Geometric Tattoos

Geometric is a unique tattoo style that utilizes clear shapes to create or accentuate an image. Like with American Traditional there are certain meanings attached to the symbols; but just because there are common meanings doesn’t mean that they have to have those meanings to you. Geometric can be anything from a small simple mandala to a full sleeve of interconnecting shapes. These have a really striking look because of the inorganic shapes we are not used to seeing with the organic flow of the body. Geometric tattoos can also go hand in hand with illusion tattoos.  

Most geometric tattoos are completely custom from design to individual meaning, but there are some common images or themes that carry a symbolism for many of their wearers:

• Cubes– are often to represent the earth, or stability in oneself.
• Tetrahedron – Represents fire and is a pyramid shape.
• Icosahedron – Represents water and is a multifaced 3D shape.

• Designs that include a pattern of fracturing – are often sought out by those looking to symbolize the delicate balance of life between chaos and control.
• The gordian knot – This is a common image that we see in geometric tattoos, though it has a somewhat Celtic look; it symbolizes an unsolvable problem and can be reduced to a symbol of interlocking rings. 

The cool thing about large scale geometric is the depth that can be achieved. Like with any tattoo, utilizing light and dark shades is essential to creating depth and a well balanced look. In geometric the nature of the inorganic shapes makes this balance even more obvious and powerful to the overall concept. This is where geometric and illusion work overlap. Precise shading in an image tattoo creates realism, precise shading in geometric creates a 3 dimensional look (which is more or less geometric realism). This is a very abstract concept, the takeaway is simply that geometry and illusion work go hand in hand quite often. 

You can see the illusion work in the right most photo here. As well as a variation of that fractal patterning in the middle, left photo. These images may very well be sacred geometry to the wearers, the distinction was not made in the photo sources.

Sacred Geometry

Another important section of geometric work is sacred geometry. This is not exclusive to tattoos but are powerful geometric images that have long held power in the tattoo world! Chronic ink summarizes the sacred history well saying, “Tattoos were once used to protect the wearer while also symbolizing a spiritual connection with the gods. Tattoos are powerful, evocative, attractive, and mystical.” I talk more about this concept in an early post, Medicinal and Therapeutic Ancient Tattooing in the Arctic, so I’m not going to dive too deeply into the history of sacred tattoos here but definitely check that post out for a more historical perspective. 

The most important aspect of sacred geometry is symmetry. Sacred geometry can be sacred in the literal sense pulling inspiration from a religion itself, since many places of worship including ancient pyramids, temples, and cathedrals have specific shapes and patterns of numbers that can be pulled from to create a meaningful geometric image for a specific client. There are common symbols in sacred geometry but for the most part the sacristy is specific to the person getting the tattoo and is custom made to their beliefs and connection to the piece.   

Some common starting points and symbolism include: 

• The flower of life – This image was originally used in architecture and artwork found around the world.

• Metatron’s cube – This is a derivative of the flower of life that has more religious meanings because it was often used in Eastern and Western religions, even making it into the artwork in places of worship.

• Chambered Nautilus shell – The Chambered Nautilus is one of earth’s oldest creatures and so it often symbolizes nature in growth, and renewal. These leave a little more room for creativity than something like the flower of life. Artists can get really creative with how these spirals appear in their geometric tattoos. They are sometimes even reduced to just a spiral as seen in one of the photos below.

In conclusion, geometry in tattoos can have a variety of applications. Like any tattoo it can be just because, and provide framing or accent to another image that is not geometric. It can also be geometric shapes that create an image in itself; on a small scale or as large as a whole sleeve. Geometry is also used in creating illusion tattoos, and for sacred and spiritual imagery. Though there are some common symbols and meanings out there these tattoos are custom in every way down to the meaning for the individual wearer. 

Sources:

• https://www.badhabitstattoos.com/blog/geometric-tattoos-meaning/
• https://www.chronicinktattoo.com/blog/sacred-geometry-tattoos-design-meaning-toronto-vancouver/https://www.drbeckybeaton.com/the-
• nautilus.html#:~:text=The%20chambered%20nautilus%20is%20one,reflected%20in%20its%20spiral%20precision.
• https://www.symbols.com/symbol/gordian-knot
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Icosahedron
• https://nextluxury.com/tattoos/geometric-tattoo-sleeve-designs-for-men/

Gatekeeper

Hi there! I'm Taylor, you may know me as Sterling Skull reception, or gatekeeper, or most recently Tater (thanks Chris). I love writing, creating and I love tattoos; so what better way to use my passions than to bring you a personal experience of our studio via a blog! Welcome, please stay a while!