A cat is one of the most mysterious, attractive and controversial animals which for a long time has been a part of the human life. A cat also has its own special meaning in the tattoo art. Since ancient times, cats were surrounded by a variety of myths and legends. Some of them raised cats to the rank of deity, others cursed them.

• Photo cat tattoo
• Cat tattoo sketches

What is the meaning and symbolism of a cat tattoo

(If you do not want to read, you can listen to the audio version of the article)

Cats were depicted in paintings, music and poems were dedicated to them. Tattoos with the image of cats are quite popular now, both among men and women. But young girls choose this kind of tattoo more often to emphasize elegance. A cat tattoo means wisdom, freedom, independence, beauty, dexterity, longevity. It is scarified most often to the shoulder, leg or lower back.

Cat tattoo history

In many nationalities the cat belongs to higher beings, to deities. For example, in ancient Egypt, a cat was a sacred animal, which symbolized fertility and motherhood. Therefore, these animals were buried as people with a rite of mummification. Almost the same attitude towards cats was in the Scandinavian countries. It was believed that cats protect grain from rodents, which was of great value. In the antique world these graceful animals symbolized night, the moon, female attractiveness. In Japan, from ancient times to the present day, a cat is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, wealth. In Arabic culture, cats were also revered. In Buddhist countries cats guarded temples. But in the Middle Ages in Europe cats for some reason were considered messengers of trouble, assistants of witches, and they were exterminated everywhere. It led to the fact that many rats were bred, which brought the plague.

Since then, cats have ceased to destroy. But quite often in fairy tales they were depicted next to sorcerers, witches. There is still superstition regarding black cats.

 

Photo examples of a tattoo with a cat dated 12/03/2019 (611 photos):

(click to see more photos)

 

Refined galleries with cat tattoo drawings:

(click on the name – expand the gallery, click “Load more” – open more photos with this image)

 

Nowadays, cats also get a special treatment. Everyone knows that cats can heal people and relieve pain. Moreover, this graceful animal attracts with its beauty, tenderness, mystery, independence, cunning and intelligence. Each cat has its own unique character.

What does a cat tattoo mean?

There are a lot of meanings of a cat tattoo. Each person chooses what is in line with his character. Let’s consider the most common meanings of cat tattoos.

• Black cat. It is one of the most popular cat tattoos, despite the fact that a black cat is considered to be a symbol of bad luck. It is tattooed usually by the people who do not believe in omens and superstitious beliefs.
• Egyptian cat. It is depicted as a black silhouette with a long body and a curled tail. This image represents grace, beauty and mystery. This cat symbolizes wealth, good fortune and power.
• Cat in a jump. It means grace, precision, longevity. A person who wears such a tattoo is believed to be able to find a way out of any difficult situation.
• Romantic and tender girls often choose a tattoo of a small kitten. Such tattoos make look a little bit childish those who wear it.
• The image of a hissing cat with a curved back suggests that its owner can stand up for himself.
• Сat footprints symbolize passion, strength and self-confidence.

Charts of popularity of tattoos with a cat:

These are just some of the meanings of cat tattoos. Often such a tattoo has a meaning that is understandable only to its owner. A cat, as an independent and mysterious animal, is popular due to its qualities, such as visual and auditory acuity, mystery, dexterity, speed, intelligence and secrecy. Remember that tattooing is just a means of expressing your personality. It is not only a decoration for the body; it also reflects the individuality of a person.

Watch the video:

The text of the article was prepared by: NATALI_ETER (Eterevskova Natalya Alekseevna)