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'Fraternal Loyalty' Knotwork Celtic Tattoo

July 2, 2016, 3:23 pm
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Today a young man and his family made a very long trek to come and get him his first tattoo. He wanted something symbolizing for him the loyalty felt by brothers, the support and interconnectedness. This design begins with a Celtic knotwork triskelion, extended to spirals, that lets the inner knot be precise and the outer area express movement. Using tiny dots for the blue coloration gives an extra dimension of texture. All in all, an excellent choice for a first tattoo.

'Fraternal Loyalty' Knotwork Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

'Fraternal Loyalty' Knotwork Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

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'Life Source' Celtic Tattoo

July 7, 2016, 5:12 pm
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Today a woman requested this tattoo surrounded by a phrase that is the title of a walking song that J R R Tolkien wrote for Bilbo Baggins to sing in The Hobbit. The knot forms a ring, and is dot shaded and colored to bring out the intricate looping pattern. A fine leg embellishment for an adventuress whose life may be filled with travels.

'Life Source' Celtic Tattoo by Pat FIsh

'Life Source' Celtic Tattoo by Pat FIsh

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Fluid Celtic Sleeve Tattoo

July 8, 2016, 5:55 pm
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Today a woman with stamina and grit finished the second of two symbolic Celtic sleeves. The right side was previously done with flames and knots, and today the color went in the left side, a triskelion of water interlaced with knots. Now she has two matching, complementary, elemental tattoos that complement the back piece I did on her in 2001. A dream client!

Fluid Celtic Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Fluid Celtic Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Here is a link to the original blog post for the Flaming Celtic Sleeve Tattoo

Matching Celtic Elemental Sleeve Tattoos by Pat Fish

Matching Celtic Elemental Sleeve Tattoos by Pat Fish

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Slavic 'Axe of Perun - God of Thunder' Tattoo

July 10, 2016, 5:19 pm
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Today a man completed this half sleeve melding several cultures' symbols for the Thunder God. The top is an Icelandic/Nordic vegvisir, a warrior's compass. The shape usually known as Thor's hammer here encloses a shield symbol of Perun, the Slavic thunder god,  integrated with a surrounding custom weave of Celtic knot work.

Slavic 'Axe of Perun - God of Thunder' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Slavic 'Axe of Perun - God of Thunder' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Of all historic records describing Slavic gods, those mentioning Perun are the most numerous. As early as the 6th century, he was mentioned . . . 20th century research has established beyond doubt that the god of thunder and lightning in Slavic mythology is Perun. To this day the word perun in a number of Slavic languages means "thunder," or "lightning bolt".

The symbol in the axe head is an example of "Gromoviti znaci or thunder marks . . . these are ancient symbols of Perun, which are often engraved upon roof beams or over entries of village houses, to protect them from lightning bolts."

- Wikipedia

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Celtic Wedding Ring Tattoo Anniversary Dedication

July 14, 2016, 1:12 pm
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Today, a woman came vacationing from Ireland to get this colorful knotwork ring and the Irish Gaelic phrase "My Friend, My Love, My Everything" in celebration of her 25th wedding anniversary! A native speaker of the language, she was able to be certain the romantic words were correct! We also added the rainbow of colors and the month and date of their marriage.

I'm often asked to do Celtic knot wedding ring tattoos on fingers, and my answer is always the same - Never!  They blur quickly and become a regret.  I prefer to suggest a knotwork ring like this, is a vastly superior alternative that will look good for a lifetime.

Celtic Wedding Ring Tattoo Anniversary Dedication

Celtic Wedding Ring Tattoo Anniversary Dedication

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Expanded Awakening Celtic Knot Tattoo

July 15, 2016, 12:56 pm
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Recently I added triangular knots across the top of this man's back, building on a backpiece begun last year. The central knot set the scale for the pattern, so the pieces now winging off to the sides were designed to accentuate the musculature and form a cohesive whole.

Expanded 'Awakening' Celtic Knot Tattoo by Pat Fish

Expanded 'Awakening' Celtic Knot Tattoo by Pat Fish

Here is a link to the blog post for the center piece, done in 2015: http://www.luckyfish.com/blog/awakening-celtic-knot-tattoo

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13th Century Flying Fish Tattoo

July 18, 2016, 9:24 am
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Recently I have been invited to give a presentation at a conference on illuminated manuscripts in Philadelphia this Fall. As a result I have been perusing their archives and this is the first image I have tattooed from a book in their library. In a 13th century French Bible this tiny winged fish flies across the top of a page of Ecclesiastes. Illuminated manuscripts often have drolleries, little illustrations in the margins placed there by the monks creating the books. The Bible this especially charming one is in is part of the collection of medieval manuscripts at the University of Pennsylvania.

13th Century Flying Fish Tattoo by Pat Fish

13th Century Flying Fish Tattoo by Pat Fish

To see more examples of tattoos taken from historical books, check out my ILLUMINATED MANUSCRIPT TATTOOS PAGE.

And visit the CELTIC LETTER TATTOOS page at LuckyFishArt.com for illuminated letters from Celtic manuscripts.

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Infinite Hearts Celtic Love Tattoo Design

July 20, 2016, 1:11 pm
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Today a man requested a symbol to express his commitment to his upcoming nuptials. This Celtic knot symbol is two hearts intertwined, joined with an infinity symbol, a perfect union of two lovers joining forever in holy matrimony. His hand-fasting ceremony will be will be held later this month at Stonehenge, with laces of these three colors binding him to his beloved. Blue for the eternal sky above, green for the Mother Earth, and the purple of passion in its infinite variety.

Celtic Hearts and Infinity Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Hearts and Infinity Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Scottish Clan Stewart Badge Tattoo

July 22, 2016, 4:52 pm
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Today I was pleased to do this heraldic badge for a member of the Scottish Highland Clan Stewart. The Latin motto VIRESCIT VULNERE VIRTUS translates to "Courage grows strong at a wound" and is represented by the pelican stabbing at her own breast to feed her young with her blood. The heraldic pelican is represented in this manner in ancient texts, this bird and her young are copied from a woodcut reproduced in a book published in 1909.

Scottish Clan Stewart Badge Tattoo by Pat Fish

Scottish Clan Stewart Badge Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' Knotwork Tattoo

July 28, 2016, 1:39 pm
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Yesterday a chivalrous gentleman returned for the third and final session on this Celtic knot half-sleeve.  It is bold body armor, fitted to his musculature, worthy of a knight. Today we begin a new pattern,  continuing a similar custom knotwork all the way down to the wrist. He flies in from far away, so he is toughing out two sessions in a row to maximize his time here. Brave and strong!

Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' continuation by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Valiant Sleeve' continuation by Pat Fish

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Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo

July 29, 2016, 3:27 pm
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Today a man came in requesting this ever-popular Celtic symbol, the Tree of Life. Placing it on the back of his calf gives it a prominent placement, and the boldness of the rendering will allow it to age gracefully no matter how much sunlight he exposes it to.

Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic Tree of Life Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Clan Ross Badge Tattoo

July 30, 2016, 2:49 pm
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Today a woman whose Scottish heritage gives her the right to wear the badge of Clan Ross came in for a tattoo to honor her father. The Latin motto SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT translates to "Success nourishes hope" and the symbol within the badge is a dexter hand holding a garland of laurel, a traditional winner's wreath.

Clan Ross Badge Tattoo by Pat FIsh

Clan Ross Badge Tattoo by Pat FIsh

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Warrior Braid Celtic Tattoo

August 3, 2016, 3:39 pm
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Warriors everywhere have always loved marks of accomplishment, and since the Celts fought naked their tattoos were their medals! This simple knotwork twist is a perfect armband or anklet, with enough detail to be instantly recognizable as Celtic interlace but not requiring as much width as a more complex design.

Warrior Braid Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Warrior Braid Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Triquetra Celtic Knot Tattoo

August 7, 2016, 3:43 pm
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In the ancient Celtic law and faith everything happened in threes. Thus when the Christian religion came, with the trinity concept, it was an easy adaptation. Now we can appreciate that it allows for more freedom than the dualism of the East, the yin-yang of black and white. The Celts allow for gray also, for yes no AND maybe.

Triquetra Knot Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

Triquetra Knot Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish

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"When the music hits . . . " Tattoo

August 13, 2016, 1:38 pm
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Today a woman who has devoted her life to music came for this tattoo, a tribute to the passion that inspires her life. "When the music hits you, just dance" is now the mantra of her days.

"When the music hits . . . " Tattoo by Pat Fish

"When the music hits . . . " Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Celtic Coverup Tattoo 'Life Source'

August 17, 2016, 3:57 pm
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Today a nurse who worked for many years administering radiation treatments came in to cover up her old tattoo that had become a dated and distorted symbol. We chose a Celtic knot and I selectively darkened the background to be an effective cover-up. Then I used white ink to completely obscure the places where the old lines showed through. She wanted something feminine, and now she has a knot that has the feel of a flower.

Celtic Coverup Tattoo 'Life Source' by Pat Fish

Celtic Coverup Tattoo 'Life Source' by Pat Fish

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Sea Turtle Tattoo

August 20, 2016, 2:16 pm
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Recently a woman making an epic journey far from home got this lovely permanent souvenir, a traveling turtle. We matched her teal toenail polish perfectly, her favorite color, and now she will always be putting her best foot forward.

Sea Turtle Tattoo by Pat Fish

Sea Turtle Tattoo by Pat Fish

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Dragon & Florian Maltese Cross Celtic Tattoo

August 25, 2016, 5:44 pm
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Today a Texan firefighter in the area to combat the numerous wild fires currently burning was able to carve out time in his schedule to acquire this new skin art. He had a previous tattoo of the Maltese cross, so I drew up a dragon that filled the upper arm and finishes with a tail that swoops to the inside. Bespoke coverage that brings his tattoo up to a half sleeve.

Celtic Dragon & Florian Maltese Cross Tattoo (dragon by Pat Fish)

Celtic Dragon & Florian Maltese Cross Tattoo (dragon by Pat Fish)

"Crosses of this design have been used since around the First Crusade in 1096. The design is said to symbolize the eight points of courage: loyalty, piety, bravery, frankness, glory and honor, no fear of death, compassion toward the sick and poor, and respect for the church."  -st-florian-medal.com

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Celtic Owl and Moon Sleeve Additions

August 26, 2016, 6:30 pm
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Today a woman with a bear paw cover-up and some nice feathers came in yearning for more. Her spirit animal the owl was a lovely choice, so we made a great horned owl head below the pre-existing and then added a Celtic knot crescent moon. Now her arm is like a totem pole, and her tattoo collection is greatly expanded with this half-sleeve.

Celtic Owl and Moon Tattoos by Pat Fish

Celtic Owl and Moon Tattoos by Pat Fish

"The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus), also known as the tiger owl (originally derived from early naturalists' description as the "winged tiger" or "tiger of the air") or the hoot owl, is a large owl native to the Americas. It is an extremely adaptable bird with a vast range and is the most widely distributed true owl in the Americas." -wikipedia

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Great Dane Memorial Heart Tattoo

August 28, 2016, 4:54 pm
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Today a woman who lost her Great Dane recently after many years of loyal love came in to get this memorial tattoo. Now her dear pet will always be with her. In memory, in skin.

Great Dane Memorial Heart Tattoo by Pat Fish

Great Dane Memorial Heart Tattoo by Pat Fish

While this design is a custom portrait of the client's dog, I do have several other Great Dane designs for sale:

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