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Shiva: The Supreme Being, the destroyer and the shape-shifter. Whether he is depicted as benevolent or fearsome, the reflection of the Hindu deity, Lord Shiva in the form of tattoo art remains an alluring and influential trend.
Lord Shiva is considered one of the most unique Hindu deities, as he represents both good and evil. He is part of the Hindu trinity, the other two being Brahma and Vishnu.
Usually, Shiva is shown with three faces to show that he is the creator, destroyer and preserver of all in the universe. That’s why a tattoo design representing this powerful deity is so sought after, even by non-believers.
A true ink artist can bring this Hindu deity to life on a tattoo enthusiast’s body. He can be seen in portrait form with his traditional third eye open and his famous weapon, the trishula or trishul, ready to bring havoc and destruction to life’s evils your. Nothing will hold you back.
Not looking for something big? Small Lord Shiva tattoos also have the same effect. Many people choose a more abstract approach to pay homage and express the spirit of Shiva through tattoo art. The Om Namah Shivaya mantra, which some people chant during meditation, is a popular mantra to recite and works wherever it is placed on your body. It will show your peaceful side once you have conquered your demons.
Simple but dynamic is also good. Use items that represent his power. The trishul, the third eye, the snake or even the white bull he rides all work. Combine some or all of them to tell the story of this powerful and formidable god.
1. Shiva tattoo with Sanskrit letters
As one of the most important deities in Hinduism – most important in Shaivism – many of the sutras recited during meditation are dedicated to Lord Shiva and his power. The most popular of these is Om Namah Shivaya. There are several translations, one of which is “I bow before Lord Shiva”.
Crisp lettering, black ink, and sharp lines are most commonly used to achieve this Sanskrit font style. Many people choose the simple Om symbol. Om (or aum) is a sacred sound, symbolizing the unity and sound of the universe itself.
2. Blackwork Shiva tattoo
While traditional Indian art is bursting with color, black work is a strong choice for your Shiva tattoo ideas. Linework, dotwork, photo-realism, geometric and other styles in the blackwork universe can all be used to create a stunning and one-of-a-kind tattoo.
The meaning of the Shiva tattoo you want to convey can be the deciding factor in your choice of black work. Pictorial realism is a popular choice, but a smaller and somewhat abstract Shiva rendered in black watercolor can be just as powerful.
3. Shiva color tattoo
Blackwork is a popular choice, but if you want your Shiva tattoo to be as traditional as possible, think about color. Ancient Indian texts and art are absolutely bursting with color, making bright, vibrant Shiva tattoos a great choice.
Colors can be customized to make your Shiva tattoo as personal as possible. You can also ask your tattoo artist to give a modern twist to traditional by incorporating watercolor, neo-traditional, or a newer style of tattooing.
4. Feminine tattoo of Lord Shiva
Some Lord Shiva tattoos show the god looking a lot like… well, a goddess. This is sometimes surprising but very common to those familiar with Hindu mythology. Shiva and his consort or wife, Parvati, are often depicted as one body – half male, half female. In other depictions, the deity is shown as a person but with features that – at least to Western eyes – appear quite feminine.
These descriptions are extremely faithful to the original Hindu texts, in which the differences between men and women were not always clear. Thus, Shiva tattoos featuring “beautiful” or “beautiful” facial features are quite faithful to Indian and Hindu art, and may or may not represent Shiva and Parvati as one. Remember that gender does not influence attitudes; A peaceful or angry Shiva tattoo can have masculine or feminine characteristics.
5. Shiva tattoo with Ganga
The story of Shiva and Ganga is long and complicated, but the gist is this – Shiva trapped Goddess Ganga in his hair, controlled her rage and released her slowly in the water. This is why so many images of Shiva depict Ganga on his head, still tied tightly in his hair.
Find a tattoo artist skilled enough to make Ganga look like herself instead of a bunch of lumps. Those skilled in fine detail and even portraiture will be able to create sufficient detail in Ganga’s relatively small figure.
6. Shiva tattoo with Trishula spear
Shiva is often depicted with his signature spear, a trident known as trishula or trishul. This spear is extremely important and represents Shiva’s mastery over the three states of waking, sleeping and dreaming, as well as the past, present and future. Legend tells us that Shiva, while using his trishula, accidentally severed the head of his wife Parvati’s son, Lord Ganesha. He later replaced it with an elephant’s head.
Trishula represents a lot of power and trishula tattoos are bold statements about the power you aspire to have or have achieved. For a Shiva tattoo that is small enough to fit on a smaller body part, a single trishula tattoo is a subtle choice.
Frequently asked questions about Shiva tattoos
What does Shiva tattoo mean?
Shiva tattoos can have different meanings for different people. The Saivites are members of a branch of Hinduism that considers Shiva as their primary deity, rather than part of the Hindu trinity – along with Brahma and Vishnu – in more traditional Hinduism. In this trinity, Shiva is often called the Destroyer – meaning he destroys the negative aspects within us, allowing positive changes to occur. This destruction leads to him being portrayed as angry or full of rage. He is also said to have created himself from nothing.
Due to the diverse nature of this deity, it is no surprise that Shiva tattoos have many meanings. Perhaps you want to remake yourself by eliminating negative things. You may be filled with righteous rage, or simply want to pay your respects. As long as there is true belief and respect behind it, the meaning of a Shiva tattoo is highly personalized. A Shiva tattoo on the chest can mean your heart is drawn to this particular deity, while a tattoo on the back can mean you feel guided by Shiva.
Love these Shiva tattoos but looking for more ink inspiration? Click on the links below to see more Eastern-influenced galleries:
Categories: Tattoos
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