Getting a tattoo of Queen Nefertiti is a symbol of strength, power, beauty, controversy and history. Even though we know she existed as an actual person, her origins and roots shroud in mystery and are lost to the pages of history.
This has led to an almost mythological understanding of who she was and what she represented.
Regardless, she’s one of the most popular queens in ancient Egypt, next to Cleopatra and Hatshepsut. But, what sets this woman apart from other great noble ladies is her belief in one god.
What we do know about her, she was both an admired and despised figure. Indeed, there is a whole mystery around this famous queen.
A Brief History about Queen Nefertiti
Queen Nefertiti was the child wife and consort to Pharaoh Akhenaton during the 14th century BC. She was one of the most beautiful, powerful and charismatic leaders of her time.
She birthed six daughters, but it’s unclear whether she was the mother of the subsequent ruling brother pharaohs left behind after the death of the royal couple: Tutankhamen and Smenkhkare.
A Figure both Loved ; Hated
She was both loved and hated by the Egyptian people because the royal couple shifted the traditional polytheistic faith into a monotheistic one.
Both Queen Nefertiti and Pharaoh Akhenaton attempted to abolish gods like Thoth and Amon, replacing them with only Aten.
Because of the rampant and vicious distrust from the people, they removed much of her from much of the historical record. We don’t know much about her life except for the fact that at one time, she did exist.
We Don’t Know Much about Queen Nefertiti
For the meager records we do have about the life and times of Nefertiti, there is a clear display from those who loved her for her beauty and grace.
But there are equal amounts of surviving records to indicate there were plenty of people who deeply hated her.
This is due to the religious fervor with which Nefertiti and Akhenaton attempted to remove the old polytheistic gods from Egyptian tradition.
They even changed their names. Akhenaton, or “Horizon of the Aten,” was originally Amenhotep IV. Nefertiti changed hers to Neferneferauten, or “Beautiful are the Beauties of Aten.”
What Queen Nefertiti Symbolizes
Queen Nefertiti is a potent symbol of ancient mystery. But, today we have come to see her as a sign of power, beauty and regal femininity.
Regardless of how much we know about her in a historical sense, she has been the inspiration for music, movies, books and art, including tattoos.
Her gracefulness and charm have worldwide renown, even to this day. Ergo, many people find her visage – especially her famous bust – to be a source of inspiration for some of the best skin art ever done.
What a Queen Nefertiti Tattoo Means
Men and women alike tend to get a striking tattoo of Queen Nefertiti to project their connection to ancient Egyptian culture.
Likewise, she has an ambiance of feminine power and eternal strength when under attack by those who don’t approve.
Therefore, someone sporting her image may use it as an affirmation about self-power to overcome and conquer obstacles.
Also, Nefertiti was notorious for her undying devotion to her husband and her country. This could also be a symbol for having a tattoo of her as well.
Does Body Placement Have Meaning for a Queen Nefertiti Tattoo?
While there isn’t any particular place on the body that carries specific meaning, you can make such a tattoo mean something.
Depending on what you want to emphasize and which aspects about Queen Nefertiti you’d like to highlight, the shoulder, bicep or forearm could depict her strength.
On the chest, back or thigh, you could feature her more sensual and beautiful aspects. If you want to display her admirable faith and devotion, you could put her on the fingers or the inside of the wrist.
But, seeing how she was such a figure of controversy, you could also have it in a “controversial” area.
What Other Symbols Coincide with a Tattoo of Queen Nefertiti?
When considering the famous queens of ancient Egypt, many people immediately jump to the symbol of the ankh as an accompaniment for their tattoo. However, this is Nefertiti and she did not follow the traditional religion.
The ankh, although symbolic of fertility, was not necessarily something that Nefertiti or Akhenaton would have held in high regard like their predecessors.
So, something like the sun and/or the moon would probably be a more appropriate symbol to coincide with a tattoo of her.
That said, it wouldn’t be wrong to include the ankh. Indeed, it’s part and parcel to the culture as a whole throughout the time of the empire’s existence.
Wasn’t Nefertiti a Goddess like Cleopatra and Hatshepsut?
In ancient Egypt, it was common practice for royalty to liken themselves to the deities they honored. For instance, Cleopatra considered herself a daughter of Isis and Hatshepsut identified with the goddess Hathor.
But, Nefertiti did not take on the same associations. Instead, she clung to the title as being the feminine aspect of the one god, Aten.
Is Queen Nefertiti the same queen as Nefertari?
Unfortunately, many people mistakenly believe that Nefertari is another name for Nefertiti. This is not the case. These are two completely different people in Egyptian history that are distinct and separate from one another.
Nefertari was the wife of Pharaoh Ramses II, as told in the book of Exodus in the Bible. This was the pharaoh involved with the story of Moses in releasing the Jewish people from bondage.
Conclusion
A beautiful tattoo of Queen Nefertiti can be an excellent way to not only display some of the finest skin art, but also to connect to her beauty and what she meant to history.
She was a devoted wife, mother and queen of ancient Egypt who symbolizes beauty, greatness, feminine power and strength in the face of adversity
