Wednesday, October 7, 2009

The Meaning of fire and flame tattoos

Meaning of fire and flame tattoos

Many people decorate an old tattoo with flames and fire to help bring an older tattoo into a new light. Otherwise, fire and flames are still a very popular tattoo and idea among many.

There are mean reasons and meanings to fire that make it more significant than a decorative agent to a tattoo.

Fire can represent transformation, destruction, change, passion, a beacon of light and knowledge, and serve as a warning to the wearer. It has been used in religious rites and symbolism, as the smoke wafts towards Heaven, it's thought to bring wishes and prayers of faith.

Fire is both feared and revered because if it's destructive ability and power. Fire is very destructive if not controlled, making it powerful. Fire, also, wards off the cold, and lights the darkness. Fire can be represented by torches, beacons, urns, and candles.

In Christianity, fire is a symbol of the Holy Ghost. It's often used in descriptions of Hell. God made his presence known to Moses in the symbol of the Burning Bush. Flames are also symbols of temptation and sin, and Satan is often depicted surrounded by flames.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is the Titan chiefly honored for stealing fire from the gods in the stalk of a fennel plant and giving it to mortals for their use.

In Judaism fire also has great significance, candles are lit to usher in holidays and to separate Shabbat from the rest of the week, as well as to remember the dead; another important fire symbol is the Eternal Flame, which was a fire kept in the First and Second Temple that was never supposed to go out.

In mythology the Phoenix is consumed in flames and is reincarnated out of it's own ashes. The flames are a symbol of transformation and rebirth and represent the cycle of life.

article source : http://hubpages.com/