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The Power of the Heart ~ Sacred Tattoo Design
This sacred tattoo design was such an incredibly beautiful experience to channel, which isn’t a surprise since my client IS such a beautiful soul.
We had some awesome connections along the way that remind me again at how the things we do are so much more than meets the eye. I’m so grateful that through the work I do that it aligns me with wonderful people that in many cases become good friends, and in most cases are all special soul connections.
This piece took some twists and turns in the creation process, as I felt into the energy that was being presented. In the end, with patience and not forcing the process, I was able to see through layers to the core essence.
The design blends this client’s strong soul affinity with Asian and Native American spirituality in a beautifully synergized way. What we get is a strongly empowered Sacred and Divine Feminine essence that presents each thread of her soul tapestry.
She is a very strong soul and this has been misinterpreted at times, so with this design we are portraying her true nature and looking into her soul through the eyes of the Hawk and the artistry of her soul signature.
Hints of feathers share her Native American roots and shaman quality, which is powerful unto themselves, yet have a graceful fluidity, lightness, and movement to them.
I didn’t want there to be and blatant symbolism, but rather a beautiful and blended harmony blossoming forth in this sensual dance that shares a look into the mystery of who she is. Powerful beauty, mystique, abundant love and compassion from the depth of her heart, and strength of character, visions of a healer, transformation, and fertile blossoming all wrapped up together with amazing depth and spiritual grace.
It’s quite a larger piece that will span the upper portion of her back from bottom of lower neck down through heart chakra.
Both she and I have shared being mesmerized by the image and unable to look away. LOL! I’m just really in love with it and its energy, and so, so happy that she is too.
Below I’ll add the symbolism of each of the elements that are woven in this creation. Since they are collective symbols this information is not different for any one particular person, but how they are integrated and what they are blended with, as well as how they are drawn….all make them unique to the individual and speak a different story.
So here are the elements of the design with their collective symbolism:
Lotus Mandala – the Lotus itself is a powerful and ancient image symbolizes harmony, spiritual illumination and unlimited potential. The lotus is a type of water lily which rises from the sludge of muddy waters and opens into a beautiful flower. It is often used as a mandala, or circular symbol, but any way you use the Lotus in a spiritual practice, it will provide a resonant field that reinforces the concept of resurrection. Human mistakes and challenges are the fertilizer for brilliance and awakened creation as the Lotus shows us. Born in the murkiest of ponds, Lotus still emerges pure. Use the Lotus as a reminder that “this, too, shall pass.” Be assured that all fertilizer nurtures a beautiful new life. In the greater world, Lotus is a peaceful cosmic beacon for forgiveness, gratitude and compassion to prevail where the sludge of conflict has resided. Using this symbol on water invites a balance between humility and pride.
Mandalas – are geometric figures representing the Universe and this personal empowerment Mandala is a reflection of the very “fabric” you flourishing into all that you are. This Mandala will help to focus her energy in a way that is connected authentically to the heart of who she is and empowers her heart chakra.
Tibetan Conch – wanting to bring in her Asian influences, but staying away from the Buddha images and such, this was one of the elements that spoke out from what she had shared being connected to. One of the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism, the symbol is the Right-coiled White Conch symbolizes “the spread of the teachings of the Dharma (principle of cosmic order/natural universal laws and those in harmony with it and the teachings of Buddha) and an awakening from the slumber of ignorance.” When it spirals to the right this is rare and considered especially sacred, believed to echo the celestial motion of the sun, moon, planets, and stars, as well as the hair whorls on Buddha’s head, his fine body hairs, the conch-like swirl of his navel, symbolizes his throat and melodious voice, and long curl at his third eye. It also “appears as an auspicious mark on the soles, palms, limbs, breast, or forehead of a divinely endowed being”. The right coiling white conch also symbolizes the deep and far-reaching melodious sound of the truth of Dharma teachings that spreads in all directions and when heard, not only awakens, but urges accomplishing your own and others’ welfare. In Tibetan Buddhism, today, it is a musical instrument that calls together spiritual assemblies and contains holy water. In this way it speaks to your “voice” and this channel for creative self-expression of your personal song vibration and frequency to others. White represents the Brahmin caste (priests). The conch is also an “emblem of power, authority and sovereignty whose blast is believed to banish evil spirits, avert natural disasters, and scare away poisonous creatures”.
Hawk – symbolizes Awareness, Perspective, Insight, Cunning, Observant, Truth, Visionary Power, Guardianship, Leader, Strength, Initiative, Decisiveness, Creativity, Messenger, Caution, Strategy, Maneuvering, Leadership. The spirit of hawk brings with it many different meanings that we can constantly look at in our lives at different times, to assist us into our wholeness like that of taking account of things in your life and observing all the details while seeing the meaning in ordinary experiences. Also, freeing ourselves from limiting thoughts and beliefs that stop us from soaring in our lives with greater and expanded perspective. Seeing the bigger picture, being insightful, visionary, asserting yourself without doubt, trusting your instincts, and having confidence in what comes to you. Taking initiative and ceasing to procrastinate are things assisted by Hawk where we know when to strike with precision and speed without letting opportunities pass us by. Seize the moment! But also using caution in the way we maneuver and knowing when NOT to take action because we listen to our instincts and support them for the highest good.
Feathers – Feathers represent flight, freedom, ascension, lightness, grace, ability to flow with winds of change, truth, speed, communication with Spirit, celestial wisdom, the power of the element air, and are very connected to Shamanism, someone who is a Shaman and works with elements and Earth in ancient ways, as well as is connected to Native American Indians and the power of Bird Spirit. In the design I created a couple of feathers, as well as added a hint of wing to the left. They are a reminder to release the heaviness from our hearts, to be gentle with ourselves, nurture our innocent inner child, dance with grace through change, embrace vulnerability, and be willing to flow without attachments that hinder our expansiveness. They also represent the ancient ways, being in tune with Mother Earth, and sacred ritual.
Spiral – I created a spiral effect to the left, where the end of the feather turns into the center of this spiral…almost like a vortex or galaxy. Spirals symbolize creation, movement, fluidity, surrender/releasing, holistic growth, and awareness of the one within the context of the whole. It reveals the cyclical nature of life, the consciousness of nature from core center expanding outward, and the relationship between unity and multiplicity. It is the limitless spirals that move both “inward towards the Source of creation and eternally outward with Source’s continual self-creation.” In this way, the spiral reflects the contiguous journey home to who you really are and the journey to be one with Source.
Cherry Blossoms – The breathtaking but brief beauty of the cherry blossoms, according to Buddhist tradition, symbolizes the transient nature of life. They also reflect, in traditional Japanese values, that of purity and simplicity. The cherry blossom is also tied with the samurai culture, representing the fleeting nature of the samurai’s life and symbolic of drops of blood. They also represent the arrival of Spring, end of Winter, end of difficult/challenging periods, joy, beauty, freshness, new generation, life cycle, beauty and sexuality, love in a language of herbs, promise of fruit to come – fruits of your labor revealing in abundance.
Dragon – The dragon symbolizes transformation, transmutation, wisdom, protection, infinite self, supernatural power, primordial power and mastering all of the elements, also balance, magick, mystery, wonder, a powerful guardian and guide. The dragon symbolism represents you as creator, bringing a visual of your inner strength within reflected on the outside and of your higher self.
As you can see, the Dragon is curled around in a graceful dance, merging with the rest of this tapestry. Everything is connected, interwoven, builds upon the others, enhances each, and is in harmony and relationship to all. There is a power to this Dragon, but also a gentle strength and sweetness, as she flows through and rests with awareness among the Cherry Blossoms. She is wise and incredibly empowered, but also we see a tenderness to her that comes from embracing the vulnerability within us and not having to display our power in such overt ways, but to emanate it with grace.
Energy moves through the top and bottom and flows out each side, so there is a fluidity and not static quality to the design, although the mandala is quite anchored, which centers and grounds with its sacred geometry.
The conch lies center of the Hawk at the third eye and beak, reflecting the inner wisdom it holds through the insightfulness of the Hawk. The full-faced very held and soulful, penetrating gaze of Hawk, allows her to focus her vision, both inner and outer, with the inner guidance of her heart and intuition that are aligned with natural cosmic order…the center piece symbolism of the conch.
Without saying more, I’ll let you explore this sacred design and see where you journey.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred visionary piece of artwork or tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
There is currently a waiting list, but you can easily make your deposit at the link provided below to embark on this journey in partnership with me. Still spots for June if you’re interested.
For more information about the process and pricing please visit: Life Changing Tattoos
Some people have preferred to read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, especially if they are new to sacred tattoo designs, before embarking on this journey.
If you are drawn to learn more about sacred tattoos you can order a copy of the book here: Spiritual Skin
It is also available in Kindle format here: Spiritual Skin
I always add shading and detail to the drawings so that you can get a taste of what it might look like tattooed when details come together. But usually tattoo drawings by artists are done in just the simple outline of the piece and the details come together during the inking process…but this gives a reference to assist the tattoo artist and it helps you to envision the possibilities.
Sea Goddess Personal Mandala ~ Sacred Tattoo Design
Such a fun piece to create this one was and oh how I love the symbolism, as fellow Pisces myself.
This sacred tattoo design was created for a special Pisces client with some beautiful intentions she wanted to bring forth and emanate with her design we’d be co-creating.
What came to me right away when I was feeling into things and got the sizing we were working with, along with the upper, middle back area we both had intuited for her separately, was to create a personal Mandala.
Yet, not simply one that uses symmetry, but one that is more organic, flowing, feels like the energy is moving, graceful and feminine, yet also has harmony and balance to it within that organic execution. And since my client likes things off-center slightly, having it energetically balanced, but not necessarily all the exact same so that there is a sense of the natural at work, felt right.
Because of her love for nature and the ocean, the imagery that came through was of things that mirror this, while also reflecting the essence and energy of her and things to help empower and infuse her life with more of, drawing forth her gifts, and sharing who she is in essence.
I always have synchronicities that take place, and interestingly the night before I did the full outline execution of the vision, I had a dream of the ocean and a home that sat at the edge of a pebbled beach, where the ocean touched. And then the vision flowed through. I always receive the guidance and support to help with the channeling and to connect more deeply with the energy at hand.
Immediately a few things popped out to include, which are the seahorse, starfish, and ocean waves.
There’s also a lot of that ancient and sacred feminine flow of life in spirals everywhere in it, mirroring the spiral of life, the cycles of life, and even the nautilus and the tops of seashells I was feeling in essence.
These spirals then showing up in the waves, the curls of the starfish legs, and the curls of the seahorse tails.
There is the element of water here, but also an earthy grounded feel, which creates balance – this through a hint of almost a leaf-like design on the starfish body and the way the seahorses hold the energy grounded that is flowing all around…so like that connection to your core and body, although you are able to move in and out, be a chameleon, shift, and change.
The little “wings” of the seahorse bring in an aspect of the element of air as well, and since seahorses are considered the “hummingbirds of the sea,” they are bringing in the wisdom of these little messengers of the gods as well.
The two seahorses also remind me of a painting I did a few years back called “Dance of the Twin Flames” which had two seahorses in it.
To me, this aspect of the two seahorses is not isolated to a union found/created outside of oneself, but truly speaks about the union, and honor and cultivation, of our parts and the Sacred/Divine Feminine and Masculine within each of us that we bring together in wholeness and to be in the wholeness of our essence.
The two beautiful sea horses (known as hummingbirds of the sea) symbolize the Divine Feminine and Divine Masculine in harmony as they unite. This equates to an honoring of all of our parts and both our left and right brain, as well as a marriage within us of mutual respect for each of the energies our parts have to share with us and that we can offer to the world in our most shining way when we honor them and bring them forth through our individual gifts.
As I’ve written before, sea horse wisdom shares the messages of joy, understanding the importance of the courtship dance within and without, stability in emotional waters, ceremony, bonding monogamously for life, great keepers of secrets, keen vision, psychic energy, analysis, strategy, independence, etiquette, sharing and mixing up of gender roles (as the male sea horse carries the young and births them), the water element, and connection with Poseidon.
Sea horses are graceful and almost mythological creatures that are one of those rare species that don’t seem to fit with any others in their category. They possess so many different qualities, similar to a platypus, and have been around since ancient times (40 million years ago). They can even change their color and pattern to match the environment they are in, so they speak to our ability to merge and flow with change with greater ease and grace.
And although they are known as “hummingbirds of the sea,” having dorsal fins that flutter as much as 35 times per second, they are built more for maneuverability than speed and actually don’t move around all that much. They prefer to wrap their tails around sea vegetation for stability, hence speaking to a grounding energy, although they live within the waters of life. They are able to hover just as hummingbirds, however their dorsal fin flapping speed is amazing since it takes place under water.
They are both remarkable and ethereal, creating and bringing an air of mystery and intrigue to our life, along with enchantment, magick, and a lot of balancing wisdom that grounds these more etheric concepts. They make dreams a reality…the unbelievable believable…the miraculous a daily potential.
The starfish that cradles the two seahorses as the backdrop and anchoring of the piece has such magickal symbolism as well. The starfish is a universal and celestial symbol of infinite divine love. It has been used to represent the Virgin Mary – or Stella Maris, which means Star of the Sea – an ancient title she goes by because she is believed to lovingly intercede as a guide and protector of those who travel over troubled waters or seek their livelihoods on the sea. For this reason she is also seen as an emblem of salvation during trying times, which the starfish reflects in this mirroring symbolism.
In addition to love, the starfish also emanates the energies of inspiration, guidance, brilliance, intuition, and vigilance, with its connection to the stars. In Egyptian mythology, the starfish is one of the many titles of the Goddess Isis – a name by which tempest-tossed sailors adored and honored her as. It is thought that the attributes of a marine deity may have been bestowed on Isis by sea-faring Greeks of Alexandria and that this assumption is then thought to point to Sirius, the bright star of Isis, being the Stella Maris.
The starfish is considered a keystone species that affects many other organisms in an ecosystem and plays a critical role in maintaining the structure of an ecological community – so this points to our interconnectedness and how your example of life not only changes things in your individual experience, but affects and can support the collective.
The starfish is also a symbol of healing and regeneration due to its amazing ability to regenerate an arm and an entirely new starfish. They are able to simply drop an arm and scurry away to safety at will in order to outsmart predators. Because quite a few of the vital organs are housed in starfish arms, this enables the possibility to grow an entire new starfish from an arm and part of the central disc, if ripped off it. So this points to our resiliency, regenerative and healing abilities, endurance, and personal power.
Starfish wisdom includes a connection to the Star People, regeneration, Moon magick, beauty, and tidal movement. They are a way for us to realize our potentials, promises of dreams, ways to connect with the mystical, and to flow with the waters of life in trust. They also infuse an essence of joy when you look upon them, like twinkling star treasures from the sea.
The symbolism of the number five (in their five legs) not only points to the pentacle and the five elements, but carries the essence of radical transformation, travel, adventure, motion, wonder of life, appreciation of the perception of chaos around us, action, and journeying within and without to name a few.
The legs of the starfish, in the design, are complimented by five swirling waves of the ocean in mirror to the spiraling energy.
All of this creating the feel of a flowering and blossoming effect with the entire Mandala shape AND the two seahorses inside also have a hint of heart-shape creation between the two of them…perfect for that unconditional love energy sitting over the Heart Chakra, emanating out in waves of flowing, soft, and graceful love for all of life.
In all, it’s sort of a watery star blossom emblem and celebration of life, worthy of a true Sea Goddess or Elemental.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred visionary piece of artwork or tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
There is currently a waiting list, but you can easily make your deposit at the link provided below to embark on this journey in partnership with me. I’m currently booked out until June.
ALSO – Don’t forget this month you could receive a free copy of Spiritual Skin if you book your design this month with a deposit. Details here: FREE copy of Spiritual Skin
For more information about the process and pricing please visit: Life Changing Tattoos
Some people have preferred to read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, especially if they are new to sacred tattoo designs, before embarking on this journey.
If you are drawn to learn more about sacred tattoos you can order a copy of the book here: Spiritual Skin
It is also available in Kindle format here: Spiritual Skin
Garden of the Goddess ~ Sacred Tattoo Mandala Design
It’s always an interesting challenge when I’m presented a piece to create that incorporates an already existent tattoo. With this design, I was to create something that integrated what you see at center – the Pentagram with Celtic Knot inverted triangle and the Moon phases.
From there, I wove the rest of the journey, incorporating my client’s essence and aspects of herself she wanted to draw forth for the new leg of her journey, as well as to bring to the surface in a more empowered way.
I told her immediately that I was feeling to create something ethereal and graceful, yet powerful, embodying a sacred and empowered Goddess essence. I also wanted it to have both an Earthy and mystical energy, combining balanced sacred geometry, but with a flowy, organic quality that is unique and feminine, actively creating itself in the moment.
It turned out to feel very Faery in essence and almost like a stained glass window or lattice work effect…so it’s like a vision peering into the soul essence of who she is and her intricacies – very tender and vulnerable, but regal and intentfully strong. A beautiful weaving of who she is, like an illuminated star blossom.
Immediately when I started tuning in, I received the Peacock, Moth, and Star Jasmine and the rest wove itself as I wanted to tie in qualities that would enhance the tattoo she already had, and also work with its essence, so that it looks like it was meant to be and not pieced together.
Overall, I feel like it’s a portal into this enchanted Garden of the Goddess (or Empress/High Priestess). So magickal!!
I love when my clients are open to what flows through, realizing there is a reason that something they may not have considered, shows up. This client had shared a couple of things that she resonated with, but they did not energetically do so for me when I tuned in, at least not in literal ways, or particularly for this piece. They were not matching the essence of the design and what wanted to come through, so I was guided that there was another way to bring about the energy in a more subtle and feminine flow that worked in alignment with her current tattoo.
For instance, my client had shared resonance with Elephants, and while a very powerful symbol, felt heavy, even if done in line drawings that she liked, and not as intricate and beautiful to her layers and this sacred feminine quality that ended up being created. It also didn’t energetically feel to fit with her current tattoo and I don’t like to just add things together that have no connective factor…I wanted it to blend and feel like one unified piece.
And the Tree of Life she also was drawn to came out in sort of an energetic/abstract way through this piece, rather than literal like so many other people have. There is a quality of entwined and wrapping branches from the six-pointed, organic star that bloom/grow from the center, which is like a Heart Chakra Lotus, because it has 12 petals. So the family connection and her roots are at the core of her being and heart, and are the connection of unity for her. The branches, rather than purely straight, bend like vines in this lattice work, showing her resiliency and strength to flow in any situation. And the branch-like vines double as the Star Jasmine vines, from which they grow as well – so many layers of symbolism, as you’ll continue to see.
Anyway, there is so much to continue to find and unravel in the piece. Here are some of the aspects included:
Personal Empowerment Mandala: (feels like the mandala is fluid and moving, so it is not static, although created with sacred geometry – has a flowing quality that recreates itself each moment as she shifts and changes) Mandalas are geometric figures representing the Universe. In this case, she is the Universe and this empowerment mandala is a reflection of the very “fabric” of her You-niverse – the core of her being and aspects of her higher self to help her to move more gracefully into expressing that. The mandala will help to focus her energy in a way that is connected to her authentic self.
Peacock: the Peacock was a surprise to her, although she resonated with and loved the energetic symbolism of them always. I find it powerful when things are revealed to my clients about themselves that they hadn’t fully thought of, or that sneak up on them. Often the very reason things at first sit a bit odd, is because they haven’t yet fully embraced this part of themselves it reflects, or the responsibility and power it might bring up for them. The Peacock has a very regal essence and is both humble and yet stands with dignity and strength. There is a tenderness in its eyes and a feeling of honoring and respect, as well as flowing grace. I just wanted hints of the peacock coming forth, so two gorgeous flowing tail feathers delicately peek through one end, as the Peacock emerges from the other. Almost as if this mandala is a dimensional portal where things manifest from and come through as it shifts into the right elements to create alchemy. And all of the things you find in the piece are qualities of her essence and wholeness that are peeking forth and emerging more, as she steps into her fullness and power. From elegant, Earthly being, majestically and gracefully reigning over the gardens of life, they transform into an other-worldly, Phoenix-like creature soaring magickally through the limitless sky. Peacocks symbolize many things including integrity, the beauty we can achieve through showing our authentic colors, guidance, protection, holiness, nobility, vibrancy, help on your spiritual path, breath of new life into your experience, rejuvenating self-esteem, expansion of your creativity and imagination, and courage to show up as your unique self. They also symbolize glory, vision, watchfulness, royalty, spirituality, awakening, immortality, refinement, beauty, desire, enjoying life, generosity, longevity, compassion, sensuality, immortality, and expansiveness. In Buddhism the peacock symbolizes expansive consciousness and is representative of the all-compassionate goddess Kuan Yin. The eyes of the peacock feathers symbolizing the omniscient essence of the soul that is all-seeing and all-knowing. As a royal status, peacocks represent the realm of the Empress and High Priestess. Being a solar animal peacocks express the essence of vitality, radiance, glory, stimulation, life, health, and invigoration. Alchemical traditions compare the resurrecting Phoenix to our modern-day Peacock, bestowing the symbolism of renewal upon it.
Moth: (there are two on the right top and left bottom at a diagonal) Moths are nocturnal. They symbolize dreams, shadows, otherworldliness, secret knowledge, higher awareness, psychic awareness and enhancement, inner knowing to navigate through the darkest hours of our lives, faith in uncertain shadowy times, vulnerability, determination, wise and balanced use of concealment – blend in when necessary and adjust and adapt when needed, attraction, subtlety and subtle allure, intuition, determination, navigation by lunar energy and light (feeling), vigilance in following your path of light, keeping your vigilance, adjusting your course accordingly to indications sensed rather than drive forward without heeding signs…
Star Jasmine: Jasmine remind you that all is in Divine order with the Divinity of your existence. (they remind me of nature’s stars and worked symbolically and aesthetically so beautifully I felt) They are simple star-shaped, five-petaled blossoms – ethereal and magickal. White Jasmine is both known as poet’s Jasmine and the “Queen of flowers.” They have an intoxicating fragrance that draws in hummingbirds, butterflies, and humans alike. Jasmine flowers symbolize many things to many different cultures. Some of these include love, romance, modesty, sensuality, amiability, nobility, grace, and elegance. However, the Jasmine also holds strong spiritual and religious significance, as it has been a constant symbol of divinity and hope. They felt like the perfect magickal touch to this piece, both of nature of also like star blossoms, tying in the star pentacle you have on your tattoo, and your own integration of cosmic and earthly essence. They float like the illumination the moths are instinctively and intuitively following to stay on their path/which is you and your instinctive clarity guiding you. Some of the star jasmine are entwined in the flowing Celtic knots of the mandala, as they speak of integration and the many layers you have, how all things are connected and integral to the journey.
Hexagon: The mandala took on a 6-pointed design, which holds a very potent and beautiful quality. The number six is also significant and felt meaningful for her. It represents harmony, balance, soulful integration, perfect union, communication, sincerity, love, beauty, truth, enlightenment, naturally revealing solutions for us in a calm, unfolding manner, delicate diplomacy in sensitive matters, reliability, home, family, lighting our path in areas we require spiritual and mental balance, and encourages compassion and forgiveness. It is connected with the very powerful Hexagon and Merkaba.
Star Essence: the total piece has the essence of a star symbolism, as well as a blossom…or rather I’d say – a star blossom. Her current tattoo nestled as the center of this organic flower that then emanates, opens and reveals more layers to itself as it blossoms.
Celtic Knot: found in the branching vines are used to tie in with her tattoo at center, creating the essence of eternity and continuity.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred visionary piece of artwork or tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
There is currently a waiting list, and a monthly limit of only 6 additional clients I can take alongside that. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided below to embark on this journey in partnership with me.
For more information about the process and pricing please visit: Life Changing Tattoos
Some people have preferred to read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, especially if they are new to sacred tattoo designs, before embarking on this journey.
If you are drawn to learn more about sacred tattoos you can order a copy of the book here: Spiritual Skin
It is also available in Kindle format here: Spiritual Skin
You can also order your personal copy here: Signed and Inscribed Copy of Spiritual Skin
In Memory Of ~ Sacred Mandala Tattoo Design
This design is a custom Mandala created for a client that wanted to honor her mother. She wears a tattoo that honors her father already, and so this one will be in compliment to that piece.
It will bring balance as a sweet energy partner to the more masculine, bolder energy of the piece she wears, with more feminine qualities, as well as a more spiritual, ethereal lightness/softness. I didn’t want to create something overly dual in nature, but rather something that would combine some energetic elements so that they enhance and merge, rather than are complete opposites. So I used some bolder lines to match her other design, but with a softer quality.
Her relationship with her mother was different than her relationship with her father – much more layered, in depth, and complex.
There’s a sacred centering quality with this design in creating symmetry, and a mix of pointed edges combined with rounded ones, and flow/organic, as well as sacred symbolism.
I combined the elements that were important to my client and managed to get them all in. In this case, she knew what she wanted and the symbolism it all represented, but it was up to me to figure out how to put them all together, interpret, and combine them somehow – to tell the story.
Sometimes my clients have very clear ideas of what they would like and other times they bring the essence, and I supply the vision to reflect it.
The elements she brought to me to work with were the Dragonfly (represents her mom’s spirit/have shown up for her since her passing at meaningful times – she desired something abstract), Scales of Justice (representing Libra, which her mom was), Star (a beautiful bright star was in the sky the last night before her mom transitioned/this also provides comfort of her presence), Greek Key (her heritage), Mandala (sacred/spiritual connection), and Heart Chakra essence (her spirituality and yoga practice).
The Dragonfly is at center and I created it abstractly, as desired, subtly but strong, and with a transparent quality, and yet her presence is integral and stabilizing to the energy. She anchors the center and the middle of the body I actually created as an Infinity symbol for that unity and cycles of life essence – all things are connected and eternal. The darker lines are the wings at both sides that you can see through clearly, sort of mirroring that reflective/luminescent quality they have in real life. The Dragonfly of course representing her mother and the way she has messaged her. The Dragonfly also very subtly has a mirroring quality to the Scales of Justice it points to above.
I wanted the whole piece to have a very layered and complex feel, to symbolize the more in depth and layered relationship she shared having with her mother, as well as each of their individually dimensional layers. So the design is built upon these layers and also the wings of the Dragonfly are transparent, creating vulnerability and dissolving of illusions, as well as clarity of focus and intent.
The main part of the Mandala is created as the Heart Chakra Twelve-Petaled Lotus. Inside of the twelve petals this blossom is layered with almost like a Sun and even Star quality effect with tiers of petals both rounded and in temple points with some delicate dot detailing on some and shaded aspects for depth and contrast. The center of the blossom, like a full Moon, illuminates behind the Infinity symbol.
The bottom of the Dragonfly is created almost as a stem and petaled detailing (also somewhat reminds me of the fleur-de-lis design) that holds the Infinity symbol and anchors the body in grounded balance, but also holds and frames the emanating center that is blossoming and illuminating outward. The Dragonfly has a strong and refined presence, although is integrated into the design and revealing to the layers beneath it.
I added 3 dots at both top and bottom to tie in with the dotted quality in the blossoms (adding some hints of delicate Mehndi quality) and to draw energy both up and down, in and out, as above, so below…Three is a symbol of creative power, growth, magic, intuition, expression, versatility, pure joy of creativity, celebration, very goddess energy connected and reflective of the Empress in the Tarot, overcoming duality, manifestation, integration, complete cycles, flow.
And at the top of the center, and above the Dragonfly, is a Seven-Pointed Star anchoring flowing tendrils of energy at either side that double as the Libra essence (her mother was a Libra) with subtle Scales of Justice ending in Greek Key design (again her heritage). The Seven-Pointed Star is also known as the Pleiadian Star or Faery Star and is a Gateway to the Otherworld. A beautiful reminder of eternal life and her eternal connection to her mother.
This, along with the entirety of the symbolism in this piece, representing her ability to connect with her mother through the portal of her Heart Chakra, as her presence – the Dragonfly – is always with her and can be accessed in this way. The energy also speaks to the qualities she is gifted to integrate into the totality of who she is as a reflection of her mother…and also father (the design she already wears), as a blending of both and yet emerging as something more.
Such a beautiful energy and connection between mother and daughter that I was able to assist in bringing forth. It’s meaningful to be able to create memorable pieces like this for others.
If you would like to partner in co-creating your own sacred visionary piece of artwork or tattoo design to embody the empowerment you desire, you can contact me at tania@spiritualskin.com.
There is currently a waiting list, and a monthly limit of only 6 additional clients I can take alongside that. You can easily make your deposit at the link provided below to embark on this journey in partnership with me.
For more information about the process and pricing please visit: Life Changing Tattoos
Some people have preferred to read my book, Spiritual Skin ~ Sacred Tattoos: More than Skin Deep, especially if they are new to sacred tattoo designs, before embarking on this journey.
If you are drawn to learn more about sacred tattoos you can order a copy of the book here: Spiritual Skin
It is also available in Kindle format here: Spiritual Skin
You can also order your personal copy here: Signed and Inscribed Copy of Spiritual Skin
Tania Marie 