Even thousands of years later, the world of ancient Egypt seems mysterious and enigmatic, so much so that even nowadays we are still inspired and in awe with this ancient culture and civilization. From mythology to mesmerizing art and symbolism, ancient Egyptian culture will probably never cease to amaze and inspire us.
That would explain why Egyptian tattoos are so popular, worldwide. The ancient symbolism, motifs, Egyptian hieroglyphs, and deities serve as never-ending inspiration for different concepts of Egyptian tattoos. Even ancient Egyptian tattoos seem to make a comeback in modern times.
Therefore, if you’re interested in getting an Egyptian tattoo, you’re in the right place. In the following paragraphs, we’ll explore popular Egyptian symbolism and motifs as well as how they can be used for your tattoo design. So, let’s get started!
Popular Egyptian Motifs + Tattoo Designs and Meanings
Egyptian Cat Tattoo
Cats were some of the most important animals in ancient Egypt. For thousands of years, they were represented in religious and social practices, so much so, that even several Egyptian deities were depicted to have cat-like heads. For example, the deity Mut (meaning ‘mother goddess’) was depicted as a cat in the company of a cat.
The reason for all of this lies in the protective nature of cats; for centuries, cats were responsible for killing snakes, scorpions, and mice around Egypt, saving the people from numerous illnesses.
As for Egyptian Cat tattoos, the cat is often depicted with wings, heavily adorned with jewelry, and incredibly striking eyes. The cat is often black and features elements like the Eye of Horus, rising suns, and other Egyptian motifs.
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One of the globally recognized ancient Egyptian symbols is the Eye of Horus. It is a religious symbol that represents healing, well-being, health, and protection.
The symbols of the Eye stems from a mythical conflict between Horus and Set (god of desserts and storms, rival of Horus). Set managed to injure Horus and destroy his eyes. However, one eye for healed and returned to Horus, who later offered his eye to his deceased father Osiris.
The eye symbol as we know it today is actually a hieroglyph, that was also used as a mathematic symbol in ancient Egypt (it stood for fractions). As a tattoo, the Eye of Horus is bold and striking, evoking the mysterious and mythical at first glance.
