If you have found yourself contemplating the meaning of the trident tattoo, you are not alone!
In this guide we will break down the history and hidden meaning behind this popular symbol. Although tridents remain a relevant icon in today’s society, they are considered powerful and ancient symbols, used by many ancient religions, philosophies, and civilizations.
Although commonly associated with the Roman god Neptune, the trident has been a symbol associated with various gods and deities throughout time.
If you’re thinking of getting a trident tattoo, read on to learn the symbolism, history, and best trident tattoo placements for this mysterious and sacred object.
trident tattoo meanings
symbolism of the trident of neptune and poseidon
The most recognized use of the trident is found in the ancient mythology of the gods Neptune and Poseidon.
In ancient Greek and Roman mythology, both Neptune and Poseidon were known to wield otherworldly tridents, weapons that gave them power over the oceans and the blood of mankind.
These tridents were constantly depicted as massive three-pronged tools and were believed to be able to create earthquakes and deluges, while having power over heaven, hell and earth.
Many people have chosen to complement their trident tattoo by incorporating images of these ancient Greek and Roman gods. If this style interests you, check out our gallery for some truly badass poseidon trident tattoos.
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trident symbolism of the holy trinity
Because of the trident’s three-pronged fork-like appearance, it is commonly associated with the divine number three. the number three is believed to represent the holy trinity of heaven, hell, and earth, the
Taoist belief in the “three divine teachers” and three of the Hindu gunas named in Indian Vedic philosophy.
In almost every belief system in the world, the number three is believed to have incredible power. The number three is believed to be a symbol of perfection and completion, and this may explain its widespread use in almost all major religions or philosophical schools of thought.
If you are looking for a symbol to use to represent the divine qualities of the number three, you may want to consider a minimalist trident tattoo, showing the simplified concept of divinity in three.
If minimalism is not your style, you can also select a god or deity that best represents your connection to this powerful number, such as a shiva trident tattoo or a tattoo that encompasses ideas from creation mythology.
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symbolism of the trident of time
Closely related to the symbolism of the number three of the trident, the trident is also associated with the division of time.
Its three points are said to represent: past, present and future, morning, noon and night, and beginning, middle and end.
The cycle of all these linear stages creates a compilation of everything that has been and everything that will be.
If you want to convey this message in your trident tattoo, you can always add elements that remind you of the passage of time.
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the story behind the trident symbol
Roman mythology
The trident symbol is said to have originated in ancient Roman mythology and is most closely associated with the god of the seas, Neptune.
The trident was believed to have divine power, with the ability to create earthly disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms.
Neptune is almost always depicted throughout this time holding his larger-than-life trident as a symbol of power.
The term “trident” actually originated in Rome, derived from the Latin word “tridentis”, where “tri” means three and “dentis” means teeth.
greek mythology
In Greek mythology, the god associated with the trident was called Poseidon and bears many striking similarities to the Roman god Neptune.
Poseidon was believed to be the god who controlled the seas, which included large bodies of water, as well as seas of human blood. he was believed to be the protector of all waters and sailors who often prayed to him.
In Greek mythology, the trident is believed to have been forged by a Cyclops.
Hindu mythology
In Hindu mythology, the trident is associated with the god Shiva, also known as “the great destroyer”.
Shiva is often shown holding a trident which was used as a holy weapon against negativity and enemies. Three-pronged tridents are believed to symbolize three of the gunas mentioned in Indian Vedic philosophy.
These gunas represent different attributes and attitudes found within life. The former, called “sattvika,” is said to represent qualities such as balance, harmony, kindness, and purity, while the latter, “rajasika,” embodies passion, action, dynamic energy, and self-centeredness. the last guna, “tamasika”, is said to represent the qualities of chaos, imbalance, disorder and anxiety.
taoist mythology
In the religious aspects of Taoism, the trident is believed to represent the trinity of the “three pure ones”. this is the title given to the three divine teachers and supreme gods in Taoism.
The much revered text “tao te ching” provides context for this, explaining that the tao, or the nature of the universe, created the first of these “pure ones”, who gave birth to a second being, who gave birth to to a third being who created all things.
here we see more of the symbolism of the sacred three commonly associated with the trident. In Taoist ritual practices, a trident bell is often used to invite otherworldly deities and summon the spirits of the dead.
The trident is used as a tool in this way as it is believed to symbolize the highest authority in heaven.
best locations for a trident tattoo
trident tattoo on the forearm
trident tattoo designs look amazing on the forearm! Thanks to the slimmer space this part of the arm provides, the trident symbol really stands out and makes an impact.
This area can also be complemented with a larger piece, such as a Neptune’s trident tattoo.
trident tattoo on the hand
If you’re looking for a simple trident tattoo, a great placement for this type of design is on the hand. With the excellent level of hand visibility, it’s always a great area to display the symbols and art that mean the most to you.
Check out some of our favorite trident hand tattoos for more inspiration!
trident tattoo on the neck
If you’re comfortable with a particularly bold placement, trident neck tattoos can look really cool.
many prefer to wear this ancient symbol on the back or side of the neck. With this particular location, your tattoo will have high visibility, so make sure placing a tattoo in this area won’t affect your employment before doing so.
trident tattoo on the back
If you want a larger space to showcase your art, trident back tattoos are where it’s at!
Because of the large amount of space that the back offers, you can opt for a huge trident piece or a piece that incorporates various additional elements such as poseidon, shiva or elements of nature such as waves.
trident tattoo as filler
If you’re already full of tattoos, but have limited space available, the trident tattoo works great in filling space. you can easily modify the size and layout of this motif to fit almost anywhere.
