Tattoo of the Archangel - meaning, sketches, locations, inspiring photos of works

Archangel Michael tattoo on the shoulder
Tattoo of the Archangel Michael on the shoulder
Archangel for tattoos are chosen with different purposes. For some, it's just a beautiful sketch that carries no meaning. Others pay attention to the meaning of the drawing on their body. Recently, tattoos of angels are common. Not faceless angels, but tattoos of the specific - the archangel Michael, Gabriel, Raphael.

Who are the archangels?

The archangels are considered the first angels that God created. They were different from later angels, they had special strength and power, and they were the ones who helped in the fight against darkness.

In religion there are a number of representations of the archangels, they differ not only in appearance, but also in the duties performed by them.

11 Archangels, whose image you can use as the hero of your body art:

  • Michael. The leading archangel, the warrior-defender, wielding a sword. He is considered the defender of the gates of paradise. Most often he can be seen in a picture with a demon, which he tramples with his foot.
  • Lucifer. The most famous of all the archangels and, according to some sources, the favorite of God of all the archangels. It was Lucifer who was entrusted to keep the key to the prison of Darkness. However, this burden engendered evil thoughts in him, causing him to become a famous fallen angel.
  • Gabriel. Is the harbinger of goodness and protected people. He is represented with a mirror and a candle. Often a lily is placed nearby.
  • Raphael patronized healers. He is depicted holding a vessel with medicine and a pen for wounds.
  • Barachael is considered the intercessor of people before God himself. His vestment is decorated with white roses.
  • Celathiel. Presented in a prayerful pose, gaze lowered, holding the cross in his hands placed on his chest.
  • Jehudiel - praises God, he has in his hands a scourge for sinners and a crown for the faithful.
  • Uriel is seen as the enlightener of the ignorant, he is personified by the naked sword and flame.
  • Jeremiah. Characterized by the scales, the archangel helps man to find his way to God.
  • Raguel. Always on the side of law and order - watching over other angelic beings.
  • Sariel. The fallen angel, believed to be the lord of men's souls. He's said to be the one who told man that the moon moves.

Although there are many archangels and each has its own meaning, in the world of tattooing any image of an archangel carries a certain meaning.

Place of application and color scheme of the tattoo

Tattoo archangel, the meaning of which for a person is always great, is performed in large sizes and is applied to large smooth areas of the skin. Most often the area for this drawing is the back or chest, less often the shoulder. Men like to depict supreme angels as part of the composition for the sleeve. Sometimes you can also find such a tattoo on men's shins.

The color scheme of the drawing is classically black or dark blue. Today, however, many depict the archangels in color, not bending to the brightest hues. Often the archangel himself appears in a monochrome image, while the background of the drawing is embodied in a bright color scheme, such as dark maroon or menacing blue clouds. If you are attracted to the archangel tattoo, the photos in our article will help you decide on the choice of color and size.

Tattoo of the Archangel with a shield and a sword
Archangel with shield and sword

Review:

The idea of stuffing the image of an angel lived in me for a very long time. I had friends who told me not to do it at first on the grounds that it would reduce my whole life to religion. I don't think that's true. More likely, I just wanted to have a strong protector who would never leave me. I know Christianity pretty well, so I didn't even have to look very hard to find a suitable angel: I chose the Archangel Michael, whose name I wear. I think that many good events in my life are related to the application of this tattoo.

Mikhail, Novosibirsk

The meaning of a tattoo with the image of an archangel

Regardless of which archangel it is, the tattoo will carry a certain message:

  • Will become a companion in finding a righteous path and achieving your goals;
  • Display the purity of thought, intentions and spirituality of the tattoo owner;
  • will be an indication of human desire to protect this world from evil;
  • can tell that the bearer of the tattoo is struggling with his own demons inside himself and has a great desire to become a good and pure man;
  • The desire of the wearer to find a guardian angel who can protect;
  • a complete connection with religion, which one wants to point out;
  • the aesthetics of the drawing with the archangel, which gives a sense of majesty.

The general meaning of the tattoo

In many ways, the archangels, regardless of which one is depicted, are the link between man and God. Such a tattoo will help strengthen faith, can give hope for the future.

The peculiarity of the archangel tattoo

A distinctive feature of this tattoo is the lack of popularity among the fair sex. Girls edge rarely, practically not interested in the application of the archangel on the body. For the most part, the tattoo is excellent for men.

What does the choice of the archangel speak of?

It's no secret that the most common character for a tattoo is the image of the archangel Michael and Lucifer. However, the choice of such a tattoo is not an easy task that requires courage. A person who has chosen such a body drawing is not characterized by the presence of "angelic" qualities.

The symbolism of the tattoo leans in a different direction, representing protection and justice. Given the grandeur of the Archangel tattoo, many apply this design only out of aesthetic preference. A carefully developed sketch and a talented hand of the master can create a real masterpiece.

Who is suitable for a tattoo?

As a rule, people put the image of archangels on their body in the case if they have experienced any strong life shocks, or are trying to strengthen their faith and hope for a brighter future.

This is interesting. Another feature of this tattoo can be called the fact that it is almost never found on a woman's body. Girls are more impressed with cute angels, rather than formidable militant archangels, and the classic size of this tattoo is not too suitable for miniature female figures.

Archangel Michael on a guy's shoulder
A beautiful tattoo of the Archangel Michael on a guy's shoulder

A person who chooses a Christian archangel as his aide need not necessarily belong to that religion. Many people stop at this image only because of its epic deployment and power. In addition, sometimes it is not a specific archangel depicted on the body, but rather their collective image, where the distinctive features of the various biblical characters are merged into one image.

The place does matter.

The place of application of the tattoo with the archangel has certain meanings, the tattoo is often found on the chest, shoulders, back. Often compositions with supreme angels are used for the sleeve.

However, depending on the place on which the drawing with the archangel is applied, it can also have a certain symbolism:

  • On the chest. A tattoo with an archangel located on the chest can be characterized as a amulet. It is as if it protects the heart, acts as an embodiment of faith and devotion. At times, it can testify to loss. The tattoo on the chest looks spectacular and symbolic.
  • On the back. Due to the large "area" of application, the drawing on the back can be made majestic and epic to a real extent, especially the size of the wings.
  • On the arm. The most popular area of the body for a tattoo, which can be part of the composition on the sleeve or be applied to the shoulder. Such a tattoo often adorns the bodies of people who do not hesitate to talk about their beliefs.

What to choose for a tattoo. A combination of styles

Archangel Michael is tattooed in the style of realism. Less often in other directions: chicano or surrealism

On most sketches, icons, frescoes, which are found in monasteries, the warrior is depicted in white. Therefore, there are often monochrome drawings of the Archangel Michael for tattoos. Such a tattoo is performed using a special white paint, but it is also found in a colored image.

Black or blue drawings for the tattoo, as well as in color can be seen less frequently. Performed tattoo Michael in black and white colors, and the background painted a bright color - a formidable burgundy clouds or bright blue sky.

Colorful looks Michael on the back, along the spine or with outstretched wings on the collarbone. You can find a tattoo of the archangel with a swinging sword in his hands or a cross as a talisman or amulet against evil and evil forces.

At his feet depict the defeated Satan, and the warrior himself with an arrow piercing demonic creatures.

Who is suitable for the tattoo archangel, the location of application

Before you score a tattoo with a religious context, you need to think carefully. Over the course of life, views of the world, religion can change. The period of turbulent youth will pass, and the young reckless girl will become a strict woman with outspread wings on her back.

Having made up your mind, choose the right place. This archangel tattoo will not look good on the waist. You can't place a large tattoo on the shoulder, but it looks more effective on large areas. Give preference to the tattoo of the Archangel Michael on the back or chest.

Recommended reading: Angel tattoo

Choosing a sketch and a master

Applying a tattoo with the image of an archangel is a technically complex process that requires not only a certain level of skill and qualification of the master, but also careful preparation for the development and selection of the sketch. Good examples of work can be found on the Internet on their own, quite a lot of photos and videos are available online.

Before addressing to this or that master it is better to inquire and look through his work, to clarify if he has any experience with tattoos with the image of archangels and the development of such a tattoo design.

Each detail is very important, from this will depend on how the final work will look like. If you have decided that the drawing of the archangel should become your life companion, take the choice of the master very carefully and responsibly. The sketch can be yours, found in any source, but it is on the work of the master depends on how your body drawing will look like a real piece of jewelry.

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Symbolism

The Archangel is a messenger. In Christianity, it is the first in seniority, an angel, the helper of God, the embodiment of his will. Unlike ordinary angels, archangels are stronger and more powerful. One of their chief and most revered is Michael, translated "He who is like God. Michael is worshipped not only in Christianity, but also in Islam and Judaism. A significant feat is the expulsion of Satan and demons from the heavenly realm.

Angel - a warrior, depicted with a sword in his hands, leading the ranks of angels. He is considered the guardian of the gate to heaven. Many sketches depict demons at Michael's feet.

The archangel tattoo, symbolically, is inscribed with certain intentions:

  • - The search for true destiny;
  • - spiritual direction and purity of intentions of the wearer;
  • - fight against the evil of the world around him;
  • - attraction of higher powers;
  • - religious motivation;
  • - goodness "with fists".

The tattoo with Michael as one of the archangels is the most common tattoo. Symbolizes faith and hope, the power of light, divine conduction and supreme justice.

Veneration of Archangel Michael

Many magnificent structures have been created in honor of the divine warrior. For example, the Roman Emperor Constantine I (272-337) erected the temple of the Archangel Michael (Michaelion) on the site of a pagan temple north of Constantinople, as well as several smaller ones in Antioch, Anatolia (cities in modern Turkey) and Egypt. Similar sanctuaries are found around the world: the northernmost Catholic church in Hammerfest, Norway; St. Michael's Cathedral, an 11th-century Kiev landmark built by the son of Yaroslav the Wise; the island chapel in Cornwall, England, accessible only on foot at low tide; and the oldest pilgrimage site in Western Europe, the cave basilica on Mount Gargano, Italy.

Mount St. Michael, County Cornwall
Mount St. Michael, Cornwall

The Archistratigus' triumph over evil is depicted in paintings by Rubens, Raphael Santi, Jan van Eyck, Agnolo Bronzino, and Victor Vasnetsov. He was also depicted by the best Orthodox iconographers - Andrei Rublev and Simon Ushakov. Michael is depicted on the coats of arms of Arkhangelsk, Kiev, Brussels, and he is also very popular in phaleristics (decoration of awards and decorations). John Milton, Lorca, Johann Goethe and Guy de Maupassant wrote about the Lord's messenger, and in the twentieth century. movies are made about it, from the epic film "Legion" to the comic series "Good Omens.

All Christians celebrate the 21st (Old Style - 8) November - the day of the archangel Michael. This date, established in the 4th century, is not accidental - it reminds us of the number of angelic ranks and the inevitability of the Last Judgment. Here is how the celebration is celebrated:

  1. They attend church, confess and take communion, distribute mil
  2. and light a candle for the repose of dead souls;
  3. try to be with their relatives and friends, treating them to traditional dishes - pies, honey, roast meat;
  4. It is forbidden to chop with an axe, to saw, to clean, to weave;
  5. according to folk custom, they pamper the courtyard man - the spirit who looks after the property outside the house. He is called to supper, putting food in the stable or behind the threshold.

The Cathedral of the Holy Archistratigus Michael
Fresco at St. Michael's Monastery. Vydubychi tract.

St. Michael's Day heralds the beginning of winter. Morning fog bodes well for a thaw, hoarfrost - for a snowy December, and clear sun and strong wind - for fast frosts. If it snows, it will remain until Easter.

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