The Tattoo Lettering Blog

Celtic design tattoos, both because of their ancient historical symbolism and because they are simply among the most beautiful tattoos in the entire tattoo universe, are among the most requested of all tattoo designs. Both men and women of all ages have become intrigued with the aura surrounding Celtic design tattoos, and are hoping some of it will rub off on them.

The inspiration for Celtic design tattoos originated in Great Britain, dating as far back as drawings from the sixth century which appeared in manuscripts of Scripture which was copied in elaborate calligraphy by the Christian monks of the period. The manuscript decoration was extremely ornate, but Celtic design tattoos can be as intricate or as simple as their wearers desire.

The Monks responsible for the Celtic manuscript had the responsibility of combining the pagan imagery of the Celts with their accepted Christian symbols, to aid in the evangelization of the Celtic peoples. The Celtic design tattoos which most clearly illustrate this blending of symbolism is the Celtic cross tattoo, which is a traditional Christian cross with a circle at its center said to represent the ancient Druidic symbol for the sun.

Celtic design tattoos are most often known for their fascinating knots and interlacing, or “plaitwork” which will entertain viewers endlessly as they try to unravel them. The Celtic knot is another Druidic symbol, evoking the unending cycles of life and death, and the perfect and eternal circle.

The universal appeal of Celtic design tattoos, in fact, many lie in their abstract nature. With flowing spirals, squares, and geometrical forms, they are more of an attempt to create an emotion in the viewer rather than to be representational art.

One of the most delightful elements of Celtic design tattoos, in fact, is in their portrayal of animals. The animals in Celtic design tattoos are as complex as the Celtic knots; cats, deer, dogs, lions, tigers, birds and dragons are portrayed when the lines and thread of plaitwork, instead on forming eternal knots and loops, end with the depiction of animal heads, feet and tails. Many of the animals are inspired by medieval depictions of animals, and have a highly appealing air of whimsy.

The shamrock, of course, is one of the oldest Celtic design tattoos; while for the Irish it signifies excellence, and even has religious significance as a sign of the Holy Trinity, it is most widely known as a good luck charm. Those of Irish descent are especially fond of using an Celtic Shamrock tattoo to display their pride in their heritage.

The one drawback to having Celtic deign tattoos done is that they demand a tattoo artist with an exceptional amount of skill. Their symmetrical designs require a precise outline and steady had in the inking process, and some of them can take hours to complete. But done properly, Celtic design tattoos are true works of art!

With wide-ranging meanings that span a multitude of cultures, Celtic cross tattoos join the abundant variations of one of the most widely known forms of expression and belief. The Celtic cross is a popular selection in tattoos because it showcases origins linked to both the Christian Cross and Celtic fertility symbols.

The Celtic tattoo design may highlight a series of knots in a cross, but is most often selected to show ties to the Irish culture. Today, the intricate artistic designs and never-ending possibilities of Celtic cross tattoos have gained a large following outside of this cultural symbolism.

When a Celtic cross tattoo is chosen for symbolic reasons, it often pays homage to the ancient culture, which shows through in specific knot patterns. In the center of the cross, plenty of expressive designs are available for those who are looking for non-cultural tattoo selections.

The Meaning and History of Celtic Cross Tattoos

The Celtic cross possesses a distinct and characteristic circle that is one of the most widely recognized of all Celtic imagery. The circle of the cross is often seen as a halo or a symbol of eternity.

In Ireland, Scotland, and other Celtic locations, the establishment of imposing crosses made of stone (referred to as "High Crosses") was known to emerge as a significant tradition in sculpture display. These arrangements date back to the 9th century or earlier.

Throughout the Celtic Revival, newer constructions in this same style blossomed in order to send out a message of Celtic heritage.

Throughout the years, the Celtic cross has been compared to pagan sun symbols, as well as connected to the mystical nature of early Celtic Christians. Overall, Celtic cross tattoos serve as a symbol of pride pertaining to ethnic heritage that relates to the Scottish, Irish, and Welsh.

Scandinavians are also attracted to this particular design, as Celtic art and Norse art share similarities and represent a historic exchange of culture.

In general, there has always been an attraction towards the spirals, mazes, and elaborate interweaving that represents the belief that there is no beginning and no end. Sometimes, the Celtic cross is used to represent the changing of seasons or refer to various stages in life.

Getting a tattoo, be it a pattern, design or tattoo lettering, is a life-changing decision that will forever change the way you see the world around you, and the way that others perceive you. It is for this reason that I have put together this short article, about the RIGHT and WRONG ways to go about getting a tattoo. I am also going to include a bit of information about what to be careful of when getting tattoo lettering.

So first up, why get a tattoo? There are many reasons that people get tattoos: to show their belief in a cause, in a special someone, or to show membership of a club or a group. For me, it was to forge a bond with friends who have helped me through times tough and true.

But this is only the beginning, because once you have some ink on you, it’s there to stay virtually forever – there’s no turning back.

Are you still here? Great. You’re a true believer, so let me tell you some things to keep in mind when getting tattoo lettering done.

The first thing to do is to think about what you want tattooed onto yourself. The text of tattoo lettering is usually symbolic in nature – the name of a loved one, a pet, a group, a belief, a cause. It can also be in multiple languages – Chinese, Japanese, Hebrew, Hindi, Sanskrit, English... the list goes on.

DON’T DO NUMBER ONE: Get a tattoo in a language you don’t understand without checking it with a friend first. Seriously, I see so many people walking around with Chinese characters tattooed on them with no idea what they mean – many people thought that their tattoos which actually said ‘spirit’ meant ‘peace’. Be sure, and check with a friend who speaks the language first.

The next thing is to consider the size and placement of the tattoo. This is where having a friend who is a tattoo artist really helps. They can tell you how large the letters have to be in order to last over time.

DON’T DO NUMBER TWO: Get really small words tattooed onto you – anywhere. If you’re not aware, tattoos fade over time as the ink is absorbed into the skin. It is for this reason that all tattoos should be of a minimal size. Any good tattoo artist will tell you that tattoo lettering in particular, has a minimal size. Don’t go for small and unreadable letters.

So now you’re ready to go out and get your tattoo lettering done.

DON’T DO NUMBER THERE: Don’t ever let anyone pressure you into getting a tattoo. Trust me, it’s a personal choice, and one that you have to carry for the rest of your life. It’s a life-changing decision, so do not take it lightly, and think carefully before you have any inking done.

Whether you are celebrating your religion or you are looking for a piece of art that celebrates a wonderful part of the history of Ireland and the British Isles, a Celtic cross tattoo has you covered!

The Celtic cross, also known as the Irish cross, is essentially a standard cross with a circle around the intersection of the four arms.

There are many reasons why the design of the cross may be in this format, but many theories point to the crosses as predating the arrival of Christians to the region. It is also a possibility that the design reflects the blending of two very different cultures and peoples.

This figure is found all over the British Isles in a wide variety of forms, and you'll find some extremely ancient examples of the Celtic crosses in the forests and parks. When you look at the Celtic cross, you are looking at a piece of history that goes back thousands of years.

If you are interested in a Celtic cross tattoo, there is a good chance that you are interested in the art of the area of the world. Celtic knot work, with its intricate loops and intertwining, has a great deal to recommend it to tattoo design, but remember that you want to make sure that your artist has a good history with the style.

When you are looking into getting a Celtic cross tattoo, take a look around. You'll find lots of interesting examples of this figure in the most unlikely places.

Focus your search on cathedrals and graveyards and you'll be sure to get plenty of different sources of information for your tattoo! Remember that the more intricate you want the detailing on this piece, the larger it will be; there are many people who have a Celtic cross as a back piece or a chest piece.

If this design suits you, make sure that it's big enough to be seen and that the lines won't blur together over time!

Many, many tattoos have some form of lettering in them. Whether it be a name, a date or even a scripture, tattoo lettering can make or break the piece. Often people don't realize just how hard it can be to do well. They assume because they've seen it so much, it must be a rudimentary skill for any tattoo artist. The truth is that all tattoo artists have specialties. Some are really great with the human form while others might be amazing when it comes to mythical creatures. At the same time, some might be more skilled when it comes to lettering than others. There are a few key things you have to be aware of to ensure your tattoo lettering comes out exactly the way you want it.

Before you commit to a tattoo, research the artist thoroughly. Ask to see previous samples of their lettering and talk to former clients if possible. Ask them if what they received was what they envisioned. Discuss the process with them and see how helpful the artist was in guiding them through the experience. Also ask the artist about their experience. Don't be shy! While you might not want to seem like you are questioning their credibility, you have to realize that a tattoo is a lifetime commitment. They will probably be happy to share their credentials or past work experience with you.

Once you've found a tattoo artist you feel comfortable with, you have some other research to do. Look into the type of font you want for your tattoo lettering. There are hundreds of choices and many of them can be found in any computer writing program. Make sure you write out what you want to have on your tattoo fully. Individual letters can be quite surprising. Just because you like the "J" in one font doesn't mean you'll like the "S" as well. Another thing to think about when it comes to font is the tone you want to set. Handwriting is often appropriate for memorial tattoos whereas playful script is more appropriate for fun tats. It is a lengthy process. Involve your tattoo artist in the selection. See which fonts they are familiar with and which ones they feel will translate well into a tattoo. Trust their judgement.

Something else that is often overlooked when it comes to tattoo lettering is spelling! Read what you've written over and over again. Get everyone you know to look it over as well. There will be no bigger disappointment than getting your tattoo and later realizing you've made a mistake. This will totally ruin your entire experience. Another factor is colour. Consider which colours will work best with your design. Although black is a great choice, it isn't your only choice. Just be sure that the colour you do choose is easy to read. Remember to compare it not only to your current skin tone, but to the varying shades that inevitably come with winter shade and summer sun. In the end, it'll be the little details that make your tattoo lettering pop!