85+ Impressive Tree Tattoo Designs & Meanings – Family Inspired (2019)
Trees hold an integral part in many cultures and societies as they are considered as a source of life. Even in some of the top religions like Christianity and Buddhism trees play a crucial role in the origin and creation of mankind.
The tree tattoos date back centuries, and they are thought to be as old as the art of tattooing itself.
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Due to the important role that trees played in many cultures it became a norm to represent the tree in drawings and carvings. In most of the earliest paintings and drawings that have been discovered there was always a tree somewhere.
As mankind continued to advance and learned the art of body markings the first images that he had on his body were of the things very dear to him and important to his culture. Being as important as they were trees formed part of the first body markings that people had.
It is from these tree body markings in different cultures that the modern tree tattoos developed from.
Meaning
Trees are resilient and long-lasting as they are known to live between 50 and 5000 years, and this is what gives these tattoos one of their principal meanings. To live for so many years, the tree have to weather storms and elements and also the risk of diseases and being cut down by human beings.
Due to their survival trees are a sign of strength and adaptability and so if you wish to show that you have the two or would wish to have them then you can have these tattoos.
Tree-worshiping or dendrolatry is an age-old practice found in different cultures across the globe. Although nowadays it is not as prevalent as it was a few centuries ago a few people still practice it. For example, the Celts honor some trees that are thought to have extraordinary powers and the Hindus also worship the Banyan and Ashoka trees. Having a symbol of one of these special trees inked on you might be used to show religious devotion. Even in Christianity the Christmas tree that is used to celebrate Christmas attracts a following that can be compared to being worship. A Christmas tree tattoo might be a sign of Christianity or simply an appreciation of the biggest holiday in the Christian calendar.
Another meaning of this tattoo can be drawn from the type of tree and how it is drawn since different trees are believed to portray different meanings. The Cypress tree, for example, represents understanding and remembrance.
Other trees also have a particular meaning attached to them like the beautiful willow represents mourning, insight and healing. Another good example is the ash that represents sacrifice, awareness, and sensitivity.
Other common meanings given to these tattoos include strength, spirituality, healing and wisdom.
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Placement Ideas
There are many tree tattoo designs to choose from but no matter what you decide to have it is important to choose a suitable location for your tattoo. Just like any other tattoo the size and design should determine the ideal placement area for your tattoo.
For the tree symbol, the following are some of the best places to have yours.
- The Back:
If you want to get a large piece then your back is the perfect placement idea for your tattoo. Here you can decide to get one large tree as the tree of life, or you can decide to go with a few trees to create a small forest on your back.
- Breasts and upper arm:
Most women will prefer to have their tattoos on the breast while most men prefer to have theirs on the upper arm. For men, the upper arm is an ideal place for this tattoo, and there is also the option of having your tree or tree as a half sleeve tattoo.
The breast is less painful tattoo it will be a god spot for tattooing especially for the ladies who want to showcase their femininity.
- Ankles and feet:
If you are ready to bear some pain and get an amazing tattoo then you should have this tattoo on the ankles or feet. Although these are some of the most painful places for tattooing they are also some of the places where the tree symbols look best.
The ankle is an ideal spot for small tattoos while the feet are perfect for medium sized ones.
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Types of tree tattoos
- Bare Branches:
In this tattoo the tree branches have no leaves or any fruits hanging from them. The tattoo is mostly drawn with intertwining branches, and it is very popular especially with those looking for simple tree symbols.
The bare branches are often used to symbolize individuals or to invoke the cold and darkness that comes with winter (winter can be a symbolic representation of a dark phase in one’s life).
- The Family Tree:
This tattoo is made up of the bark, roots and branches of a tree, and it is the most popular of these tattoos. The tree of life symbolizes knowledge, vitality, strength and reincarnation, but it can also take any other meaning that you want it to.
Provided the image covers the essential elements of the tree of life this tattoo can be drawn in various variations and colors.
- The world tree:
The sacred Bodhi tree is what is popularly known as the world tree, and it symbolizes enlightenment. Some individuals may also use this type of tattoo to represent the potential that they have within them.
- Tree of Life:
No one knows for sure how the mythical tree of life looks like but over the years people seem to have come up with a distinct identity of the tree of life.
Although this tree looks different in the various cultures where it can be found there is one distinct identity that has been given to the modern tree of life found in tattoos. The tree of life paints a picture of what a tree symbolizes and the interconnectedness of all living things.
The tree of life can be inked in different colors, but the meaning remains the same.
These tattoos are more elongated rather than rounded, and so they are mostly placed in the arms or legs. The palm tree can be used to represent physical or spiritual paradise and as a message of peace.
