Show your Creative Side with Butterfly Tattoo Designs
Take a poll of women with tattoos and ask them what type of picture or artwork they have and chances are a majority of them will have some type of butterfly. Butterfly tattoo designs are among the most requested among the ladies simply because a butterfly bespeaks femininity. This creature can by turns be whimsical, flirty or even sexy, depending where on the body the tattoo is located in addition to how it is depicted.
Symbolism of the Butterfly
Some people look to butterfly tattoo designs as a freedom of expression or even an embodiment of some cultural meaning. For instance, the Greeks believed that every time a caterpillar shed its cocoon and emerged as a butterfly, a new human soul was released upon the world. Therefore, it could be interpreted that butterfly tattoo designs could be symbolic of birth, a rediscovering of self or the start of a new life.
In Japanese and Mexican cultures, the butterfly was often a symbol of love, joy, youth and grace, a wondrous representation of life. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some ancient people viewed the butterfly as the embodiment of a dead person's soul. Others believed that the butterfly was a spirit guide to another world. Regardless of the culture, this colorful flying creature is often viewed as magical and characteristic of the human imagination.
Choosing your Artwork
Choosing from among the many butterfly tattoo designs can be quite tough as there are almost 20,000 species in the world! While not all of them are represented via the ink medium, there are quite a few designs floating around the tattoo artistry world. So how do you choose one particular butterfly from the many butterfly tattoo designs available?
You will want to check your local library out for resources on butterflies, especially so that you can get a good look at the rainbow of colors, hues, intensities and patterns. No two butterflies are exactly alike so you will have to study them closely in books, magazines, encyclopedias and other resource materials. When you think you have a few favorites, make color copies of them so that you will have something to take to the tattoo artist.
Where to Get Inked
Narrowing your butterfly tattoo designs down to one was the hardest part of your tattoo decision however you are not quite done yet! You have to choose exactly where you want the tattoo to go so keep in mind whether you want it to be seen by the public or to an intimate few. If you want to show it off, the ankle area is an attractive and subtle area as is the lower back. The shoulder and even the back of the neck are popular choices if you want your tattoo to be seen. For a more intimate location, some ladies request a spot on one of their butt cheeks, their breast or even along the bikini line.
Getting a tattoo is a lifetime commitment so be sure that it is something you want to see for the rest of your life. This commitment makes your choice of butterfly tattoo designs all the more important.
