sea dweller to penetrate an opening that is much smaller than itself. Simply amazing flexibility. That is why the body image of this plan can mean that the owner of the tattoo is not afraid of any obstacles. In addition to this physical feature, the octopus has a well-developed ability to camouflage. At any danger, their natural coloring changes to white, which allows the successful hiding from the enemy. But if this creature, to put it mildly, is in a bad mood, his body is colored red. This peculiarity of the marine organism is interpreted as invulnerability and the ability to adapt to any situation.
In the case of the octopus, the coloring of its body is in the red, and it is not in the red. Mother Nature endowed this inhabitant of the sea depths with blue blood and three hearts, which allows the octopus to "come back from the dead" and restore bitten tentacles. Also, as surprising as it may sound, octopuses are very intellectually advanced creatures. These are the only molluscs that can be trained, able to distinguish colors, shapes of objects and even recognize people. Based on this, an octopus tattoo can also be considered a demonstration of a high level of intelligence.
Author
Back to the octopus. The author of the tattoo is this venerable gentleman named Greg James. Greg has done tattoos for such not unknown personalities as Ozzy Osbourne, Tommy Lee (the dude who was married to Pamela Anderson), Sarah Michelle Gellar, Charlie Sheen and so on.
He is a participant in a huge number of tattoo conventions, his designs adorn the covers of magazines, books and even the walls of the Hard Rock Café. And the quality of the tattoo itself really shows that he knows his business.
For men
The male tattoo sketches with an octopus in most cases are created on the basis of this animal's ability to adapt to the environment. In this case there is a certain demonstration of his resilience and ability to cope with any difficulties. For such a man there is no hopeless situation, which he declares to the whole world with the help of the selected sketch. To some extent, it is a symbol of agility, resourcefulness and luck. The work can be monochrome or colored. The latter option is especially popular, so a red or orange octopus, in a slightly intimidating pose, is the most common type of sketch. Also a distinguishing feature of men's tattoos is their size. The image must be large, and in this connection, it is applied to the parts of the body that are suitable for this, on which it is possible to fully display the intended image.
Variety of variations.
The octopus provides a great choice of all sorts of image variations. Eight tentacles of the mollusk can be depicted smoothly descending or clasping the emblematic object for the owner.
Sketches of tattoos octopus can be complemented by the presence of other sea creatures: turtles, fish or coral. Octopus can be good-natured, cartoon or fierce. Application techniques and styles also leave room for the imagination. You can depict the octopus in both monochrome and color. But, the latter option will be replete with shades of red and pink tones.
For women
Among women's tattoos, the sketch with an octopus occurs not so often, because young ladies are always trying to give preference to more "cute" animals. However, in spite of such an external feature, beautiful ladies have a lot to learn from octopuses. No other animal demonstrates such care and concern for her offspring as the female of this creature. Producing offspring only once in a lifetime, which is about half a million eggs, the caring mother takes care of them for more than a year until each of the little octopuses hatches from the egg. And only after making sure that the process is complete does she leave the world of the living. Therefore, the octopus sketch is very relevant for girls or women wishing to have children, as it is rightly considered a symbol of motherhood and purity. Mystery, flexibility and insight are also popular interpretations of women's tattoos. These sketches are mostly characterized by a small size, colorfulness and an abundance of additional details, which can act as other inhabitants of the sea depths or a variety of blooms.
Types of sketches
One of the most common body designs in this direction is the image of a mollusk with outstretched tentacles or upward aspiring creature, especially if the symbolism of the drawing is embedded in the "desire to always move forward. Also not uncommon are the sketches, which represented a composition of several elements, such as octopus on the seabed, surrounded by jellyfish, stones and shells, octopus with anchor, compass, spear or key, animal, sinking ship, a creature with the skull instead of the head or the representative of the underwater world in the sea foam. Ladies skillfully combine the mollusk with flowers and original ornaments. No less interesting looks octopus with glasses and a hat that emphasize its intelligence.
What this animal means today
If you sort out what the octopus actually means, it is obvious that it is one of the most intellectually advanced marine species. His image is rather female than male in character, as it indicates a deliberate impermanence, instability. The reason is simple: the regular changes of color.
On this basis, even a small octopus symbolizes the ability to adapt and be diverse, closed and the ability to regenerate, protection and autonomy, the ability to change and quick to think.
Place for the tattoo
The choice of where to apply the tattoo always depends on the size of the sketch you like and on your attitude towards this type of art. If you are not going to later shyly hide the tattoo under clothing, then you have complete freedom of choice. You have the right to apply the tattoo to any part of the body, but the presence of common sense and the actual location of the image is still a must. Otherwise, it is worth to think about the expediency of such action. Unwrapped designs with many details look harmonious on the back, and can both occupy the entire area, or decorate only part of it, such as the waist or shoulder blades area.
No less attractive will look marine creature on the shoulder, forearm and any part of the hand. With this option, you should give preference to sketches of medium or small size. Men, by the way, often design the octopus in the form of a tattoo sleeve, which allows you to beautifully arrange the mollusk tentacles around the arm. If you decide to stuff the octopus on the chest, here the popularity of this area of the body is the same in both sexes. Young ladies also place the inhabitant of the seas and oceans on the side, thigh or buttocks. Small sketches can adorn any part of the body.
Historical use
The octopus has long been used as a tattoo by many sailors. It was believed that this octopus would protect the ship from shipwreck and at the same time hide from both natural troubles like storms and human factor - pirates, if the ship was peaceful and law-abiding, or vice versa, patrols, the meeting with which was completely unpleasant for sea wolves. And the very existence of the octopus's protective cloaking mechanism in the form of ink ejection allowed for the perception of its image as a good amulet not only on the water.
In addition to the obvious protective function, from another point of view, the octopus in many cultures was associated with the sea god Cthulhu - and, consequently, a threat, danger and primordial power. In this case, the appearance of the octopus, applied to the body, was intended to intimidate enemies, and even to cause them horror with one reminder of such a mysterious almost demonic creature.
Technique
The ambiguity, versatility and peculiar appearance of the clam allows you to boldly vary with techniques and color execution, as well as boldly fantasize and create amazing designs. Any style design as a result of the work done will pleasantly surprise you. Realism, new skool, oriental, neo-tradition, watercolor or work in the Japanese style - any direction is able to convey the mood and symbolism of the sketch. In this case, everything depends only on your taste and desire.
Whatever kind of octopus sketches you prefer, the main thing is the symbolism of the tattoo. As you were able to make sure that such pictures are endowed with a very broad meaning. However, this fact does not mean that you can not put in the tattoo its individual meaning and emphasize the inherent qualities or attitudes that are unique to you.
And again about gender
Girls and guys are equally brave to put an octopus on themselves, because the qualities they depict are universal and are extremely useful in any situation. What is important, the criminal world does not make such tattoos, and from this side there is also nothing to fear. For lovers of everything original it is useful to know: this creature is shown harmoniously in any size and in different colors, wherever you want to stuff it.
Which means you can safely experiment and invent. The very appearance of the "hero" hints that you could at least think of a Polynesian style.
