Egyptians have a very rich culture and history. They are part of the many peoples who practiced the ancient arts. The love of the Egyptians for the ancient arts is present in all their structures, paintings and even in their tattoos. The peculiarity of Egyptian art is that it uses symbols that are difficult to decipher, which makes it even more admirable and intriguing for many people around the world.
You can show your love for ancient Egyptian art by getting yourself an Egyptian tattoo. Even if you do not have Egyptian roots, you can acquire a tattoo of this type. Do not forget to look for the meaning of the symbols or designs you choose, so as not to offend other cultures or beliefs.
One of the reasons why, even today, Egyptian tattoos are extremely popular, live in the richness of its symbols and its artistically ornamented images. For many people, deciphering the meaning behind Egyptian symbols is a real challenge, because the same symbol can mean two different things. This makes this art even more mysterious and intriguing.
Meaning of Egyptian tattoos
Tattoos and Egyptian symbols are quite difficult to interpret. In fact, there are still old symbols that artists have not been able to decipher nowadays. The meaning of tattoos inspired by Egyptian motifs varies greatly depending on the symbol used for the drawing. Some tattoos have clearly positive characteristics, while there are also other tattoos with negative characteristics.
In general, Egyptian tattoos represent divine connections. The tattoos that represent these connections generally include Egyptian gods in the general design. The Egyptians are known for the strength of their beliefs towards their Gods and Goddesses.
Some Egyptian tattoos were used to pay a tribute to Gods, Goddesses or different Egyptian tribes. This type of tattoo usually represents the face of the God to whom the tribute is paid. The meaning of these tattoos rests mainly on the religious aspect of the life of the time. If you get this type of tattoo, it will automatically mean that you believe in the existence of a certain God or a certain Goddess.
Many Egyptian tattoos serve as amulets or protection. Although there is not really any concrete evidence to support this belief, many people think that using certain Egyptian symbols as a tattoo design protects those who wear them from harm.
Types of Egyptian tattoos
There are different types of Egyptian tattoos currently available. These tattoos use both ancient and modern symbols to create a perfect work of art. Egyptian motifs and symbols are unique because they have hidden meanings. Even today, there is an impressing number of Egyptian symbols whose historians have failed to decipher the meaning. This is why some people think that other forces, which might be mystical in nature, have influenced the formation of Egyptian motives.
If you want to buy your own Egyptian tattoo, here are some particular designs that you can use:
1. Tattoo of the Egyptian Ankh
It is a very simple drawing, which has a great significance for the Egyptians. The Ankh is a Latin word that literally means "cross". In this particular drawing, the cross has an elongated loop that looks a little like a head, instead of the usual upper branch of the cross. This drawing is very symbolic because the ancient Egyptians associated it with life. Currently, this symbol represents the Key of Life. This is probably the reason why every Egyptian is represented holding this symbol in one hand or in both.
2. Tattoo of Egyptian Pharaoh
This symbolic tattoo covers many generations of pharaohs. These ruled ancient Egypt. A pharaoh can be compared to a king, in our current conception of things. He was the supreme authority and held all the powers, at one time in the history of Egypt. As a tattoo drawing, the pharaoh represents power and authority. Usually, the first and the last of the pharaohs are the ones we see mainly on tattoo designs.
3. The eye
It is by far the most famous Egyptian symbol. He is known around the world. This symbol is seen regularly in movies and books, which has led to its extreme popularity. In fact, a legend explains why he was highly revered by the Egyptians. This Eye belonged to an ancient Egyptian god called Horus. The story goes that Horus lost his eye during a battle. The eye in question had finally been found after a while and many ancient Egyptians were convinced that it could see all that was going to happen to the people of Egypt. When you use this symbol as a tattoo design, it usually represents protection, power, and strength.
4. Egyptian Tattoo of Bastet
The Egyptians believed in many Gods and Goddesses. Bastet was one of the deities of the ancient Egyptians and the protector of Lower Egypt – reason why this Goddess was highly respected by the Egyptians. She would have fought with the evil serpent to keep peace and order throughout Egypt. Women usually love this tattoo drawing, even nowadays.
5. The Sphinx
When talking about Ancient Egypt, it is impossible to ignore the many stories that exist on the Sphinx. This one has crossed the borders of Egypt and has become a symbol known all over the world. The Sphinx is a unique mythical creature. He has a man's head and a lion's body and is known to be unpredictable and ruthless. Legends tell that some humans, unable to give the answer to a riddle to the Sphinx – who had asked them – were thrown by the latter on a place full of ferocious beasts waiting to tear them to pieces. Although the Sphinx has quite negative connotations, it is popular as a tattoo drawing for both men and women.
Ideal place for Egyptians tattoos
The place to place an Egyptian tattoo depends on the size of the design or type of symbol used. We strongly advise you to determine where you will place your tattoo before going to a tattoo studio. This will allow you to speed up the tattoo procedure and make it more effective. After choosing your tattoo design, you need to decide where you place it. If you put it in the wrong place, its effect could be spoiled.
For example, an Ankh tattoo will look good on the wrists or on the nape of the neck. As Ankh's tattoos are usually small, they will fit perfectly in the available space on your wrist. If you put it at the bottom of the neck, it will give you a sexier touch. This applies to both men and women.
Sphinx tattoos can be particularly attractive if placed on the back or chest. This is due to the fact that the ornate drawing of the Sphinx is particularly highlighted on these places. The bigger the Sphinx, the more attractive it will be.
Preparation tips before the tattoo session
Before you get excited about having an Egyptian tattoo, you have to get ready. If this is your first tattoo, it is better that you arrive at the appointment set for the session with a good night's sleep behind you. This will help you stay relaxed throughout the process.
Do not forget to eat before going to the tattoo artist. You will need all the available energy reserves because the tattoo procedure can be quite painful. Coming with a friend you can talk to can also help you support the session. The conversation will allow you to divert your thoughts from the pain.
Estimation of realization costs and standard prices of Egyptian tattoos
The Egyptian tattoos have particularly ornate and complex designs. Usually, tattoos with complicated designs cost more than others. For an Egyptian inspired tattoo made in black ink, you will probably have to pay between € 100 and € 200. If you go to a local tattoo studio, it is possible that the price is a little lower. But if you want a recognized artist to tattoo you, you will probably have to pay more, even for a tattoo made only in black ink.
For a tattoo with several colors and a larger size, it is likely that you have to pay at least € 250 per drawing. Some artists even ask for an extra charge per hour to add to the base price. The important thing is that you choose the best tattoo studio at the price level and the most convenient, without compromising the quality of your tattoo.
Maintenance tips for Egyptian tattoos
Here are some care tips to apply after your Egyptian tattoo session. Right after this one, the artist usually covers the tattoo with some sort of thin bandage. It is strongly recommended to keep this bandage for at least three hours. After this time, you can remove the bandage and clean the tattoo area with soap and water. You will need to do this gently to avoid removing ink or bleeding injuries.
You will then need to apply a healing or antibacterial cream on your tattoo to speed up the healing process. You should then leave your tattoo in the open air and no longer cover it with a bandage.