Tattoo "Archangel Michael"

The image of the Archangel Michael is one of the most common tattoos in the world. But despite such wide popularity, not everyone knows what exactly the "Archangel Michael" tattoo means and on which part of the body it should be stuffed. Therefore, before choosing a body drawing, it is better to study the recommendations of the corresponding masters and general information about the image.

The name Michael (just like the English Michael or the Spanish Miguel) comes from the Hebrew name Michael and literally translates "Who is like God?" "Archangel" means a messenger, in the Christian religion he rises above ordinary angels, has greater strength and power. Archangel Michael is the first in seniority, he is the messenger and assistant of the Lord, the embodiment of his will. One of his main deeds, which contributed to such a rapid "career growth" - the expulsion of Satan and his henchmen from the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Archangel Michael is worshiped and worshiped not only by Christians - he occupies the same strong position in the Islamic religion, Judaism. In general, angels with similar names and merits are found in almost all world religions. That is why the Archangel Michael tattoo is so widespread and performed in dozens of styles and subjects. According to religious beliefs, Saint Michael is the protector of humanity and the guardian of the heavenly gates. According to legend, he was once the patron saint of knights, today the Archangel is especially revered among people who perform difficult and risky, but noble work: firefighters, policemen, rescuers, military men. It is believed that the image of St. Michael protects and protects the owner if his actions are aimed at the good.

Since the tattoo is quite symbolic, it is most often applied, implying a certain subtext, the most common interpretations:

• spiritual purity and good faith of the owner;
• search for your own path, life purpose;
• power protection of good and resistance to evil;
• attracting higher powers for their personal protection;
• various religious motives.

All over the world, the tattoo in question is one of the most common. Regardless of religion in all countries, it serves as a symbol of faith and hope, the power of divine light and the highest just justice. Because of the great popularity of tattoos, as well as because of the unusual appearance, it is often stuffed without any specific idea and meaning, but simply for beauty.

Guys most often get a tattoo with the Archangel as part of any composition in the form of a sleeve. On a muscular male body, a large, well-drawn (in detail) tattoo looks very majestic and graceful. Men choose this tattoo based on one of the following meanings:

• striving to overcome vices and start a righteous life;
• readiness for humility, acceptance of their personal shortcomings;
• belief in the patronage and protection of the higher heavenly powers;
• desire to refuse and resist earthly temptations;
• hope for the protection of St. Michael.

Very often, a tattoo is chosen by men who have the same name as the great saint - Michael. It is believed that in this way they better revere the Archangel and can more than others rely on his intercession.

The image of the Archangel Michael is courageous by definition, therefore, regardless of religion, such a tattoo is practically not found in women. And the standard sizes of the Archangel Michael tattoo are not suitable for every girl. If representatives of the weaker sex fill themselves with characters of religious themes, then they mainly choose images of beautiful young men with wings: refined angels or cherub angels. When girls decide to fill themselves with the image of a defender, they usually mean this:

• striving to be kinder and more responsive to the people around;
• hope for divine help, protection and patronage;
• confronting your inner passions and vices;
• religious motives, the desire to be closer to the church and its laws.

But if for men such a tattoo is applied very rarely without a definite idea, then women on the contrary - almost never put any serious meaning into it, but simply stuff the Archangel Michael for beauty or for the popularity of the image.

Basically, the Archangel Michael is depicted as a warrior in armor with large spread wings behind his back, in his hands he holds a sword or spear, with which he pierces Satan. Sometimes rows of warlike angels are drawn behind him, in many compositions at the feet of St. Michael is depicted the defeated Lord of Hell or his demons. To emphasize the image, grandeur and pure intentions of the character, beams of light can be added to the background, peeking out from behind the back of the guardian angel.

The appearance of the tattoo and its main character Archangel Michael is rarely thought out by the master or the potential owner on his own. Most often, one of the world famous images of a saint is taken as a basis. Here are the most popular artworks that underlie most of the sketches for the Archangel Michael tattoo:

• Reni Guido's painting "St. Michael the Archangel";
• paintings by Raphael Santi "Archangel Michael Slays the Dragon" and "Saint Michael and the Devil";
• the statue of St. Michael on Tepeyac Hill in South America (in the Mexican city of Mexico City);
• statue of the Archangel in the Church of St. Michael in Hamburg.

In addition, the Archangel Michael tattoo can be done in different styles and storylines.

Due to the religious background of the plot and the characteristics of the character himself, the most popular style of tattooing with the Archangel is realism. But often there are images filled with other tattoo styles, the most common are:

• traditional;
• blackwork (blackwork);
• surrealism;
• chicano;
• point;
• linear.

In most of the paintings, icons, frescoes that are found in world history, the Archangel Michael is depicted in white. Therefore, for tattoos, in most cases, monochrome sketches and drawings are used. Stuffing such tattoos, they use a special white paint; recently, color options have also become popular. The Archangel Michael himself is usually performed in black and white, and the general background and additional elements are painted with bright colors, for example: burgundy menacing clouds, light blue sky, bright red cloak. Black and blue sketches for this tattoo are very rare to see.

If the tattoo itself is most often chosen based on an already well-known world masterpiece, then its plot and other additional elements are selected, as a rule, independently or on the recommendation of the tattoo artist. The following artistic details can be used as an accompanying decoration of the image:

• the gateway to the heavenly kingdom;
• clouds;
• a flying dove, personifying the Holy Spirit;
• rays of light symbolizing the glory of the Lord.

The storyline, which depicts Archangel Michael, can be very diverse. And it depends only on the imagination of the carrier. Often, tattoo owners choose an image based on religious legends, historical sculptures, paintings that depict the victory of the defender over the dark forces. But original plots are also very common.

Another example is the Archangel in a helmet, with a sword and shield in his hands, at his feet are the skulls of defeated enemies, which, according to the author's idea, can reflect the defeated vices or temptations of the owner of the tattoo. A good idea, personifying the victory over passions and the ability to resist temptations, to restrain vicious desires in oneself, is Michael holding the demon in chains with a sword raised above him.

To beautifully portray biblical characters requires accurate and scrupulous drawing of dozens of small details. Therefore, it is better to place such a tattoo on large open areas of the body, especially if it is planned to depict Mikhail not alone, but in a group with other characters or background. The most successful places for getting the Archangel Michael tattoo:

• shoulder;
• back;
• the inner side of the forearm;
• left or right side.

One of the most popular places for the Archangel Michael tattoo on men is on the shoulder or forearm. Often guys have compositions with the Archangel in the upper back (on the shoulder blade) or in the chest area. Less commonly, you can see such a tattoo on men on the side or legs. Images with a guardian angel in the form of a full sleeve look great. One of the best options for placement on the back is along the spine, when the spread wings of the Archangel "lie" on the shoulder blades. A similar large tattoo looks no less bright on the chest, where the defender's wings are spread over the collarbones.

Girls generally prefer to stuff the Archangel on the left or right side, on the back, but so that he is depicted exclusively in a peaceful form. Tattoos with bloody plots are extremely rare in women. Due to the specific elongated shape of the picture in women, as well as in men, the shoulder is one of the most popular places to place a defender.

A rare tattoo "Archangel Michael", where he is depicted in dark colors. But, despite the inconsistency with the "generally accepted norms", the drawing has a rather mesmerizing look. The master managed to achieve this effect by creating a sharp contrast between the rich black color and the exposed areas of the body.

In this tattoo, the image is taken from a painting by the great Italian artist Reni Guido. Michael is presented here in black and gray, but the contours of the picture are drawn more boldly and clearly.

Here is a work done in dotwork style - Archangel Michael slays Lucifer with a sharp sword. Although the composition looks quite fantastic and has graceful lines, it looks more like an engraving from an old book. In such a tattoo, the proportions should be more accurate, so the dotwork style is not very suitable for him.

A very authentic tattoo, also modeled after a painting by artist Reni Guido. The color composition looks very bright and realistic, all the main components are perfectly combined in the picture: texture, shadows, colors and shades. The master managed to make the design very clear and sharp.