When the Europeans brought African slaves to Americas, they were not aware that the slaves also were bringing their religion. Many practiced Vodun, which evolved into different religions collectively called voodoo.
Voodoo makes use of voodoo dolls and magic symbols that have become a very popular subject matter for voodoo doll tattoos. Before you simply head to the tattoo parlor to get inked with a voodoo doll, you might want to get a better understanding of its history and meanings.
The Voodoo Doll History
The voodoo doll come from the Louisiana, which was influenced by cultures that used the Mississippi river. The practice of making voodoo dolls to place a curse or ward off evil spirits goes back before the religion had crossed the seas.
A family would make a statue to house a spiritual enemy. For good reason, it is common for the doll today to represent family, safety, protection, guardianship, and a high power.
While the doll offers the wearer protection, many warn that the power of the doll should not be abused or taken lightly.
The Meanings of the Voodoo Dolls
If you are obsessed with black magic and the idea of being able to cast spells on others, the voodoo doll tattoos might be the perfect subject matter for you. In addition to the doll being able to ward off evil, it can also attack evil if instructed.
Today this doll represents pain and curses. Many choose to show their doll being impaled with pins or knives, which will in turn cause significant pain to one’s enemies.
By placing these items impaling the doll, it represents that this person does not forgive easily, they plot revenge, and they are not willing to compromise when attacked.
The Symbols and Ritual Tools
When it comes to the voodoo doll tattoos, many wearers like to enhance to visual appeal by adding in some ritual tools and symbols. These symbols not only make the image more appealing, they come with added meaning that can change the overall theme of the design. Just like different branches of witchcraft or shamanic religions, the use of stones, swords, and wands play a role in the imagery of exceptional tattoo designs.
For these wearers, the dolls and the ritual tools are symbolic of a person who no longer wants evil in their life, someone who is telling others to steer clear, or one who is looking for added protection for themselves and their families.
The popularity of the voodoo doll tattoos is growing each year as horror films become part of the mainstream media and attract a new audience each year. Many are simply drawn to the cool designs and do not associate the design with the ancient tradition or rituals, they just like the bones, skulls, fire, axes, swords, and pins to make their design more intimidating.
For those who just want a little voodoo flair, or for shock value, they design the image in ways that can put fear in those who are close enough to cast their eyes upon the voodoo doll.
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