Tattoo Symbol Meanings - Pt 3

When I started this research on the subject of symbols, the first thing I looked into was ancient history. I am most fascinated by the symbols used in different cultures as ways of telling stories, recording events and basic communication. When you study Egyptian hieroglyphs, very little is told about the artist that drew them. But without the artists, the pictoral historians, we would know virtually nothing about these cultures.

The same is true today. One day, our modern society will be studied as ancient history. And the symbols used in our lives today will intrigue and teach the future generations. Look upon these symbols with new eyes, and appreciate them for their depth, beauty and significance. If one of them inspires you as the perfect design for a tattoo, you can be assured you have chosen something very special.

Egyptian Hieroglyphs Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs
If you really want to go on a historical expedition, start digging here. This online Egyptology lesson is only for the very serious. This complicated but beautiful form of ancient writing will help you to understand much more than symbolism.

Celtic Symbolism

Adinkra/West African Symbols Adinkra Symbology
About's guide to African History, Alistair Boddy-Evans, describes Adinkra as "a cotton cloth produced in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire which has traditional Akan symbols stamped upon it." However, as he points out, they are much more than pictures. Discover what these simple yet beautiful designs mean to the people that use them. Native American/Indian/Aboriginal/Tribal Native American Symbol Dictionary
Here is a very nice collection of basic drawings used by ancient Native Americans. These items are commonly found on pottery, in jewelry and on clothing.Sacred Symbols & Their Meanings
This page is extremely informative and covers many aspects of tribal beliefs. Here you will find symbols and meanings of the Great Circle of Life, the representation of the ritual pipe, the significance of plants, animals, people and trees and much more. A really excellent resource.Sacred Stones
These stones are not ancient, they are not part of any sacred ritual, and they've only been around for a few years and were created by one individual with a vision. However, it is interesting and it might inspire you with ideas if you are looking for something to symbolize a oneness with nature.

Nautical History Pirate Flags
Even pirates are part of our history! Pirate symbols still inspire many a tattoo today. The "Jolly Roger" is the most famous, but there were other symbols also used to deceive or threaten their victims.

Family Crest & Coat of Arms Symbols Common Symbols List
No pictures, but the names of the symbols are given along with their meanings. See how a coat of arms can tell the story of family history.

Next Page > Part 4: Pride Symbols, Chinese/Kanji, and Common Tattoo Meanings

View the original article here

Meaning of the Om/Aum Symbol

You may be surprised to learn that the "Om" or "Aum" symbol actually has a very deep, significant, spiritual meaning that is very specific and yet, at the same time, so vague it's almost incomprehensible. It should also be noted that "ohm" is a different word entirely (referring to electrical currents) and should not be confused with Om or Aum.

Om and Aum are the same thing; it's just written two different ways. Think of "Om" as the phonetic spelling and "Aum" as the actual spelling. The sound of "Aum" - the slow, calming chant many associate with the word, is the sound that was made when all of creation came into existence. The essence of the universe and all creation, wrapped up in one unimaginable and indescribable aggregate (for lack of a better term), is known as Brahman. The "Om" represents the four divine states of Brahman - metta (loving kindness), karuna (compassion), mudita (sympathetic joy), and upekkha (equanimity). Brahman is actually a core belief system in both Hinduism and Buddhism, both of which use Om regularly in their daily life. (Feel free to research further on this with the links below - it's quite fascinating.)

So, just the sound of "Aum" is so beyond human comprehension that it boggles the mind, and then there is the symbol as well. Just as Brahma is the culmination of everything, so is the Om symbol. It's written in Sanskrit, and each part of the symbol has a very significant purpose. The two curls on top of each other (that sort of look like the number 3), with the downward curl that spirals out from the "3" shape, each represent a state of consciousness. The large, bottom curl stands for the normal state of being awake, which you probably are in right now. The curl above it stands for deep sleep, while the curl emanating out from the center of the two represents the dream state. Those are the states of consciousness that every human on earth experiences. But the dot and the open curve above that is what elevates the symbol to a much higher and more sacred meaning. The dot represents absolute consciousness; that's not the same as merely being awake, but it means being fully aware of yourself and everything around you. The open curve that cradles the dot represents an infinitely open mind, which is required to achieve that level of absolute consciousness.* (See note below)

As you can see, it's not just a soothing chant or a pretty symbol. If you plan to place an "Om" on your body, you need to understand and embrace all that it stands for.

Note: After my own personal research on this symbol, it occurs to me that the symbol in the tattoo seen here may actually be incorrect as it's missing the dream state curl to the right of the "3" shape. I'm not knowledgeable enough on the subject to know if this is an acceptable variation to those in the various faiths that hold the "Om" in great esteem. I'm going to continue doing some research and will hopefully have more information to add in coming weeks. There are, however, known acceptable variations: the Jain Om, the Tibetan Om, the Vedic Om, and the Sikh Ek Onkar.

View the original article here