Performed in various techniques Angel tattoo enjoys consistently high popularity among those wishing to adorn their bodies and get a strong talisman. It can look in absolutely different ways: as a plump Cupid, and as a fallen Lucifer, who does not understand which way is the right one, and as an unearthly being, distracting from vanity, and a formidable archangel with a punishing sword.
What does the angel tattoo mean?
The tattoo expresses the duality of human nature, the struggle of light and devilish forces. On the one hand, an angel with a golden crown over his head or an archangel with a trumpet is a symbol:
- renewal;
- The beginning of a new stage in life;
- The hope for rebirth.
A flying angel represents the search for one's place in life. To protect oneself, angel wings are depicted on the tattoo. If there is a tattoo of a fallen angel on the body with his wings torn off and small horns on his head, it is a reminder of a difficult test of life. And the double image of an angel and a demon has the meaning of the confrontation of spiritual and carnal beginnings.
Is there a religious ban on tattoos
Islam, Christianity and Judaism strongly discourage putting any images on the body. There is a corresponding ban in the Bible related to contrasting the Jews with the Egyptians, who, in their opinion, preached a wrong, pagan religion and at the same time practiced tattooing. How unambiguously this phrase should be interpreted, as in many other difficult Bible translations, is up to each individual. Not surprisingly, tattoos in the form of the Latin cross are applied by those who identify themselves as Christians. As a place of application they choose a shoulder blade or a shoulder.
In Islam, anthropomorphic images are forbidden, so if you adhere to the rigid religious canons, from such a permanent marker should give up.
The attitude to body painting among Hindus is much simpler. You can choose an image of a deva in any technique you like, either anthropomorphic or in the form of an alphabetic symbol. In general, Agni and Lakshmi, Vishnu and Brahma can perform a protective function. Images of semi-divine apsaras, who seduce ascetics from their way of life, are also considered to be multivalent symbols.
It is safe to say that the tattoo with angels is quite suitable for those who are close to the universal understanding of all religions and who do not adhere strictly to a particular cult. In any case, the place for the permanent figure should be carefully thought out before hiking to the master.
Different meanings of the angel symbol in world culture
The oldest images of angels can be seen in illustrations of the Bible. In Christianity, it is believed that all power over people was shared by the seven archangels. Not only mortals are subject to their will, but also the elements and the celestial luminaries. Biblical angels have no sex, they bring salvation and warn of the end of the world. They represent the reconciliation of the earthly and heavenly order.
In the Middle Ages, the notion of cupids, innocent babies who go to heaven after death, became widespread. Baby angels spend their time sitting on clouds and playing golden lutes. They were drawn to remind us of earthly, carnal feelings and the divine origin of love.
The main meanings of the tattoo
The symbol is considered quite ancient. There is such an image in all Abrahamic religions. As a rule, he brings goodness, spirituality, innocence, but also reliable protection from bad people and events, good news, beauty and knowledge, acts as a guide of the higher divine will.
Images of angels are known in Judaism and Islam, as well as in Christianity. There are them in the Kaballah tree of life, and in Christian teaching, and in Hinduism. Such tattoos must be interpreted by paying attention to the technique of execution, the overall composition, the variety and name of the angel, as well as the place of application. For example, a tattoo on the back with a guardian angel armed with a shield and sword should be taken as a serious talisman. If we adhere to the iconographic tradition, it is the Archangel Michael, commander in chief of the heavenly army. Such an image is also known in the Bible and the Koran.
While for Muslims it is the executor of Allah's will, his slave, in the Jewish and later Christian tradition it is a free being who has the right to choose. Not surprisingly, tattoos with angels often look like a paired portrait of a good and evil spirit, embodying the rebellious nature, duality of each of us. Often such tattoos are taken up by young people of a creative type of mind.
In the criminal environment the meaning of tattoos with fallen angels is ambiguous. As a rule, it shows the transition to the side of evil, imprisonment (it is believed that condemnation and detention is a temporary defeat of the thirsty spirit of freedom, living by its own rules). But it's not just those associated with the criminal world who can stuff this kind of permanence. The lonely images of fallen angels with drooping or even crushed wings indicate that their bearers cannot define their position in life, about their profound soul-searching. Often they represent grief for people who have gone or a voluntary refusal of socialization in its direct sense.
In order for the picture not to cause a sharply negative reaction associated with Russian cultural associations, it is worth carefully selecting a sketch. Laconic or, on the contrary, three-dimensional, but certainly accurately performed by an experienced master tattoo for sure like even your grandmother.
Combinations with other symbols
Evaluate the meaning of the tattoo should take into account all the elements performed. Interpretation varies depending on the combinations of symbols:
- cross means eternal memory of loss;
- The wings are a sign of freedom;
- The combination with a demon represents the confrontation between good and evil;
- praying hands are a sign of devotion to God, a desire for redemption;
- the scales are tipped as a symbol of balance between the dark and light sides of the soul;
- lowered arms signify agreement and humility;
- the mask in hand signifies a desire to show one's true face.
Some people don't put any meaning into the tattoo. There are people who stab the picture they like without thinking about what it might symbolize.
Positions of angels
This question will deal directly with the pose of the divine being in which you want to draw it on your body. This affects not only the aesthetic side of the issue, but also the sacred meaning of such a tattoo, its energy and radiations. If the angel is depicted in the lotus pose, he will help his owner to feel constant harmony in the soul, set him in a positive mood, make him stronger and wiser. The image of a cherub with a cheerful face, in a funny pose will make the person more positive and joyful, will disperse the clouds over his sky. An angel depicted in an erotic pose will awaken the sexual energy in a person. When a cherub is depicted with his hand raised to the sky, he is able to help those in need or lead a person out of darkness.
Who it suits
Tattoo in the form of an angel can make himself any person. Women stop their choice on this option, because the divine messengers are associated with purity, purity, faith in God. Men want to emphasize their ability to protect those around them.
Wear a drawing with the image of an angel suits people who:
- want to find peace of mind;
- are trying to emphasize their originality;
- believe that the image will protect them from harm;
- Want to keep the memory of deceased people.
Tattoo "Guardian Angel": male options
There are sketches of cherubs at the disposal of men and growing boys. These beings also possess one of the highest ranks in the Christian faith, but there are more of them, and they look slightly different. The most common cherub in the field of tattoos is Cupid. It is drawn on the body as a naked baby firing a bow. It is believed that the Cupid depicted on the back or shoulder is the guarantor of love happiness and success. In addition to the Patron of Love, there are many other cherubs, each of which represents one or another area of life. Most often choose one that will help cope with specific difficulties, will lead through a difficult path and then stay with a person forever.
Girl angel
Want to try to draw another cute angel? You can do it with colored pencils, an eraser, and a sketchbook. Let's go straight to the step-by-step instructions:
- Let's start with a sketch. We draw a circle, it will help us get the head of the angel.
Under it, we need to draw a jagged arc for the chin. - On the sides, where the top and bottom of the head join, draw small ears. We add a central part to them with different strokes. Erase the guiding lines.
- Under the chin draw two short strips, curve them below. Connect the parts with an arc. We have a small neck.
- Below we will begin to represent the torso. Our little angel will be in a dress. Draw two wavy lines, which will extend downward. Make a wavy collar. Bottom part of the dress connect, mark the folds in the fabric.
- Let's picture the sleeves. The right will be pulled to the side. Let's picture it with uneven bars.
Second arm will be omitted. Immediately depict the hands. Due to the thin, elongated ovals you get small fingers. The right hand will be open, detail the palm. - Decorate the previously obtained sleeves with beautiful ruffles. At this stage, you should mark the depth of the necklines with strips.
- Let's go back to the head, let's add some important elements here. Let's start with the hair, make it long. Draw the strands from the top point to the sleeves, finish inside a few curved strips. On the forehead with the help of arcs depict the bangs. Erase unnecessary lines.
- Draw the eyes depict two arcs on each side. They should be directed by the tops in the opposite direction.
Make the upper elements thicker, to get a beautiful eyelashes. Above depict the eyebrows. - In each eye will be pupils, they must be oval, leave light places for highlights. Below the eyes a simple staple will draw a nose. The mouth can be marked with a wide arc, under it let's add a chin line.
- Do not forget one of the main elements of the angel - the wings. Try to pay attention to each feather. They resemble elongated ovals. Start drawing from the top and keep drawing until you get to the sleeves of the dress. Inside the wings, add another layer of feathers.
Almost done, the only thing left is to use two ovals to depict a halo above the head and paint the resultant picture.
Location of cherubs and seraphim
Now let's look at the most popular, so to speak, places where people depict this divine tattoo. The guardian angel on the arm is the most popular option, which is relevant to both men and women. Often you can meet the representatives of the stronger sex, whose chest is decorated with such a body painting. It sometimes happens that on the chest or collarbone they draw only the wings, and thin lines indicate the silhouette of the angel. The most striking and unusual paintings on such topics are made on the back. This can be as one wings, which we discussed above, and full-fledged drawings in which the curves of the body and facial features of the Divine Messengers are carefully worked out. Few dare to score the entire back, but those who have done so never regret such beauty.
Style of execution and color scheme
There are several styles of execution of tattoos. From this will depend on the appearance of the finished tattoo. They are made in the traditional style, which is also called the European style.
Oldschool, which means "old school," is often used to depict angels. They are made in color using bright colors. The outlines of the picture are outlined with a black line.
Fulfill the angel master can and in the style of neo-tradition. The peculiarity of performing tattoos is the presence of clear edges. It is allowed to work both in black and white and with the addition of colored elements.
The color scheme depends on the client's wishes. The image can be done in black and white. Some people prefer to add bright spots to monochrome paintings. But no less popular are colored body art.
Common meanings for all cherubs
It happens that people put on their bodies tattoos of guardian angels, not particularly thinking about who it is - a cherub or seraphim, what are his features, what his pose means and how he affects life. In such a case, it is important to remember that these divine beings with wings can mean the following things. First, it is the rising of the sun and the awakening of all life. Secondly, it is the birth of a child, the emergence of new life and new strength. And thirdly, the cherub is a symbol of nature. It does not matter in what incarnation - melting snow, swollen buds of trees, or sea breeze. Such cherubs represent all life on the planet.
