Leo the Lion

Found this Lion, listed under Creative Commons, on Flickr and just had to share it for all those born under the sign of Leo.  According to the folks over at Astrology.com those born under this sign are strong, limelight loving people who are: "an ambitious lot, and their strength of purpose allows them to accomplish a great deal. The fact that these folks are also creative makes their endeavors fun for them and everyone else." So, happy birthday to all the Leos out there!

Ouroboros Back Tattoo

This stunning image comes from the Flickrstream of Amy Messere and is listed under Creative Commons.

History tells us the ouroboros first appeared in the ancient Egyptian book "Enigmatic Book of the Underworld" found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun which dates it to about the 14th century BCE (before the common era).  The story concerns Ra and his union with Osiris in the Underworld. From there the ouroboros is discussed by the Greek Plato as being the first being, complete unto itself: "For the Creator conceived that a being which was self-sufficient would be far more excellent than one which lacked anything..." In the Middle Ages it was sometimes found on playing cards including tarot cards and alchemists also employed the ouroboros as one of their many sigils.  Whoever was using it the symbol has always represented the never ending cycles of birth, life, death and rebirth, in many ways similar to the phoenix, and is a fairly popular tattoo image.

Triquetra

Found this triquetra, listed as free to use, on Flickr. The above is not the only version of the triquetra but is most certainly one of the most popular and, as you might imagine, has a long history of religious use. It features on ancient German rune stones as well as being popular among ancient Celtic pagans although not often as a stand alone symbol but rather as featured along with other symbols and text. And, being that it is three pointed, it was also popular with early Christians as representing the Father, Son and The Holy Spirit.  Today it is very popular among neopagans as a triple goddess symbol representing the Maiden, Mother and Crone.

Sigil and Pan

Here are new submissions from Nikki. The first is a unique sigil and the lower is Pan.  Sigils have a long history of magical use going back thousands of years and are quite popular among modern pagans as well as other magic practitioners. This sigil "represents the power to manifest the will" according to Nikki. And Pan is a horned god of wildness, music, mountains, shepherds and their flocks and companion of the nymphs. Thanks for sharing Nikki!

Triple Moons with Tree Goddess

Another free to use image from Flickr. I've seen several similar tattoos over the years, with varying images within the full moon but this may be one of my favorites.

Symbolic Valkyries

Found this free to use tattoo on Flickr.  The owner says: "My first tattoo, represents the valkyries taking warriors to valhalla where they will feast until they have to fight in the ragnarökIt was made in the Brutal Tattoo @ Mexico City, Londres #101, Zona Rosa - by Magic."   Pretty awesome ink, eh?

Fragile Beltaine Bulb

Beltaine Dog Tags

Beltaine Runes

Mjollnir

This tattoo comes from tattoo artist Missi.

I designed this Mjollnir for my partner who is Norse Pagan, this Thor's Hammer incorporates pieces from many traditional Thor's Hammers found in excavations within Scandinavia from the viking era.

Thanks to Missi for sharing this tattoo with us!

Green Man Chest Piece

Awen's Green Man

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

Here we have another reader submission, this one from Awen 13 who says:

The center piece is the green man which has six additional faces within the design.  On my chest there are five bind runes and two other symbols.  The two pentacles on my upper body are ancient symbols from Hebrew texts.  The tattoos were done by Shad Perlich who did a fantastic job. 

Thanks so much to Awen 13 for sharing his great tattoos!

Amazing Horned God

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This positively gorgeous Cernunnos comes to us from reader Richard who says:

It is a representation of The Horned God, Cernunnos, or Herne. To me it is symbolic with my connection to him as one of my patrons and was done as a devotional act to honor our bond.

Thanks so much to Richard for sharing his stunning tattoo!

Lady Justice

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of ibroodnow and is licensed under Creative Commons.

8 January is a day sacred to Justitia, Roman goddess of, you guessed, justice. I imagine the ancients didn't imagine their goddess with such an impressive chest but it's a nice tattoo nonetheless.

Triple Spirals, Again

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This gorgeous tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of Chris dB and is licensed under Creative Commons.

Yeah, it's another tattoo of spirals. And it's another tattoo of a triple spiral similar to those at Newgrange. What can I say? I'm a junkie.

Tiger Totem

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This tattoo comes to us from reader Heather! It was inked by artist Alex at Good Times Tattoo in Salt Lake City, Utah. Heather had this to say about her gorgeous tiger:

I've always been attracted to tigers and everything that they stand for. My very first tattoo was of one and I feel like it's not just my totem but that perhaps I was one in a prior life. My love for them surrounds me and my home.

Thanks so much to Heather for sharing her tattoo!

Athena: Watchmen Style

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This gorgeous Athena tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of Ohnocriso and is licensed under Creative Commons.

This tattoo is based on original art by Dave Gibbons from the comic The Watchmen.

Snake Oil Ink

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This nifty tattoo comes from the Flickrstream of Opacity and is licensed under Creative Commons.

I guess this is technically an advertisement but it's so cool I don't care. The oil refers to a product of the Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which just happens to be one of the coolest stops for your aromatherapy and other witchy needs. What I like most about this tattoo is it's similarity to old fashioned hoodoo items.

Mandala Back Piece

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This gorgeous mandala comes from the Flickrstream of tattoo artist Shannon Archuleta who works out of her shop in San Francisco.

Spider Fairy

Click image(s) to see the larger version(s).

This ooky fairy comes from the Flickrstream of Opacity and is licensed under Creative Commons.

Just another dark goddess type to mark the season! I'm kinda thinkin' this might be based an original painting so if someone knows anything about it be sure to speak up.