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Butterfly Wrist Tattoos
There are a lot of reasons why butterflies are one of the most popular patterns for wrist tattoo designs. The great variety of patterns on their brightly colored wings, and their erratic yet graceful flight attracted attention for centuries. These beautiful creatures of nature are spread all over the world. The smallest ones (Pygmy Blue with a wingspan of 1/2 inch = 15 mm) you can find in the southern United States, while the largest ones (Alexandra’s Birdwing, having a wing span of 11 1/8 inch = 280 mm) in the rain forest of New Guinea. In between there is an enourmous choice with abt. 28.000 species, hardly to be able to follow.
Another reason, perhaps even more important, is the symbolism assigned to them. A butterfly is seen in many cultures, as the personification of a person’s soul, a phenomenon of After-Death Communiction, a symbol of metamorphosis and continuous change, in certain cases also that of fight and fire (read more about Flame Wrist Tattoos). Diverse cultures looked upon the butterfly as a symbol of transformation, regeneration and flight.
Culturally butterflies are beloved motifs in the visual and literary arts. Although then not used for wrist tattoo designs, artistic depictions of butterflies are to be seen in many ancient cultures. You can find them in the Egyptian hieroglyphics (abt. 3.500 years ago), as well as in the pottery and feather work of Ancient Mexico (Aztecs, Mayans and Chichimecs). The exquisite beauty of butterflies and their poetry-in-motion flight were observed by the Mexicans and they made them a component of their art on stone and ceramics. Even one of their goddesses, Itzpapáloti is associated with a specie of butterflies and also one of their famous temples (Butterfly Temple in Teotihuacan). In Greek mythology one of the deities, Psyche (i.e. "soul" in Greek) is often characterized as having butterfly wings. It is believed, that Psyche’s mortal body was freed from death by Zeus (the supreme deity) and her "immortal soul" could soar and fly as free as a butterfly on leaving its chrysalis. Lots of animal images were integrated into the traditional Celtic culture too, and on of the most popular ones as a Celtic wrist tattoo design was the butterfly (read more about Celtic Wrist Tattoos). In tribal tattoo art while most designs were purely symbolic, some tribal wrist tattoos incorporated human or animal figures as well. Many tribal tattoos were administered as proof of the power of certain totem animals over the lives of those they chose to guard and bless. Millions of wrists have been decorated with gentle butterflies, flames of dragons, etc. in hope that these creatures’ merits will take hold. (Read more about Tribal Wrist Tattoos)
There are many symbolism associated with the exotic butterfly. In certain cases they represent the same meaning in different countries: they are regarded as symbols of one’s soul from Japan to the USA, including Europe as well. While in China two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love, in Japan they mean a happy marriage. In Mexico they represent immortality and their fluttering wings are the symbols of energy. In many religions people associate the emergence of butterfly with rebirth after death. Butterfly is generally regarded a symbolic after death communication sign. Certain nations think, butterflies will bring good luck. Native Americans believed, dreams are brought to us in sleep by a butterfly. Their ritual butterfly dance symbolized rebirth, regeneration and happiness.
The Butterfly reveals the feminine influence in tattoo culture. Generally speaking, butterflies are an overwhelmingly female tattoo design. However, the Butterfly is not entirely the exclusive domain of the feminine. The Roman Emperor, Augustus, took it as his personal symbol, and the warrior priests of the Mexican Popolucas peoples sported the Butterfly as a motif on their breastplates. Their Butterfly was also the symbol of fire 
(read more about Flame Wrist Tattoos) .
There are many motives for loving butterflies, and millions of people do so. Having them as a wrist tattoo, you can ensure to have one of these beautiful and mysterious creatures always with you. So, are you still thinking of getting a butterfly wrist tattoo but can't find "the one" you are looking for? Wrist-Tattoo.com can help! We have reviewed a lot of the web’s tattoo design collections and can tell that the ones below are by far the best ones. Whether you are looking for butterfly wrist tattoo designs or other styles, these collections will help you find the tattoo you want for the rest of your life.
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