Getting a tattoo isn't like picking out a new pair of shoes, for you are choosing a piece of art that will be permanently etched into your skin. Think about that for a moment. You'd have to like a piece of artwork a great deal to have it permanently engraved on your body. That's why I'm so fascinated with the idea of dolphin tattoos. Why would anyone choose to have one on his or her body? I think that part of the answer to that question lies in the very nature of the dolphin. Since ancient times, dating back to the height of the Egyptian empire, people (chiefly sailors and other seafarers) have been getting them added to their bodies, largely for symbolic meaning or just pure fascination.
The dolphin has always enjoyed a reputation as the friend of the seaman. Indeed, nautical folklore abounds with stories of them playing alongside sailing ships or frolicking with humans who were swimming in the ocean. There are even tales of them helping to save shipwrecked sailors who were in danger of drowning, or of them taking on sharks head-to-head in order to save their human friends from a terrible fate. Because of these and other stories, the dolphin is seen as a good luck talisman, a bearer of good tidings, a friend.
If you look at pictures of them, their faces seem to smile benevolently back at you. While they are excellent hunters and can always catch plenty of fish, have you ever heard a story of one attacking a human being? Of course not. Because of their playful, fun-loving personalities, they symbolize a free-spirited enjoyment of life, the sea, and the natural world. Aside from being amusing natural clowns, humans have always sensed this animal's innate intelligence, which some scientists and observers have speculated could rival human intelligence.
So if you think about it, the attraction of getting a depiction of one on your body is easy to understand. We humans have always identified with the strongest, most beautiful, most graceful, most intelligent animals, and the dolphin embodies all these qualities and more. It's no wonder that so many modern citizens of every country in the world have adopted it as their own personal animal totem. When you identify with this creature, you are proclaiming your allegiance with one of nature's most wondrous creatures, an animal that is beloved by adults and children alike. It's no wonder that dolphin tattoos of every size and shape are among the most popular designs right now.
Just as there are many different species of animals out there in the natural world, there are also a wide variety of designs that represent many of the world's views of these creatures. If you look through any artist's book of samples, you'll find dolphins of every shape, size and style. They are popular as ankle tattoos, lower back tattoos (this style is especially popular with women), on the back of the shoulder, bursting from the surf just above the shoulder blade, on the inside of the forearm, or just about anywhere else an artist can imagine.
Each culture that has access to the world's seas has its own unique vision of the animal. There are Celtic interpretations, tribal interpretations, some of them derived from the Maori culture, which is the source of a great many art designs that are popular among the trendy set. Of course for the more light-hearted tattoo aficionado there are cartoon depictions that stress this sea-going mammal's happy-go-lucky personality by showing them smiling broadly or waving a fin in greeting. The more future-minded wearer may get a sleek futuristic dolphin tattoos on his body in a style that emphasizes the animal's streamlined shape with shiny metallic textures and gleaming highlights. The great thing about them is that they're adaptable to almost every artistic style and form of personal expression.
More on Dolphin Tattoos
Native Spirit Guide
The Native American tribes that lived close to the ocean often thought of the dolphin as a wonderful totem and spiritual guide. It was believed by the Native Americans that the dolphin totem would help lead a person through life and help them to seek balance in their life.
Dreaming Symbolism
In the field of dream interpretation dolphins are often seen as a guide that can lead the dreamer into unknown and hidden worlds that are deep in the psyche of the dreamer. They also ensure that the dream stays in a safe environment and does not slip back into the waking world. In this way even in a person’s dreams dolphins are seen a very good and helpful animal guide.
Travelers
Any person that has spent any time traveling on a boat knows that dolphins often follow alongside a boat. They love to frolic, jump and play in the wake of almost any ocean craft. Sailors for the beginning of time saw the dolphin as a good luck symbol for the traveler or sailor. Thus one of the strongest associations with dolphins are as a good luck symbol for the traveler. They bring good luck and a safe passage to the destination at hand. Thus they can make a great tattoo design for anyone that like travel.
Surfers
Most surfers of course feel a very deep connection with the ocean. This can often be expressed in the symbol of the dolphin. This fun loving creature is almost the epitome of the ocean lifestyle and belief system. Therefore surfers often get a tattoo that has some combination of dolphins in it.
Common Locations for a Dolphin Tattoo
Women tend to get dolphin tattoos more frequently than males however this is a tattoo that is appropriate for either sex. In fact there are many male sailors and surfers that love dolphin tattoo designs so it is by no means only a female tattoo design but can be enjoyed by men equally as well. It is most common to get a dolphin tattoo on a person’s ankle, lower back, upper arm or even the calf area. However as with any tattoo be creative and don't be locked into to getting a tattoo that others have gotten before you. Be creative, have fun and get a dolphin tattoo wherever you want to get it.
No comments:
Post a Comment