Arrow symbolism. Red carnation spell. Arrows and swords on coats of arms Amulet arrow meaning

The most common symbol in popular use of the heavenly Father and the fathers of humanity, the parental principle, the direction of thought. The arrow is close to the symbolism of the sun's ray, the fertilizing element of nature. The symbolic meaning of the arrow is explained very well by the words of the psalm: as are the arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are his sons. Happy is the man who fills his quiver.

The arrow contains the image of take-off, embodies overcoming boundaries, going beyond the limits of a (certain) sphere of being, understanding and feeling the world. Therefore, the bow and arrow are identified with the creative and destructive male and female forces, destroying boundaries and at the same time creating new worlds. In an allegory: DEATH is sometimes depicted with an arrow instead of a scythe. An arrow piercing the heel (the five senses are the basis for perceiving the world) of ACHILLES was the cause of his death.

In classical stories, the arrow, together with the bow, is an attribute of CUPID and thus also of VENUS and PUTTI. According to Ovid (Met., 1:468 ff.), Cupid's arrows were of two kinds: gold (kindling love) and lead (killing it). The bow and arrows are an attribute of APOLLO, as well as the huntress DIANA and the MOON, with whom Diana became identified.

The arrow is a symbol of the penetration of light, death, love, both human and divine. Graphically, the arrow represents energy, purposeful order, and the transcendence of space. The arrow is a solar symbol; it is used by the deity of love Cupid and other gods of love.

Like a spear and a sword, it is a solar symbol, meaning the rays of the Sun. Thus, an arrow piercing a snake symbolizes the Sun piercing the dark clouds of the humid element with its rays.

No less important is the phallic symbolism inherent in the arrow, which can be traced not only in the Indian tradition (for which it is extremely important), but also in other cultures. Arrows cause a “sweet wound” to the deity of love (Greek Eros, Latin Cupid, Indian Kama).

Basic values

solar symbol, rays;

take-off, ascent to the heavenly - flight of an arrow

male principle, phallic principle, masculinity;

lightning, rain, fertilizing element of nature, fertility;

strength, war, hunting;

actions whose consequences cannot be changed - those fired from a bow;

retribution, inevitability, purposefulness;

spiritual weapon

penetration - light, death, love (both human and divine);

energy, overcoming space;

martyrdom - Christianity;

world - broken or tied in a bundle;

impulse, speed, threat.

Penetrating, masculine principle. Means penetration, phallic origin, lightning, rain, fertility, masculinity, strength, war. The flight of the arrow symbolizes the ascent to the heavenly. An arrow flying straight is a straight path - between heaven and earth, a symbol of the course that we must follow. Never stray from what is true. Arrows shot from a bow mean actions whose consequences cannot be changed. Among the American Indians, arrows are the rays of the Sun. Among the Greeks, Apollo's arrows can be either beneficial and fertile, or burning and harmful. The arrows of Eros, in turn, are piercing darts of love. A heart pierced by an arrow symbolizes union. Arrows are an attribute of Diana, as a sign of light. Homer uses arrows as a symbol of suffering and disease inflicted on humanity by the gods, especially Apollo. For Hindus, this is an attribute of Rudra, the god of the earth, lightning and storms, who kills people and animals, causes pain and misfortune, but also brings fertility and healing rain. It is an attribute of Indra as the god of Heaven; his arrows symbolize both the rays of the Sun and lightning. In Mithraism' is the emblem of Mithra as the god of light. It's the same in shamanism. A feathered arrow means the flight of a bird to Heaven, the transition of the earthly state.

The Egyptians have two crossed arrows on their shield - a symbol of the goddess Neith as a warrior. As the mother of Ra, she was sometimes described as the "Great Cow who gave birth to Ra", and also as the "Divine mother who gave birth to Ra before anything was born", which meant that she was the first deity from whom the world came gods and people. At the same time, she also acted as the mother of the worst enemy of the god Ra - the huge serpent Apophis, who was born from Neith spitting into the waters of Nun. She was also considered the progenitor of all snakes and crocodiles. In the inscriptions from the Pyramid of Unas (the very first Pyramid Texts) she is called the “nurse of the crocodiles.” There are images of her in which the goddess breastfeeds two small crocodiles. Paradoxically, in myths, Neit herself protects Ra from snakes and crocodiles - her own creations. Two crossed arrows - The intersection of defining meanings, in this case the creation of the earthly and the heavenly. Neith feeds (the heavenly cow of the god Ra) - the heavenly, and breastfeeds snakes and crocodiles - the earthly, by the way, if a snake is in the hand, then it is a staff that helps on the path of ascension, if on earth, then the path is lost.

Spiritual meaning

And now I will give examples of the Spiritual meaning of symbols (briefly), perhaps this will help someone to consider mythological symbolism in more detail:

Question: Why is the symbol of love a heart pierced by an arrow, because a wounded heart must die?

A heart pierced by an arrow is a generally accepted symbol of a love affair. Cupid's heart and arrow symbolize Zivug (the union of the divine and the human).

The image of the heart, familiar to everyone, is two connected symmetrical halves that are connected together, at the top - forming a bend in the form of a concavity under the throat of the body of the First (Arich Anpin is the first image of likeness: “And God said: Let us make man in Our image, in Our likeness ..."), like two forearms, from which two hands come out (right and left) and are joined together at the bottom, like two palms with their fingers pointing down. (The right hand - receiving from above, gives to the poor, in relation to the light. The left hand - is considered poor, has the intention of bestowal, therefore it receives - those connected together have the property of bestowal - mercy). Note The head of the first is in an endless source. The Source is infinite and cannot be known except through the body - the Vessel (remember Christianity: to eat flesh from the body of Jesus Christ). The vessel is an internal part in relation to the world. The world is the external part in relation to the vessel.

Figuratively, it is a vessel from the shoulders of the First, (i.e., Christ) to the level of His foreskin, where the birth (of King David) took place into merciful hands (Mercy - has a reception for the flawed, in comparison with him. It carries two properties. Receiving to give which passes on to another, making him the same). The right side symbolizes the masculine principle, i.e. Zakhar, left - feminine - Nukva. And together they symbolize the heart (Vessel) - either love or a place of holiness, the fusion of two opposites. And if you draw a middle line between them with the arrow pointing upward, you will get a bow drawn with the arrow pointing upward. Where the amount of tension of the “string” corresponds to the thickness of the Aviut (AVIUT - (Hebrew thickness), size, amount of desire and desire to receive light.) and this is the limit on bestowal. And an arrow pointing upward (to the heavens) symbolizes bestowal, i.e. reflection of the Light of Hochma (HOKHMA - the Light of life, which carries within itself all the wisdom and knowledge of the creator) on the force of tension. And after bestowal, from above, under the pressure of Echida (the light containing everything, it is outside the vessel), filling occurs into the left female part of the vessel. Those. the reflected Light of Hochma, clothed in Hassadim (mercy) from the right and above enters the Nukva - the feminine (the arrow seems to return from heaven, so we do not know when our heart will be pierced by Cupid's arrow), and upon entering the pure left vessel it pierces the hymen of virginity on the left side, which means: Zachar - the male enters the Nukva or Zivug - intercourse.

This is not a wounded heart, but a fertilized one, which in the old Russian language means the word “feret”, and hence “tiferet” (beauty) - you are fertilized, the Heart and arrow of Cupid symbolize Coitus (Zivug) or beauty - harmony.

Beauty is something you can’t tear yourself away from, that’s why there is a force that holds you back from receiving pleasure into yourself. Strength - carries within itself the power of resistance against the desire to receive for oneself. Therefore, a vessel that includes the feminine principle (receiving), also has a masculine principle - strength, resistance to receive for oneself, this is a sacrifice, a kind of death of egoism, this is fertilization, for the birth of a new one or resurrection in a new property, all receiving is for bestowal, and this harmony - according to your needs, and everything to maintain harmony and peace.

Thus, a shooting target is like many circles enclosed within each other. These circles mean that it is impossible to approach the goal at will (earth - receiving). This is the same as the moon (receiving for bestowal) approaching the earth (only receiving or, on the contrary, only bestowing, in general, different properties with the moon). We can only rotate according to our orbits (properties) like planets. After all, sin (missing the goal) is like a centrifugal force that keeps us at a distance of a certain radius from the central axis according to our properties.

You can approach only according to the will of the Most High, which is love. This is the force of gravity that pulls us to the center, right to the target. Therefore, the path with the Heart is simple and direct and is like an arrow that hits the HEART.

LIMITATION – parts of the spiritual vessel located parallel to the light limit its spread.

DISTRIBUTION - parts of the vessel located from top to bottom contribute to the spread of light into the vessel.

LIGHT OF LIFE OR WISDOM - has one property, giving.

The Light of Grace is the reflecting light of life.

Light of Death - Sacrifice

Receiving the light of life into a vessel without grace leads to death. Called the bad death or the death of Adam. Has no resurrection.

Receiving the light of life into a vessel and expelling it from it is called a good death. Has resurrection to new life.

The sacrifice of Jesus is the ejection of the light of life from all five parts of the body.

The light of mercy, or grace upon grace, arises from the combination of the giver from above and the reflector from below. Having now two properties in itself, receiving and giving. Intertwined with two properties inside, it comes out. Light presses from above and below, forming inhalation and exhalation. Holy Spirit through the mouth. And in the form of hands as mercy. That is why it is called Holy Tongue and Holy Hands.

Light of revelation - A vessel filled with light has the property of giving to receive for bestowal. Final corrected state. Therefore, everything is open to him from below and when rising from above.

ETERNITY - the immovable properties of the source, as completely giving and therefore has no lack.

VICTORY for a warrior - the transition from death to eternal life - is an arrow hitting the target.

ARROW is a symbol of solar energy, the rapid penetration of light, love and death. An arrow can represent both war and peace. Peace, i.e. the end of the war is symbolized either by a broken arrow or several arrows tied in a bundle.

The arrow represents masculinity and masculine virtues, as it is associated with images of hunting, war, warrior, strength, accuracy, and the ability to use weapons. The arrow is an obligatory element of many of the coats of arms of famous military leaders in the past, who sought to emphasize their affiliation with the army and their victories on the battlefield. In the East (China, India, Indochina) newly born boys were given bows and arrows, thereby marking their original identity as hunters and warriors.

In mythology bows and arrows appear to be attributes of many gods, although they can be depicted in different ways: some celestials hold weapons in their hands, while others have arrows in a quiver behind their backs. The eagle of Jupiter clutches the thunderbolts of the Thunderer in its talons; the arrows of the Egyptian goddess Neith, the patroness of Sais, are crossed on her shield.

Purpose divine arrows also different: some bring fiery love to people, others - instant, inevitable death. Cupid always carried two arrows in his quiver: one symbolizes love, the possibility of a love marriage, the second - a quarrel between lovers, a marriage of convenience. The mischievous winged Greek god Eros (Roman Cupid or Cupid) has two types of wonderful arrows in stock: gold ones contain a powerful charge of love, while lead ones extinguish the strongest passion. Apollo's arrows are a symbol of the sun's rays, which, however, can not only warm a chilled traveler or saturate fertile land with life-giving power, but also burn all living things, dooming humanity to suffering. The arrows of Diana and Mithra are symbols of all-pervading light, symbols of earthly beauty, peace and tranquility, grace and silence.

The arrow is directly related to the symbol of lightning. It’s not for nothing that there is such a thing as “thunderbolts.” Places where lightning struck were considered sacred, and they were credited with performing all sorts of miracles. However, shooting an arrow into the sky was considered a sign of witchcraft, a desire to anger the gods, provoke their anger, bring trouble to the heads of ordinary people, provoke natural disasters such as floods, drought, hail, heavy rains, etc.

In world religions the arrow carries both positive and negative symbolism. In Hinduism and Buddhism Its phallic symbolism comes to the fore. In Islam the arrow represents the wrath of Allah, and in Christianity it is seen as a sign of martyrdom or death by lightning or plague.

An arrow is a way sign standing at crossroads. As a symbol of the movement, it is included in the emblems of tourist groups and travel companies.

What does the sign of the arrow symbolize in the world mythological tradition? What meanings did the image of an arrow receive in Christian culture? How and why is the arrow associated with the idea of ​​punishment and death?

Book of symbols. Arrow

The symbolism of the arrow, like almost all other archetypal (that is, constantly appearing) images, is ambiguous in most mythological and religious traditions. The arrow has always been connected in one way or another with cosmic phenomena that determine the world order, and with gods or cultural heroes.

In particular, it was an attribute of the divine Fathers, who are associated with the cosmic top and sky.

Examples of the meaning of arrows in mythology

The basic interpretations of this image are the same in all cultures.

Power. In ancient times, the arrow was a long-range weapon with great destructive power. there is a high probability that this is why it became a symbol of divine power and might, as well as sudden death, which means sent down from above. It is the fact of possessing such weapons as lightning that indicates the heavenly origin of the deity.

Many of the supreme gods even acquired their supreme status only when they received magic arrows. For example, Zeus became the recognized head of the Olympians only after the Cyclops forged lightning arrows for him, which immediately made Zeus the lord of the sky and the thunderstorm. With this magical weapon, the youngest son of Kron killed a gigantic monster - a creature of Chaos - and ensured the Olympians victory over the old gods and world domination. Since then, peruns - arrows - have become an obligatory attribute of the power of Zeus and Jupiter. These main gods are depicted with them in their hands or in the form of an eagle, in whose paws a full quiver is clutched. Among the Slavs, the thunder god Perun (princely, military patron) also throws fiery punitive arrows onto the ground during a thunderstorm. His brother the wind, Stribog, helps him in this. All peoples of the world consider lightning to be sacred, and the places where they hit often became places of worship, and temples were even built on them.

Male strength, love, the cosmic law of continuation of life. The sky (and therefore the heavenly deity) is both a source of life-giving and punishing power. In most mythologies, it was considered as the husband of the Earth, who fertilizes it during rain and thunderstorms with the help of water and fire, falling from above like arrows and giving new life. Such an act of fertilization, from the point of view of the priests, ensured cosmic balance. It is not without reason that sometimes even the cosmic spiral of the world was depicted in the form of a curled arrow.

Arrows have long been an allegorical sign of love, male sexual function and procreation. The ancient Greek god of love Eros (Eros) did not part with a quiver containing arrows that aroused carnal love.

Spiritual insight. The “flying arrow” emblem also has the meaning of another heat - not carnal, but spiritual. Therefore, in the religious attributes of Tibetan Buddhism there is a ritual attribute dadar (or damo), which is called the “arrow of predictions”. It is considered a special symbol of vitality, the path of Samsara, and spiritual rebirth.

Solar (heavenly) light. The image of an arrow is closely related to the heavenly sunlight, which underlay the creation of the cosmos. Thus, the ancient Egyptian Ra and Neith, the Slavic Dazhdbog and Yarilo, the Hindu Indra and Rudra, the Zoroastrian Mithra - the gods of heavenly light and sun rays - were also often depicted with arrows in their hands. Some Indian religious rituals involved throwing beautifully designed arrows into the sky to symbolize an offering to Indra. In the ancient Slavic tradition, the arrows themselves and their images were used in wedding ceremonies as mystical amulets against evil, unclean forces. They were necessarily stuck into the walls of the room in which the newlyweds’ bed was set up for their wedding night. Among many peoples, an arrow woven into the hair was considered a very strong protection against ill-wishers of any kind.

Hercules shooting from a bow. Ancient amphora

Taken together, the symbolism of the word arrow is associated with images:

• sun rays;
• ascent to the heavenly beginning (arrow flying upward);
• masculinity;
• lightning, rain, the fertilizing element of nature, fertility;
• strength, war, hunting;
• retribution, inevitability;
• spiritual weapons;
• death, pestilence, fleeting diseases, plague;
• love;
• overcoming space;
• take-off, ascent to heaven;
• dynamics (just like circles, spirals), expresses the idea of ​​transformation;
• martyrdom (in Christianity);
• spiritual weapons;
• threats.

The semantic component of this symbol, associated with the concept of “punishment,” is examined separately and in detail. After all, an arrow is, first of all, a deadly weapon with a high killing efficiency. In many mythologies, punishing gods bring death to people for their sins or disobedience to higher laws through arrows.

In Egyptian tradition the function of punishment was performed by Sokhmet. It was associated with the scorching rays of the sun, which in certain cases bring drought from the desert, burn out all living things, and cause pestilence among people.

Among the ancient Greeks mortals were similarly amazed by the twins Apollo and Artemis. Both of them were gods rather than life. Apollo (Phoebus) was associated with world harmony, light and the sun, and his sister - with the life-giving forces of nature. Both also patronized hunters. But if anyone committed sins, the gods, by will from above, destroyed the wicked with their death-carrying arrows. So they punished the ill-fated Niobe for disrespect for Latona (her own mother) by killing all her children. The inconsolable Niobe then turned into a rock out of grief. And during the war with Troy, many Achaeans died from the arrows of Apollo, who dared to kidnap and dishonor the daughter of Chris, the main Trojan priest of the light god. The Hellenes often saw in sudden death, and even more so in the world epidemic, the hand of the gods striking with arrows. Moreover, Zeus could personally punish, who threw lightning from the heavens, capable of destroying an entire city at once.

In Hinduism, the punishing gods were Rudra and Yama. Rudra is called "archer" in the Atharvaveda. His sinister image is associated with destruction and death.

Even the hymns that are dedicated to this god most often depict the horror that his formidable arrows inspire. They pray to him not to kill livestock, horses, relatives, and children. Yama is the master of hell, responsible for punishing sinful souls. He is the deity of death and disease, which he brings to earth with his terrible black arrows.

According to legend Slavic god Perun He also killed wicked people and perjurers with heavenly arrows. At the same time, he, like Yama, was associated with death through the funeral rite, which involved the performance of a number of rituals (including funeral sacrifices) in front of the idol of the deity. In particular, the bodies of the deceased were burned there, whose souls rose to Perun’s heavens, and from there to Nav.

The arrows of many mythological and legendary heroes were also punishing: Gilgamesh, Hercules, Paris, William Tell, Robin Hood, Russian heroes. They destroyed evil in all its incarnations - from mystical monsters to completely earthly villains.

To the left is an emaciated, hunched figure blowing towards Leiden. This is the personification of the Yellow Plague. Behind is a skeleton with a raised spear - the image of Death.

Punishing goddess Sokhmet

It was associated with the scorching rays of the sun, which in certain cases bring drought from the desert, burn out all living things, and cause pestilence among people.

Punishing god Rudra

Christian arrow symbolism

In Christianity, this is primarily a sign of martyrdom. Many martyrs for the faith were killed with the help of this weapon. The best known are the stories of Saint Ursula and Saint Sebastian. Both ascetics suffered at the hands of the pagans:

Ursula, who took a vow of virginity and dedicated her life to Jesus Christ, was shot by the wild Huns, since she preferred death to dishonor.

Sebastian was riddled with arrows by the executioners of Emperor Diocletian, a fanatical opponent of Christianity.

In iconographic images and paintings by artists, Ursula holds one arrow in her hands, and Sebastian is depicted tied to a tree and pierced by many arrows.

The second meaning of this image in Christianity is associated with the idea of ​​divine love, which penetrates the heart of the believer. We owe this allegory to St. Augustine. The third aspect of the perception of the symbol is divine protection. It is most fully personified by the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, which is called the seven-arrow icon. On it, the Virgin Mary is depicted pierced by seven arrows. It is believed that this image softens hearts, saves from conflicts, and drives thieves and robbers away from home. The most famous medieval Christian symbolism of the arrow is associated with the biblical tradition. As is known, a bow and arrow is held in the hands of one of the ominous horsemen of the Apocalypse, who personifies nothing more than death itself.

In the secular medieval tradition with the symbolic depiction of death (in the form of a skeleton in a robe), a bow (or crossbow) and arrows in her hands also sometimes appeared. With this weapon, she hits her victims with precision. However, at that time there was a belief that The plague is sowed by punishing angels to punish people according to God's will - also with the help of arrows.

Symbolic visual embodiments of the arrow have been popular throughout time. This image can be found on:

• emblems;
• pictographic (in the form of icons) letters;
• coats of arms of dynasties, cities, countries and enterprises.

A variety of meanings associated with the word “arrow” were put into the images. One of the interesting architectural forms of this kind was the obelisk. It denotes the apotheosis of eternal glory and embodies the idea of ​​eternity through the movement from earth to heaven frozen in stone.

Obelisks are usually made of eternal granite and are installed in memory of great events, exploits and the people who performed them. Monuments in the form of an obelisk are often erected in ordinary cemeteries.

You can read more about what values ​​are included in certain models of monuments

Famous Taoist symbol. It is depicted as two “fish” united in a circle, black and white, denoting an inextricable connection without mixing the male and female principles. And also the unification and complementarity of various forms of opposites: light and dark, soft and hard, hot and cold, including mountains and valleys. The mountain in this case is masculine, the valley is feminine. In the “eyes” of the “fish” (two points - black and white) we see the reflection of the masculine in the feminine and the feminine in the masculine, this indicates the attraction of opposites to each other, one does not exist without the other. This is a symbol of the unity of opposites: top and bottom, heaven and earth, light and darkness, spiritual and material. But not good and evil, since there is and never will be anything in common between good and evil. Yin-yang is a universal symbol of harmony and energy balance. Symbol of creation and destruction. The white “fish” is creation, and the black dot in it is destruction; the black “fish” is destruction, and the white dot in it is creation. In creation there is a seed of destruction, since any process of creation generates destruction. And vice versa, this is all the wisdom and understanding of the integrity of being.

Yin-yang harmonizes living space, brings goodness and good luck. A universal talisman for health, internal balance, harmonious relationships between husband and wife, suitable for relieving any conflicts. You can use it as an amulet of protection, place it in your home above the entrance, buy things with such symbolism, it’s good on bed linen.

Mandorla

One of the signs symbolizing the feminine principle, the materially manifested Universe, giving birth to all forms of life. This is a very ancient symbol of the Great Mother, Goddess, Devi, which also denotes the womb, womb, place of birth, which directly indicates fertility, childbirth, this is one of the forms of yoni (the feminine principle in the Vedic tradition). Mandorla, translated as “almond,” graphically looks like the junction of two intersecting circles, symbolizing the birth of life. In the center of the mandorla we can see a dot or other image signifying the seed of life, the masculine principle. And in Buddhism and Christianity, the figure of Buddha or Christ is placed in the mandorla: around them it is like a special form of halo, shining, meaning the union of the spiritual and material. When the spiritual, the spirit of life, impregnates the material - yoni. Mandorla conveys the radiance of divine glory, spiritualizes and creates countless forms of life. This symbol, as a talisman, is good for pregnant women and newlyweds, for successful childbirth.

Bow and arrow

These are symbols of the Sun, Moon, and the light emanating from them. It is necessary to distinguish between signs and symbols; a sign has one meaning, a symbol has many meanings. And therefore it is very important to correctly decipher the symbols. An unstrung bow symbolizes the Moon, the feminine principle, a drawn bow symbolizes the Sun, and an arrow symbolizes rays, light. Since ancient times, the arrow has been a symbol of light. After all, the image of the rays emanating from the Sun is a kind of arrows of light. And it is not surprising that the bow and arrow were attributes of many deities. The ancient Greek god Apollo, the golden-haired god of light, whose other name, Phoebus, means “radiant, shining.” His twin sister Diana, the patroness of virginity, youth, purity and the search for a partner for marriage, the hunter goddess. For the god of love Cupid (or Cupid) in ancient mythology and Kamadeva in the Vedic tradition, the bow symbolizes the feminine principle, and the arrow symbolizes the masculine principle. A drawn bow and arrow is an expression of passion, attraction, creative energy of light in the aspect of procreation, intercourse in love. Thus, one symbol “bow and arrow” has three different meanings - Sun, Moon and attraction.

As a talisman, an arrow is an excellent amulet against evil, against the forces of darkness, since light drives out darkness. Divine archers are always fighters against darkness. For example, the graphic design of the Tiu rune is an arrow pointing upward, but without feathers. Tiu is a symbol of the light of the sun, the divine savior embodied in the material world and giving life. The light of the sun protects life on Earth from darkness and cold, the strength of which is maximum before the winter solstice. The arrow symbolizes the struggle between the forces of light and the forces of night. Therefore, the rune is also a symbol of the winter solstice, which coincides with the transition of the Sun from the sign of Sagittarius (whose attributes - the bow and arrow - personify the fight against the forces of darkness) to the sign of Capricorn. The talisman can be worn as a pendant, or you can draw an image of an arrow to protect your home - so that the tip is directed to where the danger comes from.

When someone decorates their body with a tattoo, they do it for a reason. Each drawing carries a certain meaning for a person who wants to stay with it for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, almost every symbol has some generally accepted definition, or even several. Recently, an arrow has become a very popular design on the body. The meaning of the tattoo, its features and sketches are worth considering in more detail.

For real men

Humanity has been decorating their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. But it was only in the twentieth century that fashion for them surpassed all expectations. Since ancient times, it was believed that only men, in particular warriors, adorn themselves with tattoos in the form of weapons. An axe, a sword, a bow and an arrow - the meaning of the tattoo in this case is beyond doubt: its wearer is associated with warfare or hunting. He has qualities such as composure and dexterity. The coats of arms of military leaders were often decorated with this element. In the traditions of some African peoples, an arrow on the body is still a sign of an ultimatum or the start of a war. Modern men often choose a similar design, even if they have nothing to do with weapons and military affairs. And there are various reasons for this.

Spirituality and subtle matters

When interpreting a drawing, it is considered important where the arrow is directed: the meaning of the tattoo changed precisely from this. If its tip faces north, then it is oriented towards wisdom. If turned to the south, it speaks of innocence. The eastern direction symbolizes foresight, and the western direction symbolizes intuition. If on a tattoo several arrows intersect like a flower, this sign can determine a person’s philosophical attitude towards life and the frailty of existence. Also, two crossed weapons can represent friendship, the intersection of life's roads.

Tattoo "Arrow": meaning for girls

When tattoos have become so widespread and everyone is getting them, it is quite natural that the meaning of ancient symbols is deformed or even completely changed. Drawing begins to take on many other definitions. Especially when you consider the fact that nowadays representatives of the fairer sex are more likely to buy weapons for themselves. It was they who set a new direction, which carries the “Bow and Arrows” tattoo - it now has a love meaning. The main weapon of Cupid or Cupid can mean readiness for relationships and marriage. And a heart pierced by an arrow has two interpretations: a successful union or, conversely, unhappy love.

Forward to your goal

Another concept is increasingly being used to refer to a pattern called “Arrow”. The meaning of a tattoo now implies such human character traits as determination and straightforwardness. This is also one of the reasons why girls love this tattoo so much in our age of feminists. It is also a symbol of overcoming obstacles. After all, to shoot a bow, you need to pull back the bowstring, overcome its tension, determine the target and release the arrow forward.

Perhaps it is this meaning that today determines the popularity of this tattoo option. In order for an arrow to become symbolic for a person, he adds to it elements that define his essence. The options for such components of the drawing depend only on the imagination of the author himself. Unusual plumage, an amazing tip, refractions and bends of the shaft, as well as the number of arrows can also tell a lot about the person who chose such a tattoo.

Choosing color and location

The place where the arrow sketch is drawn can be any part of the body. But most often the choice falls on the arms: shoulders, forearms, wrists. The lower leg, shoulder blade, and neck are also some of the favorite places for tattooing. When you want to get an Arrow tattoo on your arm, the meaning of the place becomes symbolic. After all, it is the upper limbs that hold the bow. They take an arrow from the quiver and shoot. As for the color component, such designs are applied predominantly with black paint, less often with the addition of colored elements.

If the arrow is just an element of a large pattern, then in this case the game with the palette can be anything. The “trick” of the “Arrow” tattoo is in minimalism and high-quality application. It's also quite easy to do and doesn't hurt that much. Naturally, every person wants their tattoo to be unique. In this case, you should take this issue responsibly, choose a good master and, through joint efforts, create the perfect sketch that will emphasize individuality.