Celtic Cross Tattoo Designs

The Celtic cross tattoo is very popular in the Scottish culture. With the cross tattoo, you can link both the cultural heritage and religion to the one tattoo design. With the Celtic cross tattoo, not only does it look amazing but its also a very easy cross design to pick out from the crowd. The Celtic cross is a symbol that has been around for hundreds of years and has a lot of heritage. There are many Celtic tattoos you can get but they vary from clan to clan. Each type of Celtic tattoo represents the culture and heritage aspect of a people group. The one design that sticks out the most is the Celtic cross tattoo.

The inspiration with these types of tattoos can come from your coat of arms for the clan or the family you were from. The coat of arms was a way to distinguish each clan and some of the coats of arms are very detailed. Some Celtic cross tattoos have been modernized to fit in to today’s culture. Most of the original designs are still around, but with a more modern twist to them.

You can also add your family emblems and crests along with your coat of arms to your Celtic tattoo. Whatever you choose to do, your Celtic cross tattoo you end up being very unique. The only obstacle you will need to work around, is finding the best place to put your Celtic cross tattoo because if you add more parts to the tattoo you will need more room for the detail. Usually people put this type of tattoo on their back or down their arms, starting at the shoulder. Look at other pictures of the Celtic cross tattoo and you will find inspiration to start your own design.

The Mystique Of Celtic Tattoos

You do not have to be Irish or Scottish to get a Celtic tattoo.  These are incredible designs and anyone can have one of these bold or intricate patterns, which are always certain to grab attention.  While Celtic art is of course associated with the areas around Ireland and Scotland, the art is actually very old and predates the real establishment of both these countries as we know them now.  A revival of the art in the 18th century means that reproductions of this art can easily be found in books and on the internet.  This is art is extremely ornamental. Straights lines and the use of symmetry are limited while circles and unusually complex patters are prevalent. This art easily lends itself to the body artist’s tattoo pen.

These ancient symbols have meaning and symbolism that add to the mystique of the tattoo.  There are, for instance, highly stylized representation of animals such as the Celtic cat thought to be the guardian of the underworld and privy to ethereal knowledge. The Celtic butterfly, like so many other representations of this insect, is a symbol of rebirth and the change of seasons. No doubt the most famous and recognizable Celtic tattoo animal is the Celtic bull.  Much revered among all the Celtic animals, this bull with the bowl shaped horns is the symbol of unbending stubborn personality traits.  Just as beautiful a tattoo is the Celtic dolphin seen as a long nosed fish with a long curly tail.  This symbol of friendship and intelligence is said to bring the wearer good luck, especially on the seas.

The Celtic five-fold symbol has several meanings and makes a great Celtic tattoo.  The inside of the design holds four-petal shaped prongs, two of which face right with two facing left. These butterfly-like petals are surrounded by four rounder, thicker petal-like leaves.  The middle is divided around the edges by a circle.  This might confuse some seeing this tattoo, but what are counted are the circles in this design.  It comes out to five with the center line represent the fifth element. The outer four are Fire, Earth, Air and Water, but the fifth symbolizes an esoteric element.

Celtic knots make great tattoos because of their complex look and bold dramatic lines.  For example, the quaternary Celtic knot represents the four directions and is an emblem of Brigid, the Queen of the Four Fires.

Celtic tattoos such as knots, tree or flower symbols may connect other tattoos fairly easy. For a slightly darker Celtic look, skulls with their circular design and round eyes make for dynamic images and tattoos.  This is a symbol for eternity.  And you cannot forget to get a shamrock for luck.

Getting a Celtic tattoo puts you in great company as the ancient Celts themselves were known for getting tattoos large decorative tattoos.