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Underground > Temple >

Protective Symbols

08:01 / 01.02.02

i want a tattoo of a symbol that will deflect bad energy, to act as a protector. if anyone can post links to pictures or give me any information on what might be suitable, i'd be really grateful.

10:26 / 01.02.02

think of any symbol thath speaks to you of protection.
A five pointed star.
Captain America's shield
a Cross (if you are christian-educated)

12:30 / 01.02.02

Since I'm currently in 'Rune' mode, here's a link to a page on runic tatoos, specifically look at the the Aegishjalmer tattoo.

It's made up of the rune Algiz (also called Elhaz).

Other than that I second what Ciarconn wrote in that if there is a symbol that has personal emotional/spiritual power for you it may be more powerful than any 'traditional' ones. If there isn't one with special meaning though, the one above (or others that people may lead you too) might be more appropriate.

12:57 / 01.02.02

thanks! i've just been to a tattoist's and discussed this. i was directed to the runes, but frankly the algiz has been used by the likes of death in june and i feel it has some right-wing 'connections', for me personally. saying that, the charm looks rather different. the tattoist talked about the eye being used to ward off bad energy and the evil eye, and that clicked with me immediately, so that's probably what i'll go with. my other idea is to check my books on witchcraft and see what they have.

13:08 / 01.02.02

fuck that right wing point of view right out of the window. Sorry nothing personal but.................
AAAAAAAAAAArrrrrrgh makes me sooooo very angry, that these blessed runes are blighted by the machinations of so few.

really I am sorry

Right protection symbols, if the runes are out, then maybe I suggest the Greek/Egyptian eye or a good old clockwise spiral. They are used as protection vorteses. I have twp tattoo spirals (my two suns/sons in my arms at all times, though they are laden with mystery and meaning)

13:09 / 01.02.02

It sounds like you're having fun with your search, which is the best way to approach this stuff. If you enjoy doing research of this kind, take the time to look into protective symbols from your own ancestry or cultures you feel especially drawn to.

Most cultures had some sort of protection against various things like 'the evil eye' which will give you plenty of cool symbols to pick from.

13:32 / 01.02.02

SFD: Would a labrys be too cliché for you? It does make a good protective symbol.

13:36 / 01.02.02

will - sorry to piss you off. yeah, perhaps the algiz needs some serious reclaimation.

lothar - my mother and grandmother put the evil eye on people, so the eye has great significance for me. so obvious i missed it!

17:18 / 01.02.02

I think the nature of the protection needs to be taken into account too - Eyes see, after all (the Chinese used to put them on the bows of their boats, if children's books are to be believed, to help them avoid obstacles and find their way home), Axes cut, Shields deflect.

The tattoo I got was sort of protective, but sort of self-definitive. I put it where cops put their badges - tied in with identity, but also in protecting the vitals.

In Samoa, some traditional tattoos are supposed to make you invisible to your enemies. I'm not sure what those look like.

19:06 / 01.02.02

Simple: a cross (not a crucifix, more an equidistant plus sign) is one of the most basic and universal symbols of protection.

Penticals are only good if you use them in magic and they really mean "protection" to you. Penticles can invoke as easily as banish.

The seal of Soloman is a very powerful one, if you can deal with the origin of it.

I like the thorn rune, personaly, as an alternative to Algaz.

Another way to go is animals, if there are any you feel are particularly "protective" to you. That's a good one if you've done totem or "power animal" type explorations. Or even not, if you have strong associations. A snarling guard dog with a spiky collar can work, for example, especially if you give it a name and personality while you're at it. Tattos are great magic, you can really bring something to life that way.

09:19 / 03.02.02

quote:Originally posted by shortfatdyke:
i want a tattoo of a symbol that will deflect bad energy, to act as a protector. if anyone can post links to pictures or give me any information on what might be suitable, i'd be really grateful.

I'd agree with that the rest have said: find what summarises protection to you, and use that.

On the whole eye theme, there's always the Eye of Horus. Here's a link to a google search for images:
http://images.google.com/images?q=%22eye+of+horus%22&hl=en&sa=N&tab=wi

The pentacle, or pentagram, are also very old, and much used, protection symbols.

I'd second Lothar's suggestion of a "Helm of Awe", they do work extremely well.

Sheela Na Gigs can be used as a protection agent, but only if it appeals to you; some of them look very fierce.

Spirals, or even the classic labyrinth image, can work - the idea is that negative energy/whatever gets lost or distracted while trying to get to you.

I think the Chinese Pa Kua is also a protective symbol.

Also, didn't the Amish, and other Germanic people in Pennsylvania paint Hex signs on their houses? Many of them were for protection. You could always investigate that area too. Here's a link to a bunch of Hex images, but I don't know how "authentic" they are:
http://store.german-usa.com/Hex_Signs/index.html

09:19 / 03.02.02

am thinking now of using the helm of awe - which feels very powerful to me - and possibly changing the circle in the middle to an eye...... thanks so much to everyone who's contributed. it's much appreciated.

11:57 / 03.02.02

Here's link to a number of protective signs from Symbols.com

(Scroll down the page)

14:24 / 04.02.02

Note on pa kua: I think it's more the mirror in the middle than the actual symbols that's protective. The symbols are merely shorthand for the way things change, the way things move.

Helm with an Eye sounds pretty cool, covers a lot of bases.

The idea of Sheela Na Gig tattoos kind of scares me. (That's a great site though - guy documenting all the Sheela Na Gig carvings in the UK)

15:27 / 04.02.02

The idea of Sheela Na Gig tattoos kind of scares me. – grant

BWA-HA-HA-HA!!!!

(I just couldn't resist...sorry...)

On a similar note, perhaps a Gorgon head would make a nice tattoo as well? I've often considered it...

Here's another gorgon. Scar-ee!

20:45 / 04.02.02

you do realise i'm seriously inspired for more tattoos now? will end up covered in goddesses.....

14:22 / 05.02.02

And that's a bad thing?

05:29 / 06.02.02

i sketched the helm of awe with an eye at the centre last night and i was inspired and excited at how powerful and right the image was. i had lurked here a while but was afraid to post - i have a lifelong interest in magick but no real knowledge - and i would like to send my respect and thanks to you people because i feel welcome here.

there are some negative forces in my life right now and i felt out of control, but being here has reminded me that i can make positive things happen. the tattoo will mark a new direction in my life and i have laid the foundations of removing the bad things. i will keep coming here to listen and learn. i used to wonder whether there was a place for magick in my city bound life, but i am beginning to think it is actually essential.

thank you all.

11:12 / 06.02.02

i used to wonder whether there was a place for magick in my city bound life, but i am beginning to think it is actually essential.–shortfatdyke

As a lifelong city dweller, I wholeheartedly agree; Magick helps keep one sane!

Glad you feel welcome here

13:23 / 06.02.02

Now you're getting me all jazzed to get a tatoo. I'm still an ink virgin myself.

14:49 / 06.02.02

I'm currently contemplating a new tattoo, since my DNA travelling in the last few months. I have had the pleasure of meeting Rangi (spelling?) a traditional Maori tattoo artist (he's the guy who did Robbie William's tat). I used to design tattoos and I want to develop some new designs and forms, baring in mind my path and re-associating the tradition of England (or Albion).
Lets keep each other posted on developments. I love body art, and see a huge esoteric tradition to it, so would love to keep a permenent thread alive.

Lothar you ink virgin, its gonna hurt loads (he he he he he he he)

[ 06-02-2002: Message edited by: Will 'it work' Wright ]

14:56 / 06.02.02

<macho mode>
Pain's good. It builds character.
</macho mode>

(whimper)

Mustafa al-Laylah

03:53 / 07.02.02

There's always the ever popular and very lovely Hand of Fatima (Hamsa or Khamsa)

or the Thai Palad Khik

03:53 / 07.02.02

quote:Originally posted by Lothar Tuppan:
Now you're getting me all jazzed to get a tatoo. I'm still an ink virgin myself.

Yep, I'm an ink virgin too, though I know when I'll get one done - in about two years time. Yes, it will have a magical significance, and I've a good idea of what the main design will be, but I've recently been given some extra bits for it.

Pain is the sacrifice for achieving a permanent change to your body, and perhaps a change in spiritual/emotional arenas too. That energy can be harnessed and directed. My recent naval piercing had a lot of associations built into it, and it was done as a permanent reminder of things that I want to achieve in the future, and to aid in a shift of focus and attitude.

04:21 / 09.02.02

i've got, on left leg the following, they are a motto, or as i call them, 'words to live by' : Heart, Anhk, Yin-Yang, Moebius Infinity Stip, Happy-Face and Queston mark.
they are red, blue, b/w, purple, yellow and green.

I think Love, Life, Harmony, Infinity, Happiness and Mystery are good things to have in your life, and things to strive for.
I intend to get two tat's to mark the passing of my brother (last june, LAPD shot him) and mother (Nov. '98, cancer) with something inspired from Fight Club, of all things. there's a line 'you are not a unique and beautiful snowflake.' I decided that my brother and mother were, so I am getting two snowflakes, different from each other, with their names worked into the design, on each shoulder.

this way, i suppose, i could invoke the protection and love they had for me, all the time, and just looking at them in the mirror will remind me of them, and how amazing they were as people.

i've also thought about something else, animalistic, but honestly, don't want to say, so no one eles takes the idea, but i think the power associated with these pictures would be really cool/protective /nifty.

if/when i get that one done, i'll tell you all, as it will be too late!
<insert manical laughter here>

21:58 / 09.02.02

I too have just decided for definite what my first two tattoos will be... one is a motto in text that I have wanted as a tattoo for a long time, and one is specifically magic-related. Not sure whether that will be in bright colour or black yet.