Monday, June 14, 2010

Fashionable Body Art - Sanskrit Tattoo Designs

Tattoos (also known as Body Art) have become mainstream with the younger generation. Tattoo designs range from intricate pictures, to simple prayer messages written in Mayan, Aztec or Sanskrit. These old languages have become favorites among tattoo designers because they blend well with common tattoo designs and the character styles are considered "cool".

Modern tattoo designs are seen as one of the highest forms of individual expression. They express freedom, individuality, and spirituality. Often, different tattoos will be used to mark special events in an individual's journey.

Sanskrit tattoo designs, compared to other tattoo designs, are quite intricate. This is one of the reasons why they are a favorite among tribal design lovers. Their exotic presentation of the letters is distinctive because of the horizontal line linking the letters together. This horizontal line, on top of the regular letters, makes Sanskrit one of the most appealing tattoo designs to date. Armband tattoo designs made out of Sanskrit scripts are an old time favorite.

Some of the most popular Sanskrit tattoo designs are:

Om Symbol - The Om symbol is made up of three Sanskrit letters, aa, au and ma which, when combined, make the sound Aum or Om. It is normally chanted at the beginning and end of prayers and mantras. It is also used as a form of meditation. This symbol is actually a sacred syllable representing the Brahman or the Absolute, the source of all existence.

Lotus Flower with Om Symbol - The Lotus flower has been revered by Eastern cultures for many thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians believed that the Lotus flower was the first flower of the universe, and from it sprang the first gods. This is very evident in their architecture, where most of the palace columns were depicted as bunches of lotuses.

In India, the lotus is one of the most important symbols used in spirituality and art. Brahma, the Hindu God, is believed to have been born from a lotus blossom that grew from the navel of Vishnu. In addition, the Lotus flower is symbolic of the true soul of the individual.

The Lotus and the Om are also present in the Buddhist beliefs. The Lotus symbolizes the nature and pureness of Buddha. Both the Lotus and Om are part of the most famous of Buddhist mantras, Om Mani Padme Hum.

The combination of the Lotus and the Om is said to provide good luck and prosperity to the tattoo wearer.

Trishula Symbol - The Trishula is a type of traditional Indian trident. It is said to be the three-pronged weapon of Shiva, a Hindu God. As a ceremonial weapon, each of the prongs has their own representations. They are said to represent various trinities, such as creation, maintenance and destruction; past, present and future; or will, action and wisdom.

Taking the time to learn the real stories behind the Sanskrit tattoo designs is a rewarding experience. It can tell you a lot about the person wearing the tattoo.

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