60 Enso tattoos, Zen circle (and their meaning)

This circle is a near-perfect single-stroke design, at least in its original form. Obviously, in the world of tattooing, we use other techniques to reproduce it. Enso is everything and nothing, a collection of collected mystical beliefs and specific interpretations for each person who looks and understands it.

Enso is considered a sacred symbol because it is admirable to draw an almost perfect circle with one wave of the hand. This feat requires a lot of concentration, talent, practice, and a high level of mental toughness.

What does Enso represent on the tattoo?

Among all that a Zen circle is, there is the symbol of the cycle. It is a dispute between life and death, a transition from one to the other. This symbol also symbolizes rebirth.

Did you know that the brain tends to complement this type of figure? Ensō, although it is a circle shape, is incomplete. We do not find there such a union of two ends that would make up its complete figure, but, nevertheless, our brain perceives it as follows: as a whole. And this is exactly what he represents, this symbol with its empty space, where what is outside is visible inside: he wants to show things as a unity, as a whole.

The emptiness that sits in the center of the Zen circle can be freely interpreted as the universe of "nothing" and everything in it. Without a doubt, Ensō tattoos demonstrate the spirituality of those who wear them, people who want to achieve a higher level of understanding of the philosophy of life.

Ideas for Personalizing Your Future Zen Circle

- Combine it with other symbols: in the space left inside the circle, other symbols can be placed, such as the tree of life or the Buddha himself.

- Engravings: you can also combine it with a Japanese print of your choice, because the Zen circle is part of calligraphy, but belongs to the branch of symbols: so you can combine it with something significant.

Most of Enso's tattoos are in black ink with a thick line that represents the brushstroke. But you can paint it with red ink or other colored pigments. The watercolor style can also work really well because it blends in with the brushstroke.