Pagan tattoos. The meaning of Slavic tattoos. Amulets and amulets of the Slavs

Still alive today. Pagan tattoos are attractive and beautiful. Therefore, the increased interest in them today is entirely logical and justified.

Such different pagan tattoos

What was the purpose of pagan tattoos?

Pagan tattoos have powerful energy. For their bearers, such pictures are a kind of amulet, calling on natural forces to protect and protect in difficult times.

Henna tattoo on hand

Color palette

Drawings in the pagan style could be either multicolor or monochrome. They were suitable for both women and men.

According to chromotherapists, today the choice of color for a future pattern must be approached thoroughly. The coloring of a picture, chosen correctly, can give a person confidence, lift his spirits, fill him with energy, and organize his thoughts correctly. The most popular color is black.

Another option for a pagan tattoo

Quite recently I began to get involved in magic. I was especially interested in the runes. They have long been considered strong magical symbols, so they can bring both happiness and grief to their owner. I immediately wanted to give myself several tattoos in the form of runes, but after consulting with my mentor, I put this idea off for now. Still, this is very serious. In order to choose “your rune” you need to practice magic for several decades.

Sergey, Novosibirsk

The Cossack tattoo has pagan origins.

Symbolism

Pagan tattoos include geometric shapes: circles, squares, rectangles, as well as various images of animals, solstice, trysel, runes, and ornaments.

Pagan tattoos can be Scandinavian and Slavic.

The hero swings a hammer - Slavic roots of the tattoo

Scandinavian tattoos

There are two main types of Scandinavian tattoos.

Runic images in the form of intertwined magic rings and knots. The Normans were sure that such a tattoo could change the fate of its wearer. Incorrect use of the rune could have caused his death. For example, the Sovelu rune is the rune of warriors of the spirit. It could be seen on the buttonhole of the SS Black Order during Hitler's time. It was believed that it was thanks to the double zipper in the buttonhole that German soldiers often (although not for long) had good luck. Runes are the most common Slavic symbol. They have been known since the late Middle Ages. Then runic signs were used as a trademark. Whatever the runic symbol is, it’s a mystery. The rune of Perun represents the thunderer, who protects human society from disorder. The rainbow rune symbolizes the path to the center of the universe. The rune of peace personifies a person’s state of mind, his craving for silence and harmony. Evidence of human strength was the sign of the wind, which promotes the ascent to the top, and therefore the achievement of the goal.
Traditional drawings of animals and gods. In this case, motifs known back to Viking times are often used. This could be, for example, a sailing ship with warriors or revered gods.

Scandinavian tattoos are very popular these days. The helmet of fear and the runic compass are the most popular designs. The first involves helping and protecting the owner in battle, and the second should help find the right path in life.

An example of a Scandinavian tattoo on the arm

The choice of tattoo must be approached with the utmost care.

Before choosing a design for a tattoo, it is advisable to study all its possible meanings, carefully considering even the smallest details.

The wolf design, now popular among supporters of the northern style, has several meanings. On the one hand, the wolf is a monster that can lead to the end of the world. But if you look from the other side, this is an omnipotent and generous beast.

For the Vikings, the boat was not just a means of transportation, but also a place of final refuge after death.

Northern pagan tattoos, the meaning of which has been studied by scientists for many years in a row, can hardly be called decoration. This is most likely a reflection of the person himself.

I have been interested in pagan culture for several years now and I know that the signs that were used in it have special power. I recently got a sun tattoo. I hope that it will bring me luck in life.

Makar, Irkutsk

Advice. Pagan tattoos belong to powerful magical symbolism, so not every modern person can decide on them.

Slavic tattoos

Women's pagan tattoos, photos of which can be seen on the pages of historical books, were applied in the form of floral and foliage ornaments. It could also be various chain weaves of twigs, flowers, greenery, leaves. For the men's category, mainly drawings were selected that demonstrated power and strength. Such subjects include images of a heart or a crown.

An example of a Slavic tattoo on the arm

Did you know? A tattoo can be applied not only to the body, but also to the teeth! In order to decorate your teeth with a beautiful design, you need to make an impression of the tooth, make a crown, apply the selected image to it and put it on top of the tooth. These tattoos can be changed as often as you want.

Viking history is a fascinating subject; One of the most eye-catching, visually stunning dramas on television, the books about them never fail to capture our attention, and tattoo enthusiasts couldn't miss the amazing traditional Scandinavian designs that adorn our skin today.

Vikings were warriors who worshiped pagan gods and lived in the territory of modern Scandinavia. The Vikings were engaged in raids on neighboring peoples, which was helped by their terrifying appearance - a tattooed body and face. Tattoos of warriors necessarily carried a serious meaning, talking about courage and ferocity. According to legend, it was the Scandinavians who were the first to discover the American continent.

The runes were discovered for people by the god Odin, who chained himself to a huge tree and pierced his body with a spear. One suffered from bleeding, and on the ninth day he spiritually regained his sight and inscribed the first runes on a tree trunk. This is how the Scandinavians developed an alphabet, each sign of which had a magical meaning.

Good to know!

The gods of the Scandinavians had a magical influence throughout their lives. The Scandinavian ornament on the Viking's body was a real written appeal to the gods with a request to bless the battle and give good luck - in fact, these are amulets against evil fate.

What symbols/runes/images are suitable for such tattoos?

Viking tattoos are huge compositions, the images are necessarily voluminous and striking. Let's consider the meaning of the most popular images in Scandinavian style.

Scandinavian compass- one of the oldest symbols. The Scandinavians were excellent sailors, so the compass helped them stay on course in life, guaranteeing the protection of higher powers.
Ship- a sign of readiness for change, impressive conquests and wonderful discoveries. Each traveler is the captain of his own destiny, but he has a team - friends who help him get to his desired goal.
Helm of Terror protects the Viking from dangers, while simultaneously emphasizing his belligerence and masculinity.
Odin's Raven- a common subject for tattoos. A wise black bird means that a person tends to think a lot, he is on a spiritual quest.
Dragons in Scandinavian mythology, they are guardians of wealth, acting as a guardian for their home while the warrior is on a long journey.
Wolf in Scandinavian body art it means aggression, readiness to achieve your goals at any cost. The wolf Fenrir from the Scandinavian epic became famous for killing gods - this is a symbol of opposition to generally accepted authorities.
Ax of Perun- a sign of indestructible strength, militancy and hard work. The sketch can be with two crossed axes - a symbol of power and strength.
Scull in the Scandinavian style, he is usually depicted wearing a helmet - this symbolizes danger, recalling the transience of human life. Understanding the transience of life leads to a calm attitude towards death - this is the source of true courage.

Additional Scandinavian patterns and seascapes enhance the meaning of the main figure. Many elements are an important component of a Scandinavian tattoo.

Suitable places on the body for such tattoos

The placement of a tattoo carries the deepest meaning and can radically change the interpretation of the picture. Scandinavian motifs are often large and difficult to implement and require a lot of space.

On the shoulder A tattoo with Odin and other gods or portraits of a warrior looks original - it personifies courage, strength, and protects from dangers.

On the forearm It is better to choose a Scandinavian pattern of medium volume. Usually these are pagan deities, witchcraft runes and scenes from Scandinavian myths.
Back– the best place on the body for an epic canvas: portraits of Odin and warriors or warriors in full battle garb, the world tree or ships plowing the sea.
On the chest they are filled with large drawings, they symbolize the chain mail or armor of a warrior.
On the hand the sketch can be done anywhere. There is not enough space on the wrist, so a design in the form of a single rune with a sacred meaning or an ornament in this style is most suitable. Magical symbols and ancient mottos that motivate a warrior are in demand on the palms. Small patterns or laconic messages can be placed on the fingers. The wrists are stuffed with bracelets of Scandinavian designs.
For those who are not afraid to shock the public, it is used as a canvas for a body painting. head. It should be taken into account that if you choose a tattoo on your head, you will have to constantly monitor hair growth and shave in a timely manner.

Good to know!

The sleeve tattoo completely covers the arm with the sketch. The sleeve is made in the form of a multi-tiered composition, consisting of many patterns and runes with the addition of heroes from myths.

What tattoo style is suitable for such tattoos?

The Scandinavian tradition is firmly entrenched in the modern world. In addition to the usual Celtic style, Scandinavian tattoos today use realism or even anime in their style. Inspiration is often drawn from modern cinema, cartoons and TV series, where the main characters are courageous and ferocious Vikings. Men's tattoos emphasize the courage and determination of the owner.

Runic amulets are also close to girls, because the Vikings had women who fought in battles on an equal basis with male warriors. Successful warriors were respected, having won their equality in real battles. Modern ladies are close to the theme of independence, so when looking for a suitable sketch for a tattoo, they turn to Scandinavian motifs.

Good to know!

People who are indecisive and weak in spirit, for whom the moral principles of the ancient Vikings are not close, should not get a Scandinavian tattoo.

Famous Scandinavian style tattoo artists

The life of the Vikings is of interest to our contemporaries; it is increasingly being covered in cinema. This led to a rise in the popularity of Scandinavian tattoos. Some elements of this style can be observed in famous athletes involved in martial arts. When meeting such a person, it is not customary to ask him about what the tattoo means - its meaning has a hidden, sacred meaning.

One of the most prominent tattoo artists working in this direction is Peter Madsen(Peter Madsen). The artist is skilled in the traditional style of tattooing and is incredibly skilled and experienced. Three words that come to mind when you see tattoos by master Peter Madsen: technique, clarity and quality.

Defining himself as an ornamentalist and dot-work enthusiast, Peter is able to adapt his tattoo technique to designs from any time, place or culture (although it was Scandinavian symbols that made him a famous and sought-after tattoo artist).

Peter's high level of skill is confirmed by the fact that he most often works no sketches, relying on an intuitive feeling. The tattoo artist reproduces the most effective result directly on the client’s skin, preferring to focus on the individual structure of the body and enhancing the natural lines and curves of the body.

The Danish tattoo artist is inspired by Northern Europe and Scandinavian folk art, sacred geometry of the Middle East and the structure of the human body. The combination of these influences gives rise to a unique style, which is a vibrant mix of ancient traditions and modern tattooing.

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, so check out the gallery below and get inspired!

It has become very popular lately. Today, ethnic themes are of great interest to those who like to decorate their bodies. And not the last place here is occupied by Slavic tattoos. This design is based on Scythian patterns, Russian ornaments, mythological and elements of ancient embroidery, Slavic runes and symbols.

The sacred meaning of a tattoo

Pagan themed tattoos look beautiful and elegant. But for most of those who wear such a design on their body, it is not so much beauty that is important, but sacred meaning. This could be a call to the forces of nature to preserve and protect, or an appeal to one of the gods for help in a favorite activity. One way or another, Slavic tattoos will be intertwined with the pagan beliefs of our ancestors.

Such tattoos can be performed both in color (in this case, the gamma is selected in accordance with the symbolic meaning of the image) and in monochrome. The most common pagan tattoos depict animals, solstice, squares, trixels, rectangles, circles, ribbons, ornaments, and runes.

Runic tattoos

Tattoos based on a runic design include:

The runes themselves.
Swastikas with 3-4 corners.
4-5 pointed stars.
Various geometric patterns.

In Rus', runes were used as trade marks and were called “tamgas”. It is noteworthy that the word “customs” literally stands for “organization that places tamgas.” Until recently, a similar custom was preserved among the Khanty-Mansi people, but for them, runes of this type denoted belonging to a certain clan.

Slavic ornaments

Researchers believe that the most common symbols among the Slavic tribes were symbols of fertility; they were composed of rhombuses, commas, dots, spirals and crosses. Thus, a rhombus divided by a cross into four parts, with a dot placed in the center of each of them, symbolized a field for crops.

Beginning in the 11th century, traditional images and patterns of Catholicism began to be added to Slavic symbols. Tattoos in the Slavic style for women were enriched with images of garlands, plant ornaments, and decorations made of twigs and leaves. Men's tattoos of that time were even more influenced. Mostly crowns and hearts with the initials of the owner were depicted; inscriptions indicating the origin of a person became popular.

What is Slavic ornament today?

If, when choosing a tattoo, Slavic themes are a priority for you, then it won’t hurt to broaden your horizons and pay attention to what they represent today:

Ancient Slavic and ancient Scythian ornaments most often turn out to be mixed, and sometimes it is quite difficult to understand which traditions came from where.
The pattern can be drawn up on the basis of ancient Russian tradition and Christian graphics.
There may be motifs from ancient Russian songs, epics, and fairy tales.
Slavic tattoos can be made under Palekh or

There are many variations - it all depends on the wishes of the customer. There are no strict rules or laws in the depiction of drawings; everyone is free to choose their own interpretation of the ancient symbol.

Amulets and amulets of the Slavs

The Slavs were pagans and believed in spirits who lived next to them (domoi, banniks, ovinniks, goblins), sorcerers, gods, who were considered animated forces of nature. Some of them were supportive and helped people, others, on the contrary, only harmed. To survive in such a world, protection from dark forces and the location of light forces were necessary. For this, the Slavs needed amulets and amulets.

Some symbols were intended only for protection, while others could provide the patronage of a spirit or god throughout life or in a specific matter. Thus, warriors applied the “Treba” rune (depicted as an arrow pointing upward) to their swords and armor to win in battle. The runic design “helmet of horror” had several variations and was also intended for battles. The “wolf hook” rune, which has many analogues in other pagan cultures, protected against werewolf attacks.

The idea of the structure of the world was reflected in all the images that were inherited by Slavic tattoos. Sketches of such drawings will always carry an ancient sacred meaning, calling for help from forgotten gods or protecting from dark spirits.

Animal image

Slavic tattoos depicting animals can be of two types:

When this is an image of a totemic ancestor.
When the beast personifies a pagan god.

It is noteworthy that the animal retains its features and basic functions in both cases. So, similar Slavic tattoo symbols will mean:

The wolf is the beast of Dazhbog. They always treated him ambiguously. On the one hand, the wolf is a fierce, dangerous predator associated with the world of the dead, on the other hand, the gift of prophecy and wisdom was attributed to him. This beast invariably evoked fear and respect.
The bear is Veles's beast. The Bear was considered the main one - the owner and guardian of the forest. This wise beast has always been held in high esteem by people.
The fox is Mokosh's animal, the personification of the feminine principle. Symbolized fertility and human destiny. She was revered for her cunning and resourcefulness.
The boar is the beast of Perun. The most terrible enemy of man in the forest. They were more afraid of him than a wolf or a bear. The belligerence and indomitability of the boar was associated with the thunder god, the patron of warriors Perun.

Slavic symbols

Alphabet tattoos are often replaced. Here are the most common ones:

Godmaker - provides the patronage of the gods to a person who takes the path of internal improvement.
The swastika is a symbol of the sun, the eternal cycle of life. Protects the ancient order and law. This sign is usually used as a talisman.
Valkyrie is a symbol of wisdom, justice and honor. It was revered by warriors, but was used as a talisman by magicians who performed the function of keepers of knowledge.

Conclusion

There are a great variety of patterns, symbols and ornaments of Slavic themes. When choosing from this variety, you need to understand that, one way or another, this is an ancient symbol that carries certain sacred information. This means that to some extent this will affect your mental or physical state. Therefore, before applying such a design to your body, find out about its meaning in as much detail as possible. And be sure to make sure it suits you.

It would be more correct to say not “Scandinavian tattoos”, but “Scandinavian-style tattoos” - because all these images are stylized as traditional Viking designs. Famous sailors conquered lands and left marks as souvenirs: about their exploits, about their status in society, about the conquered territories. Now the meanings of body symbols have been lost, only stylization remains. We'll tell you about it.

Vikings are the name of Scandinavian sailors. The same ones in stereotypical helmets with horns, with red beards and powerful torsos. Of course, living Vikings looked different, but every country has its own stereotypes, right? :)

Traditionally, Scandinavia includes three countries - Sweden, Denmark and Norway. But the “extended” version also includes Finland, Iceland and the North Atlantic islands.

Unusual sounds of languages, cosmically beautiful music, polar lights and famous fjords - all this is magical Scandinavia.

Popular Scandinavian style tattoos

Patterns

Runes, ornaments, patterns, interlacing knots. The style is very similar to Celtic, but the nationalities are different and so are the meanings. Nowadays they don’t attach any meaning to tattoos, but out of respect for the ancient warriors, we don’t confuse these types :)

Tree Yggdrasil

In German-Scandinavian mythology, this gigantic tree meant Life: this is how the ancient northern peoples imagined the structure of the world.

According to legend, Yggdrasil rested on three ornate roots: under the first there was a source of youth and freshness, under the second - a source of wisdom, and under the third - a source from which all underground rivers flowed.

Viking images

Most often they are made in realism to show the emotions of the Scandinavian warrior, to convey his strict character traits and inner fire. Choose places where there is a lot of space - shoulders, backs, calves.

If the ornaments, runes and the image of the Tree of Peace are stylized in the Scandinavian style, then the Viking tattoo is pure improvisation without much meaning. But this is normal: in the modern world, everyone determines for themselves what their tattoo means.

Recently, many people have been getting tattoos on their bodies. Slavic tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among those who like to apply ethnic motifs to the body. There are no traditional Slavic tattoos. For the drawings, motifs of Scythian patterns, Russian ornaments from ancient books, elements of embroidery on ancient clothing, fairy-tale and mythological characters, etc. are used. Did our ancestors give themselves tattoos? It’s an interesting question, isn’t it...

Story

Slavic tattoos have a very long history - it originates from the ancient Slavs, who perceived body designs exclusively as amulets and symbols that determined the path of life.

Little is known for certain about the tattoos of the Slavic people; scientists can only guess how it really was. But according to general stories from various sources, we can say that various drawings, runes, patterns and painted signs were applied to the skin. This was facilitated by:

belief in pagan gods, goblin, mermaids, sorcerers;
occult knowledge;
veneration of ancestors.

Thus, by applying several runes to the body, one could become much stronger and more resilient. To protect against evil spirits, various amulets were depicted on the skin in the form of patterns. Nowadays people (usually men) get tattoos in the form of one or another pagan god, animals and mythical creatures. Chinese characters were replaced by Slavic themes, with all its symbolism and culture.

Interesting to know! In ancient Rus', it was believed that tattoos with Slavic symbols, like any other tattoos, in principle cannot be applied to the bodies of people whose age does not exceed thirty-three years. The fact is that it is at this age that the basic, formative processes in the physical body are completed, and even then amulets can be applied to the body.

Only magicians who possessed secret esoteric knowledge and magical skills had the right to get a tattoo. They applied the pattern not only to the skin, but also to the human energy field (aura). This is the only way the tattoo will take effect and help its owner.

Christianity, which came to Rus' in the 20th century, was completely banned tattoos as a sign of paganism. Religion eradicated all rituals, religious events and holidays of the pagans, priests protected parishioners from mythical forces, spirits and other “heresies”. The meaning of Slavic tattoos was gradually forgotten, and the view of body designs changed sharply from positive to negative. Culture is irretrievably lost.

Nowadays there is no such sacred meaning anymore - With the help of a Slavic tattoo you can decorate your body with beautiful images of runes, swastikas and animals, and also show your reverent attitude towards ancient history and your ancestors. Such drawings often have a personal, individual meaning - sometimes they depict the entire philosophy of life of their bearer and his guidelines.

The meaning of Slavic tattoos

The tattoos of the ancient Slavs and their meanings are historically very rich: images of gods such as Perun, Yarilo or Veles helped to win the favor of heaven and achieve harmony in different areas of life. Drawings of animals were earthly incarnations of deities; they endowed a person with their own qualities - the wolf gave its wearer courage and strength, birds symbolized the connection with the sky. Now the sacredness of Slavic tattoos does not have such interaction with everyday life, but for many it is important - you can not only decorate your body with a pattern in an ancient style, but also immortalize on it symbols and amulets that characterize your life principles and help spiritually in difficult moments.

What do tattoos of Slavic Runes mean?

Slavic runes are an ancient manifestation of the Slavic writing of schismatics. Runic signs are similar to Asian hieroglyphs, which have a deep historical meaning. To understand the runes, an interpretation of each of the runes is required. Slavic symbolism and ornaments are a gradually developing area that has great advantages for development in the future.

Each rune symbol has a mysterious image. The meanings of the symbols contain the words: peace, rainbow, strength, wind, rock, support, Perun, source, etc. Old Believer runic writing appeared long before the 10th century, which was marked by the adoption of a new faith. This fact is evidenced by archaeological excavations with writing on household appliances.

The meaning of Slavic amulets

Speaking about Slavic amulets, we can highlight the most popular: Burdock, Valkyrie, Symbol of the Family, Svetoch, Molvinets, etc. In fact, there are many such symbols, and they all give a powerful energy request into the Universe.

Svetoch- a symbol of memory of ancestors. This amulet helps you achieve your goals and make your dreams come true. Patron of the entire Slavic people, personified the light thanks to which people live on the planet

The Slavic amulet Burdock is a catcher of luck. He is able to attract everything a person desires. In the center there is an empty square where you can write an additional symbol, for example, a rune.

Amulet Burdock attracts good luck

Valkyrie is the most common amulet. Most often it was applied to the armor of warriors. It is a symbol of wisdom, honor, nobility and justice. Such a tattoo will protect, bring peace and tranquility. “The best battle is the one that never happened” - this is a reflection of the essence of the amulet. By providing protection, Valkyrie also puts a person’s thoughts in order and pacifies his anger and anger.

The Valkyrie amulet protects and puts thoughts in order

Symbol of the Family is the most universal amulet. It operates in various directions:

helps patients recover faster;
improves health;
drives away evil spirits;
gives a charge of positive energy.

This tattoo helps connect the mind, soul and body with the gods of the family. Initially, the Symbol of the Family was depicted as a filled circle, and later became a smoothed four-ray swastika with circles at the ends of the rays

Molvinets protects from the evil eye and negativity, but has a powerful force that nourishes a person. This amulet is similar in its energy to the Family Symbol; it is also universal. But the main range of its actions is the dispersal of evil directed at a person (the bearer of the amulet).

The name of the amulet comes from the word “to speak”, its main purpose is to protect a person from the negativity of other people (curses, evil words)

Kolyadnik- one of the most common solar religious symbols of the ancient Slavs. It is known that all men wore a carol since childhood, since this sign bestowed wisdom in everyday life and ingenuity in battle.

Wedding party- a Slavic protective symbol, which in the broadest sense symbolizes the unification of two Clans. The Slavic swastika is depicted in the form of a cross with ends bent clockwise, which symbolizes the cycle of things in nature, changes: the change of day and night, the alternation of seasons. The Slavic swastika can contain at least three bends, the number of which can even reach 10.

And so, the Slavic swastika symbolized the correct order of things in nature, or rather health, strength, joy, sun and light.

Animal and plant tattoos among the Slavs

Do not forget about the drawings that depict animals, warriors, wise men, plants or mythical creatures. The Slavs were pagans; in addition to worshiping deities, they had cults of animals and trees.