All About Elephant Tattoos

There is an opinion that the elephant tattoo does not have a very good meaning. However, it is not. To understand the true interpretation of such a tattoo, it is necessary to get acquainted in more detail with the legends, legends and customs of the peoples that coexist with this unusual creature.

Nowadays, especially on the territory of Europe, an erroneous misconception has formed about the animals in question - as about heavy and clumsy creatures. The image of an elephant is often compared to a turtle. If you delve deeper into this topic and get acquainted with the stories about these large representatives among the peoples living nearby, the picture is completely different. An ancient Hindu tradition says that once elephants flew like birds, but once a poor hermit sent them a curse, and they lost their unusual gift. Therefore, it is not surprising that such tattoos on the body in our area can be found much less often than in Asian countries and on the African continent.

In most cultures, the elephant is considered a sign of friendliness, peace, devotion, longevity, inner core and infinite wisdom. He is revered as the most powerful animal on the planet, and in China even personifies the highest power. Buddhism attributes to it the characteristics of spiritual self-knowledge, perfection, and stability.

In the Middle Ages, for Europeans, elephants were the personification of love and chastity. This is due to the fact that males during pregnancy, females abstain from any sexual contact with relatives - this period takes about 18 months. The ancient Romans endowed the elephant with signs of wisdom and greatness. Later, when the Roman Empire collapsed, the elephant was recognized as the personification of the victory of Christianity.In this context, he was often stuffed like an animal trampling a snake.

The elephant is especially revered among the peoples of Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, as well as other Buddhist states. There he personifies spirituality and happiness. It is believed that such a tattoo brings longevity and good health to its owner.

But the image of this animal is endowed with the most sacred meaning in India. There is a belief there that elephants carry not only rich nobles and kings, but also gods. In this country, tattoos in the form of God Ganesh with the head of an elephant have become widespread, in his hand he holds a trunk.

The image of an adult elephant, stuffed on the body, invariably carries a positive message. Its symbolic meaning is multifaceted.

• Power and peace - elephants are revered as the most powerful animals. At the same time, you are unlikely to find at least one individual that would use its power without feeling danger and threat. These are peaceful creatures, it is not just that there is a speech circulation "calm as an elephant."
• Luck - It is believed that elephants bestow success in all beginners.
• Fertility - the image of elephants is considered the best example of parental care for their children. In the wild, females try in every possible way to show their tenderness and maternal care for tiny elephants and in any situation will certainly stand up to protect their cub.
• Elephants live in structured communities, in which females gather in a large herd to raise their offspring together. That is why scenes are often used in tattoos when several elephants follow each other - they are a sign of a real strong family.
• Intelligence - strength is far from the only characteristic that makes elephants truly magnificent and majestic creatures. These are very intelligent animals: they think first, and only then perform any actions.
• Elephants are endowed with strength and foresightSuch tattoos are done by confident and strong-willed people. It is believed that such tattoos contribute to the acquisition of character traits necessary for a good ruler: intelligence, prudence and dignity.

There are some peculiarities in the interpretation of tattoos on the female body. Usually, with such an image, women want to protect their health and attract fertility to the family. Although in some tribes the image of an elephant in an aggressive pose with a trunk raised up was widespread. Such a tattoo suggests that a woman will stop at nothing to ensure the safety of her loved ones.

Interpretations of the elephant tattoo are unusual and interesting. They accumulate in themselves a thousand-year wisdom, and only for this they can be called worthy. However, sometimes such tattoos are explained by practical considerations.

Elephant tattoos have tremendous variability in style and storyline.

Several techniques are used to apply these tattoos. Variants in the oriental style have become widespread; typical Chinese and Indian sketches in European adaptation are especially popular. Usually, in such a design, the image of an elephant is decorated with ethnic patterns. In the overwhelming majority of cases, they are stuffed in one color, although two paints are allowed.

Realistic drawings are especially relevant. When choosing this style, it is important that the tattoo artist is a real creator and has his own individual style. Otherwise, you will not end up with a tattoo, but with an illustration from a zoology textbook.

Old school tattoos are made by sailors and fishermen. This style has gone through several eras and still retains its relevance when referring to animalistic drawings.

Tattoos in the style of graphics, geometry, and also in the tribal technique look very impressive. With a creative approach, any of these directions can turn an image of an animal into a real work of art.

Lovers of colored paints usually prefer watercolors. Its use in tattooing is based on the same techniques as the direction of the same name in painting. Here drips of paint are relevant, which imitate those that are obtained when using real watercolors.

If you want to get a small tattoo on the ankle, neck, in the area behind the ears or on the wrist, minimalism is the best solution. The advantage of this style is that in simple and laconic elements, it conveys not only the main idea, but also the meaning hidden from everyone.

But the image of a little elephant is best done in the style of a lineart. Such drawings consist of several straight lines that are connected to each other into a single whole.

Whatever style and color scheme you choose, you should remember that any tattoo needs updating over time. Black and white tattoos are renewed every 15–20 years, color paintings are subject to correction every 5–10 years.

The storyline when choosing a tattoo in the form of an elephant depends on what meaning is put into the tattoo and what message it should convey to others. Let's describe the most popular options.

• An elephant trampling a snake. In this case, the giant animal personifies the son of God. Such a tattoo is associated with patience, kindness, faith and a willingness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of others.
• An elephant holding the Earth on its back. It depicts four huge animals - each of them is associated with a certain side of the world. A tattoo like this indicates consistency and solidity.
• Elephant with a man sitting on his back - this means that the owner of such an image has tamed some of his emotions and feelings.

No fewer solutions are used for images of a single animal.

• An elephant with its trunk raised up represents good luck. Such a tattoo is often considered a talisman and talisman that brings success in any endeavors.
• Elephant breaking the chain, - is a symbol of internal release, refusal of any bindings.
• An elephant with tusks emphasizes the masculinity. Such a tattoo personifies physical strength, turning into ferocity.
• Elephants without tusks. Such drawings indicate love for others and carry a piece of maternal energy.

In African tribes, a tattoo of an animal with red eyes and blood dripping from the ears is often stuffed. Such tattoos indicate the highest degree of anger. They are associated with the fact that during some periods of their lives (for example, during a prolonged drought or during a period of famine), elephants can attack villages. An enraged elephant is considered a real disaster for people - even one individual can sweep away a small village, and 3-4 creatures will easily destroy a large village with its houses and inhabitants.

To choose a part of the body on which you can get a tattoo with an elephant, you should answer basic questions:

• what is the meaning of the tattoo directly to you;
• what style do you prefer: abstraction or realism;
• do you like big tattoos or do you like miniatures;
• whether you like colored tattoos or a closer monochrome;
• what is your pain threshold.

These simple questions significantly narrow down the choice of tattoo placement options. Therefore, the decision is not as difficult as it might seem at first.

• On the back - This area will be ideal if you need a large canvas or detailed drawing. However, it should be borne in mind that if the area of ​​the spinal column is formed, then the procedure will be quite painful.

• Leg - in this case, the thighs and calves are used. There are a lot of muscles here, so when moving, the effect of an animal walking is created.

• Stomach - girls often fill pictures in the upper abdomen. However, the tattoo is applied for the whole life - during this period a person can lose weight or, conversely, get better. In addition, surgical interventions should never be ruled out. All this can cause deformation of the tattoo, so you should not use this area to place large tattoos.

• Pelvic area - very popular for tattooing, it usually evokes associations with sexual energy. It is no coincidence that artists often use the image of an elephant on male genitals - in this case, the trunk is drawn so that it extends into the penis, and the ears are depicted along the edges of it. Of course, this option is suitable for the most daring and outrageous men, but if you decide on such a procedure, keep in mind that it will be very painful.

• The image of a family of elephants is very popular. This picture signifies loyalty to family ties.

• To show the mother's love and devotion to her child, a small elephant is depicted on the trunk.

• Patterns made with 3D effects look quite stylish.

• In Hinduism, elephants are endowed with a higher power, therefore, a patterned technique is used to depict them.

• Also in the Indian religion, the spiritual sign "Om", inscribed on the head of this majestic animal, has become widespread.

• The most recognizable symbol in the world is the Indian God Ganesh.

• Quite an extraordinary technique for depicting the head of an animal on the hand. Gray tones and shadows add mystery and mysticism to the sketch.

• Eternal wisdom can be portrayed in a powerful tandem with powerful creatures such as the elephant and the octopus.

• The sinister beast, stuffed with sketching techniques, symbolizes rage. The desired effect is achieved through sharp lines and flawless work with shadows.

• A mini-tattoo made entirely using the dot technique looks very cute.

• The original can be called the image of a mighty animal on the back, filled with one line.

• Sometimes the backs are decorated with a linear tattoo in the form of a flying elephant.