Maple leaf tattoos are famous all over the world as they are associated with various meanings in many countries. Are you thinking of getting one such tattoo?
The idea of the maple leaf is the most popular in Canada where it is considered to be their national symbol. In Japan, it is associated with aging and love. They are considered to be a symbol of resilience in other parts of the world. The color that you decide to go for will determine the message you want to convey. The small size of the tattoo means it can be made on almost any part of the body.
The rest of this work will explore the origins of the maple leaf, what it stands for, the sort of characteristics to choose from when getting a tattoo and lastly, we can talk about options of where you can get it based on ideas that are popular.
What is the history of the maple leaf?
The ancestral French Canadians adopted the maple leaf as their symbol in the early 1700s and have kept it as such ever since. In terms of color, the green one represents Quebec while the golden one represents Ontario.
It has even been used on coins in the country between 1876 and 1901. Finally, the maple leaf became their central symbol when the Canadian flag was introduced to the world in 1965.
While the Canadian heritage is the most well-known representation of the maple leaf throughout history, it has been important in other cultures as well. The maple leaf was historically sacred to the people of the Slavic and Baltic regions. They considered the tree to be a representation of the human connection with nature.
What do maple leaf tattoos symbolize?
The leaf is most often known to symbolize the passage of time as summer ends and winter arrives. In Japan, it is often used to represent lovers.
The color of the tattoo is the primary determinant of what the leaf means. A bright shade such as red or green symbolizes a new beginning or hope while a darker shade such as black can do the same for death or the loss of something that is important to you.
In the Celtic regions, the tattoo has been used to symbolize strength and invincibility. The weather in those regions is quite harsh and the maple tree is one of the only ones that are able to survive.
What do maple leaf tattoos mean?
In general, the resilience and toughness of the maple tree is considered to be one of its most influential characteristics and therefore that is what it means for many people who get the tattoo. It is important to note that the tattoo’s meaning can change with the region and the color of the leaf.
In Asia, the maple leaf means love for someone or the world. It is also seen engraved on furniture and other belongings with the same meaning.
The resilience of the maple tree is important because people can use it to signify how they were able to endure the hard times in their lives. It could be someone who was able to survive a natural disaster or a life-threatening illness.
Characteristics and styles of maple leaf tattoos:
Maple leaf tattoos in a bright color scheme represent hope and can be made in the colors red, green, and orange. Darker colors can be made if you want to go for something associated with loss.
Sometimes, tattoos with shades of scenery within are made to represent your love for nature. An especially competent tattoo artist could make something you relate to personally such as a picture from your childhood.
Since maple leaves are also associated with the passage of time, sometimes people get the brown leaves along with an hourglass to emphasize the point even further.
The size of the tattoo is something that you will have to let your personality determine, a minimalistic tattoo or a big one- it is totally up to you. Keep in mind that different aesthetics for objects within the same picture such as multiple maple leaves with different aesthetics on the same person do not look good as they send contradicting expressions.
Where do maple leaf tattoos usually go?
Due to its simple nature, the maple leaf can be made anywhere on the body and still look really good. Usually, the small and minimalistic tattoos are better on the fingers and the wrists for men while women may get them below the ears or the abdomen.
If you are considering going for a larger tattoo, the arms starting from the shoulder down are a good spot for both men and women. The sides of the ribcage are also popular, especially with the scenery shaded maple leaf to signify the environment and how it gives people the ability to breathe.
Women can get a maple leaf tattoo on their ankles too. However, this option is not as suitable for men.
Due to its association with love, two people who want a sign of their bond can get the tattoo in the same place. This is not just limited to married couples, but also siblings and even best friends.
For even better guidance, it would be best to consult a tattoo artist as they can help you come up with ideas based on what you want as they can base their opinions on experience and come up with a solution that is specifically tailored to you.
For ideas about maple leaf tattoos for men, watch this – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxkUC0pqeDg
For women – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSJB7Zo-3bA
Conclusion
Maple leaf tattoos and their meanings can vary depending on the region and the color in which you decide to get them. Go for something that conveys a message about you. Be careful when associating the tattoo with other items to be clear about the sort of look you want to accomplish, you don’t want to end up with something that you didn’t want.
