106 Buddha tattoos: best design and meaning

The word "Buddha" comes from Sanskrit and means "awakened." The Buddha, who is said to have reached the Bodhi stage of enlightenment, taught the Dhamma, the state of moral justice and truth inherent in every person and in the universe. Essentially, the Buddha tattoo represents all of these truths, although there are variations that completely change the meaning.

Usually a Buddha tattoo depicts the face of a smiling or laughing Buddha, a meditating Buddha, or a sitting Buddha. Although Buddha is not so common in Western cultures, Thai, Japanese and Tibetan cultures, on the other hand, they all contain many images of Buddha walking or standing, each with its own meaning. Usually the legs of a seated Buddha are in the Single or Double Lotus position, while his hands can be in various positions to show the meaning of the Buddha or to represent the story of his life.

The symbolic meaning of several Buddha tattoos

Just as Buddha statues in different positions have different symbolic meanings, Buddha tattoos are also important in their essence. There are over 100 variations of Buddha tattoos, each representing a specific aspect of the Buddha's life. For example:

- Buddha calling the earth to witness - This Buddha image is common in Thai culture and shows the Buddha sitting cross-legged. In this position, the left hand of the Buddha rests on his thigh, and the right hand is directed towards the ground with the palm inward. This tattoo usually represents the "Moment of Enlightenment".

- Medicine Buddha - This particular Buddha portrait is very common in Tibetan culture and shows the Buddha with blue skin, right hand down and left hand holding a bowl of herbs. The symbolic meaning of the Medicine Buddha is related to "health and well-being" and is chosen by people with an interest in health.

- Teaching Buddha. Another popular tattoo is the Teaching Buddha, which depicts the Buddha with crossed legs, one hand makes the letter "O" with the fingers, and the other palm is facing up. This symbolic image awakens understanding, wisdom and accomplished individual destiny.

- Walking Buddha. Although most Buddha images depict a seated Buddha, there are actually many significant postures depicting a standing Buddha. For example, a walking Buddha has a hind right foot, one hand on the side, and the other raised. This tattoo is a symbol of grace and inner beauty.

- Buddha Nirvana - Another popular Buddha image, this tattoo depicts the Buddha shortly before his death. The Reclining Buddha can be seen on the right on the table. Symbolically, this tattoo symbolizes the achievement of spiritual enlightenment and the exit from the cycle of death and rebirth, entering Nirvana.

- Meditating Buddha - These Buddhas are popular in Japanese culture and other cultures. They are depicted seated with their legs crossed and their arms folded in the center of their abdomen. This tattoo symbolically represents the search for peace and serenity in every person's life.

Since Buddhism is the fourth faith in the world, Buddha images can be found in temples or prayer rooms around the world. As Buddhism becomes more and more popular in the West, Buddha images become more and more common and can be seen in all forms, from traditional art to body art.

The essential meaning of a Buddha tattoo is truth and hope. Fears, joys, love, jealousy - these conditions simply exist, instead of being "good" or "bad." While all people share elements of the same truth, every journey is special and unique. All beings are free to choose their own path, and each person can attain Enlightenment.

Anyone who wears a Buddha symbol or tattoo depicting him is probably looking for the ultimate truth in his own life, instead of seeking it through the rules of humans or God. Many people who are thinking about a Buddha tattoo have experienced soul rebirth in one form or another, often through hardships or life trials. Usually those who wear this type of tattoos are kind people with an open mind who accept others and see life as a wonderful journey.

A Buddha tattoo is deeply personal and should always reflect the life story of the wearer. Buddha tattoos are universal and whether they represent a state of enlightenment, whatever it is that a person is in, or the difficulties his mind is facing, there is a Buddha posture that represents him. This makes Buddha tattoos unique and truly meaningful to everyone.