The meaning of a sakura tattoo is directly related to the flowering characteristics of this amazingly beautiful plant. In addition, the meaning of a sakura tattoo is also influenced by the role assigned to this tree in Japanese culture. The tradition of celebrating the cherry blossom season (hanami) dates back to approximately 710 AD. e. Initially, this holiday was celebrated only by the upper class. However, later every ordinary Japanese could come with his family under a blooming sakura tree and enjoy its short-lived delicate beauty. Today there are more than 150 types of so-called Japanese cherries.

Symbolism and centuries-old traditions

Many legends about sakura that exist in Japanese culture are as beautiful and a little sad as the flowering period of these unusually beautiful trees. We invite you to familiarize yourself with some of them.

The Legend of Blooming

One day, the proud and formidable god of the mountains invited the grandson of the Sun goddess named Ninigi to marry one of his daughters. The eldest was called High Rock, she did not shine with beauty, but she was reliable and wise. The youngest daughter's name was Blossoming; she was beautiful and fragile, like a delicate flower.

The stern god, deep down in his soul, still hoped that Ninigi would choose High Rock, then he would give Ninigi’s descendants a long and stable life. But it is not surprising that young Ninigi chose his youngest daughter, Blossoming, as young as himself, as his wife. The god of the mountains became angry and said that from now on the life of the descendants of Niniga and Blossoming would be as beautiful as his youngest daughter, but also fleeting, like cherry blossoms.

Based on this legend, the Japanese believe that the line of emperors originates from the young god Niniga and his beautiful wife Blooming.

The Legend of the Cruel Prince

Once upon a time there lived a brave Sakura, in whose village a cruel and ruthless prince seized power. He mercilessly punished not only the peasants, but also their small children for any offense. One day, unable to endure beatings and humiliation any longer, the brave Sakura went to seek the truth from the just and wise Shogun, bringing to him his children, whose backs were completely covered with scars from the blows of the cruel prince’s whip. The just Shogun immediately punished the offender, for which he harbored a mortal grudge against the brave Sakura and vowed revenge.

After some time, the villagers found Sakura and his children dead: the vengeful prince beat the unfortunate people to death. Since then, the Japanese began to associate the delicate pink petals of sakura with the blood of an innocently murdered peasant and his children. So, every time during the Hanami celebration, the Japanese, admiring the delicate flowers, remember the fearless Sakura and his children.

Sakura in the hanami tradition

Did you know that the oldest sakura in Japan is more than two thousand years old? It is considered a national natural monument of Japan and grows on the territory of a Buddhist temple in the Japanese city of Hokuto. This tree is especially revered in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Every year at the end of March, thousands of people gather in parks to pay tribute to the ancient tradition of celebrating hanami. People come with their families under the cherry blossoms; some take advantage of the opportunity to hold corporate events right in the park under the blossoming trees and conclude important deals.

Basically, the hanami tradition includes a picnic in nature, drinking strong alcoholic drinks (sake), and karaoke. By the way, if you believe the Japanese media, every year 20 to 25 people die as a result of alcohol poisoning during the hanami celebration.

It is believed that the traditional celebration of hanami began with the upper classes of Japanese society, then imperial subjects and family members held small talk under the shade of trees, drank tea, and composed haiku. Later, such pleasure became available to “mere mortals.” And in our time, everyone can come and enjoy the divine beauty and intoxicating aroma of the fleeting flowering of Japanese cherry trees.

Sakura in tattoo art

The Japanese loved this unusual delicate plant so much that they began to decorate their bodies with its flowers. Later this trend spread to other continents. Now you can see both girls and guys with sakura branches on their arms, on their necks, even on their legs. However, it is worth understanding the meaning of a sakura tattoo before applying it to your body, because previously the wise Japanese did not paint themselves just like that: every petal, every branch carried a special secret meaning.

• Aristocratic origin. As you know, Japanese cherry trees used to grow mainly in imperial gardens. High-ranking persons spent their leisure time under their shade, shared news, and weaved intrigues. Since then, it was believed that a tattoo of a sakura branch on a human body speaks of a person’s high origins, of his closeness to the emperor. Thus, the cherry blossom tattoo on the back was a hint of the so-called blue blood.
• Sorrow. The color white in Japan symbolizes grief, melancholy and sadness. Thus, a tattoo of a white cherry blossom that loses its petals can symbolize grief for a loved one who left this world prematurely. It is noteworthy that in Japanese tattoo art, each flower and leaf depicted on the body has a separate meaning. In Europe, the cherry blossom tattoo serves more for beauty and is perceived as a solid sketch.
• Spiritual purity. If we remember the legend about the brave peasant Sakura and his children, then the meaning of sakura tattoos for girls and boys can mean purity of spirit,
• Beauty, femininity. The bride of the grandson of the Sun goddess Niniga, Blossoming, possessed truly extraordinary beauty, so it was not difficult for her to win the heart of the young god. Likewise, a cherry blossom tattoo for a girl means youth, vitality, unfading beauty, feminine attractiveness and attractiveness.
• Fortitude, courage. Along with femininity, sakura can also mean willpower and courage. Didn't it take courage for a brave peasant to challenge a cruel prince? The flowers on this unusually beautiful tree appear much earlier than the leaves, which also indicates the resistance of sakura to adverse weather conditions.
• Transience of life. Since ancient times, cherry blossoms meant for the poetic Japanese the transience of life, as the stern god of the mountains predicted the fate of Niniga’s descendants. On average, sakura blossom lasts about a week, and then the delicate petals are easily torn off by gusts of a merciless wind. In Japanese culture, this phenomenon is associated with the transience of human life, where every flower is someone’s life cut short. However, the poet of aristocratic origin, Kenko-hoshi, noted that human life is beautiful in its fragility.

Sakura is often combined with other symbols, which can slightly change the meaning of the tattoo.

1. Sakura and hummingbird can mean femininity, tenderness, sexual energy (hummingbird is a symbol of vitality and sexuality). American Indians believed that hummingbirds were the souls of deceased lovers. Thus, sakura paired with a hummingbird can be a symbol of fleeting lost love.
2. Sakura and butterfly symbolize rebirth, bright life, love, tenderness. However, you should be careful with a butterfly tattoo, because for a long time they were considered an attribute of geishas, ​​so over time the butterfly became a symbol of accessibility and frivolity.
3. A composition in which sakura and are present can have different meanings, and it will become clear only after translating the hieroglyph. Before getting a tattoo, it is better to take care of the translation by contacting a professional translator, so as not to end up in an awkward situation later. The sakura branch goes perfectly with the hieroglyph “happiness”. Sakura paired with the hieroglyph “tiger” can mean strength, power and wisdom.

How to decorate your body?

Having understood the meaning of sakura tattoos for women and men, it’s time to think about the composition of the design. It is also important to choose a place on the body that will be decorated with Japanese cherry blossoms and a tattoo style that suits you personally.

A sakura tattoo in watercolor will add more tenderness and sophistication to an already beautiful flower. This technique is dominated by slightly blurred outlines and more delicate colors than in realism. The outlines of the drawing are often made in black, and the colored elements look a little blurry, as if extending beyond the edges of the outline.

Black and white sakura is a frequent choice of men, because this design emphasizes sensuality and at the same time restraint. Some believe that it is a tattoo made in black and white that leaves more room for imagination. Traditionally, black color remains to this day the “king” in tattoo culture.

Oriental is an oriental style in tattoo art, which often features characters from Japanese mythology, symbols to which the Japanese attach great importance. It is logical that the image of sakura in this style will most accurately convey the traditions and culture of the mysterious East. Such work is often done in color. An important distinguishing feature of Oriental is symmetry, precision of shapes and lines.

This is most often used by girls who do not want to see huge drawings on their bodies. This style is perfect for you if you are a sensual but secretive person, you like to reserve everything personal only for yourself and for a very narrow circle of close people. A miniature and delicate sakura branch on a girl’s leg would be an excellent solution.

Photo of Sakura tattoo

On the hand

The meaning of the “Leaves” tattoo The image of leaves of various trees is very popular and famous. The meaning of the tattoo is directly related to the tree to which the leaf belongs. A leaf drawing can express a lot of different qualities of a person or convey a specific meaning. The shape of the leaf attracts girls no less than the image of the flower. Girls prefer beautiful pictures of neat leaves. For example, traditionally the Russian tree - birch - is considered a female tattoo. Applying a small green birch leaf means purity of thoughts, clear mind, light. In Slavic culture, birch symbolized the feminine principle, and among the inhabitants of European territory it was a symbol of purity. Willow leaves are also often chosen as a female tattoo. Willow means longing, separation. This pattern on the body is chosen by people who have recently lost a close friend or are suffering from unrequited love. Men choose drawings of tree leaves that have meanings of strength, intelligence, prudence, and perseverance. For example, the image of a maple leaf is understood as a symbol of peace and goodness. But the maple tree is particularly resistant to various weather conditions, so the wearer of such a tattoo emphasizes fortitude and endurance. The history of the maple leaf has different understanding among different peoples. The ancient Celts associated maple with the struggle for one’s position, defending one’s self. Often the maple is perceived as a tree that senses a person’s mood and accepts his pain, or vice versa, sharing the joy of the stormy green foliage. Maple leaves are practically the most common design. Falling leaves are associated with sadness, withering, and pacification of the spirit. An oak leaf or several leaves symbolize longevity, confidence, stability, reliability, and fidelity. With this drawing you can emphasize your position in society. Confident people who stand firmly on their feet can choose a body image of an oak leaf. The ash leaf signifies prudence and modesty of character, which, of course, is suitable for young people. A palm leaf is often depicted as a sign of victory, and a bay leaf has a similar meaning. The meaning of the “Leaves” tattoo came to us from ancient centuries, when the Romans, having won a victory, decorated their heads with wreaths of laurel leaves. Therefore, the drawing can be like a yellow, withering leaf as a sign of sadness. Or, on the contrary, the colors of young greenery as a symbol of the flourishing of human life. Red color demonstrates passion and strong emotions. Also, the picture can be black and white, where the main thing will be the meaning of the tree leaf tattoo, and not the color meaning. The sheet can be a stand-alone drawing or drawn in combination with other pictures. You can also choose one leaf, a scattering of leaves or a whole branch. The leaf can be depicted floating, falling or stationary, which enhances the emotional value as part of the symbolic tree. Everyone chooses the meaning of the “Leaves” tattoo for themselves. For self-expression or demonstration of feelings, a tree leaf will help convey meaning to others.

A branch tattoo, the meaning of which you will find in this article, is a great way to decorate your body. After all, a tree branch made by a talented craftsman looks very attractive and delicate. We will tell you how to choose a design and the basic techniques for performing a tattoo.

Tattoo meaning

The branch is a very meaningful symbol. Let's consider its main meaning in the world of tattoos:

• fertility A flowering branch can represent the forces of nature, creation and creativity;
• sadness or longing for what was lost. If the branch is drooping or has dry leaves depicted on it, it may indicate the tattoo wearer’s tendency toward melancholy and his grief for a person who has passed away;
• the sakura branch can symbolize passion for Eastern philosophy;
• branches of an evergreen plant, for example, spruce or pine, can serve as the personification of a person’s belief that life on earth will exist forever;
• desire to win. The laurel branch will be an excellent talisman for people who are used to winning and always achieve their goal;
• a branch with a flying bird can represent dreaminess or desire for freedom;
• love of nature. A branch made in a realistic manner can symbolize a person’s admiration for the living world.

The branch can be supplemented with various motifs and details. These can be butterflies, flowers, ribbons and other elements that allow you to better express the idea of ​​a tattoo. It all depends only on your imagination, as well as on the meaning that you want to put into the tattoo.

What styles can a branch be made in?

The branch tattoo, a photo of which you can see in the article, can be done in almost any stylistic manner:

• old school . Branches in this style often complement the main image, for example, forming a frame around the main motif. However, branches can also become an independent subject for a tattoo. Branches are often complemented by ribbons with inscriptions and mottos, butterflies, birds or even. It all depends on what idea your tattoo will express;
• new school. This style is worth paying attention to people who love everything creative and unusual. A tattoo artist can depict a bright, unusual branch that will become the subject of admiration for others;
• realism. Perhaps this style is the most difficult to execute. However, a realistic branch on which you can see every detail will be a wonderful decoration for your body. True, such work must be quite large-scale, so not everyone can decide to do it;
• trash polka. In this unusual style, the branch motif is usually used as an additional motif. However, if you wish, you can make it the main element. Typically, in trash polka, the branch is done in a realistic manner and is complemented by graphic and symbolic details that emphasize the main idea of ​​​​your tattoo. A trash polka tattoo is usually done in black and red, which makes it not only noticeable, but also extremely expressive;
• graphics and engraving style. Such branches will look very gentle and laconic. By the way, inspiration for a tattoo can be found in old botany textbooks and even in plant guides. To make the tattoo look more interesting, the artist may well complement it with color spots or do a light “fill” of leaves and flowers;
• dot-work. A branch formed from dots of different diameters will look very creative and unusual.

Advice! Graphic style branch tattoos have become very popular lately. Therefore, you should not take a ready-made sketch: it is better to ask the artist to create a unique tattoo for you that will highlight your individuality. After all, meeting the owner of the same tattoo as yours is not very pleasant!

Where can the tattoo be located?

The placement of the tattoo depends on a number of factors. The main thing is the selected sketch. Some designs require a fairly large surface area and are applied to the back or chest; small works can decorate the collarbones, shoulders, forearms and calves. A small branch, made in a graphic style, can be made on the wrist and even on the neck. Paired branches look very attractive, for example, on the collarbones or on both shoulder blades. By the way, an interesting solution would be a tattoo in the form of branches stylized as wings on the back.

It is also important to consider the style of your tattoo. For example, if you want to get a realistic tattoo of a small size, most likely the artist will refuse you. After all, he simply will not be able to convey the details of the image with photographic accuracy. In addition, over time, small details will blur, and the tattoo will lose its original appearance.

Advice! If you are too afraid of pain, ask the specialist to apply a special ointment that contains an anesthetic to your skin. True, such an ointment changes the properties of the skin, as a result of which it becomes more difficult for the artist to make a tattoo. In addition, not all salons use anesthesia: many believe that without pain the process of applying a tattoo is simply impossible!

A branch tattoo with a high level of execution will be an excellent decoration for your body. All you have to do is choose a suitable sketch and find a master who can bring your idea to life!

A tattoo is forever! And while some people like to just grab something trendy or popular, others like to do the research and take the time to figure out what they want and why they want it. This article is not for those who want to copy someone else's tattoo, but rather for those who are looking for ideas and inspiration in creating their own unique and thoughtful tree tattoo design.

Tree Tattoo Meanings

The tree is one of those symbols that have an extremely large semantic load. That is why tattoos with a similar image are used extremely often.

A tree on the body means continuous growth and development, a person’s desire for self-improvement and reunification with all the elements of the world. In addition, a tree can symbolize fertility and even immortality. At the same time, it is extremely important in what manner this plant will be depicted.

Some Central American tribes, including the Aztecs, symbolized such trees with a sacred plant. The tree contributed to procreation, where it acted as a talisman for many bearers of such tattoos. In addition, at the moment, the tree symbolizes physical strength and its combination with spiritual beauty.

There are many interpretations for the meanings of different types of trees. Below you will find some basic ideas to keep in mind for tree tattoos.

Apple tree

Apples appear in many religious traditions, often as a mystical or forbidden fruit.

Apple trees can be dualistic: they represent evil and temptation due to the apple tree's biblical role in the fall of Adam to Eve, but they also symbolize knowledge and learning.

Ash

Ash trees can be huge: up to a meter in diameter and up to 40 meters in height. You can imagine the root system needed to support such growth. Its weight, size and deep and complex root system can work as metaphors: the ash tree speaks of growth, expansion and a higher perspective. Lacy trees also often have sacred meaning and are used as symbols of spiritual awareness or enlightenment.

Aspen

In literature, knowledge and legends you will find many references to trembling aspen leaves. Anyone familiar with this tree has seen it dance in the wind. The Druids went into aspen groves to see nature and used aspen trees as omens. Aspens symbolize the positive end of something (overcoming fear or doubt, overcoming difficulties), but can also represent mourning or grief.

Beech

A sturdy, impressive tree with smooth gray bark, a short trunk and wide branches, the beech is often seen as a representation of lost wisdom and the teachings of ancestors or the past. The beech tree can be a sign of prosperity, knowledge or patience.

Birch

Another positive tree with many medicinal properties, they are often used for new beginnings, rebirth, renewal and cleansing. With its distinctive white bark, birch trees were used for protection: on Midsummer's Eve, branches were hung over doors to ward off bad luck, and birch trees were decorated with rags to ward off evil. The traditional witch's broom is made from birch.

Cedar

The cedar tree has been revered for many thousands of years, its wood used for sacred structures and burned in purification rituals. The tree was believed to contain the gods and serve as a passage to higher kingdoms. Think about your cedar tattoo: these trees are about protection and integrity.

Cypress

The Egyptians used cypress to protect mummies, and the Greeks and Romans made coffins or urns from it, and also buried cypress branches with the dead. Muslims and Christians planted cypress trees in cemeteries to ward off evil spirits. Although the protective aspect is positive, cypress also represents mourning, death and sadness.

Oak

The Celts revered oak trees as sacred and believed that they could access various psychic realms by "opening the door of the oak tree." Oak represents strength, strength, endurance, freedom and courage.

Read more about the oak tree tattoo.

Fig or Fig

The fig leaf is often used to convey a figurative covering for something awkward or unpleasant, perhaps stemming from the biblical story in which Adam and Eve used fig leaves to cover their nakedness. Many paintings and statues use fig leaves to cover the genitals of their characters. Thus, fig trees, which are known for their longevity and abundance, may represent fertility or an attempt to hide it, and may also represent a lack of shame.

Willow

Willow trees - loss of freedom, healing and love. They also take on more mystical meanings and can be seen as symbols of magic, inner vision and dreams.

Decaying trees in a tattoo are a manifestation of devotion and dignity.

Other trees

• Hawthorn: One of the positive symbols of the tree is satisfaction, happiness and hope for the future.
• Holly-Trees, due to their religious overtones, are used to symbolize loyalty, protection and spirituality.
• Linden trees are closely associated with marriage, these trees symbolize monogamy and love.
• Maple trees are used to symbolize balance, harmony and duty.
• Tree Joshua Another tree with biblical and religious overtones, they are used to show praise, worship and strong will.
• Tree poplars can be seen as negative and is often associated with death, funerals and mourning.
• Nut trees are symbols of clarity and focus.
• Pines: Native Americans believe that these trees symbolize tranquility.
• Yew trees are positive trees that show signs of resurrection and rebirth, but they also have a negative side of sadness and piety.

Tree of life tattoos

The most popular tattoo design is the Tree of Life. It is found in many cultures and religions. In Christianity, a similar symbol denotes a constant connection with God. If you depict fruits on this tree, then this may indicate a person’s desire for salvation and preservation of health.

The mythology of the tree of life can be found in various religions, philosophies, histories and cultures. And while its meaning and design are different, the general idea is the same. This tree (also known as the sacred tree, tree of knowledge, tree of immortality, world tree or cosmic tree) refers to the interconnectedness of living beings and serves as a metaphor for the idea that we all have the same source of life.

What does a sakura tattoo mean? This question is often asked not only by those who plan to get such an image on their body in the future, but also by professional artists in large tattoo salons. This symbol is associated primarily with Japanese culture, the peculiarities of the worldview of the inhabitants of this country, which largely determines the meaning of the tattoo. The article will help you find out what is the difference between the designations of a branch, a flower and the sakura tree itself in a tattoo, find a meaning that is suitable for you and even a photo of a sketch of a sakura tattoo, and also understand such nuances of the sketch as shade, style and small details.

The history of cherry blossom tattoos

Japan is an amazing country with rather unusual cultural traditions, and sakura is its most popular, beautiful and, undoubtedly, important symbol. In Japan, there is even a special Hanami holiday, during which the islanders watch the flowering of this beautiful plant.

The sakura tree is a tattoo that was widespread in ancient times as a design on the body, which only an emperor or prince could afford to get. The fact is that even the plant itself pleased the eyes of only the elite, because it grew near their houses and was not available for admiration by ordinary people. Usually, emperors applied a Japanese cherry tattoo design on their back as a sign of authority and justice, as well as responsibility for the country and love for it.

Later, tattoos with sakura could already be found not only on people in power, but also on some of his subjects, people close to the emperor.

What does sakura tattoo mean?

Initially, sakura was a symbol of sublimity, power and even superiority over others. This fact is due to the fact that Japanese cherry grew only among very rich people and was indeed evidence of high financial status.

The sakura tattoo also has another meaning associated with the flowering of the plant. It can bloom for quite a short time, often only a few hours. Even a slight breeze can cause the petals to fall and the tree to stop flowering. Therefore, for many years, sakura has been associated with the transience and perishability of life, the inability to somehow influence the remoteness of the end of existence. A plant can represent the life cycle of all living things, beginning with birth and ending with death. However, there is another option - the transience of not only life, but also love or even the whole world.

A similar meaning of sakura tattoo can be found among Buddhists. For these believers, the plant is a symbol of the impermanence and frailty of existence. In Buddhist poetry one can often find an association of this image with bygone youth or love relationships.

There is another answer to the question of what a sakura tattoo means. The beauty of Japanese cherry blossoms evokes thoughts of youth, innocence and modesty. The symbol means tenderness, which is characteristic of flowers that can fall from a tree even from a slight gust of wind.

The plant also symbolizes fertility and prosperity. The fact is that the Japanese associate the blossoming of Japanese cherry trees with warming temperatures and the arrival of spring. When sakura blooms, the ground is already warm enough to plant rice, the main product in the diet of the country's inhabitants.

What does a sakura branch tattoo mean?

A tattoo with a sakura branch may have a slightly different meaning. If it blossoms, then such an image symbolizes the beginning of life’s journey, the desire for changes in life, the dawn of love and business, happiness and well-being. A fading branch, on the contrary, does not bode well. It denotes lost hopes and unfulfilled expectations, disappointment in a person or even in oneself. Sometimes such a tattoo can symbolize lost love or a broken heart.

Photo and meaning of a tattoo with a sakura flower

It is the Japanese cherry flower that in large-scale sketches acts as a symbol of female beauty and youth, its gentle personification. In addition, this element in the sketch can convey the idea of ​​​​the fragility of a person, as well as the whole world, and be a reminder that every moment of life should be appreciated.

In general, the meaning of sakura tattoos for both women and men has an even more global meaning. Japanese cherry flowers are very small, and they disappear from the branches quickly, which symbolizes the fact that in the world there is much more evil than good, and every person experiences much more troubles than joys. It is quite difficult to maintain naivety in the conditions of modern life, and the tattoo supposedly denotes an innocent and gentle person, for whom it is as difficult to resist problems and troubles as it is for sakura to resist gusts of wind.

The meaning of a sakura tree tattoo

Since then, this Japanese cherry tree has symbolized not only purity and innocence, but also grief, terrible suffering and injustice. Another interpretation of the symbol is connected with the above story - courage, fearlessness, readiness to defend one’s position. If the flowers of the tree are already falling off, then such a tattoo can also mean pain over lost opportunities or a dead person.

Unlike the design of a sakura branch, which can have a double meaning, the tree itself acts as an exclusively sad symbol. This association exists because of the story of a fearless villager named Sakura. He could not stand the beatings from his master and reported them to the Shogun (emperor) with a request to punish the evil man. Proof of the humiliation were the scars on the backs of Sakura’s small children, received from the owner’s beatings. The shogun granted the villager's request, but justice came at a cost - the angry owner, after punishment, tied Sakura's children to the tree of the same name and flogged them to death.

A sakura flower tattoo may not have such a kind and gentle meaning. Since the publication of Akiko Yosano’s works, many Japanese have retained the symbolism in her works, where dead soldiers were compared to plant flowers. Therefore, a sketch with such a symbol can also mean grief for a deceased relative or loved one.

Location for cherry blossom tattoo on the body

The traditional place for a cherry blossom tattoo is the back. This part of the body was tattooed by emperors as a sign of their participation in high society. Nowadays, artists offer their clients other places for tattoos. They become the shoulders, arm, ribs, if the sketch is large. Men occasionally place a tattoo on their chest. In the case where the idea is a small design, it can be placed on the ankle, forearm or wrist. Sometimes very tiny sakura are stuffed behind the ear or under the collarbone. The designations of a sakura tattoo do not change depending on the placement or position of the tattoo.

Japanese Cherry Tattoo Colors

Blooming cherry blossoms in a tattoo can differ in a wide variety of shades of flowers. It is worth noting that their color significantly affects the meaning of the sketch. Thus, the Japanese associate white color with death, melancholy and sadness, so it is best suited for painting an image with the meaning of sorrow or mental pain. Pink color, on the contrary, means the dawn of life, flowering, change for the better.

Often, the meaning of a girl’s sakura branch tattoo changes significantly due to the fact that she followed fashion and tattooed a branch with scarlet falling flowers on her side, leg or back. The thing is, when these flowers (relatively) fall, they turn into a bright red pile of petals that resembles a puddle of blood. So a bright and beautiful tattoo with a gentle meaning becomes a symbol of bloody tears, hard battles, losses and even health problems or imminent death.

If you are just trying to find a color for a cherry branch tattoo from a photo and are not particularly interested in the meaning of this tattoo, we advise you to take a closer look at your skin tone. If you have pale skin, it is better to choose a design with pink flowers, and for those with a beautiful tan, you can recommend a design in a white shade.

What does a sakura tattoo mean for a girl and a guy?

An interesting fact - a tattoo with an oriental cherry is not recommended for young girls; it is suitable exclusively for adult representatives of the fair sex. The fact is that the meaning of sakura tattoos for young girls does not bring any of the pleasant moments described above. Japanese cherry on the body will only bring rapid old age and make youth as fleeting as the flowering of a tree. For adult and mature women, a tattoo, on the contrary, can prolong youth and give a special charm.

The meaning of a sakura twig tattoo can be especially interesting if you make the stem quite large, wide and strong. Such a sketch will indicate that despite her fragility, its owner is ready to prove to the world her strength and resilience, to fight for her goals to the end.

Despite the somewhat romantic interpretation of the meaning of the Japanese cherry tree, sakura tattoos are no less common in men than in women. Representatives of the stronger sex consider their sketches to be a sign of endurance and endurance, which actually occurs as one of the designations of a tattoo. It is worth noting that guys most often do not stuff a single tree, flower or branch, but combine the main idea with other Japanese motifs, complement the sketch with interesting details and make it larger.

Photos of sakura tattoos in different styles

Sakura is considered the main motif in the traditional Japanese tattoo - irezumi. This symbol is often present in sketches of another popular oriental style, oriental. This technique is more common among European artists, and in general is more appreciated by connoisseurs of tattoo culture. Oriental exists as if on the border of Eastern and Western cultures and takes into account the merits of both. Therefore, it will be easiest to make a Japanese cherry blossom tattoo both beautiful and meaningful with the help of this style. A good oriental is necessarily colorful and differs from other directions in its symmetry, clarity of shapes and lines.

Another popular, but already European, technique for cherry blossoms can be considered watercolor. In this option, women's cherry blossom tattoos will undoubtedly look best. The peculiarity of the style is a certain sophistication, tenderness and at the same time carelessness, which are created with the help of “paint drips”. This option can make the drawing more interesting and vibrant, and will help avoid boring common sketches.

In the photo of the girls’ sakura tattoo, you can see that there is another option for the design - minimalism. This neat style involves a small, discreet sketch; it is best suited for sensual, secretive people who want to hide the tattoo from prying eyes.

Men usually focus on such techniques as the already mentioned oriental, as well as realism and black and white tradition. They allow you to make a sketch quite interesting, but at the same time very restrained and neat, to some extent even courageous.

In Japan, not only the color of the design or the hieroglyphs located nearby on the sketch can greatly influence what a sakura twig tattoo means. For the craftsmen of this country, the number of flowers, their location, and sometimes even the shape of the petals are also important.

If you want to depict a design on your body as accurately as possible and put one of the above-described meanings into it, we advise you to take a responsible approach to the choice of the artist; ideally, he should even be a professional in the ancient art of Japanese irezumi tattooing. However, in European culture, artists do not attach much importance to such trifles, and their works actually do not carry such a deep meaning as tattoos from Japanese artists. The photo of the cherry branch tattoo shows that in different versions of the sketch, the flowers are not always carefully drawn: some small details or other features that are important for Japanese experts, but not for ordinary connoisseurs of tattooing as an art, are forgotten.

Think about what goal you are pursuing - to make a tattoo your symbol and even to some extent your patron, or simply to decorate yourself with a beautiful flower - and, based on this, choose a master.