The zia symbol is a popular Native American tattoo design. As with other Native American symbols, this one has various meanings and can be interpreted in different ways depending on the person it’s tattooed on. It is important to understand the symbolism behind certain images before getting a tattoo as they involve deep cultural significance that might not be clear to someone who is not well versed in the topic.
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The zia symbol design is usually used for tattoos related to love and affection, although the meaning can vary depending on the style and form it is represented in. However, if you are thinking of getting one, it would be ideal to find out what this design means before committing yourself. Trying to figure it out for yourself might not lead to the best outcome, as there is a good chance that you end up getting something that means nothing to you. In this article we try and look at some of the most common references associated with this design and give an insight into their meanings.
The Zia symbol meaning
When interpreted from a Native American point of view, the zia symbol can represent a number of things. For some it can be a representation of the sun while for others it is something that brings protection and security. The design consists of four rays that are meant to represent the rising, setting, noon and midnight sun. According to some beliefs this tattoos relates to the ”four corners of the world”.
When it is used in Zia Pueblo pottery, this symbol means much more to the people who are familiar with its meaning. For them, it represents their way of life and beliefs, and more importantly it has a lot to do with their religion. According to these people, this design contains a number of elements. When viewed from the left, you will notice a circle with a dot in the middle and four lines going outwards from it. This represents a sun symbol that is commonly used by them, while when looking at it from the top you will see three shapes that are meant to represent clouds coming together.
When interpreted spiritually, this design is said to bring protection. It is believed that it acts as a shield against evil and can also protect people from dangers that might be lurking around them. The tattoo has many variations, for instance, the lines can be thicker or thinner, or some of them might not even be present. This variation comes with different meanings, each one representing something different.
Therefore, if you are thinking about getting a tattoo like this it would be ideal to find out more about its meaning first. Doing so might save you from some unpleasant surprises further down the line, especially if the design has spiritual connotations. Getting one removed is not an easy process and not really recommended as it can leave a scar behind, so it is important to ensure that you have made the right choice.
Zia tattoo designs and symbols
The design of the zia symbol has evolved over time. In Native American culture it is often portrayed as a circle with four or five rays extending from it in different angles. It can also be shown with only four lines with no circle, or it can have dots in the middle. These are just some of the variations that you might find when looking for this design.
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It is also common to find variations on tattoos featuring this symbol of Native American origin. Some people prefer to use letters like Z and Y inside of it, but they are not shy of using an S or a K either. Another popular variation is to have a heart shape within it or even a diamond, but the four lines are usually extended outside of this shape as well.
These tattoos can be placed on any part of the body and they look good no matter whether they are bigger or smaller. The most common places where people get them are the arms, legs, chest, shoulders or back. However, they can go anywhere else as well if you prefer.
