Celtic dragon tattoo meaning. Celtic ornament: history and symbolism

Consider.

The dragon is a classic underwear pattern popular with both men and women. His tattoo image shows the profound influence that Japanese and Chinese cultures have had on Western tattoo culture for almost two centuries. In the East, the dragon symbolizes the four elements - Earth, Wind, Fire and Water - and the four cardinal points - East, West, North and South. It is simultaneously a symbol of water, earth, sky and the underworld.

Dragons, like many fabulous and chimerical beasts, are a figment of the imagination of people. Created to capture human nature and explain natural phenomena. It is perhaps because of this fantastical touch that the line between the real world and fantasy is often indistinguishable.

The word "dragon" comes from the ancient Greek "serpent". They are found in the mythology of many cultures. There are different Dragons all over the world and each of them has different attributes. Many researchers on the subject of "Dragon" argue that the widespread belief in the existence of these mythical creatures around the world is due to the skulls of dinosaurs or large lizards that have been found throughout history, and even the bones of other animals such as bears found in large caves and caves. Hence the belief in the existence of magical creatures, already extinct, who settled many years ago in the sky, on earth and in water, which, by virtue of their exceptional state, were raised to the category of magical creatures or even gods, filled with human legends around the world.

The History of Dragon Tattoos

Dragons have been known since time immemorial.
These giant, winged, fire-breathing creatures resemble prehistoric animals - dinosaurs that lived on earth millions of years ago. However, they appeared solely due to human imagination. Their appearance may have been based on finds in China and other parts of the world of fossil remains of dinosaurs and other giant reptiles. In different nations, dragons could have completely opposite symbolism.

It also helped this belief to look at meteorites crossing the night sky that seemed to come from the sea, which would explain that while they are usually fire-breathing creatures, they are often associated with water. Flight of dragons. This Dragon Meteor Theory has a curiosity about the Celtic story in which King Arthur's father Uther adopted the nickname Pendragon after seeing a comet in the shape of a Dragon.

The ability to fly that people gave dragons may also be related to the vision of comets, since not all dragons have wings, and yet many fly. Asian dragons owe their ability to fly to magic or to a chunk on their heads, which gives them fantastic abilities. In China, dragons are often depicted flying through the clouds when they are not playing with pearls.

In China, these mythological creatures were a symbol of supernatural powers and imperial power. Being the god of rain, the dragon was often depicted around incoming thunderclouds. They are so ingrained in the myths and legends of Chinese culture that they are considered the ancestors of the Chinese people.
In Japan, one of the emperors declared that he is a descendant of the immortal and the most powerful representative of this reptile. It is not surprising that images of monsters can be seen on the clothes of Japanese emperors, symbolizing the power of the emperor and their protection.

Characteristics and Legends of Dragons In China, dragons were believed to control and live in water, and sometimes rain. Celtic dragons were also associated with the aquatic environment. Chinese dragons can represent luck, thunder, or wisdom. Those of different colors are associated with each of the destinations or stations. This is the fifth sign of the Chinese zodiac: people born under this sign are considered honest and energetic, but irritable.

Evil dragons took up residence near humans and demanded human sacrifices, but in many cases they were defeated by famous dragon hunters or heroes. The most famous is undoubtedly Saint George, who killed the dragon nailing the spear to the beast, which frightened the kingdom and saved the princess, managing to put an end to the kingdom's terror.

Dragon tattoos - meanings

As already mentioned, the dragons represented the four elements, hence the myths about the dominance of animals in air, water, fire and earth originate. Representatives of each of these elements had their own characteristics. For the Chinese, the fire-breathing dragon was predominantly associated with lightning, thunder, and rain, being a symbol of fertility. Water dragons were considered protectors and also acted as guardians of streams, lakes, rivers, and even private pools.

Another similar legend is found in Africa, where the Dausi tribe says that a Dragon named Vida was besieging the city of Wagada and asked to sacrifice a young woman a year in exchange for a splash of gold over the city, but one day the young man learned that the next victim must be his beloved, and he beheaded the beast. The dragon's head bounced up to the Gold Coast, which is why it is said that there is a lot of gold there.

Different types of dragons around the world. Snake Dragons: Usually associated with rivers, lakes, or open oceans. They are huge serpentine entities, without limbs, without wings, easily recognizable by their dragon heads, which often show crocodile horns and jaws. Some examples are the Lambton Serpent, Givre and Gorguy, Jormunhander, Midgard Snake, Kitchi-athus and Giant Lich, Giant Carthaginian Serpent, Poseidon Dragon, Leviathan or Serpentine Dragons and Serpent Whales. - Half dragons: they are creatures halfway between snakes and dragons, as we imagine them.

In addition to the reptiles that represented the elements, there are myths and legends about specific predators. For example, those who guarded treasures that served someone are mentioned.

There are also many stories in Japanese and Chinese cultures about how, after long journeys, creatures turned into dragons. In Japan, for example, it was often told about carp and Koi fish, which, at the end of their dangerous and difficult journey, turn into flying monsters.

Other half-dragons are Fafnir, a sea dragon or tazelwurm with a snake's body and a cat's head. Classical Dragons: This is a classic western dragon, well represented in medieval heraldry, generally depicting the incantation of legendary heroes. They usually have an impenetrable frame of shiny scales and are endowed with four powerful clawed legs. Also prominent is an arrow-tipped tail and usually two wings similar to wings. In this group we find, in most of Europe, the legend of St. George and the Dragon, the Maisley Dragon, Bunyip, Pias the Dragon Drunk, Sirosh, the Mount Pilate dragon, or dragons still living in Cozy and New Guinea. - Dragons of the Sky: Some of these magnificent creatures are said to have lost the right to land or water, but they gained control of the air and heavens by moving with the wind, gliding or moving with magnificent wings.

Before the advent of Buddhism, this creature played a major role in Chinese and Japanese folk beliefs, as well as among the Taoists. In the ninth century, the Chinese dragon also appeared in Buddhist art, where it played the role of protecting the Buddha and the sacred laws of Buddhism. His images could be found above the gates of temples and on gravestones for protection from evil spirits. The most famous pictures of dragons appeared in the ninth century, made with ink. On them, the animals had long, scaly bodies, paws with claws, small horns, large eyes under thick eyebrows, and sharp teeth. In a wingless image, he symbolized the rainbow.

Some examples are Amphipters and Winged Serpents, Merzeger is an Egyptian goddess guarding the tombs of Thebes. Quetzalcoatl, Dragon Deity, Songsong of Sorrows or Winged Serpents of Wales. - Neodragons: This group includes those beasts that, while not strictly dragons, still have the characteristics of these beasts. This is probably the evolution that man has made of these beings over time. We have, for example, Basilisk and Cockatrice, which developed from the first. Greek disciple hydra, daughter of Typhon and Ekvidna, with nine powerful necks ending in a malignant head with horns, that is, the nine heads of the Dragon that Heracles encountered.

In the West, such beings unambiguously expressed evil. He was associated with the tempting serpent from the Garden of Eden, which was the source of trouble for all mankind. Later, descriptions of the battles of some saints with fire-breathing dragons appeared, for example, St. Michael. One can find images of the famous battle of St. George with the sea dragon, in which the saint, who is the patron saint of England, is depicted as a clear winner.

The salamander, despite being a real creature, also has a legend behind it, in which magical properties are inherent in its ability to adapt to environments of high temperatures and medieval alchemists studied with great interest. Eastern Dragons Eastern dragons are lords of time, bringers of rain, guardians of fountains, rivers and lakes, and a symbol of change. The Japanese dragon is rather the god of rivers or seas. In China, dragons slept at the bottom of ponds during dry winters; in spring they awaken and take the form of clouds filled with rain.

Dragon tattoo meaning

That's why during periods of drought they tried to wake up the dragons and fly, and the best way was to annoy two dragons to fight until the stormy clouds burst and flooded the land. When they fight in the air, they provoke storms; when they do this in the water, they cause floods.

In Greek and Roman civilizations, warriors wore the image of a dragon during battles as a symbol of terror. Images of dragons were applied to Viking ships; among the Celts, the dragon was a symbol of sovereign power. The Anglo-Saxons portrayed him according to their own standards. Today the Red Dragon is the national symbol of Wales.

Wherever the dragon appears, its supreme strength and power is used either as a defense or as an evil force that must be defeated. Defeating a fire-breathing dragon was considered the highest criterion of human courage and stamina. There are many legends about the heroes of ancient Greece who fought dragons.

The meaning of the fish tattoo among the Celts

In the East, the Dragon is very powerful, but usually benevolent. When the time comes for hatching, a small hole appears in the shell, and from this a small snake emerges, which within a few minutes grows until it reaches size. Normal and rises to the sky in a whirlwind. They do not have wings, but they fly with their magic or energy.

Oriental dragons often appear holding or chasing a small ball representing the Moon, the Pearl of Wisdom, or an egg symbolizing the origin of life. This orb usually appears to be surrounded by irregular shapes like flames, which are symbolic of lightning and thunder.

Today we can see various dragon tattoo c, showing their various aspects: protective, celestial or monstrous. In Chinese astrology, a person born under the sign of the dragon will be a leader in life. According to Feng Shui, by placing coins depicting a dragon, symbolizing Yang, along with coins depicting a phoenix, which is responsible for family well-being and symbolizes Yin energy, a person can reach heavenly heights.

They tell legends that the Yellow Dragon only appears when a holy man rules the country. It is said that when Fu Xi, the first of the ten emperors, reached the throne, the Yellow Dragon emerged from the water with the first Chinese characters engraved on its back. Thus, he revealed the secret of writing to the Chinese people. In Vietnam, carved dragons on the roof serve as fire protection. Dragon fire and earth fire are opposites; one of the earth suffocates with water, and the dragon burns in the water, but is extinguished by the fire of the earth.

The imperial Chinese dragon has five claws. Regular Chinese dragons and Koreans have four and three Japanese ones. Western Dragons Western dragons are generally dangerous and even directly associated with the devil. They are also connected to water, but destructively with catastrophic floods in their path. Unlike the Orientals, they were also hunted or killed according to legend.

The dragon tattoo denotes nobility, magic, the power of transformation and imagination, perseverance, loyalty, strength and the ability to go beyond the ordinary.

The winged serpent tattoo is often used as a symbol of strength and power. These animals are also a symbol of spiritual and magical qualities. They are one of the most famous mythological creatures in the whole world.

San Miguel was beaten by a dragon demon and expelled from the sky, but George is the most famous dragon slayer. According to legend, about two thousand years ago, a terrible dragon lived in a lake that required human sacrifice. By chance, St. George passed by the place where they tied up and went to the mercy of fate to the king's daughter to calm the witticisms of the evil dragon. At this stage, we find different versions of what happened there. The first and, perhaps, the most important thing is that the hero killed the dragon by nailing a spear and in a pool of blood formed on the floor of a mortal wound, grew into a rose bush of red roses, a symbol of the love of a saint and a princess. In another version, the young man only wounded the beast in order to the princess hid him with her belt and took him to the kingdom to kill him in the presence of people.

Western and Eastern style.

One of the reasons why tattoos with them have become so popular is because of the rich, colorful colors and bold designs. Due to the wide variety of ways to depict a dragon, it is easy to create a creative creative drawing. There are two types of monster tattoo directions that are used most often. The first is the Western Dragon, which has a thick, scaly body, bat-like wings, and a long neck. Secondly, this is the Eastern Dragon - whose body is more like a snake's body and does not have wings.

Finally, in a more symbolic code, it is said that the dragon represents the fears and weaknesses of a person, and therefore it must be dominant and do less in order to be able to carry the beast very close, but always in control. According to Western tradition, an iron spear is required to kill a dragon. It is very probable that the first iron known to man came from meteorites, and since they fall from the sky, their origin was believed to be celestial and therefore had the power to destroy evil.

Meaning of dragon tattoo in Celtic style

However, not all western dragons are vicious and evil slayer beasts. In the Arthurian legends we find that when Uther Pendragon was born, two great golden dragons appeared in the sky to announce the birth of a king, and images of these magnificent beasts were used in shields and banners. The name "Pendragon" is said to have been adopted by King Uther himself to see a dragon-shaped meteor crossing the sky.

The western dragon is mostly popular for its mythological tales and not for any deep meaning. However, they can sometimes have a deeper meaning. For example, the Celtic Dragon is the "circle of life", which is meant to represent the cyclical nature of life. They may also express pride in their historical roots. An example of this would be the red dragon, which is the national symbol of Wales.

Already many times closer to us, the figure of the dragon in the West has taken on softer nuances in the world of literature and cinema and was even considered a living creature that, despite seeming furious at first sight, it simply reacts in the same way as any animal in nature would attack.

Dragon is a word from the Greek "dragon" representing great snakes. Many believe that dragon myths arose from observing paintings made in caves where dinosaur fossils and countless gigantic prehistoric creatures have been found.

A dragon or dragon is a creature present in the mythology of various civilizations and peoples of the world. Dragons are presented as large reptilian creatures, i.e. they are snake lizard species, in some representations they have wings, they spit fire, they have feathers and powers.

As for the eastern dragons, they are more than just a large snake-like creature. These dragons symbolize various elements such as fire, wind, earth and water. Being neither good nor evil, they are often forces of nature that can be both good and cruel. While most dragon tattoos are bright and colorful, they can also be done in black and various shades of grey. The combination of black and red is also a great version of this tattoo, which is often used in tribal designs.

Given the volatile nature of these creatures, you can create different scenes and use different animals in them. An example is the Koi dragon fish design. It is said that this fish, which is a symbol of masculinity, wisdom and longevity, rises to the top of the waterfall and at the end of its journey turns into a dragon. This can be a simple drawing showing a creature that resembles both a fish and a reptile. But you can make a more complex drawing, showing the gradual transformation of a fish into an animal.

In addition, the background in these tattoos can be as diverse as the menacing creatures themselves. For example, you can use an image of flames, flowers, or other images: a medieval fortress emerging from a cave, a mountain, or a colorful sky.

Black or color; inflicted on a small area of ​​the body or occupying an entire part of the body - regardless of design, a dragon tattoo means strength, nobility, magic and superiority over the ordinary. This animal is often used as an expression of what we think of ourselves, or how we would like to see ourselves - strong and free.

The winged beast of myth is the Dragon. He alone manages to fly without helping himself with wings. The dragon almost always acts as a prototype of the serpent, which was represented in the form of different animals composed of several parts. It can be a multi-headed beast with the body of a panther or a lion. Wings can be similar to the wings of a bird. Why he needs them, apparently for beauty. The dragon in many myths is a symbol of fertility and the water element. The dragon was represented as a guardian and patron of treasures, which were given only to those who killed him.

Five hundred years BC, as if in opposition to the Greek ecumene, in the south of the European continent, in its central and northern parts, there was a world of Celts. Having originated in the region of the northern Alps, in a fairly short time the Celts spread over a vast territory, which today includes England, Ireland, France, Spain, Belgium and part of northern Italy. Their influence on the world of that time is difficult to overestimate. Suffice it to mention that the famous Gauls who besieged Ancient Rome were precisely the Celtic tribe.

A huge role in the life of the Celts was played by clans, belonging to one or another family or surname. The life of one person in those days did not mean so much, it was important to feel the involvement and inseparable connection of one's destiny with the life of the family, which was much more durable than the life of the people who made it up. Until now, we hear echoes of belonging to glorious families in the initial letters "Poppy" of some Western surnames. MacDonald, MacArthur mean nothing more than "son of Donald" and "son of Arthur".

Another curious feature of the Celts was their almost literally insane militancy. Often in battles, Celtic warriors were seized by a blinding rage that made them forget about the danger that threatened a person in battle.

The Celts gave birth to their original culture, but knowledge of the characteristics of this ethnic group and its influence on modern European civilization today is incomparable, for example, with our knowledge of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Celtic culture was absorbed and, so to speak, digested by the expanding Roman Empire. Only in a few places today have preserved the original "islands" of the Celtic world, such as the famous hills of Wales in England, the province of Brittany in France and the green island of Erin. The heritage of the Celts is the Irish language, which, after a long period of neglect, was restored and is now the official language of Ireland.

Our knowledge of Celtic art is not as extensive as we would like. This ethnic group did not leave behind wonders of architecture or painting, comparable to the Egyptian or ancient Greek. It is all the more interesting to get acquainted with some examples of Celtic ornaments bearing the imprint of absolute originality.

Celtic knots and ornaments imitate weaving of baskets, braids, fabrics. It is worth remembering that witchcraft often also resembles weaving - many witches see energy flows as threads and manipulate them. Many Celtic ornaments include images of gods, plants, animals, birds, people, objects. In order for readers to use these ornaments in practice, I give below a simple “decoding” of some symbols. However, it should be taken into account that the Celts believed that the human spirit is a particle of the world Spirit. That through the multiplicity of lives, deaths and rebirths, a person goes the way to divine perfection.

Celtic ornaments are made up of separate knots. Each node is created from a single thread - the thread of life. Thus, knots and ornaments symbolize the Path and are at the same time symbolic maps of the Path. The Celts forbade the improvement of the key details of the ornaments, considering them given by the gods.

Ornaments are widely used in different cultures. In early Celtic culture, they are used in stone carving and metalworking. As an art form, Celtic ornamentation reached its pinnacle in early Christian manuscripts produced by monks. The monks used ornaments to help the reader in his inner search for spirituality. The most common form of ornament in manuscripts is labyrinths. The labyrinth is a symbolic display of the life path. Celtic labyrinths lead to the center - the spiritual concentration of living energies. They are a symbol of continuity and express the connectedness of all things in the universe. As a means of meditation, labyrinths indicate the route to the sources of Power.

The well-known Celtic crosses often have many similarities with labyrinths in their design. The earliest crosses were simple cruciform stones and are found mainly in Ireland and Northern Umbria. The cross itself is a universal ancient symbol of the union of heavenly and earthly forces, male and female. The ends of the Celtic cross symbolize the infinite spiritual expansion of consciousness. The inner circle symbolizes the unification and consolidation of earthly and heavenly forces at the central point, the source of spiritual energy.

The earliest Celtic crosses were flat and unadorned, but the later ones are richly carved. The creation of more complex ornamental forms of the cross is apparently due to the Picts, who had a long and complex tradition of stone carving. It is believed that it was the Picts who began to cut large rectangular stones with carefully executed complex crosses on the front surface and richly ornamented sides and back sides. At least it was this type of cross that quickly spread throughout Celtic culture, appearing for the first time in Northern Scotland.

Several examples of such crosses have survived in Britain and Ireland, in particular - on the islands of Iona and Islay in Scotland, at Kilmalkedar in Ireland and Llanntwit Major in Wales. According to scientists, the age of some of these free-standing crosses exceeds twelve centuries. This carving is characterized by an intertwining ornament, typical of the Celtic culture, images of intertwining spirals and relief elements, the latter, apparently, acting as symbols of the Sun, one of the main objects of worship among the ancient Celts.

Spirals symbolize spiritual growth. Celtic spirals are usually triple. This demonstrates the threefold nature of the spirit, concentrated in a central point, a focus. The triplicity of spiritual nature is expressed by Christians in their divine Trinity.

Classical Celtic braids, perceived as ordinary decoration and edging of complex ornaments, symbolize the Path, earthly and spiritual. The master, creating a pattern to commemorate some deed, could lay a “record” in a braid not only about how many heroes took part in the accomplishment, what was their path, but also who, what forces helped or hindered the heroes.

Birds are heavenly messengers, symbols of freedom and transcendence, symbols of the spirit freed from earthly ties and communicating with heavenly forces. Returning to earth, they bring the message of the gods - divination and guidance. Birds help mortals in their spiritual and earthly journeys. It is worth remembering that in the Russian tradition, a bird beating through a window is a harbinger of the imminent death of someone living in the house. In the Celtic tradition, the raven is a bird of specific omens. Pigeons are birds of spiritual life, love and spiritual well-being. Pheasants - birds of divination in general, help soothsayers. The partridge is a bird of cunning. The duck is a bridge that connects the life-giving forces of the earth's waters with the ocean of heavenly forces. The heron is a bird of vigilance.

The hare was a sacred animal of the Celts, a symbol of prosperity, abundance, good life. In spiritual terms, the hare represents the dawn, rebirth, immortality of the Spirit. This animal is dedicated to the moon goddesses, rulers and spinners of fate. The hare is a heavenly messenger, an intermediary between mortals and the gods. But he is also a great deceiver with the power to transform, change events and things. The loops of hare tracks in the snow were read by the Celts as an omen of future events, drawing patterns of fate. Most of all, the hare is associated with Oster or Esther (Astartu, Ishtar??), the Goddess of Spring, whose celebration of the rebirth of life on April 11 served as the basis for the creation of the Christian holiday of Easter.

The ancient Celts attributed healing powers to snakes. Living in the depths of Mother Earth, they must have knowledge of her magical powers. The serpents bring this knowledge to the surface for Brigantia, Sironi and other healing goddesses to use. The water of sacred springs, rivers and lakes is saturated with the life-giving power of the Earth. The undulating movements of snakes and the devotion of many of them to damp places obviously connected them with the water element.

Snakes, however, are not only protectors of health, but also symbols of the depths of wisdom. In this capacity, they were often depicted on the jewelry of kings and priests. Changing skin every year, the snake also becomes a symbol of regeneration, rebirth, renewal of vitality and spiritual stamina.

Lonely, wild, untamed, the deer was the chief solar animal of the Celts. The horns, falling and growing again every year, symbolized the sacred Tree of Life, the receptacle of cosmic forces, the center from which life spreads and renews, the source of spiritual rebirth and rebirth. As a symbol of abundance, prosperity and courage, the horned deer represented the masculine side of the balance of nature and was the sacred animal of the Horned Hunter. The Great Horned One often took the form of a white deer himself. The white deer, the god himself, or his messenger, often in Celtic legend serves as a guide to the hero in search of the magical.

The horse is the symbol of Epona and Macha, the Celtic goddesses of fertility. These two goddesses patronized the stables and all those who worked with horses. As protectors of nature, they allowed mortals to use the land for their needs, however, not allowing them to seize too large territories to the detriment of wildlife. To do this, they guarded the plowed and cultivated lands, promoting abundance, protecting the harvest. Both goddesses were associated with healing springs and in such places archaeologists find many carvings of a horse. As goddesses of fertility and motherhood, Epona and Macha accompanied and protected mortals from birth to death throughout their lives.

Along the coasts, the habitats of the ancient Celts, there are stones with stylized images of dolphins dedicated to the goddess Nehalennia, “Showing the Way”. As the Protecting Goddess, she gives protection to the traveler both on earthly roads and after death. In addition, she represents the abundance of Mother Earth, ensuring the prosperity of people, and is often depicted with the Tree of Life and the Horn of Plenty. Along the coasts, the habitats of the ancient Celts, there are stones with stylized images of dolphins dedicated to the goddess Nehalennia, “Showing the Way”. As the Protecting Goddess, she gives protection to the traveler both on earthly roads and after death. In addition, she represents the abundance of Mother Earth, ensuring the prosperity of people, and is often depicted with the Tree of Life and the Horn of Plenty.

Pisces is a symbol of Higher Wisdom and divination. Sea fish, freely traveling in the depths of the ocean, were once the sacred companions of the Lord of the World Ocean - Liir. Almost no mention of this god has been preserved. This is the oldest of the gods, the oldest. The ocean, of which he was the lord, is not water that covers most of the planet, but the vastness of the Cosmos. The Earth's ocean only symbolized the vastness of the Universe.
In addition to fish, Liir was accompanied by an albatross - his sacred bird. Albatross symbolizes the eternal movement towards perfection and the search for divine wisdom.

Various forms of dragons exist in many cultures. The Greek word dragon, according to some sources, means "to see clearly, clearly." That is, perhaps dragons are those who see the truth. Dragons, indeed, are credited with the gift of divination. The winged serpent of the Celts is the Spirit-Defender, connecting heavenly and earthly forces to create a protective cover of the Planet. In this role, dragons are guardians of the gates to other worlds, protecting the earth and its inhabitants from the intrusion of hostile forces.

They also protect the sources of knowledge and prophetic wisdom from the intrusion of the uninitiated. They are often depicted as stylized spirals and labyrinths. Dragon lairs are sacred places, sources of earth energies and places of gaining spiritual power. Often the sacred stone circles of the British Isles marked just such places. In heraldry, dragons symbolize independence, wisdom, and leadership.

The sacred tree symbolizes spiritual energy, life and wisdom. Lonely standing trees had a special meaning for the Celts, being the earthly embodiment of the sacred Tree of Life. The sacred tree and the rituals performed in the shade of its crown gave new vitality, longevity, and contributed to spiritual development. It is a symbol of the generosity of the Earth. The Tree of Life drinks with its roots the sacred waters of life from the heart of Mother Earth. Opening the branches of its crown in the heavens, it provides a link between all things, connecting Heaven and Earth. This union creates a sacred place of spiritual strength and wisdom, the focus of the power of the people, the source of magic. Standing stones and stone crosses were often erected near such trees. Subsequently, Christian churches were often built on these places of Sila.

Leaves, often included in Celtic ornaments, symbolize the power of specific tree species and the help of the gods to whom these trees are dedicated. Since the cult of trees was developed and very complex among the Celts, the symbolism of leaves and fruits requires separate consideration.

The Druids of ancient Britain had their own zodiac, in the center of which was the Moon! It consisted of 13 signs corresponding to 13 trees, and took into account the “yin”, or feminine principle, missed by Western astrologers. The Druids divided the solar year into thirteen lunar months, with one extra day. Each lunar month was associated with a symbol tree and thirteen consonant letters of the Celtic alphabet based on tree names. This tree alphabet was used as a means to predict the future. The zodiacal degrees of the thirteenth sign (Elder) contain part of the constellation Ophiuchus, located between the constellations of Sagittarius and Scorpio. This constellation was discovered by Ptolemy, but was not included in the twelve-sign zodiacal constellation belt. In the Celtic horoscope, each "tree" corresponds to an astrological symbol, which, like Egyptian hieroglyphs, concisely preserves the memory of the race.

Celtic lunar zodiac:
Birch: December 24 - January 20
Rowan: January 21 - February 17
Ash: February 18 - March 17
Alder: March 18 - April 14
Willow: April 15 - May 12
Hawthorn: May 13 - June 9
Oak: June 10 - July 7
Holly: July 8 - August 4
Hazel: August 4 - September 1
Grapes: September 2 - September 29
Ivy: September 30 - October 27
Reed: October 28 - November 24
Elderberry: November 25 - December 23

BIRCH. In Celtic astrology, the Sun was identified with the Birch. This tree is the first (with the exception of the mysterious Elderberry - the last tree of the zodiac) to decorate itself with leaves, marking the beginning of all things. A sprig of birch was the hallmark of young druids or bards who attached it to their tunics. In the Celtic lunar zodiac, the Nameless Day is located between the Birch and the Elder, as if between the sentries of the endless cycle of birth and death. Associated with the Birch, the White Deer is a character in all Celtic myths, symbolizing the seven-month reign of the solar gods.

ROWAN. The Druids believed that their great invisible god manifested itself in the restless elements of nature and in the electromagnetic forces contained in the phenomenon of lightning. It was believed that lightning was not afraid of mountain ash, and therefore, as a protection against evil witchcraft, all settlements, secluded intersections, and temples were planted with these trees. The Druids believed that each tree had its own spirit or "dryad". The spirit of the mountain ash represented the guardian of secret truths - secrets related to immortality and the personal freedom of their archetypal gods. In Celtic mythology, the mountain ash was considered a magical tree, and its bright red berries were considered the “food of the gods”, which is guarded by a green dragon. Like the forbidden fruit from the Garden of Eden, rowan berries represented magical powers jealously guarded by the Celtic gods. In the Irish myth of Fraoth, rowan berries healed the wounded, and each berry eaten added a year to a person's life. The Green Dragon is a powerful Celtic spiral symbol of spiritual development, and in Celtic mythology dragons were also associated with the mysterious energy of the Earth. In ancient Celtic cosmology, the winged serpent Sarph was a coiled serpent star representing the Prime Mover, the root cause of all things. The Celtic name for mountain ash comes from the word "flame".

ASH. The Celtic name for ash is related to the Irish word for "heaven". In the mythology of the Celts, the ash tree was considered a witchcraft tree; magic wands were carved from it. The Egyptians called the Celts "tramps of the seas". The Sea Horse, symbolizing the ash tree, is associated with the Celtic ideas about the sea gods as half-fish, half-horses.

ALDER. In Celtic mythology, alder is associated with a ram, a mighty giant and warlike king of ancient Britain. In the ancient myth "Battle of the Trees", the alder fights in the forefront, which speaks of the courage inherent in the alder archetype. In rural Ireland, it is considered a crime to cut down an alder sacred to the Irish, and the person who does this is considered responsible for all the accidents that occurred in the village. An alder dryad is aggressive and can even burn down such a person's house. The sacred symbol of the Ram was the falcon. The Celts called falcons kings. The falcon is a prophetic bird, a sign of both victory and death.

WILLOW. The willow tree has an ancient history and is associated with death - willow leaves are found in burials of the megalithic era and in the tombs of the pharaohs. Witches worshiped the willow, in Northern Europe and Greece, it was considered, like the ash tree, a witch tree. The Druids considered the willow tree to be sacred. In their Creation myth, the sea serpent laid two purple eggs, which contained the Sun and the Earth, precisely in the branches of a willow. It was the first tree of creation, in the branches of which the universe was hatched, which symbolizes both the birth of the cosmos and the beginning of earthly life. The sea serpent among the Celts symbolized the power of the moon over the oceans and its fateful intervention in the life of the human race.

HAWTHORN. The mythology associated with the hawthorn evokes associations that are as holy as they are sad. In Celtic Ireland, it was believed that a person who destroyed a hawthorn exposes himself to the greatest danger, since as a result of this his cattle could fall, his children could die, and he himself could be completely ruined. Hawthorn was used during ritual orgies, when the Druids called on the people to imitate the fertile summer.
The "protective" functions of the hawthorn are associated with the mythical properties of Vulcan, the blacksmith god, the keeper of heavenly fire, which, according to astrologers, directs the higher energy of the mind. The Celtic symbol "chalice" is associated with the mastery of the Celts to work with metal. However, in later Celtic myths, the cup is a symbol of the Holy Grail, with which the divine mystery or source of eternal life is identified.

OAK. The religion of the Druids was based on the worship of the oak, with which all the ancient gods of thunder were associated. The oak symbolized the turning point of the year, when the summer Sun rose for a short time at Krut Gwynwyda to receive divine inspiration. During the seventh lunar month of Oak, the Druids carved a circle on this tree, divided into four equal parts (an ancient symbol of the earth) - it was believed that it would protect the tree from lightning. The Celtic name for oak means "door", implying that doors made of oak are the most reliable protection against evil.

HOLLY. In Celtic mythology, the holly (or holly) was the evergreen brother of the oak. In the lunar calendar of the Druids, the sacred oak ruled the waxing (bright) part of the year, and the evergreen holly its waning (dark) part. In the ritual calendar of the Druids, the Holly King was called the Dark Heir. The Celtic symbol Fire Lance is identical to the Lance of the month of the Heir. The mythical unicorn - the symbol of the holly - is a white horse with a spiral horn resembling a spear. In the esoteric sense, the holly symbolizes the evergreen aspect of the soul, and the oak symbolizes the sacrificial ego. An ancient Welsh poem says that these two trees support a bridge spanning the "Rainbow River", in which the evil of the world dissolves and flows into Gwynwyd.

HAZEL. In the mythology of the Irish Celts, the hazel was the "holy fort" in which the fairy of poetry lived. According to Irish law, trees were divided into four categories, according to which the punishment for their unauthorized felling was determined. According to this law, the death penalty was due for cutting down only two chief trees - Hazel and Apple. Subsequently, this punishment was transformed into a fine of one cow. The ancient name of Scotland - Caledonia - means "hill overgrown with hazel." Hazel in Celtic legends is a symbol of concentrated wisdom, and by eating nuts, one could learn everything one needs to know about art and science. (Even now, scientists say that hazelnuts and other nuts are the best food for the brain.) According to one of the Celtic legends (the Finn saga), hazelnuts fell into the well and became food for the salmon that lived in it. When Finn caught and ate one of them, he immediately gained wisdom. Therefore, the hazel is also called the Tree of Wisdom, and the Celtic symbol "Salmon" represents the prophetic power of knowledge. When the Druids were invited to resolve a dispute or apply the law, they brought with them white wands made of walnut wood - a symbol of impartiality.

GRAPE. Grapes are a very ancient plant, the grape owes its name to the word "wriggle", which corresponds to its spiral shoots. The symbolism of the spiral was a very important part of Druid mysticism. The spiral symbol of the grape signifies the autumnal equinox in their ritual zodiac. In Irish mythology, the White Swan, associated with the month of grapes, became a symbol of the bright ancient Celtic gods, who "withdrew" to their underground forts during the autumn equinox. In Celtic mythology, the planet Venus represented a "ray of light" or "white ghost", associated with the dwelling place of the soul-wisdom of the ancestors, which in Celtic cosmology was identified with the constellation Cygnus.

IVY. Unlike grapes, ivy is an evergreen plant, symbolizing immortality or the eternal aspect of nature and the human soul. Ivy was revered by the ancient peoples of Asia and Europe and, like grapes, was associated with the god Bacchus or Dionysus, the god of wine and fun. The crowns of Bacchus and Ariadne were woven from ivy, for it was believed that this plant prevents intoxication. Ivy also symbolized blessed power and eternal love. In the ritual zodiac of the Druids, the month of Ivy follows the autumnal equinox, which marks the entrance to the Celtic Underworld. The constellation representing this "revolving door" symbolizes the entrance to the world of the Sidhe, or Fairy Folk. Fairies represent time-corrupted ancestral memory and all psychic phenomena associated with the supernatural dimension. They also represent lost souls who cannot reincarnate and yet remain on earth at the same time. The butterfly has become a symbol of the Fairy Religion. A brooch or badge in the form of a butterfly was worn as a sign of respect for the spirits of the ancestors.

CANE. Since ancient times, the reed has been a symbol of royalty. Perhaps he is the most curious of all the symbols of the Celtic zodiac. Its shoots form dense thickets, and its roots are thick, like those of a tree. That is why he was associated among the Celts with a hidden dryad. The main place of Creation was the Celtic Underworld - here was the spiritual kingdom of Annun, in which, in the process of all evolution, earthly life was formed and transformed. The Celts called Annun the "Great Abyss", which speaks of their connection with the sea, and their nickname "sea people" is read as evidence of their relationship with the Atlanteans.
The history of the symbol of the reed - the White Hound - is as follows. Pluto, the king of the Underworld, entered into a trusting relationship with Arawn, the ancient ruler of Annun. Celtic Pluto became the ruler of both kingdoms and was considered the savior of the human race. The Celtic symbols associated with the sign of the reed indicate that this god was both a savior and a guardian. Legends say that Pluto met Arawn on a hunt, surrounded by a pack of white ghost dogs, and therefore the White Hound is the symbol of the month. In both Egyptian and Greek myths, the entrance to the mysterious realm was always guarded by dogs. In Celtic mythology, white hounds are the keepers of the secrets of the moon and the Stone, which symbolized the divine right of the Celtic kings and queens to rule their people.

ELDER. The elderberry has been shrouded in mystery since the time of the megalith, when the exact image of its leaf began to be carved on tombstones as a symbol of death and, at the same time, a new birth. In the ritual zodiac of the Celts, this stage between life and death coincides in time with the winter solstice. In the lunar Celtic zodiac, birch and elder stand on opposite sides of the entrance to the underground spiritual kingdom of Annun (see "Reed"), denoting the descent and ascension of the Sun. The month of the Elder symbolizes the imprisonment of the Sun or the solar spirit. Kronos is associated with this month - the ruler of the kingdom of minerals, in which the source of all life and light is imprisoned. Symbolically, the elder was depicted as a golden pillar of decay, from which, after a series of transformations, a green pillar of birch grew, associated with the birth of the Celtic solar gods. The sign of the summer solstice is ruled by Jupiter, whose symbol is the White Horse, and the sign of the winter solstice is Kronos, whose symbol is the Black Horse. The horse, as a symbol of the time of the solstices, was sacred to the Celts, it represented their ancient matriarchal culture.

The cauldron in Celtic mythology is a symbol of inspiration and knowledge, as well as a source of transforming, transforming and regenerating powers. The magic of the Sacred Cauldron blurs the boundaries between man, animal and deity. Any form can be transformed into any other through this magic.

Keeper of the Cauldron - Serridwen, goddess of transformation, metamorphosis. The Celts knew about the immortality of the Spirit and the possibility of its rebirth, both in the physical plane of existence and in the spiritual. The sacred animal of Serridwen was the boar, a symbol of wealth, hospitality and celebration.

Daughter of Dagda, father of the gods, Brigantia is a very important deity among the Celts. Brigantia is the solar goddess and her elements are light and fire. Because she is also a Healing Goddess, she is associated with water and snakes. Serpents have secret knowledge, and water is the source of life. Therefore, the sanctuaries of Brigantia are often located near sacred springs. Pregnant women came there to receive the help of the Goddess in childbirth.

Many rivers in the Celtic world bear various forms of her name, testifying to her connection with water. As the mistress of all forms of fire, Brigantia patronizes blacksmiths, protects the hearth and punishes with fire. Spiritual light is also her element. Therefore, she is a muse for musicians, poets and all creative people. Her name means brightness, radiance of light.

Twins or a couple is one of the most important symbols of Celtic mythology. This is the union of male and female principles, giving new lives and maintaining a dynamic balance in nature on the path of evolution. This is a sacred union of heavenly and earthly forces, which gives peace and harmony, a blessing to the earth and people. The divine couple represents the duality of nature, partnership, unity, in which each partner maintains its independence in a general balance. The symbols associated with the divine couple are the cornucopia, ladle, fruits, flowers, vessels of wine and animals. All of these are emblems of abundance and prosperity. The god Dagda was "responsible" for the cauldron of abundance.

Although dragons are always associated with Asia, these mythical creatures are found in the folklore and fairy tales of peoples around the world, as well as in Celtic Ireland.

In the world of Celtic warriors and kings, dragons were considered a symbol of power. It will suffice to recall that the Celtic term for the title of king is Pendragon.

Today, the theme of dragons slips into modern interiors, where even in the bathroom, stylish classic toilets can coexist with a dragon-shaped faucet and a bathtub on bronze paws.

As far as mythical creatures are concerned, the secret world of Celtic spirituality presents dragons as something more. In order for dragons to command respect among the Celts, they certainly must be more than just fire-breathing animals. According to the information provided on the Dragonorama website, dragons were a fairly important part of Celtic Knowledge. The Celts could feel the Earth very subtly, and according to the opinion, it was the dragons who could influence it. The Celts have always believed that the areas most often visited by dragons had a special power.

Dragons have always been associated with the Forces of the Earth. At the moment, during most of the esoteric rituals, people think that the invocation of the "Eye of the Dragon" will increase their power. The ancient druids firmly believed that the earth is quite similar to the body of a dragon, and they built sacred stone circles, so to speak, on the "Knots of Power" of this body.

In the world of Celtic warriors and kings, dragons were associated with power and independence. This symbol is found in tales, legends, folklore. According to beliefs, Celtic dragons belonged to the elements of the Earth and guarded the gates leading to the Underworld, and also had the ability to influence the earth. The Celtic-style dragon is depicted as a huge lizard with large wings, poisonous breath, and steely scaly skin. They guarded treasures and kidnapped people. It was difficult to kill the Dragon, since they had only one weak spot - the belly, and the victory over them personified a triumph over the forces of darkness.

Among the Celts, dragons were a symbol of supreme power. Celtic kings applied the dragon pattern to their flags and used it in the coat of arms of their kingdom. According to legend, for many, King Arthur was considered a dragon, because his power and greatness were incredible.

The meaning of the Celtic dragon tattoo in many ways means eternal life, power, wisdom and, in some sense, the horror that radiates the appearance of a dragon.

Tattoo styles and colors

Tattoo artists depict a Celtic dragon tattoo in an ethnic, fantasy style, using dark shades:

• Black;
• Blue;
• Green;
• Red;
• Gray.

Places for applying a tattoo are chosen differently, it all depends on the size of the picture. To a large extent, the tattoo of the Celtic dragon is done by men, because it is a symbol of power and strength, however, the trend in choosing this tattoo among girls increases over the years, and they also want to combine themselves with the qualities inherent in this creature.