Drawn in the style of the ancient Medieval illuminated manuscripts, this letter M joins three dogs in knotwork, with triquetras as the bases for the finials and a graceful interweaving pattern of lines that flow to create the form. A dedication tattoo, this is the initial of the wearer's mother and grandfather, and will serve as a lifelong way to keep them forever in mind.
Illuminated M tattoo by Pat Fish
The valknut symbol of three interlocked triangles is the enigmatic ancient Nordic symbol for slain warriors. Here it is dotted onto a shield with two battle axes hung on it, and will serve as a symbol of strength for the man who at this juncture in his life is stepping forth with courage to new challenges.
Viking Valknut Shield tattoo by Pat Fish
This academic reached a point in her career where she wanted a visible tattoo that expressed her fascination with the natural world and her sense of whimsy. We created this wrist band with two tribal geckos, curving together and with the tails forming a spiral on the underside of the wrist.
Double gecko band tattoo by Pat Fish
A single continuous line creates this ring of Celtic knotwork, surrounding a triple spiral symbol within. The name Dara comes from "doire," the Irish word for the oak tree, one of the most important of the sacred trees of Ireland. This woman asked for the traditional knot to be opened up to allow for the spiral within, making it a unique new knot. Additionally she had her mother write a phrase to go around it in her own handwriting.
Dara Knot tattoo by Pat Fish
This mighty Pictish bear is an ancient stone carving from the 9th century, found on the Glamis stone located in Scotland. An enigmatic and powerful character. A totem animal of great strength.
Glamis stone bear tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a commemorative for the Irish Revolution 100 years ago, a phoenix rendered in 40 shades of green, with a calla lily and the Plough stars. This man's family emigrated partly during the famine and last just after the war of independence ended, and kept their memories of their homeland and the struggle alive.
Irish Phoenix tattoo by Pat Fish
This tattoo is a special tribute to the client's mom and grandfather, both of whom have the initials CM. The letters are original modern patterns drawn in the style of the ancient Celtic manuscript the Book of Kells. Finally finished after months of planning and several tattooing sessions! A bold tattoo on a pale gal, so we could use vivid light colors to accentuate the weaves.
Illuminated C & M tattoo by Pat Fish
The evocative image of a red Crusader cross placed inside a shield on a leg calf was today's challenge. The Latin text in the bar above is from the Lord's prayer FIAT VOLUNTAS TUA, "Thy will be done." Also known since c.1280 as the Jerusalem cross, it is a five-fold cross, here encircled by a custom weave of Celtic knotwork, shaped to fit the heraldic shield.
Crusader cross shield tattoo by Pat Fish
The clothing of Kings always enhanced their status, and no commoner could hope to wear something so sumptuous as this intricate chain of knotwork. Once embroidered on the robe of a King, now it can be a tattoo leg band forever on the calf of a member of our free democratic society. Shown here with the internal cross pattern emphasized in green.
Celtic leg band tattoo by Pat Fish
Seals are a beloved part of Irish life, and because they are never hunted they are quite fearless and will approach a swimmer or fisherperson with impunity. There are many families who trace their ancestry back to a selkie, a seal that came up on land and transformed itself into a human for a time, often leaving a child behind when it felt compelled to return to the sea. This design is a happy seal inside a triquetra of knotwork.
Celtic seal knot tattoo by Pat Fish
Today a septuagenarian comparative religions educator came in for this pattern of a triskelion in Pictish spirals as a mark of the Goddess. Single, double, and triple Pictish spirals surround a central triskelion in this pattern that can fit any body part, alone or behind another tattoo to add a framing energetic background.
Goddess Spirals tattoo by Pat Fish
The Jormungandr figure in Norse myth was a serpent-like creature, who was cursed by Odin the Allfather to abide in the deep ocean where he grew huge enough to encircle the whole of Midgard, waiting for the days of Ragnarok to come.
Norse dragon tattoo by Pat Fish
A central Celtic triquetra is flanked by sweeping wings of Celtic knotwork, representing the Earth lifted by ascending wings. A lower back design of simplicity and grace.
Transcendence tattoo by Pat Fish
Capturing the thrill of a canine athlete, he leaps through the air to the WIN! Drawn from a photo of a Border Collie agility performance champion.
Celtic Border Collie tattoo by Pat Fish
The rising phoenix is considered an auspicious symbol of prosperity and good fortune in many cultures. Here is is shown with a body of flames and Celtic triple spirals in the wings.
Phoenix tattoo by Pat Fish
Two cats from the Irish illuminated manuscript the Book of Kells from 800AD are tangled up here with the triple spiral stone carving from the inner chamber of the Irish megalithic tomb Newgrange from 3200BC. Ancient art lives again in skin.
A tribal-style fractal-ringed labyrinth, drawn by my client, a unique vision that was fun to install. Always a pleasure to collaborate to bring someone's vision to life in skin.
Two views of a phoenix, interesting to see the blackwork underneath the color. Because those bright colors are fugitive and most likely to fade, I was trained to always do a full black and grey tattoo under the color. That way if the person lives long enough to have their color fade away they still have a nice tattoo. Old school.
Melding several elements, a knotted snake with a knotted heart, balanced with triquetras, making a unique arm band.
The crest of the Harringtons has the sigil of a square knot, represented in the front and center of this Celtic knot leg wrap tattoo design. The clan motto "Nodo firmo" means "in a firm knot" and in this pattern the weave continues accurately even as it opens up to include the central pattern. I enjoy making unique and custom patterns for my clients that include personal symbolism.
