For many people, the weeping willow is a symbol of inner strength in the face of pain, grief, and sadness. The willow is not only an aesthetically beautiful tree, but also has deeply spiritual and meaningful connections to sadness and loss. For this reason, many choose a weeping willow tattoo to represent the loss of a loved one or a deeply sad experience.
In the rest of this article, we look at the history, meanings, and symbolism of weeping willow tattoos, along with some unique and interesting design ideas to try.
What is the history of weeping willow tattoos?
Not much is known about the history of weeping willow tattoos. Although they have been popular for a long time, the exact time they first appeared is not known. Instead, we know more about the more recent history of the tattoo.
The weeping willow is a very beautiful tree and makes for a very attractive looking tattoo. Alongside the deeply symbolic nature of the tree, it’s likely that the aesthetic appearance of the tree made it popular with people looking for a meaningful, attractive tattoo.
The willow has long been a symbol of strength and adaptation, particularly when associated with loss and grief. Weeping willow tattoos has been most commonly associated with women looking to represent a period of darkness or sadness in their lives.
What do weeping willow tattoos symbolise?
Weeping willows are trees with a very long, interesting symbolic history. Some of the things the tree is used to symbolise include:
- Mysticism,
- Strength,
- Flexibility,
- Rebirth.
To some, weeping willow tattoos symbolise their superstitions or mysticism. This comes from the belief in some parts of the world that witches once carved their brooms out of the wood of the willow.
Weeping willows are symbolic of inner strength in the face of pain or loss, so tattoos are usually intended to symbolise this. Many people choose the weeping willow as a symbol of a grief or sadness they have experienced, while others prefer to commemorate the endurance they needed to get through the experience.
In Celtic mythologies and traditions, weeping willows symbolise flexibility, and so they are often used to represent adaptation in the face of adversity. The willow itself is very flexible, able to bend and twist in very unusual ways while still maintaining its strength. For some people, this symbolises the ability to remain strong and thriving despite facing struggles.
A weeping willow tattoo may be used to symbolise rebirth or immortality, as the tree has deep associations with this in Chinese culture. The tree is very hardy, able to withstand and grow strong despite difficulties. In this way, tattoos may be used to symbolise the strength it takes to continue on after a loss or time of sadness.
What do weeping willow tattoos mean?
A weeping willow tattoo has different meanings for different people, but most meanings are connected in some way to loss and feelings of sadness. Weeping willows have a long history of representing lost loved ones, so tattoos may also be used in this way.
The weeping willow is usually used to represent feelings of melancholy, grief, and sorrow, so weeping willow tattoos are typically meant to represent some form of loss or sadness. For many people, this tattoo is used to show that they are not afraid to express their emotions.
However, weeping willows can also represent strength and safety, plus feelings of growth and belonging. In this way, a tattoo may mean that someone has experienced something very difficult, like the loss of a loved one, and come through the other side feeling stronger and more capable.
So, while a weeping willow tattoo can represent the sad, dark times in a person’s life, it can also mean that the person has come through the dark times and become stronger and better in the process.
Many people choose weeping willows as tattoos to symbolise a type of memorial for someone they have lost. This might mean they have something to help them remember the person, either due to the willow’s associations with grief, loss, and endurance, or out of a love of the tree.
Characteristics and styles of weeping willow tattoos
Most weeping willow tattoos tend to emphasise the characteristics of the weeping willow itself. A lot of the willow’s physical traits represent the symbolism and meanings associated with it, and so many people choose to use them in their tattoos.
The long, drooping branches of a weeping willow often appear to be crying as rainwater runs down them and off the end. For this reason, many people associate the weeping willow with feelings of sadness and grief, as well as the expression of emotions. So, tattoos might focus on the branches of the tree to represent these emotions and experiences.
Colour is another important consideration when getting a weeping willow tattoo, as its colours represent different aspects of its symbolism. The brown of its trunk is thought to represent stability, responsibility, and structure, while its green leaves represent nature, birth, and fertility.
Most tattoos focus on the tree alone, usually on a calm day so that the tree is still and peaceful. Some people may instead include the wind blowing through the tree to show its strength and adaptability. Others choose to include another symbol, such as the moon, water, or other symbol to represent grief, loss, or a loved one.
Where do weeping willow tattoos usually go?
Weeping willow tattoos are usually quite big, particularly if they contain other aspects. For this reason, they are often placed on the back, the ribs, or the legs and arms. Many people choose to place their tattoo somewhere visible, so that they can remember a loved one or the symbolism of the tree easily.
Summary
Weeping willow tattoos are usually used to represent pain, sadness, and grief, as well as the strength that can come from this. The tree is a popular tattoo with people wanting to commemorate the loss of a loved one with a beautiful, attractive image that is also deep in symbolism and meaning.
