Tattoo on the side, photo from:
Laurel wreath - our ancestors used it to cover the heads of the winners. A black green tree served as a sign of wealth and prosperity. In the tattoo tradition, the wreath has a positive meaning. The sign combines nobility and success, which accompany the bearer on the roads of life.
Symbolism of laurel branches
Decorating something with a wreath of plants came into modern culture from the ancient Slavic past. Then the wicker product acted as a ritual object for participants in rituals, and was used as decoration for buildings (a guarantee of prosperity) or livestock (the health of offspring). For newlyweds, the exchange of wreaths symbolized fidelity and love.
In modern reality, the evergreen laurel bush has become a symbol of victory, determination, courage and wisdom. The tradition of a wreath woven from the leaves of a plant came from the myths of different peoples and religions:
- among the Greeks, the tree was considered a symbol of Apollo (patron of art); a crown of laurel leaves was awarded for high achievements in art;
- the Romans crowned the best warriors with a laurel attribute, the ritual symbolized the onset of peace after the overthrow of the enemy;
- For early Christians, weaving from plant branches was associated with martyrdom and the acquisition of eternal life.
Interesting fact. The well-known term “laureate” is closely associated with the evergreen shrub. A similar title was awarded to a person crowned with laurel.
Tattoo artists do not associate the meaning of a tattoo with intertwined laurel branches with a specific part of the body. Salon clients often order images for their arms or backs.
Girls choose sketches for the wrist or the back of the head; in the photo below you can admire the laconic beauty of women's tattoos.
The meaning of tattoos for girls
A tattoo in the form of a wreath of wildflowers on a woman’s arm or neck looks touching and cute. The image in bright colors conveys the liveliness and lightness of the owner’s character. Each plant chosen for the drawing has its own symbolic meaning: chamomile is a sign of purity and innocence, cornflower represents beauty, and forget-me-nots represent fidelity. A poppy woven into a wreath signifies sadness, sadness, and a bright peony signifies faith and hope. Colored tattoos are chosen by romantic and dreamy people. Such girls need attention and try to stand out from the crowd.
Tattoos of a wreath with berries and green leaves are preferred by girls who are creative, smart and sensible. Often the owner of a tattoo is distinguished by a deep and sincere love for nature, indifference to expensive clothes and exquisite jewelry. For such persons, sincere communication, real human feelings, and the absence of conventions are more important.
Review of modern meanings
Over time, the popularity of the laurel wreath in medieval heraldic symbolism faded away, only to be revived at the end of the 18th century after the events of the French Revolution. The beauty of a tattoo with the image of a laurel wreath has become an eloquent sign for true connoisseurs of body art, symbolizing a number of positive qualities:
- a life-affirming position, a desire for primacy;
- unbending strength of will and fortitude, special zeal;
- the triumph of masculinity, the thirst for conquering new heights.
Interestingly, the color style of the image does not affect the meaning of the tattoo. But even one branch of the plant will become a talisman for the wearer, the key to a stable and prosperous life.
The interpretation of a strict picture on the body is also associated with receiving a well-deserved reward for defeating oneself. A tattoo can be considered the mark of a winner who is not used to losing. For a creative person, a tattoo means a reward for constancy and loyalty to one’s own ideals.
Another meaning of the laurel wreath
When choosing an effective sketch, it is important to remember that in addition to the life-affirming orientation, the drawing also has other semantic meanings. Since the laurel wreath was in the past associated with martyrdom, in a prison environment the monochromatic tattooed symbol has a completely different meaning. Wrongly convicted prisoners choose tattoos for themselves.
Among the rare meanings of tattoos is an association with eternity, memory, and immortality. The always green plant is considered a symbol of eternal life, renewal and rebirth of the immortal soul, the union between the world of the living and the dead. From a mystical point of view, the composition can be considered a talisman against the influence of evil forces, protection against illnesses and fears, as well as self-doubt.
Meaning of crown of thorns
Crown of thorns tattoos are most often done by deeply religious people who well understand the meaning of such an image. The thorny crown is a symbol of true faith, the suffering of Jesus, his voluntary sacrifice. Tattoos are chosen as a sign of an ascetic lifestyle, refusal of pleasures that destroy the purity of the soul. Often the image denotes a person’s difficult work on himself, overcoming difficulties, rethinking and changing the path of life.
For those who need the protection of higher powers, support and consolation, a tattoo with intertwined thorn branches is a kind of protective amulet that repels people with negative energy. Tattoo owners who avoid close communication with people are thus trying to isolate themselves from society and show their isolation and reluctance to reveal their souls.
The meaning of women's drawings
Despite the masculine orientation of the symbol, unmarried girls decorate their bodies with a laurel wreath tattoo in the hope of getting married successfully. For explosive and socially active people, this is a sign of successful self-realization. What does a tattoo tell about the wearer:
- has a clear mind with high leadership abilities;
- everyone's favorite knows how to calculate her strength;
- always the first to possess lasting authority.
Laurel wreath tattoos are chosen by extraordinary ladies with powerful charisma. This is a sign of a charming and talented person, capable of overcoming circumstances, problems, and his own negative traits.
The meaning of men's tattoos
For men, sketches with laurel branches show the strength of masculine energy, the desire for self-realization, as well as clarity in any life situation. Fans of tattooing use this tattoo to tell others about their qualities:
- reliability and strong strategic capabilities;
- leadership skills, experienced leader, strong speaker;
- luck of an adventurous person, a favorite of Fortune.
On the male body, a Laurel wreath tattoo is considered a strong amulet, personifying the light and warmth of the Sun. The image turns into a talisman for making profitable deals and starting a business correctly.
The meaning of tattoos for men
Men often make wreath tattoos graphic, in the form of a silhouette in one color. The image is applied like a talisman, hoping to gain the ability to start business correctly and make profitable deals. As a talisman, this sign is considered one of the most powerful, since it represents the Sun, light, beginning, warmth, life.
Masculinity and strength are signified by a wreath of oak and laurel leaves, and woven ears of corn are a sign of the desire to start a family, settle down, work for the benefit of loved ones, ensuring a prosperous life. Often the tattoo combines a wreath with the initials of a loved one or a short phrase - a life motto.
Locations and application technique
Thanks to the ideal structure of the leaves, the plant composition on the body looks flawless. The symmetry of the oval leaves does not lose their strict beauty when folded; the design looks most elegant in black and white graphics.
For their work, craftsmen choose the linear geometry of blackwork, the art of minimalism, detailed drawing of dotwork, the airiness of linework patterns, and the style of ornamental symbolism.
Particularly attractive is the restraint of the range of color works with a predominance of greenery surrounded by silver or gray decorative elements. The regular shape of the almond-shaped leaves without branches effectively sets off the blackness of the alphanumeric inclusions in the tattoo area. Among the original additions to the laurel wreath, in addition to inscriptions, there are sketches with flowers, ribbons, even skulls.
Large tattoos are rarely ordered, but small pictures look great anywhere - on the lower leg or thigh, shoulder and forearm. The image that attracts the most attention is between the shoulder blades and around the neck, in the wrist or back of the head area.
Before choosing a sketch, the salon master will introduce you to the sketches in the photo, recommend a place where it is more profitable to apply the design, not forgetting the meaning of the tattooed sign for the client himself.
Tips for Sketching
The sketch will look lively and inspiring if there is less shading in the composition. As tattoo practice shows, a large laurel wreath looks good in the gray tones of finishing work and graphics. If the image is small, the detail will be reduced. For miniatures, on the contrary, a dense contour fill is used so that small leaves are clearly visible.
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In color drawings, it is recommended to use a restrained palette. The color of the sheet plate should be as close as possible to the natural shade. Highlights of white paint will help highlight the shimmer of the leathery surface. The choice of location and size for the drawing should be entrusted to the master, since he will take into account the features of the figure of the future owner.
