Stunning Egyptian Tattoo Designs
The culture of ancient Egypt has contributed a lot to the modern tattoo industry. Historically and socially, Egyptian tattoo designs have emerged as a category of art and as a visual artifact from Middle Eastern history.
The ancient Egyptians relied heavily on tattoos to adorn the body and for other religious and social reasons. The mummy of Amunet, a priestess, was discovered in Thebes and dates back thousands and thousands of years. This mummy shows one of the earliest known examples of this type of tattoo.
These ancient Egyptian tattoos consisted of elaborate patterns of dots and stripes that were often used for fertility rites or ceremonies. Therefore, many of these tattoos were reserved for use only on women. And although tattooing was a common ritual for ancient Egyptians, such practices are not as prevalent in modern Egyptian society, where the Islamic religion is prevalent, which ignores tattoos.
Instead, the popularity of Egyptian art and symbols has prevailed in many Western cultures, including the United States and other parts of North America. It is in these regions where the Egyptian motif has really started to take off.
The many half-human / half-animal gods and goddesses of ancient Egyptian religion and lore lend themselves to being designed as intricately drawn tattoos. The other shapes and characters that have proliferated as popular requests include images of Isis, Osiris, Bastet, Amun, and Amun Ra.
Hieroglyphs and many other ancient symbols are often incorporated into large-scale tattoos as well. Sphinxes, scarabs, phoenixes, and cats are popular orders, as are items borrowed from ancient Egyptian magic amulets such as modified crosses called ankhs, the eye of Horus, cobras, and birds.
Society’s obsession with all things Egyptian continues to be driven by many forces. Museum exhibits, mummy and tomb excavations, Discovery Channel specials, and even Hollywood depictions of Egypt and the mystery surrounding the land keep interest in this culture. The mere images of the pyramids and the great Sphinx arouse curiosity in people of all stripes. It is obvious why tattoos of this type are popular too.
Egyptian tattoo designs also provide tattoo artists with a real opportunity to show off their art. From complicated color schemes to intricate design elements, Egyptian art is known for its detail and complexity. So for an ambitious inker and dedicated user, Egyptian nature tattoos are a logical choice. Any combination of images or symbols is acceptable, and limits are constantly being tested. This is an art form that future tattoo seekers are sure to explore.