Armadillo tattoo meaning and symbolism

Armadillo is also known as pangolin. It is the only mammal that has its own protective shell. Armadillos are nocturnal animals, camouflaged armored and covered with thorny scales to protect them from predators.

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They dig burrows in the ground and live alone or in pairs. Because of their small size and ease of reproduction, they are able to populate various areas. They eat insects and larvae found in the soil; Some species prefer ants, others beetles, worms or woodlice.

Three-banded armadillos can even prey on snakes.

Armadillo is a symbol of perseverance and survival in the face of adversity, which is why it has become a popular tattoo for people who have struggled with illness or addiction and managed to get back up and carry on.  

The armadillo’s ability to roll into a ball is often used as a metaphor for being able to confront difficult issues and deal with them successfully.

Other meanings associated with the armadillo tattoo: camouflage, defense or protection, adaptation, survival instinct.

In many cultures, armadillos have been associated with death and even being a food of witches. Quite recently, in 2012, a man found an armadillo’s corpse with burned human bones. They were buried according to the local ritual. As it turned out, this was one of the victims of serial killer “Gurko”.

The most popular place for an armadillo tattoo is the shoulder blade area.  It can also be placed on other parts of the body where it will not easily be noticed by others.

Armadillo tattoos can be realistic or stylized and black and gray or multicolored.

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