subject: Tattoo Designs - Zodiac Signs [print this page] People have been interested in the celestial bodies from ancient times, not only because the stars and planets were are source of wonder, but also because of the belief they influenced behavior and destiny. It is not hard to understand why early man worshipped the sun and the moon. They appeared to be alive - one appearing by day and one by night. The sun provided light and warmth; the moon gave light in the darkness.
The Zodiac signs we have today have changed little since the Greeks devised their names around 2000 years ago. This long history means zodiac images have been drawn thousands of time by thousands of artists. As drawings of the zodiac signs have evolved, so has tattoo art and design, so that there is a wide choice of designs.
Western Zodiac Signs
Most of us are familiar with the 12 Greek/Roman Zodiac signs. Most lend themselves to tattooing. There are some pictures you may not want, for example a picture of a crab for Cancer. But you could still have the symbol if you want to connect to your sign, and there is an amazing variety of artistic designs.
The choice is to have an image, such as the Water Carrier, for Aquarius or, the equivalent symbol, which are two parallel wavy lines, or the image of a ram for Aries or the outline of a ram's head and horns. It really depends upon how you want to express yourself. A full image can be detailed or colorful and obvious, whereas a symbol can be understated and minimalist. Whatever zodiac tattoo you choose can still connect you to you star sign.
Chinese Zodiac Signs
The Chinese Zodiac has 12 signs also- the Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Lamb, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig. They run over a 12-year cycle rather than a 12-month one. Your sign is determined by the year of your birth rather than the month. People born in that year are strongly influenced by the animal for that year. It is said the people take on the characteristics of the animal. Like western astrology, certain personality or character traits are given to each person born under a particular animal.
You zodiac tattoo could be a little more exotic and mysterious with the image of the animal of your birth or the Chinese character representing it. This gives you a choice of tattoo images. If you choose the Chinese, which may be more favorable to you than the western Zodiac, then you can have the image or the Chinese word or symbol for that animal.
Japanese Zodiac Signs
The Japanese have followed the Chinese in that the signs and the cycle are the same but, of course, the language is different. You do need to be aware the words used to describe the signs are written in traditional Japanese. Using Kanji could change the meaning. For example, Bull could be turned into Cow, not quite the same image.A Japanese zodiac sign tattoo could get attention and promote discussion.
You can make your choice from a great number of designs so that your Zodiac tattoo symbol should be both decorative and meaningful, and even a little exotic.
