Tattoo Designs - Strength Tattoos Of The Heart

Tattoos of the heart are a sign of strength of belief and strength of commitment. When we give our heart to a belief, to a cause or to a person we give ourselves and we give totally. That's why we put out hand on our heart when we make a promise or dedicate ourselves to a cause or to honor our flag. Even when we were young we would say things like, "Cross my heart and hope to die." That was our way of saying we were telling the absolute truth. We could not think of a stronger way of emphasizing that.

Wearing a heart tattoo is a way of telling the world you are passionate about your beliefs or about your commitments. The fact you wear a permanent symbol lets others know how deeply you feel. At the same time it is your reminder of your heartfelt passion and of your dedication. You are reminding yourself and the world of what or whom you stand for and that you are proud of it. If you are tempted to falter, you have your symbol, your reminder, to keep you strong. Your strength tattoo of the heart is your banner and your badge of honor.

Heart Strength Tattoos

The image of the heart can express our deepest feelings and heart tattoos can connect us to these feelings. We say things like "in my heart of hearts," meaning in the deepest part of us, where our truth lies, maybe our souls. This goes to the core of our being, our best and strongest part. Deep down we want to be strong and we know we are. It's only when we are faced with some situations that make us doubt ourselves that we are afraid of not measuring up. Heart tattoos can remind us of that deep strength we have. We simply need a reminder to trigger it.

Heart Tattoos As Mementos

Heart tattoos are ideal as mementos. Mementos make us strong. They connect us to someone we love who made us feel good about ourselves. Unless we are very lucky, we only ever meet a few people who have this effect on us, maybe only one or two - one or two people who loved us for ourselves alone just as we are. We did not have to prove anything to them to win their love. Wearing memento tattoos of the heart can remind us of these people and of the way we felt when we were with them. It reminds us of how strong and confident we felt. It helps us to feel that way again.

Tattoo Designs - Strength Tattoos Of The Sacred Heart

The heart is the great and universal symbol for love. The constant and overriding message from Christ was one of love. The image of the Sacred Heart speaks to us of this love. In that image we have a heart burning with love for us. It says, "I can give you no more than my whole heart". There is no more anyone can give. But it says more than this.

It speaks of openness, acceptance and forgiveness - all the attributes of a loving and generous heart. It is a welcoming heart open in its invitation to us to come with our worries, our fears, and our needs. It is a symbol of great strength that has supported, consoled and given hope to millions. It is a strength tattoo for those who wear it and for many who look upon it.

Why The Sacred Heart

The images of the cross, of Christ and of his mother and the saints help give the faithful the spiritual strength they need. From them they can derive comfort, strength and hope.

Special prayers and observances that help in devotion to God and to those close to him generally accompany the images. In the end, they are a constant reminder of God's eternal presence.

Devotion to the Heart of Jesus goes back to the early days of Christianity but it was not until the 11th and 12th centuries that devotion was practiced to the Sacred Heart. This happened mainly in religious congregations. It was after visions of Christ to Margaret Mary Alocoque in the 17th century that the Sacred Heart became known and spread among the faithful. Christ asked her to spread this devotion and it has become one of the most popular and best-known devotions in the Church.

Symbolism Of The Sacred Heart

The image of the Sacred Heart is often drawn as a flaming, bleeding heart radiating with divine light, pierced by the lance, surrounded by a crown of thorns and surmounted by a cross. It can be depicted in Christ's bosom with his hands pointing to the wounds he suffered. His hands show the wounds from the crucifixion.

It reminds us of the unconditional love he has for humanity and the suffering and death he was prepared to endure for us. The fire reminds us of a heart burning with love for us, a divine love, which can transform us. We are drawn into that all-enveloping love so that we can return it by loving Christ through his heart. His heart speaks to our heart.

We are also reminded that for all the love he offered us it was rejected, which is symbolized by the bleeding heart, the cross and the crown of thorns and, in some images, by a broken heart.

By wearing a Sacred Heart tattoo you are making a statement of faith. But you are also saying to yourself and others, you are sharing the great love Christ has for humanity. You are gaining strength from what it symbolizes and you are sharing that strength with others.

Tattoo Designs - Tribal Strength Tattoos

Tribal tattoos can take us back to primitive man when life was a gamble and only the strong survived. Being part of a tribe was the way most people survived and even then it was risky. Each member gained strength from the tribe by its support and protection. It was better and safer to come together to fight an enemy than to do it as an individual. It was more effective and safer to hunt for food in packs. There was less chance of the quarry escaping and harming a member of the tribe or of the tribe going hungry.
It was important for each person to be recognized as a member of a particular tribe. This gave them a sense of belonging and, in a practical way, distinguished them from other tribes they might be fighting. The tribal marks they wore made them part of a community, whose support and protection they needed and valued. This gave them the confidence and strength to face dangers and hardships they would have difficulty doing alone. The tribal distinguishing marks were generally tattoos. They became their strength tattoos.
Tribal Tattoo Designs
The tribal style stands out because of its strong, bold lines. Most tattoos done in this style are striking and dramatic. They are ideal if you want to make that bold statement. Even simple drawings have this effect. For example, a subject that is normally soft and delicate, such as a flower, can be transformed to a strong image while still keeping its beauty. Polynesian tattoos on arms, legs and backs send out a message of power and strength. They are ideal strength tattoos.
Tribal Tattoo Artwork
The artwork itself is also eye-catching. Many of the designs use a theme, such as a cross, animal, zodiac sign or flower and then build on that theme. The subject becomes the centerpiece of an image embellished with flowing lines and scrolls, which is often done with skilled artistry. This works very well with, say, a heart as the centerpiece if you want to wear an expression of love or to use it as a reminder of someone who gave you support in tough times or as a memento to someone who was close to you and who has since gone.
Wearing a reminder of someone who loved you or who believed in you can lift your spirits when things turn against you. This can be your strength tattoo.

Koi Fish Tattoos - Strength and Beauty on Your Body

The Koi fish or Carp is a common tattooing symbol with Japanese and Chinese origins. The myth says that Koi are able to transform through their efforts into dragons, or they can climb waterfalls. They are the symbol of perseverance in hard times. The Carp can also represent strength, wisdom, knowledge, and loyalty.
Koi come in various bright colors like orange, gold and yellow. It is no wonder that such myth surrounds this animal and that it is associated with longevity, as it can outlast human generations. Although the average age for a Koi is 15-30 years, there was a specimen which reportedly died at the age of 226. The way Koi swim with their beautiful colors has inspired many artists, including tattoo artists.
The koifish also symbolizes courage and overcoming life's obstacles. This fish have glided the still waters of ornamental ponds for thousands of years. They can also worth a lot - on an occasion half a million dollars were paid for a fish by a collector.
In Japan and China the Koi is also a symbol of masculinity and strength. According to the legends, the koi leapt up the falls on the Yellow River in China and transformed into a dragon in the process - proving its strength and perseverance. It is also said that when caught, the Koi awaits the cutting knife without a twitch, like a Samurai facing the sword.
In spite of the fish being masculine and strong, it is also beautiful. In Japan flags with Koi are raised on several national festivals and celebrations.

Finding Your Strength Tattoos

What is it that will make you feel strong? Is it wearing an image that has a strong visual impact like a warrior tattoo or a bold tribal tattoo on your arm, leg, chest or back? Is it an image that taps into your deeply held beliefs, such as an angel or a cross? Maybe your strength tattoo is one that reminds you of someone in your life, past or present, who gave you strength and lifted your flagging spirits when life was getting you down - when you were starting to doubt yourself. Was there someone who loved you unconditionally, just because you were you? What image will you choose to bring out these feelings?
Look Strong Feel Strong
If you are a visual type person you may like to go with the bold, dramatic presentation of a warrior tattoo or a tribal tattoo in the Polynesian style. You might gain strength from wearing this and having it plainly visible so that you are aware of it constantly. An arm tattoo is ideal, as you may have to cover up because of the type of work you do. Tribal crosses and Celtic crosses also present strong visual images. Both styles can be embellished with artwork to make them striking and different.
Memento Strength Tattoos
There are a number of ways to remember someone or to commemorate an event. Any image can do this as long it has significance to you and connects you to that person or event and lifts your spirit when you look on it. Heart tattoos do this very well as they can be drawn alone or with a person's name or with the date of a birth or death. There are numerous heart tattoo designs and styles. Here again, both the tribal and Celtic styles enhance the image by building on the central theme of the heart. Celtic knot work, with it endless design, signifies your unending love and memory. For the same reason, crosses and angels are also popular as memento tattoos.
Text Strength Tattoos
Words have a power of their own. There a numerous quotations you can use to capture your feelings. They might be quotes from English literature or from the Bible - words that capture the spirit or character of a loved one. Sometimes a phrase will come to mind that sums up your feelings. This might even be a favourite saying or quotation another person used that triggers fond memories and lifts your spirits. If you are looking for something different, you can have them done in Sanskrit or Chinese, but make sure you go to someone for the right translation.
From time to time, life tests us all. We all find strength in a number of ways. Finding your strength tattoo could be another way of helping you through difficult times.