Choosing Your Flower Tattoo
 William
Shakespeare said it quite eloquently in his play Romeo and Juliet.
During the infamous balcony scene Juliet utters those words that were
destined to become well known through the centuries. She says “A rose by
any other name would smell as sweet.” Of course, she was talking about
her new lover, Romeo, when she said this, but these words can apply when
one is choosing a rose tattoo. To paraphrase a bit, “A rose by any other
name would be as beautiful.”
It may well be just that the beauty a rose displays makes it the most
popular flower tattoo chosen by women and men, alike. There are many
more reasons that someone may choose to have a rose tattoo.
Symbolically, it means love, especially a pure love. Its beauty,
shape, and scent make it the ultimate floral symbol. The rose represents
passion, purity, and chastity, and is the most loved flower. To give a
single red rose is to say “I love you.” A rose without thorns says “love
at first sight.” Yellow roses symbolize joy, white means reverence,
light pink represents admiration or sympathy, and the orange rose shows
enthusiasm. The white rose was the symbol for virginity in medieval
times.
The rose has many lovely myths and legends associated with it. Many
of these hold special meanings for a lot of people. As each person is an
individual, there can be more than one reason that two different people
choose the same exact rose design to be their flower tattoo. Color
choices also carry special meanings, so while you may have the same rose
shape for a flower tattoo as someone else, the colors may be vastly
different.
Some people may choose a rose that has many thorns. The thorns
protect the rose and remind us that beauty does not come without a
price. Caution must be used or the thorn can draw blood. Symbolically, a
rose tattoo with many thorns means that love is not without risk.
Ecstasy cannot happen without a bit of agony. The rose with thorns is a
good way for people to remember these facts, and to protect their
hearts.
The Lotus is as important in the East as the rose is in the West.
These two flowers are the most powerful of all floral symbols. Both
flowers have a solid base historically within mythology and mysticism.
It is said that Buddha rose from the center of a Lotus blossom.
Symbolically, the Lotus means rebirth. However, it also has religious
connotations. It represents everything that is good, beautiful, and
true, along with good luck, enlightenment and peace. Their colors also
represent different things. White is symbolic of purity, blue of
goodness, and red shows enlightenment. Typically, people who choose to
get the Lotus as a flower tattoo are quite spiritual in nature.
The cherry blossom is another spiritually symbolic flower and people
with a spiritual nature often choose this one as a tattoo. In the
Japanese culture, cherry blossoms are viewed as a metaphor for life.
This flower blooms only for a short period of time, yet is quite
beautiful when in bloom. All too soon, its petals fall to the ground,
its life at an end. Representing female beauty and sexuality, it is also
the Chinese symbol of love in the language of herbs. The lovely cherry
blossom is a strong reminder that life is too short, that we should live
in the present, and treasure each waking minute, as it could well be the
last.
Many other flower tattoos carry with them spiritual and quite
specific meanings. Such flowers as the iris, daisy, lily, violet and
hyacinth all mean different things to the person who boasts them as a
permanent body ink portrait. It may be fair to say that a large number
of the people who decide to get a flower tattoo will have researched the
history and symbolism attached to their flower of choice. However, it is
also quite possible that a flower is chosen simply because it is pretty
or a person just likes it enough to have it inked.
There is no right or wrong reason for choosing a specific flower
tattoo. However, it is appropriate to think that most people who decide
on a specific tattoo usually have their own reasons for doing so.
Something important happened in their lives, and whatever it was, it is
important enough to have it permanently etched onto their bodies. If an
event is tied to a particular flower, it is totally understandable that
this flower would be a part of the tattoo design. When the decision is
made and the tattoo is obtained, it should be worn and displayed with a
certain amount of pride. |
