What do snake tattoos mean and where to apply them?

The image of a snake is far from the rarest tattoo that can be found on both a woman's and a man's body. This can be largely explained by the attractiveness of the symbol itself, which contains wisdom, grace, temptation, and more.

Tattoo with snakes - what it means, you should find out even at the stage of thinking about the sketch... One of the most popular interpretations is that the snake is a symbol of infinity, repeating stages (cyclicality). Just like life itself, which flows without stopping, changing eras and generations, so the snake seems flexible, agile, capable of quickly taking the desired shape, finding a way out, paving the way.

The meaning of a snake in a tattoo.

• Wisdom and knowledge. The snake was a symbol of wisdom even in Antiquity. Jesus' words also mention "be wise as serpents." Perhaps the point is in the association with the biblical serpent, cunning and clever, because there is no scientific evidence of the high intelligence of the snake. In occultism, the serpent is also associated with wisdom.
• Temptation, temptation. The tempting serpent - here the association is even clearer. In addition, this animal is not only ready to seduce, to put before a difficult choice, but also to suppress with its energy.

Medicine is a separate topic. The bowl with the snake is a well-known symbol of medicine, and it is also associated with ancient times. The ancient Greeks considered the snake not only wise, but also immortal. The ancient Romans also revered this animal, they were sure that even to offend a small snake means to incur misfortune.

The first image with a snake and a bowl dates back to the 11th century BC and was found on a fresco.It was believed that this was due to the myth of Asclepius, a skillful and talented doctor, whom King Minos asked to resurrect his murdered son. And then there was a path, a staff that was wrapped around a snake, its murder and a second snake crawling up with a bunch of grass in its mouth, which revived its predecessor. With the same herb, the doctor was able to bring the tsar's heir back to life.

But then the traditional image was a staff with a snake, the cup refers to another hero. Or rather, the heroine - Hygea, the daughter of the same healer Asclepius. She was considered the goddess of health, and in the drawings she was depicted with a bowl in her hand. Then somehow the two symbols combined into one, it began to be called the Cup of Hygeia. This symbol has an association with salvation (which is logical), she herself could more often claim this - in hot times, she, the keeper of water, could save from thirst. And the cup is also a symbol of the repository of new knowledge for the healer, he must replenish it all the time.

Several millennia have passed, but the symbol is alive and is found in official medical institutions. Therefore, people associated with medicine can apply a snake (snakes) to the body in the usual combination with a bowl or simply separately, but making a reference to this relationship, which developed in antiquity.

In India, for example, the snake is considered the guardian of shrines, treasures and water sources. This is related to the theme of fertility, which is important for most regions. There is even a beautiful legend that precious stones are nothing more than the frozen saliva of a snake. This is how the reptile was held in high esteem. There is another opinion that the meaning of a snake tattoo is also a demonstration of distrust of the world. Indeed, such an interpretation exists: a person received some kind of bitter experience, got burned and wants to externally reflect this on himself, depicts a snake, insidious and cunning, but still able to crawl out of a dangerous place and further avoid it.

However, the person getting the snake tattoo may not be referring to the universal symbols. He can mean something of his own, understandable only to him and important without any conventions. And sometimes it is purely aesthetics, without deep connotations, which also gives the full right to make beautiful modern tattoos, small and large, complex and laconic.

All snake tattoos can be conditionally divided into 2 categories: simple, without addition, context, background, as well as complex, that is, they have a significant addition.

This work is based on an animalistic image. Apart from the reptile, there is nothing, only it, in one form or another, and no "supporting characters." Such tattoos are considered more self-sufficient, because the symbol itself is enough to express a thought (and each drawing carries a thought).

How can a snake be depicted in a simple tattoo.

• In the form of a cobra ready to attack... Cobra is not just a snake, but one of the most terrifying reptiles. Tattoos with her are rarely cheerful and light, aggression, anger, power emanate from them. Almost always, a tattoo with a cobra (or even just its head) is done by men. And these are men who want to display the toughness of character, fighting spirit, willingness to defend their interests.

• Calm wriggling snake. Her mouth is not open, she is not aggressive, but this is such an animal from which you will still expect an attack. Therefore, the snake is always a precaution. Sometimes it is made very small (mini-tattoo) in order to somehow smooth out the frightening impression.

• Stylized snake. There will be little realism in it, this is an image that reminds of some kind of artistic direction. It turns out that the tattoo is not so much about a reptile as about style.

Perhaps this category is much more voluminous. Because along with the snake, anything can appear: from a skull to flowers, the moon, a crown, precious stones. Sometimes such a tattoo means some kind of deep message, but more often it is just a beautiful image. Most of the options for a tattoo with a snake and flowers. If such an image is applied by a girl, its meaning is as follows - seduction, grace, dexterity, sharp mind, and also devotion. A tattoo with a snake and a rose speaks of passion and seductiveness, a tattoo with a snake and a rose, a love for luxurious solutions - a drawing where, in addition to a snake, peonies are present. But also the combination of these symbols can speak of deceit and cunning.

And to indicate dexterity, a life grip, you can depict a snake that has wrapped itself several times around the stem of a flower. For guys, a snake tattoo means peace of mind and mind, but at the same time strength and courage, courage. It is applied by people who have a keen sense of justice. I must say that the snake is also a symbol of the craving for power. Therefore, men who, even in minimalism, prefer to stuff a snake, turn out to be power-hungry.

The same image in different styles will look fundamentally different. In principle, style in a tattoo means a lot, sometimes 90% of the image is style.

What styles (and colors) are most often chosen for the image of the snake.

• Neotradishnl... There is a lot of brightness and pleasant naturalness in this style. On the one hand, this is the advantageous side of the style - surely everyone will notice such a pattern. On the other hand, he is very active, you can get tired of him. And the style actually does not accept small forms. In addition, over time, the paint fades, that is, the tattoo will require regular renewal.

• Watercolor... It has become popular not so long ago as the style itself. The reptile will be motley, colorful. With bright spots that truly resemble a crude painting technique, a very noticeable tattoo can be made. It will beautify both male and female bodies.

• Graphics... This is a delicate pencil drawing just transferred to the body. Small details are carefully worked out. The highlight of the style is the play of light and shadow, and therefore the tattoo will be very expressive. There is also a clear 3D effect, which will be appreciated by lovers of not colored, but just such laconic tattoos.

• Geometry... Black and white tattoos, graphics are often presented in this style. The image of a snake is combined with geometric acute-angled shapes (rhombus and triangles are more common). In the foreground is a reptile, and in the background is geometry. The finest dotted lines can be used.

• Newschool... This style is hard not to recognize, it is very bright and even provocative. The reptile will look like a hero from an animated thriller, like a character from some best-selling book. And not "cute and fluffy" at all. Such an animal, as a rule, has huge eyes, twisted growth with fangs eager to eat the victim, and the body will be deliberately small. Even somewhat comical. On the one hand, it looks scary, on the other - comical.

• Organic... An interesting solution, although, in truth, it does not represent the snake itself, but its skin. The same recognizable print. Snake scaly skin should be imitated as accurately as possible, as if it is visible through human skin. It can look very unexpected and extravagant.

• Ornamental... Mandala patterns combined with a wriggling animal look very elegant. More often, such a pattern is stuffed into graphics, and the color can really seem superfluous in this style.For female tattoos, this is a compromise option, when you want to fill a snake and surround it with some kind of oriental "lace".

• Trash polka. Another active and quickly recognizable style. There is a strong contrast between black and red. And the snake itself is usually painted in black, but inscriptions are made in red, they carry out sweeping brush strokes. Most likely, this style will be more interesting for men, there is a lot of brutality in it.

• Realism... His task is to portray a reptile so that it seems that it really crawls on human skin. There can be no clear outline in this work, all the details are equal, each is given its own attention. Both color and black-and-white drawings are equally effective in realism.

• Oriental... For the culture of the East, the snake is a special symbol that is associated with wisdom, with healing and not only. Most often, in oriental compositions, a reptile is depicted together with a flower, and sometimes it is compared with a bird, as if contradicting it (like Yin and Yang).

Where exactly to fill the snake is the question, because not only the external effect, but also the strengthening of the meaning of the symbol depends on the localization of the picture. The snake image and its localization.

• On the finger... Usually such drawings are made by those who are attentive to detail. These people are distinguished by common sense, deliberate decisions, the ability to keep their word. They are waiting for gifts of fate and do a lot in order to receive them. A snake on a finger is a sign that a person wants to give himself strength, as if he reminds of his reserve capabilities, but he does it carefully.
• Left hand (if the person is right-handed). A tattoo here speaks of an external influence, about what a person likes, what he indicates for himself. At the same time, a tattoo is made here by the one who does not dare to go against everyone who repeats after others, is afraid to hear his own voice.
• Right hand (right-handed). Here a drawing with a snake is filled by those who actively want self-realization, who are actually fixated on it. These are more often firm people, rather decisive. But what they lack is flexibility. And the tattoo on the hand, very straightforward, usually speaks about it.
• Shoulder... The shoulder tattoo is the most powerful message. People who lack other means of self-expression, who need to convey their position to the largest possible number of people, are filling the image here. And if a snake appears here, it means that associations with it are especially strong and important for a person.
• On the forearm. Often a tattoo in this place indicates indecision, secret thoughts, doubts about oneself. And a tattoo here can be done by someone who, through the image, seeks to remind himself of his principles and strengths. The snake is always a powerful sign, as if it becomes a motivator for the wearer, an occasion to remember their goals and not go astray.
• On the collarbone. This is playfulness, coquetry, the desire to attract attention. If a girl, for example, does not dare to "sleeve" (although she really wants to), then the collarbone is the place that she is not afraid to designate. And the snake here has a clear subtext of seduction, passion, female cunning.
• On the wrist. Here they listen to the heartbeat, which means that this is a place of closeness to the heart, to the soul. The snake will mean secret meanings, and sometimes heart wounds (more precisely, an attempt to drown them out). A mini-tattoo is stuffed here, which looks laconic, but bright at the same time.
• On the chest. The image has the character of a challenge, a person seems to move away from general norms, shows a desire for his own orders. Often, a tattoo appears here after events that are associated with censure, gossip and rumors behind the back. And this image is not necessary for the entire chest, it can be small.
• On the stomach. It is interesting that the appearance of a picture here can speak of clearly expressed material interests and even greed of the bearer of the tattoo.At the same time, the person making the tattoo here is limited in contacts, although he would like to have more people nearby. Especially those you can trust. Surprisingly, the snake on the belly is not necessarily associated with passion and sexuality, sometimes it is also a symbol of loneliness.
• On the neck. This is a demonstration of special data, capabilities, abilities. As if a person has some strengths and is ready to declare it. At the same time, this can mean internal tension, and even an unwillingness to understand what is happening in a person's life.
• On the back... The tattoo speaks here about a clear desire for dominance, but at the same time about the intention to defend itself. Also, a person wants to declare himself, to draw attention to his abilities.
• On the ribs. The intimate nature of the tattoo, the desire to say a little more about yourself than is evident at first glance.
• On the hip... Girls in this place on the leg get a tattoo to indicate their sexual energy, and the snake will be even more emphasis on seduction.
• On the ankle. Movement, aspiration, desire to give yourself acceleration with the help of a powerful symbol.

Nice solutions with graceful images!