The intention here is the same: to depict the axe as a deadly weapon of war. Sometimes, you will see tattoos with the axe depicted in the foreground and then broken bones scattered in the background, appearing to fly off in all directions. Many artists will also include splashes of blood emanating from the skulls to further highlight the grizzly business of war. The symbolism here is clear: the axe is a deadly weapon. Tattoo artists will sometimes depict Native American axes with skulls embedded along the main shaft of the handle, or at either the top or bottom. It also helps to bring the tattoo to life, creating a greater visual impact for anyone looking at it. The snake serves as a reminder that the axe is deadly and brings up images of good and evil. Getting axe tattoos with a snake wrapped around the handle is another common option. Having the hand physically present in the tattoo helps to make this meaning more apparent. The idea here is to show the axe in action, but also represent the fact that you can also use a weapon for peace.Įven today, people still use the term “burying the hatchet” to mean bringing hostilities to an end. Tattooists can also depict a disembodied hand wielding the Native American axe. It symbolizes the ability to breach defences and defeat others in battle. People also choose this type of tattoo to represent their approach to other people. So, for instance, a person might get one of these tattoos to remind them of a damaging or devastating event in their life. These tattoos represent lost battles or major defeats. Some tattoos depict the handle of the axe completely broken in two, usually with extra visual graphics showing the violence of the break. However, they may also depict stone as well. Many tattoos of this type feature metal blades wedded to traditional wooden or bone handles. The fact that the axe was once destroyed but now rebuilt symbolizes personal characteristics like fortitude, courage and grit. The idea here is to convey the idea that the wearer is battle-hardened and ready to bounce back from whatever attacks come his or her way. This tattoo breaks ranks with traditional tomahawk designs by depicting a reforged handle. Many tattoos of this format also come with a high level of detailing on the wooden handle, the blades, the rawhide and embellishments, such as feathers. This imagery conjures a feeling of solidarity and power and it is less aggressive than traditional depictions.įurthermore, it can quite naturally double as a coat of arms, providing a mark of identity for the person wearing it. While most tomahawk tattoos depict a single axe, you can also get a version featuring two crossed axes. Today, there are literally hundreds of designs from which to choose, all with different meanings. In recent years, the tomahawk has become a must-have tattoo because of its symbolism and importance in Native American culture. Soon, most tomahawks were made of iron, making them stronger and more practical. Instead of using stone, Europeans used metal blades. Decorative varieties had ornate carvings in the wood to make it more beautiful.Īfter Europeans landed in the New World, the basic tomahawk design changed. Indigenous people used it for everything, from chopping wood to fighting battles.īefore Europeans arrived, natives made tomahawks by binding sharpened rocks to handles with strong rawhide. The tomahawk is a traditional Native American axe.
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