Golden Spirals and Sacred Knots: Geometric Tattoos
Summary
These geometric tattoos contain some of the most sacred symbology of humankind: Explore the hidden meaning behind golden spiral tattoos, sacred knots, mandala designs, and more!
We often have set ideas about the meanings behind symbols or designs, and we often resonate with them in very particular ways. Geometric tattoos definitely belong to this category, due to how they are sometimes perceived as just intricate dots, lines, and shapes placed together in a pleasing way. So it may come as a surprise to some that these designs actually hail from the study of “sacred geometry”, an umbrella term used to explain the mathematical proportions and symbols that are considered the building blocks of our universe. Sacred geometry has lead scholars around the world to believe that an intelligent designer, or “god”, is the architect of our universe.
Some common examples of these sacred symbols and proportions lie within everyday occurrences in nature, like the hexagonal cells of a honeybee’s hive, or the logarithmic spiral of a chambered nautilus shell. Most geometric tattoos have connections with, or use concepts and iconography, from sacred geometry. Many who elect to get geometrical tattoos are often looking to express a connection to this mysterious higher power or to illustrate the perfection alive and well in the natural world. Plato even commented on this line of thought saying: “God geometrizes continually.”
Aside from sacred geometries use in tattooing and philosophical schools of thought, it has also been utilized in the architecture of places we signify as holy, sacred, or esoteric in nature. Examples of these mathematical patterns and symbols can easily be found when examining churches, mosques, temples, tabernacles, monuments, altars, and buildings crafted by secret societies, like the Free Masons. Many examples of religious iconography also include these beautiful clues to the code of our universe.
Check out the rest of our sacred geometry tattoo guide to learn more about the hidden mystery of these powerful symbols, and how you can use them to create the perfect tattoo! Hopefully, you'll see that there is much more to these ornamental designs than you previously thought.
Sacred Geometry Symbols
Flower of Life
If you’re searching for a beautiful geometric tattoo with meaning, the flower of life may be the perfect selection. This particular design motif has remained a popular geometric tattoo and consists of several evenly-spaced overlapping circles. Examples of the flower of life date back to Ancient Egypt and some sketches of the flower of life can be found within the journals of Leonardo Da Vinci.
The flower of life has an all-encompassing meaning and stands for the birth and growth of all life forms, including the human body, and the way these life forms interact with each other.
Metatron's Cube
A variant of the flower of life, the Metatron's Cube is 'composed of 13 equal circles with lines from the center of each circle extending out to the center of the other 12 circles. Artwork featuring Metatron's Cube can be found in many examples of ancient religious and sacred buildings.
The Metatron's Cube is connected to the Archangel, Metatron, also known as the angel of life. This mystical figure is said to oversee the universal flow of energy by utilizing the Metatron’s cube. This mysterious cube is said to contain all of the shapes and symbols within creation, and also works to represent all of the patterns god has created. Metatron is also known to oversee the Kabbalistic “tree of life.” He is said to imbue creative energy through the crown of this structure allowing it to filter down through all parts of creation.
The Metatron’s Cube tattoo can work to express the very essence of life itself and is one of the most powerful motifs in sacred geometry.
Merkaba
The Merkaba is a sacred geometry shape made of two intersecting tetrahedrons (or 3D pyramids), one pointing upward, the other pointing downward, creating a star.
The origin of the Merkaba is Hebrew, with the name translating to “chariot”. The Merkaba was believed to have been a divine vehicle of light, used by ascended masters to connect with those in tune to higher realms of awareness. The word itself is an association of three words being: “Mer”, “Ka” and “Ba”, which mean light, spirit, and body, respectively. Hence, the Merkaba tattoo represents the connection between these three elements. The Merkaba symbol also represents another trinity: masculine energy, feminine energy, and power. In its whole, the Merkaba star stands for how these energies interplay to create the person we are, connecting body and spirit to the light, and representing the divine. By extension, a Merkaba tattoo can symbolize the spiritual qualities of enlightenment and power or the realization of one's full potential.
Chambered Nautilus (shell)
A geometric tattoo inspired by nature, the chambered nautilus is a perfect example of the predictable and complex patterns we see in nature. The bold and detailed spiral image makes for a beautiful tattoo!
This shell shape is considered to be sacred because it follows the “golden ratio”, otherwise known as the divine proportion. The golden ratio can be defined as a mathematical proportion found in all living things, often used in art due to its symbolism and pleasing aesthetic. Just like the flower of life and the Metatron's Cube, the chambered nautilus symbol effortlessly blends mathematics with mysticism.
The chambered nautilus shell symbolizes the spiritual evolution one goes through during life. Just as the nautilus grows and adds new chambers to its shell, people evolve and go through new phases of life as they grow older.
Mandala
Perhaps one of the most popular geometric tattoo designs, the mandala is usually composed of basic geometric shapes, commonly made up of triangles and squares organized in a circular composition, making the pattern appear round.
The mandala is a powerful spiritual and religious symbol that works to represent the universe. Ancient Hindu writings explain the mandala as representing a powerful stage of creativity, as well as a connection to self and the world around you. Mandala tattoos stray a little from the traditional religious mandala image but still look awesome!
Genesa Crystal
The genesa crystal is comprised of four circles organized in a spherical cube octahedron.
This design makes for a standout sacred geometry tattoo, packed with hidden meaning. Unlike most of the other sacred geometry symbols, the genesa crystal is quite new, as it first emerged in the 1940s. Plant geneticist, Dr. Derald Langham, discovered this shape while studying cell development, and made the astounding conclusion that this shape is shared by all life forms. When reproducing the shape in the cells of plants, he discovered that plants actually grew faster and better.
The symbol of the genesa crystal is said to represent full, infinite potential: infinite love, infinite wisdom, infinite energy, and infinite power.
An important aspect to keep in mind when considering your geometric tattoo is the detail and design, and for the most part, these motifs are best suited to black ink. Sacred geometry tattoo designs are almost always done in black ink, featuring dark shading, though they are also complimented by dotwork styles as well.
Vegvísir
The Vegvísir is an ancient Icelandic stave comprised of four intersecting lines featuring sigils at the ends.
This symbol was thought by many to have acted as a type of way-finder for Vikings, however, there is no factual evidence to support this claim. The symbol actually comes from what is known as the Hul manuscript, the only known collection of Icelandic spells. There is only a single passage describing the ancient emblem, which translates roughly as, “If this sign is carried, one will never lose one’s way in storms or bad weather, even when the way is not known.”
This ancient geometry tattoo is said to provide the wearer with guidance, protection, and a deep connection to one’s ancestors. Also commonly called the “Vikings compass”, this beautiful design makes for an excellent geometric tattoo.
Sri Yantra
The Sri Yantra is a Hindu geometric figure comprised of nine interlocking triangles that surround a central point known as the “Bindu”. This sacred symbol is said to be both a representation of the cosmos, as well as a mystic device, or mechanism, used to guide a person to transcendental mindset. It is said that if you meditate upon this pattern it can lead to unlocking abilities like astral projection; allowing those who utilize this symbol to explore the universe with their spirit. On top of that, the Sri yantra makes for an incredibly mesmerizing piece of body art, especially when done in a blackwork style.
The Sri Yantra is a prime example of a geometric tattoo laced with esoteric meaning, as it encompasses many layers of symbolism within its stunning design. The outside square of the Sri Yantra is said to represent the earth, along with the earthly sensations of fear, anger and worldly desires. The four sides that jut out within the square are said to represent the four gateways of the four directions, allowing yantra to enter. The three concentric circles within the design work to express activities, elements, hopes, desires, and accomplishments. The final center point, or “Bindu”, represents the purest form of consciousness, or the natural state of being.
Unalome
The symbol of the unalome features various spiral designs, eventually coming to a straight line. This ancient symbol stems from Buddhism and works to illustrate the journey we all face during our earthly incarnations. The unalome is representative of the path to enlightenment, with the spirals signifying the trials and tribulations we encounter, and the straight line embodying the concept of nirvana. The dot showcased at the end of the design is symbolic of death, or the transformation from earth to a higher plane of existence.
When considering your unalome tattoo, remember that a unalome should always face upwards, preferably toward one of your chakras.
Fibonacci Spiral
The Fibonacci spiral tattoo can be depicted in a wide variety of ways, stretching from the petals of a flower, to the spiral of a snail’s shell. What allows a tattoo to illustrate the Fibonacci spiral is its mathematical adherence to what is known as the “Fibonacci rule”. This rule states that each number in the progression of the design’s proportion must be equal to the sum of the two proceeding numbers.
When designing your Fibonacci spiral tattoo, make sure to utilize a spiral motif that obeys this mathematical principle, while providing a similar spiral to your artist for reference.
The origin of the intriguing Fibonacci spiral stems from the Italian mathematician, Leonardo Pisano Bigolla, also known as “Fibonacci”, which translates to “son of Bonacci.” As the series of numerals within the spiral continues, they begin to form what is known as the “golden ratio”. This mystifying ratio of 1.618 can be discovered in everything from the proportions of our universe to earthly formations like plants. Many believe that a higher power, or “god” is expressed through this ratio, as its presence spans all of creation.
Though the golden ratio is commonly associated with ideal proportions in art, its principles can also be illustrated in music, being utilized by many musicians such as Mozart and Radiohead. Though ideals of beauty are often tied to the golden ratio, many believe that these geometric and mathematical principles contain a power deeper than visual expression. The ratios depicted in the Fibonacci sequence not only correlate to plants and shells, but to the human body as well, as evidenced by artist Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Vitruvian Man”.
The personal meaning of your Fibonacci spiral tattoo is entirely up to you, as this design can work to represent the cycles of life, the unity of all things, or the evidence of an intelligent creator.
Tibetan Eternal Knot
The Tibetan eternal knot tattoo can be described as ten interlocking square-shaped designs, conjoining to create a single framework.
This spiritual icon is considered to be one of the eight auspicious symbols in Tibetan Buddhism, commonly used in sacred jewelry, on greeting cards, and prayer mats alike. It can be alternatively referred to as the “endless knot”, or the “glorious knot.” The design of the Tibetan eternal knot works to exemplify the concepts of: interconnectedness, compassion, the cycles of birth, death, and rebirth, and the eternal continuum of the mind.
Many who select the Tibetan eternal knot as a tattoo do so in an effort to remind themselves of the connection we all share with one another and the universe as a whole. It can also be used in tattooing as a symbol of good fortune, the seasons of life, karma, and to serve as a symbol of eternal life.
Pentagrams
One of the most easily recognizable symbols of sacred geometry is the pentagram, with its usage spanning many different cultures, philosophies, religions and magical orders. The shape of a pentagram tattoo can be easily described as a five-pointed star symbol, occasionally enclosed within a circle.
This powerful esoteric image was first used ceremonially in ancient Greece and Babylonia and is currently the religious symbol for the pagan religion of Wicca. But its usage is not limited to these time periods or belief systems, as it has been symbolically used around the world to signify various concepts and ideologies. In ancient East Asian cultures, the pentagram was used to represent the five elements in Chinese tradition, being: metal, wood, fire, water, and earth. The five-pointed star symbol was also used by ancient Christians to demonstrate the five wounds of Christ, the five joys of Mary, and the five earthly senses. In modern-day occultism, the pentagram is used as a charm to protect against forces of evil and in the undertaking of certain rituals. Occultist Eliphas Levi, who famously brought us the illustration of Baphomet, believed that the pentagram was capable of binding negative forces such as demons and ghosts. He also proposed that the pentagram was a symbol of the mind’s dominion over the five elements. The pentagram is also used today by members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, specifically as part of the “lesser banishing ritual of the pentagram”, and was also used within Aleister Crowley’s Thelemic system of magic.
Inverted pentagrams which feature the five-pointed star displayed in an upside-down fashion are also used by various satanic belief systems and within the realms of dark, or “black” magic. When pentagrams are used in this fashion the original meaning is altered and reversed. When the pentagram is displayed upside-down with two points facing upwards, it is said to represent the “goat of Mendes” and the triumph of matter over spirit. Be cautious when designing your pentagram tattoo as these changes in display can completely alter the intended meaning ascribed to the design.
Aside from the pentagram tattoos associations with magic and religion, this fascinating symbol is also representative of the principles of sacred geometry. The pentagrams proportions correspond to the golden ratio, otherwise known as the Fibonacci sequence. Surprisingly, pentagrams are a naturally occurring form, utilized by humankind to illustrate the essence of our physical world.
Depending on what meaning you’d like your pentagram tattoo to embody, will determine how you choose to face the five-pointed star, and what additional design elements if any, you choose to add. If you’re searching for a symbol to represent a Wiccan belief system, a pentagram tattoo enclosed in a circle is an excellent choice. To add more variation to the design you can always incorporate elements of nature or other magical sigils. If you’re wishing to connect your pentagram tattoo to one of the various civilizations or belief systems mentioned, you can always add design motifs that speak to those cultures or philosophies.
Vesica Piscis
The sacred icon of the vesica piscis can be described as a lens of sorts, formed by the intersection of two disks possessing the same radius.
This mysterious yet extremely simple shape was first discovered in nature and has been depicted in paintings of religious figures like the Buddha and Christ. In modern times it has found usage in popular logos, architecture, and crop circles alike.
The term “vesica piscis” is Latin in origin and translates to “bladder of a fish”. It gained this name due to its similarity to the conjoined bladders commonly found inside many species of fish.
The first known illustration of this sacred symbol appeared in Euclid’s “Elements”, where it was shown as the first step in constructing an equilateral triangle. The simple design of the vesica piscis is a surprising starting point for all of sacred geometry, including the seed of life, and the flower of life. The symbol’s ability to create all of the sacred shapes within our natural world has provided it with an undeniable connection to source energy, or “god”.
Though it is difficult to ascribe a single meaning to the vesica piscis, it is commonly recognized as a symbol of goddess energy, thanks to its likeness to the female vagina. When used in this way, a vesica piscis tattoo can be used to represent concepts of femininity, birth, and sexuality. The vesica piscis is also sometimes associated with Christianity, due to its similarities to the design of the “Jesus fish”. On a spiritual level, a singular circle is considered to be a symbol of source energy, illustrating the “womb of the universe”. When a second circle is added, it is said to represent the spark of creation, giving birth to all that exists within the universe.
A vesica piscis tattoo can serve many meanings, allowing the wearer an array of options to choose from. Whether you are looking to imbue more goddess energy into your life, or you wish to adorn your body with the starting point of all creation, this tattoo has the capacity to convey incredible depth and layered meaning within its simplistic design.
Some of the Best Sacred Geometry Tattoo Artists
Talented Sacred Geometry Tattoo Artist in the USA
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Talented Sacred Geometry Tattoo Artists in Asia
We hope that this has given you some great ideas for Sacred Geometry tattoos! If you get one yourself, make sure to upload it onto your Tattoodo profile and use hashtags! We always love to see what people decide on and the art they adorn their bodies with.
