NOTE: CLICK ANY PIC ON THIS WEBSITE TO ZOOM IN

Romeo Rodriguez is a tattoo enthusiast and blogger. His website, Tattoo Lettering can be found at www.tattooletteringblog.com/
Lions are deemed kings of the jungle in Europe and the Middle East, but across the East, tigers rule over all other animals and are regarded as the mighty lords of the Asia.

The tiger has long been a symbol in indigenous tattooing in Asian countries, such as Burma, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. As a tattoo, a tiger can symbolize an intermingling between strength and beauty.

Tiger tattoo pictures, just like designs, are diverse and often ornate. This wide range of tiger tattoo pictures is necessary to cater to all preferences in style and symbolic meaning. Here are the broader categories:

Tribal Tiger Tattoos

Tigers found in Asia are generally inked in tribal style. The swirls, bold black strokes, and geometric shapes of the tribal inking style complement the sleek and powerful form of the tiger, its movements, and even its coat of stripes. CLICK PICTURE TO ZOOM

By and large, Asian cultures utilize the tiger as a symbol of power and strength. It is deemed ‘King of the Animals’ in Korea. It is also sometimes used as an emblem for destruction and violence. Shiva, the Hindu god of destruction, is illustrated bearing a tiger skin and riding a tiger. Pictures of Asian tigers also serve as amulets to ward off evil spirits. In China, stone tigers are placed to guard and protect buildings and houses.

White Tiger Tattoos

The tattoo picture of a white tiger, also known as spectral tiger, almost always turns out as a wraithlike image – it is frequently depicted thin black stripes on a coat of snowy white fur and blue eyes. Most white tigers die from starvation in the jungle because their lack of usual orange-and-black pigmentation makes it incredibly difficult for them to get prey by stealth. They stand out too much against a backdrop of grass and forest. A white tiger tattoo is usually inked in tribal or impressionist style.

As a tattoo, a white tiger represents the rarity and uniqueness of its wearer, and often spells out a message that he or she is one of a kind. Another meaning attributed to a white tiger tattoo is the struggle for survival.

Siberian Tiger Tattoos

Siberian tigers are the rarest and largest of the tiger family. They are now dangerously close to extinction. Male Siberian tigers can be more than ten feet in length and weigh between 400 to 700 pounds. They reside in the forests of Southeastern Russia and parts of China. The symbolism in pictures of Siberian tiger tattoos is pretty plain – it is of raw and unparalleled strength and power.

Weretiger Tattoos

Chinese and Tibetan lore tell that their people descended from tigers. They also tell of stories about weretigers, people that can change themselves into tigers, much like the werewolves in movies. In some parts of China, the custom of giving tiger figures to boys and girls at their coming-of-age ceremonies is still practiced today. Weretiger tattoos are also chosen and inked on many people today.

Romeo Rodriguez is a tattoo enthusiast and blogger. His website, Tattoo Lettering can be found at www.tattooletteringblog.com/
Contrary to the time when it used to be exclusively connected with hoodlums, prisoners, and the mafia, tattoo art is all the rage these days. Tattoo enthusiasts can be practically anyone — hardcore bikers, musicians, athletes, celebrities, and even the everyday folk you pass by on the street. Highly popular in any part of the globe and with all age groups, tattoos are one of the top search items on the Internet today. According to a 2006 survey, 36 percent of people from 18 to 25 years old and 40 percent of those ranging from 26 to 40 years old have at least one tattoo.

Perhaps the main reason why tattoos are so in demand today is because people feel the need to better distinguish themselves among the ballooning six billion population of the world. Tattoos are artistic manifestations of our identity. Inked on skin, they allow others to see how we perceive ourselves and what we value in our lives without having to explain at all. Consequently, looking for the right tattoo design all boils down to the meaning and symbolism it offers to the holder. All things considered, isn’t it interesting to find out how tattoo bearers view themselves and what tattoo designs and symbolisms that appeal the most to them?

The following are the most sought after tattoo designs of all time and their brief general meanings:

Birds: Eagles are the most popular tattoo designs, symbolizing patriotism, might, and freedom. Hummingbirds and doves are also in demand, standing for love charm and peace, respectively.

Dragons: Arguably the most popular mythical figures of all time, dragon tattoos are general statements of strength and power. However, their specialized meanings will differ depending on whether you choose an Eastern or Western dragon design.

Skulls: Skulls have long been a symbol of pirates and stood for rebellion. Though mostly perceived as bad omens and symbols of death, skulls also represent change.

Hearts: They usually stand for togetherness and love, but their meanings vary depending on representation and the sentiments of the bearer.

Butterflies: These winged insects are sought after by mostly women. Fragile and beautiful, butterflies are symbols of freedom and rebirth.

Tribal Symbols: They actually mean something. But just as with Asian symbols, exactly what they mean can be a bit tricky. Traditional and primitive, these forms come from all sorts of different tribes and it’s hard to tell just by looking at them. These obscure but striking looks are not recommended for those who may become annoyed by constant questions about the meaning behind the body art.

Asian symbols: Chinese and Japanese characters are massive favorites among American tattoo buffs. However, translation can be more than a little difficult at times, so you have to extra careful.

Flowers: Singled out by women, flower tattoos symbolize different things, depending on the flower used. Roses stand for love; daisies denote innocence; buttercups represent riches, while sunflowers symbolize enchantment.

Religious Symbols: Though some think it’s blasphemous, tattoo art used to be part of religious ceremonies in certain ancient cultures. That’s why it comes as no surprise that religious symbols are second on the list.

Words: They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but tattoo lettering is still the most popularly-requested design around the world. Names of loved ones, significant phrases of meaningful quotes as tattoo designs are also a big trend.