Lotus Flower Tattoo Ideas

Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions, especially throughout India and the lotus has become a symbol for awakening to the meaning of life. The meaning varies slightly between myth to myth of course but essentially religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.

In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it’s religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful (hopefully!). So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form.

Lotus and peonies are flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to Koi tattoos. Ironically enough, the two, koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The Koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and individualism.

Namakubi Tattoo Meanings

Namakubi in tattoo can be used to show many things, courage, a warning, respect for foe, or just as an image of no fear. Willingness to accept your fate and with honor is one for the messages namakubi is used for. A brutal image none the less, it is applied not as shock factor only, but as an element to the circle of life, for example-when taking a head it is done with respect for the person and that persons cause, but can also be used to show others the punishment if they are not living a truly righteous life.

Japanese Hannya Tattoos

The hannya mask is just one example of the many different types of masks used by the traditional Japanese actors of Noh theater. Noh performances are very stylized representations of traditional and well known stories, developed in Japan during the 14th century. The masks are used to convey the identity and mood of the various characters, who number nearly eighty in the different tales. The hannya mask is specifically used to represent a vengeful and jealous woman. Her anger and envy have so consumed her that she has turned into a demon, but with some important traces of humanity left. The pointed horns, gleaming eyes, fang-like teeth, combined with a look of pure resentment and hate are tempered by the expression of suffering around the eyes and the artfully disarrayed strands of hair, which indicate passionate emotion thrown into disorder. The deeper and more extreme the coloring of the face, the deeper and more violent run the emotions of the character. Tattooing takes full advantage of these fanciful and engaging images, often using them in larger pieces of Japanese work or sometimes juxtaposing masks of good and evil characters. Often a Noh mask will also appear in isolation, as a work of art unto itself, not unlike the actual masks which are highly prized and very collectible.

Even to this day, in Japan, a hand gesture of two index fingers sticking up from a man’s forehead is an indication that his wife is mad at him or jealous. A more reddish color indicates strong resentment and anger and is used in such plays as Dodoji and Kurozuka, whereas a paler color would be more appropriate for Aoi-no-ue. Dodoji is the story of unrequited love between a woman and a priest of Dodoji (temple). She turns into a demonic serpent who wraps her body around the temple bell consuming it and the priest in the process.

Asian Peony Tattoos

The Peony is considered the best of flowers and is known as the King of flowers. In short it means elegance and wealth. With it’s large and spreading red petals, which are delicately curled at the edges, the peony has been called in Europe “the rose without thorns” and has been used at times as a way to refer to the Virgin Mary. But even from the time of the ancient Greeks, it has been associated with many positive folk medicine cures in the western world, treating ailments that range from asthma to epilepsy and even keeping evil spirits away. Although often depicted in tattoo imagery in deep red, it is today also cultivated in white, varying shades of red and even yellow. The principal association in tattoo work is not western but rather eastern, where flowers take on a distinctly different set of meanings.

In the ornate, complex, and extensive body coverage that is typically involved in Japanese tattoos, it may seem as though entire gardens appear, but the floral repertoire of traditional Japanese tattoo is not as extensive as it might first appear. We can say that among the select flowers that are used is the peony, a flower with a very long history (as much as 4000 years) in China and then in Japan. For the Chinese it was regarded as a symbol of wealth, good fortune and prosperity. In Japanese culture, it symbolizes much the same. In addition though, since the peony is part of an old Japanese card game (historically played by heavily tattooed gamblers), it also suggests a sort of gambling, daring and even a masculine devil-may-care attitude, quite unlike its character in the west.

The Oni Tattoos

The oni tattoos or horned demon, is a popular image in the Japanese tattoo artwork of today. They are probably the most common of the ghostly beings in Japanese
cosmology and are typically depicted as rampaging, violent, and cruel. Almost always shown with horns, their faces can be quite varied, similar to noh masks, and are typically pink, red, or blue-grey.

In general, the oni is a fearsome supernatural creature. They have been described variously as guardians of Buddhist hell, demons who act as torturers there, pranksters, devourers of human victims, hunters of sinners, and bringers of disease and epidemics.

There is also a tradition, however, in older tales, that they can apparently be converted to Buddhism and become benevolent protectors, such as monks who become an oni after death in order to protect a temple.

Asian Koi Fish Tattoo Meanings

Probably surprising to many westerners is the very large amount of ancient myths that surround these beautiful fish in the orient, and their elevated status there. The koi fish is more than just a colorful and collectible fish, it is also one of the most popular and beautiful story, myth, tale and tattoo themes, a beauty which belies its symbolic meaning. Although Chinese in origin, the koi is now widely celebrated in Japan, particularly for its manly qualities. It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike the warrior facing the sword.

One theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called “Dragon Gate” on “Yellow River” would be transformed into a dragon. Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement. Eventually, the stoic fish came to be associated with so many masculine and positive qualities that it was appropriated for the annual “Boys day festival” in Japan where even today colorful, streaming koi flags are traditionally displayed for each son in the family. In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same courage, control, and the ability to achieve goals with an understanding of life’s trials”.

Not all koi fish are headed for dragon gate, and not all koi are stoic, there are other stories. Another popular story is of a giant koi fish that is killing off the fishermen of a small village, only to be killed by a boy of the village making the boy a hero.

Generally known in the west as the brightly colored fish that are common in public ponds and fountains, Koi fish can be found in colors that include white, gold, yellow, orange, off-white blue and red, their can also be calico-colored versions in many variations, particularly beautiful specimens have been known to fetch prices in excess of half-a-million dollars from private collectors who specialize in their breeding and showing. The collectible, prized, specially bred koi fish are generally “not” the koi fish of the irezumi tattoo.

Asian Foo Dog Tattoos

The Foo Dog of Asia has also been called the “Lion of Buddha” and that name is actually much more accurate, since it is a lion and not a dog at all. Known also as Fu Dogs, Fo Dogs, karashishi and shi-shi dog. they are used extensively in Asian art, sculpture, and, of course, tattoos. But the Lion of Buddha may not be Buddhist in origin.

The local Shinto religion of Japan, which predates Buddhism, also has a lion protector, with a red head, who drives away evil spirits and brings health and wealth. No matter the origin though, be it Chinese or Japanese, Buddhist or Shinto, the definitive foo dog is fundamentally protective, strong, and courageous. It is even said that when they are cubs, their mothers will throw them from cliffs, so that only the strongest survive. Many times, foo dogs occur in pairs, placed at gated entrances, for example, seated and yet always ready. The foo dog to the right is typically thought of as male, with the mouth open a bit, one front paw resting on a sphere, which is often carved as open latticework and represents both heaven and the totality of Buddhist law. On the left is the female, mouth closed, paw resting on a small cub, typically shown upside down on its back, which represents the earth. Often in tattoo imagery, the foo dog crawls menacingly, up or down an arm or leg.

With their pointed ears and their curly but subdued manes of hair, there is certainly a resemblance to dogs. More than likely, it is that resemblance which has caused the widespread convusion about these animals, also known as Chinese Lions and even Lion Dogs. But the resemblance is accidental and due to the fact that virtually all knowledge of actual lions was second hand to the Asian artists who initially created them. Their knowledge was second hand because, although dogs abound the world over, lions have never been native to the orient.