Tattoo symbols / The Bee symbol, mythology-meaning-tattoo placement
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Bee tattoo symbolism and placement
There aren't many insects that are as loved and appreciated as the humble bumblebee. It was not until the final decades that her value was fathomed in it's full extend. Bees are an amazing example of nature's wisdom and creativity and they are a paradigm of serving with ones qualities for the best of our planet and all humanity.
Being a bee probably means never feeling alone and always have a purpose in life. Their life span is as short as a few weeks, but they live it to the fullest. Realizing how important we are for the planet regardless of our size, is a lesson that the bee can teach us, and we should learn that lesson. The contemporary human being needs it as much as breathable air and oxygen.
In essence, the bee a symbol represents a blend of community and cooperation, hard work, fragility, creativity and fertility, a combination of amazing qualities.
Bee herself as well as her gifts (honey, propolis, royal jelly and others) are treasures that we have grown to take for granted, so today, please take a minute and feel the gratitude and respect we should pay to this magnificent gift of nature.
Did you know?
The first finding of honey harvesting is a painting in a cave from around 8.000 year ago, located in Spain.
Bee Symbolism in Mythology and Religion
Hindu Culture
In Hinduism the Goddess of the bees is Bhramari (She is an incarnation of the goddess Mahadevi). She is often depicted spreading black bees (and other insects) from her four hands and is connected with the goddess of abundance Lakshmi. She is also considered a very powerful defensive power that is feared and respected after winning a battle to demon Arunasura.
Vishnu is also depicted as a blue bee perched on a lotus –symbol of enlightenment and resurrection.
Mayas
The Mayan deity of bees in known as Colel Cab. She is a symbol of fertility and a protector of bees and honey even today.
South Africa
African tribes often receive a swarm of bees as a message of ancestors carrying a message for them that they receive after they perform an act like brewing African beer as to be able to receive and understand the message conveyed.
In Pedi tribes the bee is considered a very significant symbol of healing. Especially the queen bee is used by the tribe healer for rituals of empowerment.
Greek Mythology
For ancient Greeks, bees and the honey they produce were considered sacred. Honey was the base for the food of Gods, and milk and honey was the sole nutrition of baby Zeus who was secretly raised in a cave to survive the menos of his father Cronos.
The bee is associated with Nymfes and also assumed to have built the second temple of Apollo on Delfi thus being connected to prophecy.
Their golden/yellow color was connected with the light and the sun and they were also considered carriers of souls through incarnations and messengers of divine messages and wisdom . Godesses like Demetra and Artemis had priestesses as bees and also carriers of the secrets of initiation and fertility.
Egyptian Culture
The Bee in Ancient Egypt was often intertwined with kingship and the divine. From the earliest dynasties, the bee served as a royal emblem – pharaohs adopted the title “He of the Sedge and the Bee,” signifying their rule over Upper (the sedge) and Lower Egypt (the bee). Mythologically, bees were fabled to arise from the tears of the sun-god Ra as they fell to earth, playing a miraculous role in the creation of the universe and a linear corellation with the sun. The castle of goddess Neith of Sais was associated with bees – named the "Castle of the Bee". In Egyptian ritual, bees and their honey embodied sweetness, regeneration, and immortality: honey was offered to the gods in temple rites and even sealed in tombs to nourish the souls of the dead, reflecting a belief in rebirth and eternal life beyond the grave. This connection with the afterlife is a common ground between Egypt and Greek mythology on the power of the bee.
The Bee chakra connection
“Chakra” is a Sanskrit word literally meaning "wheel."
The chakra energy system has seven basic energy centres, or energy wheels on the human body. Each of them is represented as a lotus flower with different number of petals and is also associated with the energy of an animal, a color, a shape, as well as a natural element.
There is a pranayama breathing technique that is called Bhramari which means bee breath. The frequency of the beehive sound (that buzzing noise) has a connection with the 6th chakra (Ajna), the rising of kundlalini energy and the development of ones intuition.
According to Carl G. Jung
The bee is the symbol of the dormant Kundalini that is ready to strike.
Jung associated the bee with our sexual energy, not for the purpose of erotic release but the use of this energy for connection with ones self.
Bee tattoo symbolism and placement
Insects in general - with the exception of spiders maybe - are generally not chosen for their beauty as a tattoo design.
The bee however is a tattoo choice that can be depicted rather cute and beautiful, colorful or black.
Due to the size of the bee -which is usually small - the bee is very beautifully placed either on arms or lower leg areas.
They are often combined with flowers - especially by female clients -. This synthesis is emphasizing the correlation of the bee with spring season and fertility, openness as well as healthy sexuality and flirting.
Place the bee on your arms (especially the left side) to help you choose the best from what is available and learn to receive whatever you need to be happy and content.
The bee teaches us of interdependence. Choose the bee to help you be more active in your community and socialize more - if you need to do so. In this case choose the right side of the body so as to achieve movement and proactiveness.
The bee is also a great symbol to help you achieve long-term goals. A bee is always living for a purpose and if you need inspiration to find yours, place the bee near the spirituality center of the upper spine / lower neck. This placement also clears the communication channel of Vishuddha chakra and assist in your creativity.
If you need to enhance your productivity and decision making, then choose a placement near the solar plexus (side ribs for example). Add some yellow / orange colors. This will help connection with the sun and your power while raising your productivity and sense of direction in your every day life.
Be informed before you get inked!
Thank you for reading the Bee tattoo symbolism and placement post!
Reminder:
Never forget that every tattoo and symbol takes it's meaning from the wearer !!
About the Author (Mandira)
Check out my tattoo page and message me for a custom design that we co-create with love and enthusiasm! Like my facebook page to stay in touch! About Mandira Antar
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