Phoenix Tattoos

Phoenix tattoos are said to be the ultimate sign of rebirth and eternal life. To the Greeks and Egyptians, this symbol represented the sun dying at the end of a day and rising in the morning to be reborn. The phoenix is also said to live for five hundred years, then goes to rest by building a nest which it sets aflame, the fire consuming both. After three days the phoenix will rise again from the ashes and begin anew. These tales have struck a cord with many people, and to express their new beginning — or ‘rising from the ashes — they decide to get a phoenix tattoo.
Phoenix tattoos are generally a rather considerable scale, encompassing large sections of the body such as the back, chest or wrapping around the leg or upper arm. There is a good reason for this, as most of these pieces are very detailed, and given that it is an expression of a new life beginning, it makes sense that these should make a powerful statement.
Phoenix tattoos are usually very colorful. Most will contain reds, yellows and oranges, as the phoenix is closely associated with fire and the sun. However, for a more unique look, some will use blues, purples, greens and tones of copper and gold. Less frequently, people will use blacks and grays, and only outline the massive wings and body of the phoenix.
Some of the most popular phoenix tattoos are seen with the sizable bird surrounded by fire. It can also be seen partially obscured and rising from its ashes, or bursting through the sun. A unique idea that can be used to symbolize the shift of days is having your phoenix surrounding the globe, its tail shadowing one end, and its face brightening the other.
Many also like to use the Egyptian phoenix. In early incarnations of this figure, the phoenix had the body of a man and the expansive wings of the phoenix. This image has changed over time, it became a wholly bird-like creature eventually, but the story has remained the same, and is seen in art as being immersed in flame so as to begin its transformation.
So whether you are beginning a new life, have survived troubled times and have become stronger for it, or the idea of such a masterful creature appeals to you, phoenix tattoos will always make for a beautiful and strong choice.

Phoenix Tattoos

The phoenix represented in the phoenix tattoo, is thought of as one of the most mystical and mythological of all birds. For this reason it is one of the most popular designs in tattoo artwork. The color associated with the phoenix is red and the element fire. Its origin is thought to be Ethiopian as well. The phoenix’s great significance originates from its symbolism – rebirth, renewal, and life! This is why it is always portrayed as a magnificent and spectacular bird. If the phoenix tattoo design is your favorite and you want to "ink" this symbolic bird on your favorite body location, it will pay to review a number of different phoenix patterns. Size and color are important factors to consider, because you want to be certain that the tattoo is going to blend and coordinate well together. Because there are so many colorful and beautiful phoenix tattoo designs to choose from, your first step should be to visit one of the more popular tattoo galleries. With their wide array of tattoo patterns, you will most assuredly find the perfect phoenix tattoo design for you. The phoenix tattoo in the picture has taken what is usually a male dominant design and applied a lot of light colors to it, to make the design more feminine.

The phoenix tattoo in the picture is a great example of a design based on the Chinese version of the phoenix. With the Chinese, the phoenix was very important, with only the dragon holding a more important place in their culture. Only the Chinese Empress was allowed to wear the phoenix as a symbol, which represented the union of yin and yang, symbolizing virtue and grace. But, the phoenix tattoo is an important design in other cultures other then the Chinese. Some Jewish myths have added the the mystique of the phoenix, as they talk about the phoenix as the one living creature that never left the garden of Eden, and it never partook of the forbidden fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil; thus its longevity. The phoenix is also significant to the Japanese, and is an important symbol of theirs, included with the sun. The Japanese like to entwine the phoenix with the dragon, as you can see on many of their tattoos. This also symbolizes yin and yang for the Japanese, mixing the highest qualities of the masculine and feminine together. No matter what culture it’s in however, the phoenix tattoo is associated witha number of good qualities in a person, things like kindness, duty and being reliable, among others.