Tattoo Designs & Symbols
TATTOO DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - JAGUAR TATTOOS

Tattoo Symbol Index - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


Tattoo designs - J >> Jaguar

Jaguar tattoo designsJaguar Tattoos - The jaguar is the largest and most ferocious cat of the Americas, pound for pound more fierce and dangerous than: the tiger, the lion or the leopard. The Jaguar is at the pinnacle of the food chain in the Americas. The Jaguar is fiercely independent and cunning and both males and females are very territorial. It is the only large cat that routinely hunts in the water and in both Meso and South America it was a potent symbol of prowess in either hunting or battle.

The Jaguar figures prominently in the mythology of most cultures in South and Central America. It occurs in the art and religion of all pre-Colombian American civilizations and was considered a familiar and a companion of Shamans among the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs . It is an extraordinarily ancient and powerful totem animal and was a symbol of the nobility and the authority of royal families. The fur, claws and teeth of the jaguar were often used to adorn and decorate the costumes and finery of the highest ranking individuals.

These cultures found it very significant that Jaguars came in two colour phases, yellow and black and believed that the yellow phase of the Jaguar pulled the sun across the day sky and that the black phase of the Jaguar pulled the moon across the night sky. It was also considered important that the jaguar was equally at home hunting either on land or in the water, at night or in open daylight.

The jaguar was often the symbol of shamans, individuals who could bridge the conscious and unconscious worlds, who had a special access to the afterlife and to the spirit world. Many thought the jaguar was a shape-shifter, or were-jaguar, able to transform itself at will. Many Mayan and Olmec Gods had prominent jaguar-like features and characteristics and the jaguar was considered to be a god of the underworld.

Jaguar Inspiration Gallery - Click here to get inspired!Get inspired by some great images and photos of this magnificent big cat in our Jaguar Inspiration Gallery

See also: Cat, Black Cat, Leopard, Lion, Panther

Choose your own jaguar tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com. Find and buy the jaguar tattoo design that's perfect for you.

Jaguar tattoo design ideas from Tattoo-Art.com

Jaguar / Panther Tattoo design ideas at Tattoo Johnny

Jaguars and Panthers as tattoo designs and symbols

Tattoo designs - J >> Jaguar

Tattoo Tribe Clothing and products inspired by classic tattoo designs and quotes.

Tattoo Symbol Index - A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Google
Celeb Tattoos | Facts & Stats | Designs & Symbols | History | Culture | Links | Tattoo Galleries | Contact

Copyright © 1999- www.vanishingtattoo.com All rights reserved.