| Do you have vine tattoos? If you do and you're like | | | | determination and strength. In pagan rituals, the vine |
| most people, chances are you don't now much about | | | | is glorified because it symbolizes everlasting life, |
| the history and symbolism behind them. This is a pity | | | | death, and tenacity. This symbolism is quite apt |
| because vine tattoos are actually replete with | | | | considering that when an ivy clings to a tree, it can |
| meaning. | | | | kill even the sturdiest of trees. |
| Back in the day, vines were not worn casually. They | | | | Roman Symbol |
| carried special meaning for the wearer. Some wore | | | | You may not know much about Roman myths but |
| them to assert their cultural heritage. Others wore | | | | surely you've seen how ivy-oriented the Romans are. |
| them to express their beliefs in a lifestyle or a | | | | They honored the ivy as a symbol of immortality. |
| religious mantra. | | | | Ancient Roman coins usually have vines snaking |
| Religious Symbol | | | | around the edges. The god of wine, Bacchus (also |
| Early Christians looked upon the ivy and the | | | | known as Dionysus), wore a crown of evergreen |
| grapevine as pagan symbols. Accordingly, a grapevine | | | | Ivy. During the winter celebrations of the Roman |
| crown was seen as the symbol of gluttony. | | | | Saturnalia, the ivy and the holly are considered "the" |
| Fortunately, modern Christian perception of vines | | | | Christmas plants. |
| have long since undergone a dramatic change. Today, | | | | Vine tattoos are attractive symbols to wear on the |
| the vine is seen as a symbol of peace and bounty. It | | | | skin. They can be worn as an accent or as the main |
| appears just as frequently on stationeries as it does | | | | statement. They can be floral or tribal. Most |
| around people's arms and ankles. | | | | importantly, they can be as huge or as tiny as you |
| Cultural Symbol | | | | want. So go ahead, get inked with the hollies today! |
| The Celts valued the vine as a symbol of | | | | |