The Precious Life

Sunday, May 23 , 2010 : After three weekends of restlessness and thought processing, I finally got a permanent tattoo.It was not an easy decision, especially for a guy like me because I am too bad at the execution of the plans. However, I am really thankful to Abhishek Rana for encouraging me and above all, coming up with such a nice Celtic design( I know you googled it ).Thanks dude ! Had you not been there, I wouldn’t have the balls to get this done.

About the Tattoo : This tattoo is a Celtic design consisting of a lot of celtic symbols which have their own meanings and all these individual symbols cumulatively lead to the definition of this design.

Celtic Symbol meanings :

Pentacle denotes 5 stages of life: birth, youth, adulthood, old age, and death.Also representing five elements - earth, air, fire, water, and spirit.

The triskele, or triple spiral is a symbol composed of three interlocked spirals. The spiral is an ancient Celtic symbol found at the Neolithic tomb at Newgrange. It is related to the sun, afterlife and reincarnation. The symbol at Newgrange is believed by some to be a symbol of pregnancy (the sun describes a spiral in its movements every three months; a triple spiral represents nine months). The idea origionates by the sun representing a spiral in its movements every three months. A tripple spiral represents nine months. These ideas become reinforced by the womb like nature of the structure (Newgrange). The symbol also suggests reincarnation because it is drawn in one continuous line, suggesting a continuous movement of the universe within eternity (Source : http://celtic-tattoo.net)

Serpent

Represents the cyclic nature of life due to the annual shedding of its skin. It is a phallic symbol, a symbol of the Triple Goddess, and of the earth mysteries.

Wolf

Wolf has a reputation which is undeserved as a fearsome creature. This totem imparts learning, wisdom and access to Higher Self.

According to Celtic tradition, Wolf represents learning, loyalty, intuition, loyalty and the shadow. He teaches people not to feel strength and power of self when alone and to learn about the deepest self by imparting spiritual assistance and courage. Wolf also symbolizes cunning, wisdom, searching, dreams, magic, intuition, transformation, death and rebirth, intuition and protection.

Raven

Raven, in accordance with Celtic symbolism, is believed to be a sign that something special, but unexpected will happen

Bear

Traditional names for the bear include King of the Forest and Grandfather, both of which show the respect that the bear inspires in Traditional Shamanic cultures. Andwho would not admire the noble bear, strong-willed and powerful, but also with great heart and supernatural powers?

• The bear as power animal is intuitive and can often manifest healing. Imagine a bear hug. While one might not wish for such a real life encounter with a grizzly bear, the all encompassing strength of a bear animal familiar is a safe and reassuring environment for restoration of both body and spirit. The bear spirit guide thus helps his shaman companion to heal mental, physical and spiritual wounds with intuition and self-assured courage.
• The bear is a symbol of invincibility, offering a secure refuge for those who enjoy the company of a totem bear spirit guide. The Shaman of bear power animal has a determined ally in spiritual work, loyal and utterly dependable.
• The bear is an introspective creature, independent and apparently aloof. He has with little need for fraternity, rather he is self-contained and strong-willed. A Bear spirit guide is of great support and comfort to those who crave human company simply for personal reassurance rather than for the simple pleasure of being with friends. He makes lonely periods of life far easier, and can help the Shaman to work in isolation to gain deep insights.
• The bear represents female energies, hibernating to reconnect with the earth each year, and emerging with answers to spiritual dilemmas. Those with a bear spirit guide can harness this natural connection with the earth to seek insights within ( Source : http://paganismwicca.suite101.com )

Wings

It's a clear sign of a desire to rise above a challenge.

My interpretation of the design

In this design, pentacle at the centre denotes five elements which constitute any life ( earth, air, water, fire and spirit).This life is given a human form represented by a triskele( thereby completing nine months ).This newly formed life is guarded by team of a raven, a fox,a serpent and a bear - saving you from evil and all sorts of troubles.There's an angel and a devil wing indicating every human has some angelic as well as some devil qualities in him/her.So, all these other symbols are symbolic of coverting that devil part into an angelic one and thus propelling you to become a better human.

If in case, you have a better explanation for this, please feel free to comment on this post.