One of the tattoo designs that can suggest a variety of meanings is the bat tattoo. The bat can be associated with mystery and negative symbolism in the West and yet a symbol of good fortune and longevity in the East. This dual nature makes the bat tattoo distinctive.
Below, you can find the various meanings behind bat tattoos.
Because this animal has a heightened audio sensitivity, it can travel even in the dark. Thus, the bat symbol can also connote intuition. This makes it a popular tattoo design for those whose insight plays a key part in their lives. This promotes exploring that which is unknown or not easily seen. Since it is the only mammal that truly flies, it has also become a symbol of transformation, adaptability, and survival.
In the Western cultures, bats have been associated with darkness, black magic, and witchcraft. It is a representation of night and a foreboding nature. Superstitions and myth has given the bat an unpleasant reputation. In western mythology, the bat is seen as evil and unlucky. For many Native Americans, the bat is seen as a deceitful spirit but in some groups, it is also a symbol of communication because the bat is a highly social animal.
In Europe, this can mean a sign of death and darkness. Legends often depict the bat as a form of evil spirit or as a vampire. This is portrayed in the 1897 novel Dracula, in which vampires transformed themselves into bats.
The fictional superhero Batman was originally referred to as Bat-Man. The creation of the bat as its symbol was to make him look more mysterious. Today, it is also known as The Dark Knight or The Caped Crusader.
In China, the bat is a symbol of happiness, longevity, and good luck. An image of five bats represents long life, wealth, good luck, happiness, and prosperity. Two bats seen in a tattoo design means double happiness. A red bat means vast fortune. In this part of the world, the bat is considered a symbol of luck and good fortune.
Thus, bats are appealing to a wide range of people. Whether because of its gothic or sinister nature, mystique, or positive significance, a bat tattoo can be an appealing form of body art.
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