Hindustani Om Tattoo’s
Hindu tattoos are not as common to be found as other tattoos of other faiths. Many Hindus believe that your religion is not something that should become a fashion accessory and thus should not be inked on to your body.
Another reason why Hindu tattoos are not that popular is because of culture and because many argue that the Hindu religious symbol (the “Aum” or Om) should be kept clean and free from dirt.
Popular Hindu & Aum related tattoo ideas include:
The Om Symbol Tattoo
Om tattoo designs are amongst the most common Hindu tattoo designs ever.
The word Om (aum) derives from the Sanskrit. The Om is the primordial sound by which the earth was created- a similar concept to the Greek Logos. It symbolizes unfolding or expansion- when pronounced, it begins in the lungs, and ends on the lips. The symbol representing Om is called the omkar, and has four parts, representing the four states of human awareness
The Trishula Tattoo
Trisula means “trident.” The Trisula (often, trishula) is the three pronged ceremonial weapon of the Hindu Lord Shiva.
The three prongs represent the three shaktis (powers): will, action, and wisdom and thus is often used as part of a overall Hindu tattoo design.
Lotus with Om tattoo, Tibetian Om Tattoo, Om Mani Tattoo, Buddhist Tattoo
Story Behind it: The lotus blossom is one of the most important symbols used in spirituality and art. Brahma, the Hindu creator of the world, was born from a lotus blossom that grew from the navel of Vishnu on the water. However, the lotus paired with Om has a particularly significant Buddhist association. In Buddhism, the lotus is thought to symbolize the Buddha’s nature, pure and ascendant. Along with Om, it is part of the most famous of Buddhist mantras, Om Mani Padme Hum, or Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus.
Very frequently people like to mix up the trisula and om and get a tatoo that looks nice and describes and express’ them better through the use of colors.
Vedic Om Tattoo (Sanskrit Om)
Sikh Ek Onkar Tattoo are also popular but looked down upon same goes for Jain Om Tattoo.
Read a story about how ‘Mandira Bedi reacts to uproar against her religious tattoo’, link.
Get more information sikh tattoo’s if you are interested.
Hindu Tattoo Pictures and Ideas
Emailed In Tattoos (updated 18/07/07)
P.S. Feel free to email me your hindu, sanskrit, vedic, om, indian tattoos!
Actually in India OM and other religious tattoos are quite common. I have seen many people of all walks of life openly brandishing tattoos and nobody has a problem with it as long as it is located on a appropriate place.
Comment by Alok — January 11, 2008 @ 3:17 pm