I have thirteen tattoos. I think they’re all great (and definitely don’t qualify as “shoddy”).
I once went to see a psychic who told me I was living the equivalent of two lives in one. she said that at some point, these lives would diverge, and I would have to make a decision. I would be facing a time of great change, and the path I took would have a huge influence on the rest of my life.
she was right. I often look back at that moment and think, if she could only go back to that moment when the road first forked, maybe she could rewrite destiny. despite that fleeting and fanciful thought, I firmly believe that destiny does not need to be rewritten. the decisions I made were the ones I needed to make, and everything that happened happened because at some point before birth, I should have decreed that it should happen.
I don’t necessarily need a tattoo to mark that moment of transition; I got enough scars over those years to prove it. but now I have the wisdom and knowledge that comes only through struggle and survival, and for the rest of my life I will have the strength of one who endures. If you are thinking of getting a tattoo to mark your personal evolution, keep reading.
symbols of change, growth and evolution
phoenix tattoos: symbol of rebirth
The phoenix is a mythological bird that symbolizes rebirth and renewal. Usually depicted with colorful plumage and a many-colored tail, the phoenix is destined to live between 500 and 1,000 years. at the end of its life, it builds a nest around itself which is then lit on fire. the bird burns, along with the twigs, leaving nothing but ashes.
but this is not the end; from the ashes, a new and younger phoenix rises, and will live a new life. this pattern continues indefinitely.
This image can symbolize the end of one life and the beginning of another, or it can symbolize the death of some aspects of yourself that needed to be changed to allow the birth of a newer, more conscious person.
Since no one has ever seen a phoenix, no one knows exactly what it looks like, so you have some creative freedom in your phoenix design.
no one can go back and start over, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
— Mary Robinson
caterpillar and butterfly tattoos: symbols of transformation
The butterfly has different interpretations in many cultures.
- in japan, it is the personification of someone’s soul, and butterflies are believed to carry messages from the dead to the living.
- in china, two butterflies flying together is a symbol of love.
- A black butterfly can mean imminent death, or it can be a sign of good luck, depending on where you are or who you ask.
- On a literal level, A caterpillar entering its self-made cocoon and emerging as a beautiful butterfly is the ultimate example of personal transformation.
things don’t change; we change.
— Henry David Thoreau
ouroboros tattoos: redo symbols
ouroboros (derived from the Greek words oura, meaning “tail” and boros, “to eat”) is an ancient Greek symbol that roughly translates to “he who eats his own end.” it is usually depicted as a serpent or dragon, arching in a circle and biting its own tail.
Even abstractly, from a distance, the Ouroboros design looks like an endless “o” or mysterious 0. the úrboros symbolizes the cyclical nature of all things. we are constantly redefining and re-creating ourselves, we are eternally returning. we have to devour and absorb the past to learn from it, overcome it and evolve.
When sufficient spiritual growth has been achieved, it uncoils and travels up the spine to create greater consciousness. this will enhance psychic vision and lead to enlightenment.
red breasted robin tattoos: symbol of growth
The red-breasted robin symbolizes growth in all areas of life and the rebirth of the spirit. the robin’s red chest is seen as the life force that resides within it.
growth does not usually happen overnight; it can be a slow and difficult process and the results are not always immediate or apparent. however, stand firm and keep in mind the happiness of the robin’s song. Approach life with a joyful and open heart, and all the growth you crave will come to you in time.
Be the change you want to see in the world.
— gandhi
lotus tattoo: symbol of spiritual evolution
Many Eastern religions (including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shintoism) view the lotus flower as a symbol of spiritual evolution. the growth of the plant can be seen as an allegorical raising: the seed sprouts at the bottom of a pond and then pushes up through layers of rocks, mud and water to the surface, where it finally blooms into a beautiful flower of lotus. this is a metaphor for humanity’s struggle and evolution from a low, rocky bottom to spiritual awakening.
In the Hindu religion, the sacred lotus (called padma) represents, among other things, spiritual awakening, and the unfolding of its leaves represents the expansion of the soul.
For Buddhists, the lotus symbolizes the unity of body, spirit, and mind, and is often depicted with eight petals that represent the eightfold path, eight practices for attaining nirvana, or spiritual enlightenment.
The important thing is this: to be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
— charles frederic dubois
koi fish: symbol of resistance
Koi fish have many meanings, but one of the main ones they represent is the ability to overcome adversity. koi are admired for their ability to survive, climbing waterfalls and braving strong currents, enduring heat and cold, but often managing to live long lives (the oldest koi lived 226 years).
what important changes or events in your life could you mark with a tattoo?
