subject: Octopus Tattoos – A Helping Tentacle [print this page] Octopus Tattoos A Helping Tentacle Octopus Tattoos A Helping Tentacle
What's got eight "arms", a beak, and is quite smart? No, it's not a mutant bird. It's an octopus! The octopus is a creature known since ancient times, yet even today it has an aura of mystery. In another light, octopus tattoos are some of the oldest designs in the realm of skin art.
Octopi? Octopuses?
An octopus is an eight-limbed creature that lives in the sea whose tentacles are used as both arms and legs. It is a carnivore, and an active predator. It is considered quite intelligent by sub-human standards, but it has a very limited lifespan. There are even statements (more like half-jokes) that if octopi lived as long as humans, then we would have a rival civilization of nearly equal footing in the deeps of our very own oceans.
As far as grammar is concerned, "octopi" and "octopuses" are both correct. The brouhaha over this pluralization issue is a matter of historical debate. There's even the rare plural form "octopodes" (oc-to-puh-deez) to confuse matters further. When all is said and done though, all three plural forms are correct!
Fascinating!
Octopus tattoos are highly symbolic and carry many meanings, in the same way that a real octopus has many abilities.
Octopi come in many colors and patterns, so that means octopus tattoos can come in a huge variety of colors and patterns too. Stripes, spots, rings, blotches, in all colors of the rainbow and then some!
What's more, octopuses can change color to mimic their surroundings or even, as some theorize, communicate with other octopodes. One special member of the family is the mimic octopus, which will actually mimic not just the coloration, but even the physiological appearance of other creatures by configuring its tentacles in different ways! How's that for adaptability?
Octopus tattoos can also symbolize the ability or wish to get out of trouble. Octopi can escape from danger by setting away on a stream of water and dark ink getting them out of harm's way while confounding their pursuers. Additionally, they can squeeze through openings not much larger than their eyes or beaks. It's a symbol of responsiveness and survivalism.
Octopodes are also capable of some level of tool use. They can hide and ambush. Moreover, consider the coconut octopus, which can use debris like bivalve and coconut shells to build barricades or even portable shelters they would wear it like armor! This same octopus can even "walk" on two of its tentacles.
If key tattoos symbolize potentials and opportunities, then octopus tattoos can symbolize the act of reaching out and being capable of seizing those opportunities. The tentacles can stand for capability and the wisdom to seize opportunities. At times they can also mean greed and manipulation.
Origin
Perhaps because of their nautical nature, octopus designs were more common in seaside communities, as well as on the skin of seafarers. For example, some Ancient Greek vases featured painted octopodes. Of course, even landlubbers can get tattoos of this strange and almost frighteningly intelligent creature of the sea!
