Scottish Tattoo Designs and What They Mean
The cross used in the flag of Scotland is the oldest known cross in the world. No wonder this cross is one of the most prominently made Scottish tattoo design. Other vernacular Scottish tattoo designs include the Scottish highlanders, the saltire and the Scottish family tattoos that feature the place in Scotland where a person hails from. Clan tattoos are also one of the most popular Scottish tattoo designs. Let us take a look at each of these Scottish tattoos and the meaning behind each one of them.
The Scottish Highlanders Tattoo
Scottish highlanders were the warriors of Scotland who lived in Scottish Highlands. Getting a tattoo or a picture of a scottish highlander is one of the most authentic Scottish tattoo design idea.
The Scottish Saltire Tattoo
Scottish Saltire is the cross that Scots use in their national flag. It is also known as Saint Andrew's Cross and it is white in color with a blue background. Legend had it that Saint Andrew was crucified on an X-shaped cross at Patras. He was a Christian apostle and a patron saint of Scotland. This is why the Scots have the Saltire cross in their national flag. Getting a tattoo of the Saltire, represents the nationality and sheer patriotism of the people. More on Celtic cross tattoos.
Scottish Clan Tattoos or Scottish Family Name Tattoos
Scottish clan tattoos represent the Scottish family you belong to. In the foregone days of struggle against the Romans and the Englishmen, the Scots used to get the name of a specific clan tattooed, so that their name and family details can be identified. Clans are Scottish units consisting of many families having a common ancestor in the Scottish highlands. Before going to war, a Scottish warriors would wear a badge of his clan with a feeling of pride. Clan tattoos consists of plaid designs that indicate a particular glen of Scotland. Getting a Scottish clan tattoo represents your connection with the deep roots of Scotland.
Scottish Thistle Tattoos
Thistle, a robust plant grown on Scottish soil and crowned with a purple flower, is a symbol of toughness that breeds in a Scottish heart. This plant can grow in the most infertile lands and it covers itself with thorns for protection. The early kings of Scotland used this plant as a symbol of their royal family crest. Scottish thistle tattoos are usually small tattoo designs and they symbolize bravery, toughness and ruggedness.
Scottish Military Tattoos
Scottish military used tattoos for the soldiers to identify them. These military tattoos portray the war stories of the powerful heroes who fought for their country. Over the recent years, Scottish military tattoo designs are used as emblems of strength and power. Read more on military tattoo designs.
Scottish Lion Rampant Tattoos
The national flag of Scotland has the Saint Andrew's cross but before that the flag of Scotland used to have a Scottish lion rampant. This tattoo design is one of the most favorite designs in the world. A Scottish lion rampant is red in color and stands against a yellow background. It represents one's old ties with Scottish soils! More on lion tattoos for women and lion tattoos for men.
Scottish Firefighters Tattoos
Scotland is also known for its eminent firefighters. Scottish firefighters tattoos imply the origin of the techniques of fire-fighting and fire fighting heroes. They also include the fallen fighter memorial tattoo. These tattoos are marked with the name, birth date, death date, ladder number or the fire fighter's hat in honor of a dead firefighter who died fighting for his people. The other tattoo in this category is the lifetime of service tattoo. This tattoo is inked on those fighters who have reached a highly respectable position in their career.
Celtic Artwork Tattoos and Gaelic Tattoos
Scottish culture has deep ties with the Celtic culture in the field of art and music. Thus, the Celtic artwork tattoos and the Gaelic tattoos are some other favorites of the Scottish people. The designs include nautical tattoos which comprises of astronomical drawings like the stars, the moons and the constellations.
