Mankind has had a long history with bees, and presumably with wasps as well. There is archaeological evidence dating back at least ten thousand years that early humans gathered honey-combs for the sweet treasure it contained. There is even a possibility that Neanderthals may have practiced a primitive form of bee-keeping, and it is well-known among primatologists that non-human primates avidly seek out and consume honey, so there is no reason to believe that we are any different. We have probably been pursuing the "sweet life" since the dawn of time.
It's no surprise that the bee has been held up as a symbol of social order, diligence and cleanliness. We've all seen how they work incessantly among the flowers, pollinating and gathering honey. For many, the bee became the symbol of good, and because of its untiring work, Christians adopted it as the symbol of Hope. In France, it was recognized as the regal symbol. Napoleon had golden bees sewn into his coronation robe, and it came to symbolize family and government. The tarantula hawk wasp has been adopted as the official insect of New Mexico. It wins the wing-span award, reaching up to 5 inches (12 cm).
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect bee tattoo.
Also Check out: Insect Tattoo Index.
