Heritage Claddagh Cross Tattoo Design

Today marked the culmination of a long project, bringing together three tattoos into one cohesive whole. On the chest we placed a claddagh cross, the Irish symbol for faith, loyalty, and courage. To honor this man's mixed Irish and American Indian heritage, the Cherokee symbol for friendship, the crossed arrows, was placed in the center of the cross. On his sleeve we completed a Cherokee seven pointed star with yin-yang wolves in the middle by adding Celtic knotwork that circles the wolf star and then flows around and under the arm. An ambitious sleeve for a persistent and proud man.

Cherokee Claddagh and Wolf Star tattoo by Pat Fish

Celtic 'Spiral Serendipity' Tattoo

Today a musician came for a band that represents the spiraling notes of the sounds that make her life fulfilled. Bracketed by triquetras, the classic Celtic triple spiral forms the center of a band that completes around her arm, returning to source.

Celtic 'Spiral Serendipity' Tattoo by Pat Fish

Boar Ring Pictish Celtic Tattoo

Today a man whose family crest features a mighty boar requested this custom uniting of both a 9th century Pictish stone carving of a boar and a 6th century Celtic knot work ring. Rendered in both wicker-shading and pointillist dots, it captures the ancient petroglyph art and translates it to skin.

Boar Ring tattoo by Pat Fish

Biker Viking Valknut Tattoo

Today an Alaskan fireman biker, a man who celebrates the connection many motorcycle riders feel with the Viking heritage, came for this custom piece. The unique 12-pointed interwoven Valknut is surrounded by a circle of motorcycle chain, linking the two enthusiasms.

"The valknut (Old Norse valr, 'slain warriors' and knut, 'knot') is a symbol consisting of three interlocked triangles. It appears on a variety of objects from the archaeological record of the ancient Germanic peoples." -Wikipedia