Hindu Tattoos

Eastern tattoos are beautifully exotic and are deep in meaning.  They are not as popular tattoos as other religions; nevertheless we will take you through some of the most popular Hindu tattoos.  Strict Hindus would usually not have tattoos as it is against their religion, this does not mean that you can not use the symbolism for your own creation.  

One of the most important sy mbols is ‘Om’, which is split into three sounds which in turn represent the complete meaning of the symbol.  The first sound ‘a' represents the three worlds: earth, atmosphere, and heaven.  The second is to symbolize the three major Hindu gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Siva.  And putting the first and the second together to create the third sound ‘o’ to represent the three sacred Vedic scriptures: Rg, Yajur, and Sama.  Altogether the symbol means the essence of the universe, it’s the greatest of all mantras.  It is the most sacred of sounds as it represents the holding of the universe together.

The next symbol is the lotus, this is also used in Buddhist symbolism; however, the meaning for both religious is very different.  The main symbolism is that of beauty and detachment.  The lotus flower emerges from the mud clean and dry, Hindus believe that this represents the idea that we should live in the world without getting attached to it before rebirth.  Krishna is linked with the flower to show his divine beauty.  

Pratik looks rather like the star of David joined with a rising sun and swastika.  Naturally because of what happened in history this symbol has meant that the complete symbol is unpopular which is a shame as it has a wonderful meaning. The downward pointing triangle is are actions toward ourselves, and the upward pointing triangle represents our actions in the world.  The rising sun symbolizes the transition between our internal and external actions.  This leads to the swastika which is the fulfillment of our ultimate spiritual goal.  

Yantra this symbol is used in Hindu worship, meditation and prayer.  It represents cosmic development.  

All of these symbols with maybe the exception of the swastika could be used to symbolize the connection you feel to the universe or to help you remember where you come from and where you’re going.  

You may also want to take the basic shape and manipulate it into a unique design.  You can easily use the general meaning of these symbols and make them into your own into a powerful tattoo design.  

It is not only the symbols that make powerful and beautiful tattoos.  Tattoos of the Hindu gods themselves are used by many people to mark their bodies.  This is mainly because these gods represent a characteristic they want to immortalize on themselves.  

We will go through a few of the most popular and some you may not of heard of to give you some ideas  

 Ganesha – this is source of all tantric and spiritual worship  

Maya – illusion and losing the sense of self.  She was also said to be the mother of all devils and demons.  

Balrama – this is the ideal man, he is the god of heavenly divine strength, an obedient son and the perfect husband.   

Garuda – this is the god of birds and the messenger between heaven and earth  

Ram – 7^th reincarnation of Vishnu.  He is supposed to lead men to righteousness.  He is the personification of all things that are good in man.  He was created to rid the world of evil.  

Bhuvaneshwari – she is the holy mother and Queen on the phenomenal world 

Hanuman – He is the monkey god in Hinduism who known for his courage and faithfulness.  

Saraswati – The goddess of knowledge and creativity, and where Brahma’s creative intelligence came from.  

Brahma – the creator god one of the big three in the Hindu trinity, he is responsible for bringing the light and dark of the day  

Indra – is the warrior god and the god of thunder and lighting.  He has a golden chariot pulled by a thousand horses.  

Shakti – Is the mother goddess who wants to rid the world of evil and restore balance.  She is the source of all Hindu gods’ power.  

Buddha – is originally a reincarnation of Vishnu which is an honour that Buddists do not accept.  

Krishna – She is the 8^th reincarnation of Vishnu, she personifies love and divine joy that overcomes pain and wrong doing.  

Vishnu – is the creator and one of the three of the main trinity in Hinduism,  she is the representation of goodness and mercy.  

These are not all of the Hindu gods, but their stories have inspired thousands of tattoos and are used to have deep meaning those people who wish to use them as a symbol of events they have gone through or going through.  Or they just love that eastern artwork that is so recognizable.