Being the largest land animal, elephants have a special place in the animal kingdom. Sadly, they were almost hunted to extinction for the ivory in their tusks, and now only two species – the Asian and the African elephant – remain.

Ganesha Tattoos

Though mentioned in Greek, Roman, Hmong, and African lore, the Hindu story of the god Ganesha is the richest of the elephant tales. The god Ganesha has the head of an elephant and is often depicted with one tusk, a pot belly, and four arms. Some legends say that he impregnated the virgin goddess Maya, who then gave birth to Buddha.

Even though the image is whimsical and colorful, do not get a Ganesha-inspired tattoo without thinking it through. He still remains a powerful religious symbol to many Hindus today, and one should be careful not to offend.

Symbolism In Elephant Tattoos

Just a regular elephant tattoo still has deep meaning. In India, the elephant is a symbol of power, patience, wisdom, success, prosperity, and benevolence. Ironically, elephants are also a symbol of both chastity and great sexual energy. And, though elephants appear heavy and clumsy, their image is also symbolic of both clouds and gracefulness. The Hmong have similar interpretations, and admonish people not to insult elephants; to do so could lead to destruction of property.

Many of these fascinating interpretations of elephant symbolism comes from the fact that elephants are fascinating creatures. They have a unique social structure in which group of females, as many as 400, band together to raise the offspring – while the males roam alone. Perhaps the most fascinating thing about elephants are their death rituals. Elephants often bury their dead with branches and dirt and, when coming upon the skeletal remains of a deceased elephant, they will pass the bones around from mouth to mouth, then return them just as they found them. No wonder Hmong legends also assume elephants lead spirits of the dead to the underworld.

Contemporary elephant symbolism includes Disney’s flying Dumbo, the pink elephants we allegedly see during detox, the white elephant knick-knacks in our homes we can’t get rid of, the myth of the enormous elephant being scared by a little mouse.

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Ancient lore tells us that dogs accompanied Hectate (Greece), the Queen of the Underworld (Persia), the Mother Goddess (Celtic), and Angurboda the “Hag of the Iron Wood” (Northern Europe). In ancient Babylon, dogs were associated with fate. They were sacred animals to the goddess Gula, known as the “Great Doctoress,” who could cure or cause sickness.

As with the Persian story above, dogs (or dog-like creatures such as the jackal) are sometimes associated with the underworld. You have probably seen drawings of the dog-headed Annibus, who guarded the tombs of ancient Egypt. And who can forget the Greek guardian and spirit guide to the dead – the three-headed dog Cerberus (or his near cousin, Fluffy, from the Harry Potter series). From these associations, dogs were considered unclean in Judaic and Islamic traditions, but were ironically held in high regard by Zoroastrians.

Native Americans also held the dog in high regard. Dogs were a symbol of faith and reliability and, as such, were considered to be the guardian of secret areas and ancient knowledge.

Ancient China, however, wins the prize for the best dog lore. The ancient GOH or GOU (now a dog, but over the years also considered a wolf, coyote, or fox) was said to possess the most keen senses (e.g. sight, smell) in the Celestial Kingdom. But his constant need for affection angered the gods, who banished dog to the earth to seek comfort from humans. Still, the dog remains a key player in the Chinese Zodiac. He is the 11th sign (November) of the annual zodiac, and is the annual animal every 12 years (his last year was 2006). Dogs are a symbol of faithfulness, blind love, obedience, and protectiveness. Those who embody the dog spirit are sensitive and affectionate. They enjoy shelter but can not be cooped up. And they hate being patronized.

All legends aside, domestic dogs continue to be one of the favored pets on the planet – and therefore often become the motivation for tattoos. They say that, over time, dogs and their owners start to look alike and take on each other’s characteristics. A motivation for a dog tattoo would be to symbolize those qualities most related to a particular breed, e.g. collies are known for their intelligence (think “Lassie”), terriers for their bravery, retrievers for their loyalty, and Chihuahuas for their indomitable spirit.

Dog tattoos tend to appear in a few different forms. There are the cartoon dogs, e.g. military or team mascots, or those inspired by such copyrighted creatures as Snoopy and Scooby-Doo. There are the dog silhouettes, which allow people to do a solid black tattoo of their favorite puppy’s profile (but may also look too much like an “I heart my …” bumper sticker). And there are the photo-like images, where the dog is recreated in ink using a photograph as a guide. These latter types are often used in memorial tattoos, as dog-lovers seek to commemorate their lost canine in some permanent fashion – making this last group among the most meaningful and profound of all tattoo types.

Finally, some dog tattoos represent the occupation of the wearer, e.g. fireman get Dalmatian tattoos, skiers get St. Bernards, police officers get German Shepards, and members of the U.S. Marine Corps get a bulldog.

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In ancient Egypt the cat was a powerful symbol of femininity and was linked with the moon. Statues of cats wearing jewelry were often placed in tombs of the deceased to watch over them. In Thailand the Siamese cat was considered sacred in temples and in India they guarded the temples of Buddha.

First domesticated about 12,000 years ago the cat was used for its talent in hunting rodents, which were always getting into the grain. About 4000 years ago the cat began to be welcomed into homes as a pet. While in certain areas of the world it is thought of as a companion, in others it was used as a mark of evil against potential witches. It is widely believed that one of the main causes of the Black Plague in Europe was due to the reduced cat population because of this belief.

With its keen sense of smell and hearing, the cat was often used to detect poisonous gas in the trenches during both World Wars and to detect air raids. Due to their relatively recent domestication, most cats can still survive in the wild if they need to, adding to the cat’s admiration as an independents and quick witted soul.

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Different Bull Tattoo Meanings

On my quest for the search of the true meaning of bull tattoos, I came across one thing. The men who have them are either over protective or overbearing or simply go overboard trying to display their machismo. That was one of the clues that helped me figure out what bull tattoos could mean. Here are the different possible meanings of bull tattoo designs.

Aggressiveness
Have you ever seen a herd of bulls charging? If not in person (thank God for that!), you must have least come across one on TV for sure. Whether in an animated form or the real thing, there’s something eerily frightening about them as they stare you in the eye and run towards you with a fierce determination. No wonder people get bull tattoos to portray a level of fierce aggressiveness (passive or active) in them.

Strength
Another thing that you may have some across about bulls is their immense strength. Their angry roars are compared to that of thunder and hence, often bulls were sacrificed to the sea gods. They are also connected to celestial events like lightning, strong gales, tempests, storms and violent ocean crashes.

Protector
A bull is also often seen as a strong protector due to its extraordinary physical strength. Since a bull is generally considered the ‘father’ of the herd, it becomes his duty to protect the herd. This attribute of security and guarding is highlighted in a bull tattoo.

Virility
As a male, the bull was often seen as a symbol of fertility and virility. This fertility emerges from the combined strength of the sun, fire, heat and lightning. Especially in Hindu beliefs, Lord Shiva, the ultimate depiction of masculinity, is always accompanied by a white bull. While this bull generally stands for justice, it also stands for sexual energy and virility.

Resurrection
A bull is associated with both, the sun and the moon. By being a leader of the herd, it becomes associated with the sun. Because of this association, the bull also stands for the spirit of rising after falling. This makes for its association with resurrection. Also, since the bull stands for the sun, it can also be perceived as a symbol of life.

Slow and Unintelligent
While all the above meanings of bull tattoos are definitely flattering to a male who has it or very alluring to a man who wants to get one, there is one often ignored (for obvious reasons) meaning of a bull tattoo that may make them think twice about getting it. While it is true that a bull stands for immense physical strength and power, it is also true that the mental strength of the bull is often overshadowed by the physical strength. A bull, strong though it is, often gets carried away by this sense of security. Hence, it is not as mentally strong, in fact, quite slow when it comes to thinking logically, compared to other even much smaller animals. They are considered controlling, risky, reckless and extremely ambitious which isn’t something very favorable, is it?

Other Bull Tattoo Meanings

• Reckless Destruction
• Death (Black Bulls)
• Short Memory
• Perseverance
• Harmony

A tattoo is something that is going to remain with you for the rest of your life. And while you may be longing to get one for yourself, you must realize that there is a lot of meaning and thinking that goes into coming up with the perfect tattoo design for yourself. So, based on the bull tattoo meanings given above, be completely sure about why you’re getting the bull tattoo or Taurus tattoo as it is also called, for yourself.

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For many of us, our introduction to the crocodile comes in the story of Peter Pan (1904), in which the villain, Captain Hook, has lost a hand to a croc, and later loses his very life. Both are seen as hypocritical murderers. But to be consumed by such a powerful beast rings of human sacrifice in which the victim believes he’s died an exalted death.

Alligators and crocodiles are both members of the ‘crocodilian’ family, one of the few species on earth that don’t hesitate to treat humans as food. That puts them at the top of the food chain, challenging human supremacy.

Alligators and crocodiles are powerful symbols of stealth, patience, and ‘hidden danger’. Their protruding, retractable eyes are like binoculars, resting just above the water’s surface, while the bulk of the reptile remains invisible under water. When they strike, they’re extremely accurate and efficient, as if they possess an underwater radar. With an excellent sense of sound, and with sensory organs all over their bodies, they can extrapolate the vibrations of its prey into a deadly attack plan. As an opportunistic ambush predator, the crocodile will remain submerged anywhere from thirty minutes up to two hours.

Psychologists find crocodilians an obvious symbol of our unconscious thoughts, urges and desires. Showing up in dreams, an alligator or crocodile might signify something known on an intuitive level, something not yet risen into consciousness, but which threatens to strike without mercy. Jungian analysts have a name for this unconscious and unwelcome part of ourselves – the ‘Shadow’.

Sporting a ‘crocodilian’ tattoo might suggest that there’s more to you than meets the eye. But that might be interpreted more as a warning than a welcome.

A crocodilian as animal totem includes its more positive qualities – maternal love (female crocodilian will fiercely protect their nest of eggs and newborn young), swiftness, survival instinct, primal energy, and an unbridled creative force. And, yes, fury and ferocity. But best of all — revenge through patience. The crocodile and the alligator is also the keeper and protector of ancient knowledge. If you identify closely with the alligator or crocodile, you have the potential to be wise, but you must caution against being consumed by this wisdom.

Ancient Egyptians worshipped the crocodile as lord of the water and king of the Nile. It was the symbol of the Pharaoh, not only because it was the most ferocious predator, but because people associated it with the wetlands, which were the lifeblood of the country. Legend tells of Menes, the first king of Egypt, being rescued by a crocodile when he fell into a swamp. Ferried to safety, Menes built a city on the spot and called it Crocopolis, dedicating it to the crocodile fertility god, Sobek. Priests kept tame crocodiles, adorned their ears and legs with gold ornaments, and allowed pilgrims to present the animals with gifts of food. Egyptians embalmed many of these holy crocodiles in the same manner as they did humans. According to the Greek historian, Heroditus, the pyramids were beyond description, but the labyrinthine temples containing the mummies of crocs and kings impressed him more.

In Papua, New Guinea, the indigenous ‘Crocodile people’ practice a rite of passage that involves the use of scarification so that the backs of adult male members resemble the armored leather scales of a crocodile. The process of male initiation is of great social importance in Sepik societies and the ritual has specific symbolic meaning. During the ceremonies that make up the rite of passage, adolescent males hear stories about their ancestors, learn the uses of secret instruments, learn to withstand pain with stoicism and they are instructed on a man’s obligations within the culture. In those rituals where the skin of the young is deeply cut, mimicking the design of a crocodile skin, the ritual is a grueling ordeal. The wounds are later rubbed with a mixture of ashes, oil and mud to promote the formation of keloid scar tissue, and thus create a permanent relief pattern.

While alligators and crocodiles have much in common, their difference is usually noted in the shape of their jaw. Crocs have the more pointed V-shaped snout adapted for a largely fish diet, while the alligator’s more rounded jaw proves better for crushing turtles. The crocodile is also identified by a lower tooth that protrudes when its mouth is closed.

As for ‘crocodile tears’, it would seem that the myth is true. Crocs have an extra set of transparent eyelids that contain lubricating fluid for use when the croc is out of the water. People report seeing the croc ‘crying’ over its kill.

Crocodilian can inhabit both fresh and saltwater and some saltwater crocodiles have reached enormous size, over twenty feet in length, with some legendary creatures reaching twenty-five feet in length. In places like Australia, Indonesia and Malaysia, saltwater crocodiles are extremely dangerous and once an individual crocodile develops a taste for human flesh they will often specifically target people. For cultures that live along the water’s edges, and depend on the water for transportation, food and drinking water, the crocodile is a creature much to be feared.

In Africa, the Nile Crocodile can grow up to twenty feet in length, and in parts of West Africa the local crocodiles have learned to time their feedings with the seasonal migrations of the large herbivores such as the wildebeest, antelope, warthogs and the zebra. The crocodiles will gorge themselves during the migration season and then often go months between meals. A crocodile can eat up to half its body weight. During periods of famine and drought, large, hungry crocodiles will even attack the Cape Buffalo and other large predators like the leopard and even lions. A group of crocodiles has even been observed killing a rhinoceros.

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