Yggdrasil Tattoos
Yggdrasil tattoos are some of the coolest tattoos out there; they have strong composition, detailed black ink, and deep meaning rooted in Viking culture.
This tattoo comes from Norse mythology and is also called the Great Tree or the Tree of Life.
The number nine is significant here because the Tree of Life is an ash tree that the Vikings believed connected the universe by way of nine worlds.
This tattoo not only has an interesting background story, but its intricate details are stunning and bring amazement and wonder to every person who gets one.
Let’s talk about what types of designs Yggdrasil tattoos have and their meanings:
Yggdrasil Tattoo Meaning
The Yggdrasil is a highly spiritual symbol from Norse culture.
It represents how everything in the universe is all connected, and a Yggdrasil tattoo symbolizes that very concept.
If you were to receive a Yggdrasil tattoo, you are someone who values the connections made between people, animals, and the world in totality.
The fact that the Yggdrasil is a tree means that its roots connect down to the more dark pieces of the universe, while its tree limbs and branches represent a higher power and the need for good in the universe.
Essentially, the world is not complete without everything being connected because without each other, we are useless.
This tattoo is for someone who, no matter your religion, shares this belief that we need each other.
Yggdrasil With Viking Tattoos
Many Yggdrasil tattoos include an intricate tree tattoo and ancient Viking tattoo symbols that enhance the meaning of the tattoo.
One such symbol is the Helm of Awe, which symbolizes protection.
The Helm of Awe and the Tree of Life together symbolize the spiritual protection of the universe.
For someone receiving this design, they will be forever protected and also they are showing that they respect nature and every life cycle.
Another Viking symbol commonly included in a Yggdrasil tattoo is a Vegvisir symbol, which the Vikings believed would help guide them when they were at sea and bring them home safely.
The Tree of Life offers a connection to all living things, so the Vegvisir tattoo adds the meaning of life not only existing in the universe but constantly finding a path.
We all will find our way through life and our soul will travel until it finds a home.
Essentially, this tattoo is meant for someone who is highly spiritual, connected to nature, and who has a belief that everything in life has a purpose and will turn out all right in the end.
Ouroboros and Yggdrasil Tattoo
The Ouroboros is a dragon or serpent shown eating its own tail and is part of Viking mythology.
Though it too is a Viking symbol, it deserves its own classification because it is so commonly used!
It has many meanings and interpretations, however, when it comes down to it, the meaning of the Ouroboros is eternity or the life cycle of things.
In Norse mythology, it symbolized the endless cycle of evil destroying while good is created.
Today, this tattoo is often circled around the Yggdrasil tattoo, either completely surrounding it or incorporated into the design of the Tree of Life itself.
The two of the symbols together create deep meanings about how life is created and destroyed.
The Yggdrasil tree tattoo symbolizes life and growth, while the Ouroboros tattoo symbolizes its full life span through birth and death.
Therefore, this tattoo is for someone who appreciates life’s many positives and negatives and who is highly spiritual.
This tattoo also means that you possibly believe in reincarnation, or at the very least you believe in life being in an infinite universe.
Minimalist Yggdrasil Tattoo
This tattoo design looks most unlike most other Yggdrasil tattoos because it does not have a tree with branches, rather a geometric symbol representing the Tree of Life.
This symbol represents both the tree and the roots and relates back to the idea of the Tree of Life being connected to nine worlds in Norse culture.
This tattoo is a great design because it is less traditional and more modern.
It allows for some leeway in design when it comes to the normal design of a tree.
The minimalist Yggdrasil tattoo means that you are spiritual and are into new ways of thinking.
You may not believe in all of the Norse traditions, but you do believe that everything in the universe is interconnected– that’s what makes the world so special.
This design gets to the basics of the Yggdrasil tattoo by synthesizing it into a smaller design concept while allowing its meaning to shine.
Conclusion
The Yggdrasil tattoo is an awesome tattoo for any person who is spiritual, no matter what your actual religion is.
This is because the Tree of Life represents all of life and its interconnectivity, which is something that many people can relate to.
Nature is intrinsically connected through the food chain, weather patterns, human relationships, and more.
No matter which design you choose for your Yggdrasil tattoo, you want to make sure that your spirituality does add up to the meaning of the Yggdrasil.
This is not a tattoo you should get purely for aesthetics or just to look cool.
This tattoo in any design is bathed in Viking/Norse traditions and should be celebrated accordingly.
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- Celtic Spoon Tattoo
- Shamrock Tattoos
- Leprechaun Tattoos
- Nature-Inspired Tattoos
- Flower Tattoos
- Coolest Tattoo Ideas
Alyssa Kucinski is a writer, curator, and photographer who publishes articles on the topics of the arts, culture, and social justice. She graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology with a degree in fashion business and art history and museum professions. Her experience working with a variety of art institutions, her world travel, and her inquisitive nature provides her with a unique insight. Check out her about page, she would love to connect with you!