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Octopus designs are popular tattoos inspired by marine life. They are suitable for both men and women. People who wear these drawings are often drawn to the symbolism and strength of the image. The flexibility of this creature leaves a lot of space to the creativity of the artists. In addition, octopus is often used as a character in movies, cartoons and books, allowing the general public to humanize this creature and identify with it. These are the main reasons why octopus is currently a beautiful tattoo design. Over time, the understanding of the symbolic meanings of this creature began to surface as a wider choice and better quality of octopus designs encouraged a wider audience to choose octopus as the first tattoo drawing.
Meaning of octopus tattoos
Octopus tattoo designs can mean and symbolize many things. The meaning of octopus tattoos depends mainly on your source of inspiration. To give you an idea of the different possible meanings, here are some examples to look at:
General meaning
Octopuses are known for their intelligence, adaptability and brute force. These main features are also represented in octopus tattoos. Octopuses are the most intelligent marine invertebrates, making them an ideal representation of knowledge. Their ability to regenerate and their ability to camouflage themselves by imitating the colors of their surroundings makes them perfect symbols of disguise and elasticity. The tentacles of the octopus not only represent its agility underwater but also indicate the strength of this multi-faceted creature. The combination of these symbols and meanings is fully present in every octopus tattoo.
Spiritual meaning
The spiritual significance of this tattoo is based on the strength and ability of the octopus to adapt to changes. It is the animal totem which represents the creativity and the psychic power coming from pure and strong emotions. All that is spiritually touched by this creature sees its psychic ability and effective communication prowess intensified. The octopus's unique flexibility and regeneration gift also serves as a spiritual guide for the tattoo wearer, allowing him to adapt easily to changes. Whether he is traveling, healing or in full emotional change, the octopus spirit will allow him to breathe in difficulty and recover from any loss or injury.
Biblical significance
In the biblical sense, the octopus spirit is the symbol of the water demon. This demon has the ability to wrap itself in your mind and soul, blurring your judgment and preventing you from accessing enlightenment. He plants his tentacles so deeply that you are no longer able to see the evil path you have chosen. Some people who are aware of this biblical significance, however, choose to wear an octopus tattoo on their arms to remember the scars of their past black. There are also people who choose this tattoo design as a reminder of human weakness in the face of sin.
Tribal Meaning
Octopus has several meanings at the tribal level. One of the most popular is the Polynesian version. This one is based on the story of the magical creature Kanaloa, mistress of the underground world represented by the octopus symbol. Kanaloa's primary role is to guide the sea in its moments of fury and calm. The bearers of Polynesian octopus tattoos choose this drawing as a sign of respect and admiration for the enchanting and devastating spirit of the sea.
Types of octopus tattoos
Different types of octopus tattoo designs are emerging today and the media is increasingly using marine life in their productions. The most useful and powerful tool you can find to see the different types of octopus tattoos is obviously internet. But, to give you an idea of the current trends, we have put together a presentation of the types of octopus most used in tattoo designs in 2019.
1. The realistic octopus
A so-called realistic representation of octopus is a drawing that represents in the most realistic way the shape and appearance of an octopus. This type of drawing is often chosen by the defenders of marine life, nature lovers and people who love octopus in general. Respect for details and the place where the tattoo will be placed are crucial when you choose this type of drawing, especially because the main feature of the octopus is its tentacles, which need a lot of space to be reproduced with all the necessary details . The realistic octopus is often used alone, although a good artist can add additional details or a background to amplify the realistic rendering of your tattoo.
2. The Japanese octopus
The Japanese octopus tattoo drawing is a combination between a realistic octopus tattoo and the use of vibrant colors to represent it. The drawing of the Japanese octopus, which is part of Japanese mythology, is often presented as a particular concept where realism and mysticism meet. This drawing is known for the freedom it leaves to the artist in terms of creativity, allowing him to integrate additional elements drawn from the very rich Japanese culture into the drawing. Mauve and blue are the most used colors for Japanese octopus. However, with the passage of time, this practice is becoming less and less popular as more and more tattoo artists begin to explore the modern concepts of the Japanese octopus. These new creations offer more shadow effect options that significantly improve the final rendering of the drawing.
3. The cartoon octopus
Cartoon Octopus tattoos are often chosen by people who want to personify this powerful creature. A cartoon octopus drawing allows you to integrate a larger palette of emotions and characters into your tattoo. In fact, the most popular sources of inspiration for this type of drawing are the books or stories where octopuses are represented by characters with traits similar to those of humans. These representations allow to better identify with the octopus drawing. This type of octopus is clearly the most flexible and the most easily transformable. Tattoo artists generally like to conceptualize this type of drawing, because it gives them the freedom to recreate certain facial expressions and to provide the octopus with accessories far removed from its usual frozen image.
4. The blue-ring octopus
Blue-ring Octopus tattoos are often associated with people with aggressive personality. Despite its limited size, the blue-ringed octopus is considered a creature of the most frightening seas because of its toxicity. In fact, a simple bite of this creature to be fatal even for an adult. This is probably the reason why those who wear this tattoo are considered as people who are better left alone. The tattoo designs inspired by the blue ring octopus are naturally full of color. No matter the size and the background used, this tattoo will more than likely be an attractive and symbolic masterpiece.
5. The tribal octopus
Tribal octopus is often associated with the rich traditional Polynesian culture. Unlike most octopus designs, the tribal octopus tattoo is not colored and is not accompanied by a background or accessories. Like many tribal tattoos, it has only one color: black. The unique look of this tattoo is based on the carefully selected tribal motif used to create the octopus shape – or to fill the entire body of the octopus, giving the entire design a special texture and a beautiful final rendering. the contrast between the black of the ink and the color of the skin.
Ideal placement of octopus tattoos
The flexibility of octopus tattoos makes it possible to place this drawing almost anywhere on your body. Depending on the size and richness of the octopus tattoo details, you can easily determine which part of your body will be the best backdrop for your tattoo.
The arms, back and legs are some of the ideal background places to place your octopus tattoo. They will allow the artist to focus on one of the best attributes of the octopus: its tentacles. For large octopus tattoos, choosing the back as a backdrop is ideal. However, for those who prefer to wear an octopus tattoo alone, the arms and legs should suffice.
Proper placement of the tattoo will have a significant effect on its final impact and rendering, so be sure to choose it intelligently.
Preparation tips before the tattoo session
1 – One of the first things to prepare before you get an octopus tattoo is the tattoo concept or design you want to have. You need to determine why you want an octopus tattoo and what it represents for you. This should help you choose the type of octopus drawing you wish to wear.
2 – Check articles and magazines mentioning the local tattoo studios in your area and identify those that may be specialized in the type of drawing you want. Some tattoo designs will need several sessions before being finished, so it's best to choose a studio not far from home.
3 – Avoid using bronzing or exfoliating products on the skin area where you think to situate your tattoo. Shaving the excess hair present on the future tattoo area can also help improve the tattoo result.
4 – Arrive at the session mentally and physically prepared. You must be well rested, properly hydrated and well nourished before work begins. To be able to resist the whole session, you must have a lot of energy, determination and endurance.
5 – Wear comfortable clothes. During the session you will have to be quiet for a long time, which can be difficult – especially if you are not wearing comfortable clothes.
6 – Swallowing a painkiller shortly before the start of the tattoo session can make the pain more bearable. Avoid aspirins, which thin the blood.
Estimation of realization costs and standard prices of octopus tattoos
The average cost of making and the standard price of your octopus tattoo will depend on many factors such as the richness of the details of your drawing, the size of the tattoo, the level of experience of the tattoo artist, the location and reputation of your favorite tattoo studio. You must know that a good tattoo can be quite expensive.
Depending on the factors described above, a tattoo artist or tattoo studio may calculate the realization price in two different ways – either you will have to pay the work per hour or it will be determined in relation to the tattoo design you will have selected.
When the price is determined by design, the average cost of a tattoo with a low complexity, a single drawing or a tattoo with very few details (whether small or medium) be less than € 100. On the other hand, a full sleeve tattoo done in color can cost several hundred euros.
Tattoo artists or tattoo studios that charge for their services per hour will probably charge you an average of € 100 per hour. Some additional hourly charges may be added, if you ask the artist to conceptualize or create your tattoo. The standard price for a full sleeve tattoo that usually takes 7 hours, or even a little less, starts at € 80 an hour and can go up to € 120. The intermediate level for a tattoo made by a simple tattoo artist is between € 125 and € 150 for the same work, whereas a professional tattoo artist can request an amount of € 200 (or more) per hour of work.
Needless to say, it's always better to spend your money on a reputed tattoo artist than to save money and then regret that decision all your life.
Maintenance tips for octopus tattoos
Proper maintenance of your octopus tattoo will help you preserve the colors and details longer. Like anything else, your tattoo is vulnerable to the passage of time and, without some basic care, it will start to lose its vibrant side more quickly and need to be retouched sooner than normal. To give you an idea of the necessary care, here are some maintenance tips you can follow to take care of your tattoo:
– Apply a moisturizer. Regular application of a hydrating cream on the area covered by your tattoo will help you to preserve the details and colors. Your skin may lose its natural moisture because of changing weather conditions, which can cause it to dry out. Dry skin will destroy the colors of your tattoo and the contours of your skin, which can affect the main lines and details of your design.
– Use sunscreen. This habit is crucial, especially for those who have tattoos placed on areas constantly exposed to sunlight. Direct heat causes the colors of your tattoo to fade by destroying the layers of epidermis. Use a minimum protection rating of 45 to protect your tattoo.
– Avoid scratching or hurting the area where your tattoo is. Scars are the best way to destroy your investment. Use clothing to protect your tattoo when working with sharp or heavy objects. Apply mosquito repellent if necessary. This can help keep the insects away and avoid punctures in the tattooed area.
This article aims to give you a general view of the different designs of octopus tattoos. This should be enough to help you make an informed decision and decide if an octopus tattoo is a good choice for you.
