One of the controversial symbols is the bat tattoo, the meaning of which few people now know. Its uniqueness is manifested in the fact that it, as the only animal with warm blood, able to fly, as a symbol carries a double interpretation. The meaning of the bat symbol as a tattoo is formed on the basis of two radically different approaches. On the one hand - it is an extremely negative interpretation, unfortunately, the most common, on the other - a positive and rare. For a complete study, we should consider both options.
Bat tattoo: negative interpretation
Because of the nocturnal type of life, the bat is symbolized by people with the negative qualities of the manifestation of the world and evil, danger and even death. Therefore, people believed in terrifying and fantastic things, such as the transformation of the various manifestations of darkness that inhabited the earth. The special kind of vampire bats, which attack other animals and sometimes do not mind indulging themselves with human blood, has only strengthened the myth of the horror of the bat.
During the Middle Ages, before the heyday of Christian belief, bats were like cute little tame animals for witches and sorcerers, it was believed that they could sense the power and magic hidden from human eyes. That is why they were often used for various rituals of those times. The situation changed radically after the strengthening of Christianity and Judaism. Bats were disposed of by all known means. At this point, they began to be ranked as the devils of hell, they were feared and openly hated, including for their appearance. The dead bat was nailed to the door of the house to drive away evil spirits. Do not lag behind and the countries of America, there was a bat is said to be a resident of the underworld and had the power to swallow the sun itself.
Facts about the animal
The bat is the only mammal capable of flying. Their nocturnal lifestyle, keen eyesight, peculiar appearance, and ability to move quickly in space caused admiration and fear in people at the same time. The animal was mentioned by the legendary ancient Greek poet Homer, who believed that the dead had the wings of bats. The ancient Romans and Greeks treated the animal with reverence and respect.
Europeans used nocturnal messengers of the afterlife, who were also invariable companions of witches, sorcerers and fortune tellers, in mystical rites. It was believed that these creatures have a special sense and are able to communicate with the dead.
With the advent of Christianity, animals became mass exterminated because they were associated with Satan and the dark forces, like the Jews. A talisman in the form of a bat, suspended and killed, protected the home from evil spirits. The same attitude was with the Americans and Brazilians, who treated bats with fear and awe, believing that they were capable of consuming the sun.
Bat tattoo meaning in a positive way
From another point of view, the bat has a number of positive qualities that, in one way or another, help the creature live. In ancient Rome and Greece, the skills of cute little animals were appreciated. For example, its ability to navigate in the dark, excellent vision, became a symbol of insight and vigilance. Homer, in his work, praised the animal's ability to fly, giving the souls of the deceased a part of the animal: wings. China differs in its perception of the world in many ways. So the image of the bat, so terrible for all, here has found only positive features. The animal has come to symbolize:
- good luck;
- a dignified death;
- longevity;
- fertility.
What are they like?
The size, type, style, and subject matter of a tattoo can fundamentally change its meaning.
By style.
To perform a tattoo, you can use virtually any style, but there are techniques that are more complementary to the image of the bat.
- Oriental techniques. Such images have symbolism associated only with positive images, so the tattoo is interpreted as a symbol of good luck and fertility. The peculiarity of this style can be considered neat and delicate thin lines, as well as the use of bright and dense colors.
- Monochrome Realism. The palette in this style is moderate, restrained. But this is also its "zest". The play of light and shadow, the volume of the sketch - that's what will influence the effectivity of the image.
- Hyperrealism. This style can be called relatively young, and not all masters will take up such a drawing. Probably, the bat-vampire image will be the most successful in this option.
- New skool .. Bright colors with a black outline create a slightly cartoonish image, so the tattoo turns out with a positive context.
Fans of minimalism also often ask to portray a small stylized mouse, similar to the image from old cartoons.
Interpretations of this type of tattoo go like this: "When we were kids, we played spies, and the bat was our symbol. We grew up, but we want to carry our carefree childhood with us, and let that be expressed visually in this way." Well, that's an interesting approach, can be applied to both female and male tattoos. But then the image should probably be small and concise.
In terms of subject matter.
There is little to limit the client's imagination here. As already noted, the theme of the moon, which becomes the backdrop for the bat, is quite popular. It all goes in the direction of mysticism, nighttime adventures, and superpowers, which are revealed just at the full moon. But there are other options as well.
- The bat with the scary grin.. A defense, a willingness to fight, a strong and traumatic emotional experience. Sometimes people unconsciously choose such a plot, trying to give themselves more brutality, or even just to close themselves off from a difficult world. Of course, psychological problems are hard to solve with tattoos, but as a visual expression of coping with fears they sometimes help.
- A bat spreading its wings with determination. It speaks of a person's militancy, but not of his cruelty, aggression, willingness to defend himself. It is a more positive symbol if there is no predator grin on the bat's muzzle.
Bat tattoo sketches in different styles
What a bat tattoo means in dark magic
Interestingly, the bat tattoo was (and still is) one of the most popular among American Indians. They noticed that these animals feel great in a pack, as if honoring the strong family ties. Therefore, the Indians believe that the bats are a symbol of the strength of the family. But it is worth mentioning that about these representatives of the animal world and tell a lot of unpleasant things. Such beliefs began to spread many centuries ago. The main reason is the ignorance of people who considered mice as messengers of otherworldly forces. This was due to the fact that they were perfectly oriented in the dark. That is why people thought that they possessed some abilities given to them by the dark forces. Because in those early days no one could study mice to understand - orientation in the darkness is due to the emission of waves. They are the ones that help to bypass obstacles. But people were sure - mice came from the netherworld. Perhaps, this is the reason why the black magicians chose bats as their symbol. In addition, many ancient and medieval sketches show that people associated the hand-winged animals with the embodiment of the dark forces.
Pay attention! This view was held by both pagans and Christians.
Where can I stuff it?
There are no strict restrictions. Basically, tattoos are done where it will look the most aesthetically pleasing.
- On the arm. This area and beyond the subject of bats is exploited more often than others. On the shoulder or forearm can be painted a large bat with wings spread. It appears less often on the hand. This theme is more typical for the mini-tattoo.
- On the neck. In this place, more often appear bats, which are associated with the theme of vampirism. This is understandable, because vampires prefer to imbibe exactly in the neck of the person. It takes courage to make such a strong in terms of message and image tattoo on such a vulnerable area.
- On the chest. In a sense it is a challenge. The chest is involuntarily associated with the heart and soul. And a mouse appearing there would be considered a loud message.
- On the head. Such a theme is of interest to a greater extent to bald men. You can not get rid of such a tattoo, if it is bored, but simply grow hair.
- On the back. There they stuff large story compositions with a bat, containing many details and details. However, the person himself will be difficult to admire such a tattoo.
- On the shoulder blade. A good area for small and delicate images. Perhaps on such a small bat will want to stare. That's why this option often becomes a feminine one. Those who wear strappy dresses, or even with an open top, consider these tattoo symbols.
- On the leg. Women prefer to stuff mice on the thigh, so the tattoo will be closed. The images are perceived more as amulets and open only to the closest people.
- On the wrist. On the one hand, the tattoo will be small, modest, not at all shouty. On the other hand, this place is not hidden as reliably as the back. Therefore the choice lies in finding the "golden mean" and understanding what one wants from a tattoo more.
Bat tattoo for men
If we look at the tattoo bat sketches for men, we can see that most often such images on their bodies are caused by representatives of certain military professions. For example, loved her scouts. And so much so that in some countries the mouse is their symbol. This is due to such qualities of the hand-winged creature as:
- ...orientation in the dark..;
- fast movement;
- the ability to wait several hours.
Therefore, the meaning of the bat tattoo for scouts is the following - elusiveness! There are different variations of this tattoo. If you look at the bat tattoo photo, among the various sketches quite often there are full-fledged compositions. The following elements are used in their composition:
- sight;
- parachute;
- moon;
- dark background.
Often letters, numbers are also added - they indicate the years of service in the army, the number and name of the military unit.
Pay attention! As another variant of the composition - beret and skull.
Warriors of special forces units put a mouse on their bodies, which in its outline is similar to the emblem of the fantastic hero Batman. However, there is nothing surprising about this tattoo - after all, special forces soldiers are as strong, fast, and smart as the super-hero.
By the way! The military intelligence officers of the Russian army have no right to tattoo a bat on their body until they finish their service! Only after they retire, they can wear such a tattoo. The reason for the ban is so that the enemies, enemy spies do not determine that there is an active scout in front of them.
Significance for men
Service in Special Forces.. Sketches and drawings of bats are quite often considered by special forces soldiers. They symbolize fearlessness, fortitude and valor. Always in black or a rather dark tone.
Lifestyle Characteristics.. Tattoos are characteristic of young people with a nocturnal lifestyle. Usually they are stuffed at a young age, in order to show that they start to live exclusively at night and constantly hang out in bars, clubs.
Dexterity, agility, nimbleness .. These are the qualities inherent in animals. And the animals have good eyesight, they perceive the world by radio frequency waves. However, at night they orient in space better than anyone else.
Culture. Tattoos are often found in subcultures, such as goths or Satan worshippers. According to them, the bearers of such images are close to the netherworld.
Reflection of character and aggressiveness. The bat indicates aggression, bloodthirstiness, and the ability to defend oneself and one's interests.
Bat tattoo photo: 12 beautiful tattoos
Bat tattoo for women
Now let's talk about what a bat tattoo means for the beautiful half of humanity. For cute girls, these animals symbolize themselves:
- mystery;
- mystery;
- gracefulness.
After all, these are the features inherent in every real woman. Such tattoos are usually applied to:
- neck;
- hips;
- the back.
However, not everything is so simple in the relationship of the weaker sex and hand-winged creatures. The bat tattoo is also a symbol of witches. Because these creatures, in one way or another, were associated with such women. But today, such a meaning is no longer found. But those ladies who want to point out their special cuteness, most often stuff the animal on the body in combination with other elements:
- fruits;
- flowers;
- other cute and feminine details.
Do you know what a bat tattoo means, if it is depicted with crossed wings? After all, in this way, the animal closes itself from the outside world, creating a warm and cozy microcosm. In this way, girls, who inflict a similar image on the body, want to show that they are in dire need of care and warmth of their loved ones, of their chosen man.
Pay attention! Many species of meandering animals are under the threat of extinction. Therefore, some nature advocates, members of Green Peace organization strap images of such animals on themselves. Thus they want to attract the attention of others to the problem!
If the tattoo is applied to a girl's shoulder, it indicates that the representative of the weaker half of humanity adores order, cleanliness. After all, meadowfoils are quite clean, they are constantly licking their fur, in order to get rid of dirt.
The meaning of tattoos for women
Wisdom .. From time immemorial, witches and sorcerers used bats to create potions. They believed that the bats connect the two worlds: our world and the other world.
Mystery. This tattoo describes the wearer as a mysterious and enigmatic person. The same can be said of the nocturnal animals themselves, which conduct their activities at night, when everyone is asleep, and closer to dawn hiding from the sun and living creatures.
Cleanliness. The image can signify the cleanliness, neatness of the host. Animals take a long time to lick their own coats and the coats of their fellow creatures. They just don't get dirty. These winged ones are very pedantic about cleanliness, can even compete with cats.
Peacefulness. A girl with such a body painting is characterized by peacefulness, as are most species of flying mammals. They do not seek to kill animals, eat nectar, and live quite measured lives. The cute mice do not cause fear at all. It is a very popular image for women to demonstrate their own kindness.
Love of nature.. Now many representatives of these mammals are on the verge of extinction. People are gradually displacing the animals, they simply have nowhere to go. It's not so easy to find new places with their nocturnal way of life. It is not uncommon to see such tattoos in Greenpeace.
On what part of the body to apply a tattoo of a bat
If to look at photos of sketches and real tattoos presented on our site, you will understand that such images can be absolutely different sizes, forms and kinds. Most often tattooed on the following parts of the body (both men and women):
- chest;
- back;
- arms;
- shoulders;
- shoulder blades;
- hips.
Please note! The tattoo of a bat on the back must be a large size!
The most common colors and shades are black, which suits this creature perfectly. But if the tattoo has a positive meaning, then bright colors are also used. Look at the works presented on this page - they will inspire you to create an original, unique sketch.
Photo
Realistic animals look really spectacular, thanks to the combination of styles and colors. So if you have already decided that you want to become the owner of an original tattoo, the presented photos will help you make the right choice.
Do not be afraid to experiment, because any tattoo, whatever they say, above all a reflection of you and your soul.
