No matter whether you’re a history lover, into comics, or a fan of genealogy, getting a shield tattoo is a good way to express your interests or beliefs. These tattoos are easily personalized since there are several different ways to design your own through the use of color, placement, size, and the incorporation of other symbols and images.
Meanings of Shield Tattoos
The shield in tattoos can mean different things. Everything depends on the style, form, and placement of the shield and any additional images that go with it. Some of the essential meanings include:
- Family heritage
- Protector
- Warrior
- Strength
- History
- Experience in battle
- Christian faith
- Guardian angel
- Patriotism
Shield tattoo designs:
There are all kinds of shield tattoos, and they can all be personalized to reflect your meaning and message. Below we gonna talk about some of the most popular designs, but you can always find other tattoo designs for you.
Sword and Shield
The sword and shield represent the classic combination of symbols. They can reveal an individual’s battle-readiness, whether mental or physical, or serve as a symbol of their years in armed service. You can see this tattoo on the bicep, indicating strength, or over the heart, revealing one’s willingness to die for a particular cause or their country.
One way to personalize this design is by combining it with the number of your division or the branch of the armed forces you served in. By including this information on the shield, you show that you are sworn to protect them. Another version of this design is to incorporate your country’s crest or colors on the shield, principally if you served in your country’s military. This way, it is apparent that you protected and fought for your country and inserted some color into an otherwise silver or grey-scale design.
Spartan Shield Tattoo Designs
In history, shields were an essential means of any soldier, and each civilization had its exclusive designs and styles for their armor. One of the most well-known of these civilizations was ancient Sparta. Spartan warriors were famous for their fierceness in battle, and a Spartan shield tattoo is a brilliant way to show your strength, either in battle or in life in general. There are a few different designs on this tattoo. The basic Spartan design includes just the distinctive circular shield. This part of the armor is with gold and red coloring and a Greek-style geometric design along the shield’s circumference. In this design, maybe a Spartan warrior himself, wearing the typical Spartan helmet: gold, covering almost the entire face, and with a red plum along the top.
Angel and Shield
In combination with an angel, this tattoo can represent your guardian angel, watching over you night and day. Although the angel can be somewhat generic, some variations on this design can include your guardian angel or a person you have lost but who you believe is still watching over you. On the shield, you can inscribe their name or date of birth to indicate who this person is and that they mean a great deal to you.
Another version of this design is to have the angel warding off danger or a foe of some kind. This may be symbolic, like a dragon or a devil, or something more realistic. For instance, it can be a particular fear or phobia, or a representation of death, man’s greatest enemy. To make this tattoo unique, you can play with color and scale. You can also place the angel on the inside of your wrist. In this way, you’ll have a daily reminder that your angel is watching over you and protecting you with his shield.
Shield and Cross Tattoo Designs
This tattoo motif can also represent Christian faith, especially when the shield is decorated with or depicted alongside a cross. One specific version of this tattoo is the Crusader’s armor. These Christian warriors fought many fiery battles during the middle ages, and their insignia was a red cross on a white backdrop, often incorporated on their shield. Choosing a Crusader’s shield tattoo will firmly demonstrate your dedication to Christianity and your willingness to die for your faith.
Another version of this design is to have a shield leaning up against the cross, which symbolizes how your faith also serves as a shield and guards you from harm and guides you along the right path. This design looks fantastic on the shoulder or back, where there is enough space, but can also be customized to fit in smaller areas such as on the ankle or forearm.
Heraldic Shield Tattoo Designs
Throughout history, families have been known by their heraldic crests that consisted of representations of a family’s symbols and motto on a shield, often with particular colors or designs further signifying traits of the family. Getting this tattoo is a great way to incorporate your family name, history, and qualities into a design.
There are many different types of tattoo designs. For instance, you can address tradition. To do that, look up your family slogan, historic crest, and other documented data, or you could decide on your crest. This second option is particularly great for newly married couples who want to represent their union by combining elements from both names to create a unique shield for your new family.
Shield tattoo designs are a perfect choice for men and women of any age. Their quality is timeless, and they have great potential for personalization. With shield tattoos, you also have the ability to project your innermost qualities, attributes, and ambitions. This makes them unique tattoos that you will wear with pride.