A great majority of tattoo galleries across the world devote a good majority of their selection to pictures inspired by the animal kingdom. Whether worn as a visual witness to animal rights and protection or as a personal testimony of religious or spiritual convictions and beliefs, animal tattoo designs are being worn by humanity all across the globe. Indeed, animals have been viewed by some religions with such respect that all of their followers refuse to eat meat or other animal products. Others revere certain creatures (like cows in India) and offer them special protection and/or homage. Still others avoid particular animals because of undesirable capabilities or. Throughout the ages, mankind has come to respect certain living things for their strengths and capabilities. This is attested to by the number of popular proverbs, clichs and metaphors that extol (or admonish against) certain animals characteristics. A few would include:

When most people think about getting an animal tattoo design, they think of leopard tattoos, butterfly tattoos or, at the most extreme, maybe a full back eagle tattoo or a jaguar tattoo that appears to be ripping through their skin. They might even decide on an elaborate wolf tattoo that symbolizes their inner wild side or a snake tattoo that coils around an arm or leg. Usually, people do not think of actually becoming the animals that they have tattooed on their bodies...

Care Bears are lovable little fuzzballs that live in a wonderful world called Care-a-Lot high in the clouds. Their job is to help the children of the world learn to care about each other. However, they also happen to be introducing all lovers of rainbow colored bears with designs on their tummies to the fascinating world of body art. Each Care Bear has two distinct tattoo designs...

Celtic knotwork tattoos are extremely popular and highly symbolic, and have been for many years. These highly ornamental styles of tattoo are very common in a wide variety of images and patterns, and many people enjoy customizing Celtic knotwork to fit their own ideas and tattoo designs...

Since the mid to late part of the nineteenth century, circuses and carnival sideshows have been displaying so called self-made freaks. These freaks are often unique and usual, varying from one show to the next. However, many of these people are those who have transformed their bodies with tattoos and body modifications. Today, circus tattoo freaks are less common as society is more...

The popularity of the dolphin tattoo design can most definitely be traced back to a long standing empathy and understanding between our two species. Humans and dolphins have co-existed for quite some time now, and the more we continue to learn about these creatures, the more we come to believe that the dolphin carries a divine spark that separates them from other animals.

Dragons are a classic choice for a tattoo design. They are more popular then many other mythological creatures including mermaid tattoos, gryphon tattoos and fairy tattoos. Dragons are depicted as powerful and free. Their legend is always cloaked in magic and mystery. They come from the tops of japanese mountains and the bottom of the deepest oceans. Dragons are usually portrayed as highly intelligent and evolved creatures.

The image of the dragonfly sparks the creative power of the imagination. Living in an aura of fantasy, the dragonflys fluttering wings inspire thoughts of fairies and butterflies; bubbles and snowflakes. They flit from flower to flower, from tree to tree; settling on dew-kissed leaves and grass. Within sight yet always out of reach, the dragonfly has buzzed itself into the tattoo culture. Dragonfly tattoo designs are landing everywhere on arms, chests, hips and tailbones!

There are many people who have tattoos in the world, but none of them are as famous as Enigma. Enigma is one of the most famous tattooed people in the world due to his extensive and creative tattoo work. He is a sideshow performer, an actor and a musician. An interesting character, he has undergone extensive tattoo work on all areas of his body. The Enigma was born as Paul Lawrence. His current jobs as a musician, an actor and a sideshow performer are all likely due to the interest he gains when people realize the extent of the body modification he has experienced. His body modification includes horn implants, the reshaping of his ears, multiple piercings all over his body and his famous jigsaw-puzzle tattoo which covers his entire body.

The horse is a hoofed mammal and a member of the Equidae family. Before they were tamed, horses were one the main sources of food for man. Domesticated between 4500 BC and 3000BC, they are one of the most important animals to modern civilization and culture. Horses are characterized by their long legs, strong backs and extensive mane and tails. Used in work, war and entertainment, horses have b ...

Hummingbirds have made scattered appearance is mythology. The Aztecs had a god Huitzilopochtli that was often depicted as a hummingbird. The northern Paiute Indians say that Hummingbird once filled his pants full of seeds and started on a journey to see what was beyond the sun. He ate only one seed a day, but had to turn back because his food gave out. He didn't see anything. In eastern B ...

Whether its a butterfly tattoo on a lower back or a dragonfly tattoo on your shoulder, insect images have become a popular choice for body art enthusiasts everywhere. Rendered in many styles from tribal to Celtic, realistic to fantasy, these insect tattoo designs appear in personal body art galleries around the world...