Lily Tattoos
The beautiful, trumpet shaped lily flowers, on a long and slender stalk, have been occupying a very important place in many different cultures of the world. From the biblical period, this flower became even more important. A lily flower can mean several different things in different cultures of the world, and sometimes, these symbolic meanings can be completely opposite. Nevertheless, this exotic flower can be an ideal tattoo, especially for girls. Lily tattoos are especially preferred by women, due to their delicate and elegant look.
Lily Tattoo Meaning
As has been mentioned already, lily tattoos can have different symbolic meanings in different cultures. However, the white, delicate petals of the flowers are usually seen as an emblem of purity and innocence. According to bible, lily petals speak about purity, virginity and symbolize the radiant, pure soul of Virgin Mary. In the bible, the lily has also been shown to represent faith and surrender to the grace of God. There are different types of lilies and they could mean several different things. As for example, calla lily can represent purity, grace and magnificent beauty, while stargazer lily tattoos can stand for sexuality, wealth and prosperity, and peace. The white lily can be a symbol of purity, while the spotted pink ones may mean sensuality. Find out more about calla lily meaning.
In the Chinese culture, the lily is linked to purity and abundance. On the other hand, in ancient Greece, the lily was a symbol of sexuality, and the Greeks believe this flower to be born out of the milk of their goddess Hera. But, according to the Romans, the flower is associated with their goddesses Juno and Venus. In the ancient Egyptian culture, lilies seemed to have a completely different connotation. The flower was linked to fertility, due to its phallic pistils, and the strong fragrance. But, during the Renaissance, lily flower, especially the white lily became a popular choice among the European artists to symbolize innocence, purity and chastity. White lily was often depicted to be presented to Mary by the angel Gabriel, while announcing that she would going to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. More information on symbolism of the lily.
Lily Tattoo Designs
Lily tattoo designs are usually simple, but beautiful. Some simple tattoo designs include only a single lily flower, while others include a chain of lily flowers to create intricate floral designs. Many tattoos also emphasize the slender stalk and the leaves of the flower. Even inclusion of delicate tendrils can make the lily flower tattoos look more attractive. Many tattoo artists on the other hand, prefer to add muted colors, while others make the tattoo designs more striking by weaving a few flowers together to form a Celtic knot. Lily tattoos can also look great if depicted around a cross or at the arms of the Virgin Mary. The varieties of lily flowers, more commonly chosen for tattooing are water lily, calla lily and stargazer lily.
Water lily looks completely different from other lilies, and it is usually associated with spirituality or spiritual awakening. It blooms in the muddy water, but remain untouched by all the dirt and mud of its surrounding, which is seen as a symbol of purity and freedom from mundane desires. Sheer beauty and the symbolic meaning have made water lily tattoo a favorite among women. Lily tattoos for women can be used to adorn literally any part of the body. However, lily tattoos on feet, lower back, shoulder blade and arms can look really striking. Many women also prefer to place lily tattoos on side, while some seem to like to sport lily tattoo on sleeve.
Lily tattoos are loved not only by women, but by men as well, due to their exotic look and deep symbolic meanings. The ambiguity in the meanings of lily flower tattoos seem to make it even more popular, as it could be used to mean different things by different individual. However, the crucial point is to choose a color scheme that can truly enhance the look of your lily tattoo, and select a design that complements your personality. By Chandramita Bora