Hot Irons
In about 240 BCE the Greek historian in his Roman history referred to the Caledonians, or Pict's and how they drew figures on their skins by pressing a hot iron onto themselves after which they rubbed the sap of a plant onto the burnt skin. It was not for another 200 years that Celtic tattooing is mentioned again. Claudius Claudianus who was a court poet to the then Roman Emperor, Honorius narrated this poem:-
Did the Celts tattoo?
There is not definitive answer to this query but what is definitely known is that the ancient Celts painted themselves with something called woad. They did this before battle as it turned their skin bluish-green which had the ability to transform them in to something horrific looking. In fact the name Britannia may have been derived from the ancient Celtic word which meant 'land of the painted people'.
"The legions guarding Britannia's farthest reaches,
Reigning-in the barbaric Scots,
Saw on the bodies of the dying Picts
Crude images cut with iron."
The Picts
A further five centuries later the Italian Bishop of Seville made a note about tattooing in Britannia in his encyclopaedic version of the Dark Ages. They wrote that the Picts would prick their designs and then rub sap in to them.
It was these early elite Pict's who used tattoos as a way to distinguish themselves from the rest of the clan and given the accounts about tattooing as well as the partial glimpses of body decoration after the time of the Roman invasions, it does indeed seem likely that ancient Celts may have practiced tattooing as a means to depict their social status as well as to define their passion, identity and beliefs. Much the same as they do today.
Modern Celtic Armband Tattooing
Today the art of Celtic tattooing is modeled on the ornamentation found in Christian manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and the Lindisfame Gospels. Celtic crosses and knot work are common but modern Celtic generations have evolved the meaning of Celtic symbolism to suit themselves, often meshing five or more patterns in to four tattoo.
Some prefer tattoos that have rich meanings and which tell a story of ancient times, myths and legend, yet a tattoo is a highly personal form of art and for this reason it is easy to mix with different patterns. For instance the Celtic knot can be paired with animal symbols, moons or stars and while each design holds its own significance, by mixing and matching you can tell your own story. The possibilities are countless so you ought to feel free to explore all options.
Armband Celtic Tattoos
Armband tattoos are a popular tattoo as they stand out and make lovely conversation pieces while honouring Celtic traditions and culture and the wide variety of patterns and designs ensure that any armband tattoo can be distinctive as well as personal. From intricate knot work to tribal patterns found in tribal Celtic tattoos and tribal band tattoos, flowers, animals even masculine dragons or snakes, all these designs make lovely armband tattoos as they can encircle the entire arm.
Speedy Growing Tattoo Form
Celtic tattoo art is four of the faster growing forms of art because its roots lie in ancient Celtic folklore which tells stories of magical fire breathing dragons and damsels in distress. Celtic art also tells the story of our connection to the earth and the universe and the symbolism can depict the nature of the wearer, for instance the Celtic lion depicts bravery and bravery. Usually Celtic patterns are tattooed in pure black but color may be added in order to brighten the design, there is no right or wrong.
Armband tattoos look as lovely on women as they do on men, they can be masculine or decidedly feminine or they can be crafted to tell a story of ancient myths and folklore about a culture that is long gone.
They wear tattoos today as decoration whereas the ancient Celts wore them as a means to instill fear in their enemies. Their tattoos indicated fearlessness in the face of adversity but also had a practical side to them as it made it not as hard to identify them on the battle field.
In about 240 BCE the Greek historian in his Roman history referred to the Caledonians, or Pict's and how they drew figures on their skins by pressing a hot iron onto themselves after which they rubbed the sap of a plant onto the burnt skin. It was not for another 200 years that Celtic tattooing is mentioned again. Claudius Claudianus who was a court poet to the then Roman Emperor, Honorius narrated this poem:-
Did the Celts tattoo?
There is not definitive answer to this query but what is definitely known is that the ancient Celts painted themselves with something called woad. They did this before battle as it turned their skin bluish-green which had the ability to transform them in to something horrific looking. In fact the name Britannia may have been derived from the ancient Celtic word which meant 'land of the painted people'.
"The legions guarding Britannia's farthest reaches,
Reigning-in the barbaric Scots,
Saw on the bodies of the dying Picts
Crude images cut with iron."
The Picts
A further five centuries later the Italian Bishop of Seville made a note about tattooing in Britannia in his encyclopaedic version of the Dark Ages. They wrote that the Picts would prick their designs and then rub sap in to them.
It was these early elite Pict's who used tattoos as a way to distinguish themselves from the rest of the clan and given the accounts about tattooing as well as the partial glimpses of body decoration after the time of the Roman invasions, it does indeed seem likely that ancient Celts may have practiced tattooing as a means to depict their social status as well as to define their passion, identity and beliefs. Much the same as they do today.
Modern Celtic Armband Tattooing
Today the art of Celtic tattooing is modeled on the ornamentation found in Christian manuscripts such as the Book of Kells and the Lindisfame Gospels. Celtic crosses and knot work are common but modern Celtic generations have evolved the meaning of Celtic symbolism to suit themselves, often meshing five or more patterns in to four tattoo.
Some prefer tattoos that have rich meanings and which tell a story of ancient times, myths and legend, yet a tattoo is a highly personal form of art and for this reason it is easy to mix with different patterns. For instance the Celtic knot can be paired with animal symbols, moons or stars and while each design holds its own significance, by mixing and matching you can tell your own story. The possibilities are countless so you ought to feel free to explore all options.
Armband Celtic Tattoos
Armband tattoos are a popular tattoo as they stand out and make lovely conversation pieces while honouring Celtic traditions and culture and the wide variety of patterns and designs ensure that any armband tattoo can be distinctive as well as personal. From intricate knot work to tribal patterns found in tribal Celtic tattoos and tribal band tattoos, flowers, animals even masculine dragons or snakes, all these designs make lovely armband tattoos as they can encircle the entire arm.
Speedy Growing Tattoo Form
Celtic tattoo art is four of the faster growing forms of art because its roots lie in ancient Celtic folklore which tells stories of magical fire breathing dragons and damsels in distress. Celtic art also tells the story of our connection to the earth and the universe and the symbolism can depict the nature of the wearer, for instance the Celtic lion depicts bravery and bravery. Usually Celtic patterns are tattooed in pure black but color may be added in order to brighten the design, there is no right or wrong.
Armband tattoos look as lovely on women as they do on men, they can be masculine or decidedly feminine or they can be crafted to tell a story of ancient myths and folklore about a culture that is long gone.
They wear tattoos today as decoration whereas the ancient Celts wore them as a means to instill fear in their enemies. Their tattoos indicated fearlessness in the face of adversity but also had a practical side to them as it made it not as hard to identify them on the battle field.
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