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Zodiac Tattoos

Zodiac signs are one of the most popular and widely sought after tattoo designs today. Find out more about the different kinds of zodiac systems depending on the culture of origin and learn ways on how to enhance your zodiac tattoo design.

Introduction

Zodiac signs have been a source of fascination and wonder for people across the ages. From the moment man first connected dots among stars to form constellations zodiac signs and the notion that the heavens somehow pattern our personalities, actions, and even daily activities have been enthralling concepts for men. This belief system is the reason why zodiac symbols are among the most sought after tattoos today.

A zodiac system varies from one culture to another. While most systems are based on the position of celestial bodies at specific periods of time, some use other points of reference, like trees. They also vary on the time cycles for each sign; other systems also incorporate other elements to further typify personalities under each zodiac.

Zodiac Symbols and Systems

The word zodiac comes from the Latin word zodiacus, which means "circle of animals". The zodiac symbols are governed by the position of the sun, the moon, and the stars at specified times of the year. When a person is born, the zodiac sign or constellation that is prominent in the sky during that day is the zodiac symbol assigned to that person.

The Chinese Zodiac

Chinese zodiac signs follow a much longer cycle of twelve years. They also incorporate the elements of metal, wood, fire, earth, and water with each sign. This integration provides sixty possible personality variations for interpretation.

Aside from having elements and animals added to the zodiac sign, the Chinese system also assigns a different color for each year. The colors are classified by the stems and are directly related to the elements: Metal is white; Water is black; Wood is green; Fire is Red; and Earth is Brown.

Another feature of the Chinese zodiac is that it is based on the lunar calendar cycle. It refers to the monthly phases of the moon and fits in it to further characterize the zodiac's personalities, daily horoscope, and prediction of events. The following are the twelve Chinese zodiac animals:

Established at about 600 BC, Aztec astrology, like the rest of their cultural traditions, focuses on the sun. The sun's cycle is the key unit of measurement for astrological calculations. Unlike other systems, however, which usually have 12 sun signs, the Aztec zodiac has 20 day signs. These signs are used to explain human personalities and natural phenomena. Aztec signs are built on the names of the days. Each sign lasts for a period of 24 hours and comes again after a 20-day cycle. Their calendar year only has 260 days.

Every 20-day sign has a name, symbol, and direction. They have several names, depending on the translation and the symbol. The following are names of the zodiac signs, with a summary of their brief general meanings:

Another distinguishing characteristic of the Aztec zodiac is its use of two cycles. Apart from the 20-day cycle or week, Aztec astrology also makes use of a 13-day cycle. Both cycles run at the same time. This 13-day cycle also has its own sign name system, which gives a person's birth date a numerical identity. This cycle also provides the more subtle subconscious personality traits together with deeper instincts and longings of an individual. Put together with the 20 day signs and factor in the 260-day calendar year, the Aztec zodiac is very complex and can be a bit confusing.

Celtic lunar astrology is in actual fact the Druid zodiac, developed in approximately 1000 BC. And unlike the Greco-Roman and Chinese zodiacs, Celtic astrology utilizes trees as symbols. The Druids believed that trees were sacred, each one having spirits or dryads and endowed with unique and specific magical characteristics. For the Celts, mankind descended from trees. They even pictured the whole universe as a tree whose roots burrow deep in the earth and whose branches stretch all the way up the heavens. As time passed, they began to assign a particular tree to every lunar phase depending on its particular supernatural properties.

The Celtic zodiac is based on a lunar calendar, which consists of 13 months, each month being 28 days long except the last one (Ruis/Elder) which only has 24. Hence, the Celtic calendar has 13 instead of 12 zodiac signs. However, the Celtic zodiac isn't limited to the cycle of the Moon. Each zodiac personality is divided into two - the new moon and the full moon. These two categories further typify the However, both shared general characteristics. The following are the Celtic zodiac signs:

The Rowan (January 22 - February 18) - The Whispering Tree. Idealistic and progressive thinkers with visionary minds. Natural born leaders and pioneers of change.

The Ash (February 19 - March 17) - The World Tree. Drawn to fantasies. Creative genius for finance. Artistic and compassionate. Quick-witted and gregarious. Romantic, gentle, and vulnerable.

The Alder (March 18 - April 14) - Tree of Death and Resurrection. Impetuous, independent, and tenacious. Risk takers and great entrepreneurs. Flamboyant, affectionate, and charming.

The Willow (April 15 - May 12) - Tree of Enchantment. Articulate. Strong-willed, shrewd, resourceful and enigmatic. Emotional and might be unforgiving. The best inventors and teachers.

The Hawthorn (May 13 - June 9) - Athletic. Has a sharp sense of humor. Attracted to writing and journalism. Easily bored, ad wants to try a little bit of everything.

The Oak (June 10 - July 7) - King of Trees. Enterprising, determined, enthusiastic, and responsible. Possesses great charisma. Cheerful, funny and optimistic but could be vain and perfectionists. Natural Leaders.

The Holly (July 8 - August 4) - Attracted to banking and insurance. Strong-willed and trustworthy. Down-to-earth and persevering. Affectionate but overly protective and may be reclusive.

The Hazel (August 5 - September 1) - Tree of Wisdom. Perceptive, rational, and clever. Analytical, artistic, and imaginative. Loyal and sincere. Adept scholars in any field. Tend to be paranoid and lack self esteem.

The Vine (September 2 - September 29) The Weaver. Discriminating, authoritative, perfectionists. Instinctive organizers. Secret romantics. Kind, gentle, creative, and very sensual. Inclined to the arts. Can be over-indulgent and procrastinating.

The Ivy (September 30 - October 27) - Has great personal stamina and very talented. Sociable, good-natured but restless. Cheerful, expansive, and magnetic. Quick-witted and extremely loyal but tend to be very indecisive.

The Reed (October 28 - November 24) - Imaginative. Complex, tenacious, and fearless. Caring and passionate. Proud and independent. Great survivors. Tend to be jealous and overly sensitive.

The Elder (November 25 - December 23) Tree of Faeries. Very restless and insatiably curious. Self-sufficient, lively, and outspoken. Highly energetic and dislikes routine. Passionate about travel and study of profound subjects.

The Birch (December 23 - January 21) - Lady of the Woods. Determined, resilient and ambitious. Goal oriented and make excellent leaders and organizers. Loyal and reliable, but can be obsessive and pessimistic.

Choosing a Zodiac Tattoo

A lot of people feel a deeply personal spiritual connection to their personal Zodiac sign. 95% of individuals who get a zodiac tattoo choose the sign they we born under, while the remainder get the zodiac symbols of their family and loved ones. That makes the zodiac tattoo a very personal and spiritual statement. So if you're considering getting a zodiac tattoo design, it would be best to first evaluate your personal affiliation with astrological matters. Do you refer to your horoscope religiously every day? Have you gone as far as having a personalized chart made for you? Do you consult zodiac sign compatibilities when choosing a romantic partner? If your answer is yes to all questions, you really seriously view astrology as an integral part of your belief system and should therefore not waste a moment's hesitation to get a zodiac tattoo.

Zodiac tattoo designs are often combined with other elements, like skulls, crosses, fairies, the sun, and other celestial bodies. Zodiac tattoo designs are available in myriad styles and various colors. There is no written rule, but zodiac tattoos are usually worn as armbands or lower back pieces, and inked on ankles, shoulders and the like. The tattoos could be general symbols of images of animals or items, fluid symbols that do not resemble anything, and images of people who typify the strengths of that particular zodiac sign. The designs can be customized in virtually every way imaginable: designs can be lifelike or stylized. Animals can be ferocious or amusing. Humans can be beautiful or fierce, or a little bit of both. And you can always add your own elements to the design.The meaning of the tattoo will definitely not be altered in any significant sense.

Enhancing your Zodiac Tattoo

The allure of zodiac signs stems from mythical symbolism and their corresponding astrological meanings. To intensify that inherent magnetism in your tattoo, you may consider incorporating other symbolic undertones in your design. Here are some suggestions:

You can choose black ink or colors, and bold tribal-style designs or lines with an Asian or Celtic flair. You can also incorporate zodiac symbols into larger or more intricate designs.

Each zodiac sign has its own color, although astrologers still disagree about the matching of colors with the signs. For instance, Taurus is represented by pink, white, or blue, depending on what reference you use. You may want to use one or a combination of those colors to tattoo your design.

You can also choose your tattoo's colors according to your birth stone. Birthstone charts vary according to the culture where they originated as well. But these charts give you a few color options while still being technically correct.

Aside from gemstones, certain flowers are also connected to each sign. The Aries' flower is tiger lily. Cancers might choose a tattoo integrating honeysuckle and pomegranate. Astrologers may again have different lists on this, so be sure to research carefully on your own. You could also incorporate the element-earth, air, fire, or water-your sign is part of into your design.

Lastly, familiarize yourself with many different zodiac systems and choose what aesthetically appeals to you the most. Just be sure research well to find the right design, symbol, and meaning for you.

Finding out more about zodiac tattoos:

There are several websites that provide you more information about zodiac tattoos and a vast collection of zodiac tattoo designs. The link below is an example:

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