Getting a tattoo is permanent. Many people like to simply grab something which catches their attention, as it is pretty, popular, or scary. However, others like to do research and spend time figuring out what they want and why they want it. This article is for those people who look for inspiration and ideas for your first or your next body art. Nowadays, tree tattoos are very popular among tattoo lovers. Trees were extremely significant to most cultures throughout history. People always viewed them as symbols of life. Tree tattoos date back centuries to the origins of tattooing. Trees are one of the richest symbols, and in tattoos, they can symbolize a lot of different things at once. Their meanings depend both on the tattoo design, and also on the wearer.
Moreover, the meanings can depend on the type of tree. There are various kinds of trees, each of them with its association. However, overall, they symbolize rejuvenation, regeneration, and, most 
importantly, life.
We get all these meanings from the cycles of trees. However, despite these general meanings of tree tattoos, there are a lot of others, such as:
- Strength;
- Change;
- Spirituality;
- Evolution;
- Fertility;
- Generation;
- Beauty;
- Vitality;
- Good luck;
- Longevity, etc.
One tree, which commonly finds its uses in tattoos, is the oak tree. In many places and times, people considered the oak a sacred tree. In those times, it found its associations with sky gods and kings, life, and strength. Below, we will talk about the characteristics of the oak tree and the meaning and symbolism of oak tree tattoos.
- Characteristics of the oak tree.
Oak is a tree or a shrub in the genus Quercus of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are almost 600 extant species of oaks. Their common name “oak” even appears in the names of species in related genera, such as Lithocarpus. Also, it is present in unrelated species like Grevillea robusta and the Casuarinaceae.
The genus Quercus is native to the Northern Hemisphere, including both deciduous and evergreen species. These species are extending from cool temperate to tropical latitudes in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and North Africa.
North America contains the most significant number of oak species. There are approximately 90 occurring in the United States, while Mexico has 160 species, and 109 of them are endemic. The second-largest center of oak diversity is the country of China, containing almost 100 species.
Oaks actually have spirally arranged leaves, with lobate margins in various species. Some even have serrated leaves or whole leaves with smooth margins. A lot of deciduous species are marcescent, and they don’t drop their dead leaves until spring. The fruit of oak trees is a nut called an acorn or oak nut borne in a cup-like structure.
- Oaktree tattoos, meaning, and symbolism.
In many places and times, people considered this tree a sacred one. In fact, in those periods, it found its associations with gods, kings, life, and strength. Its acorns were one of the most significant foods for the Native North Americans. Nowadays, it is a significant source of lumber. Its bark also found its uses in medical remedies. The oak was the favorite tree of Zeus and Thor. The Druids considered it their sacred tree.
Tattoos of the oak come in various styles and even colors. However, the true hues of the different rich browns and greens find their uses in beautiful effects. You can place them in various locations on your body, including the upper arm or lower back. Their position can dictate the shape that the tattoo will take and how the design will flow on the body.
Men of all demographics universally renowned the oak tree tattoos. As we all aspire to be, these trees symbolize longevity, wisdom, and clarity. These beautiful tattoo designs are highlighting the bonds that the wearer has with the natural world. Moreover, they indicate complete assimilation. Just like forests, you can be an individual as part of the collective.
Trees are the male equivalent of feminine flower tattoos. There are endless sections of the plants from which we can choose, each part reflecting different meanings.
Oaktree tattoo designs are extremely popular designs which many men and women around the world choose. This is the common choice of a lot of tattoo lovers in the past years, and even up to these days. Just like we already mentioned, this tree is a sacred one for numerous ancient religions. This is the main reason why this design represents reverence.
Some other things which oak tree tattoo designs represent or mean are:
- Glory;
- Victory;
- Strength;
- Spirituality;
- Bravery;
- Wisdom;
- Patience, etc.
Generally said, trees are the most significant element of nature. That is because they play a crucial role in sustaining life on our planet. They take in carbon dioxide and giving out the precious oxygen gas which we need in order to live. Therefore, they occupy a place of reverence among humans. That is why tree tattoos are popular tattoo designs in contemporary tattoo art.
