There is something magical about starfish. If you’re fortunate, you might find one on the beach. However, the highest chance of finding to see them is as a decoration. They can be part of the artwork, as table accents and even jewelry. These species serves as a reminder of all those summer days spent in a beach house. It can also remind us of that friend who lives close to the beach. It is not a real “beach house” if there is no starfish around.
Starfish are amazing things, and at first sight, it’s hard to imagine these creatures live, eat, and move around. When you see one for the first time, it looks like a spiky star, but there is much more to see. The starfish belongs to the sea and is a symbol of the ocean in itself. However, there is a lot more symbolism behind this beautiful sea inhabitant. Because it is such a cool creature, people often get a tattoo of it.
- About the Starfish
Starfish belong to the Asteroidea class and are echinoderms with the shape of a star. There are around 1,500 different types of species that live from the coldest of waters to the most tropical. You can find one in shallow waters, but also up to 20,000 feet below the surface of the ocean.
Besides the name, a starfish is not a fish. They don’t own scales, gills, or fins like other fish. The only thing they have share is life underwater. Starfish, or sea stars, move around differently. They have many little tube feet that help them get from one place to the other.
As mentioned above, these creatures belong to the Phylum Echinodermata. Many of these echinoderms exhibit what is called; radial symmetry. In other words, their body parts are all set around a central point or axis in the body. Due to this symmetry, there is not a perceptible right or left, leaving us with only the top and bottom. Moreover, these organisms are found to have spines.
- Starfish Tattoo Meaning
This tattoo motif holds a lot of symbolism and meaning. However, that is not the only reason why people decide to get such a tattoo. Some people might get a starfish tattoo because it reminds them of a person or place.
This tattoo design can symbolize:
– Sensitivity
– Renewing
– Mystery
– Patience
– Strength
– Longevity
– Resourcefulness
– Ancient
– Perception
This tattoo design can represent many other things, and these are only a few of them. People try to invoke these traits from their starfish tattoo.
Something very fascinating about these creatures is that it has the ability to regenerate broken limbs. People who own the starfish tattoo are taking on that concept away. Maybe we are not capable of re-growing arms that have been taken off, but we can adjust or “regenerate” our attitudes, ways of thinking, and beliefs just like the starfish. In this sense, this creature is a perfect example of letting things go and being open to change. The starfish is forever evolving, just as we as humans should be.
- Starfish Tattoo Variations
Like any other tattoo, there are a lot of ways to design a starfish tattoo. Although this is the case, the starfish is what it is. The only thing you can do is choose different styles of tattooing or the images surrounding the tattoo. Below are a couple of popular tattoo designs.
- Tribal Starfish Tattoo
One of the most popular ways of tattooing this creature is in the tribal style. This is because the starfish is associated with the ocean, and the origins of the tribal tattoo come from island people like the Maori. Ocean symbols and creatures have long been connected to the tribal style of tattooing, and the starfish is a foremost candidate to be tattooed in this style. Moreover, this sea creature is a symbol of safety; thus, people who live on the waters or islands would often have this image tattooed on their bodies.
- Starfish and Shell Tattoo
The starfish and shell tattoo is one that represents the ocean and all things linked to it. These tattoos are usually seen on those that love the ocean and serve as a reminder of it whenever they need it. The oceans on our planet are a huge body of water with many unique creatures in it. We are free to say that this is one of the most interesting inhabitants of the sea, and we understand why many choose to get this tattooed.
If you want to get a starfish tattoo, take your time to find the perfect design for you. Another very crucial thing is to be sure that this is the creature you want to see on your body for the rest of your life. In the end, make sure you are comfortable with the artist you go to.
