The Top Three Sanskrit Tattoo Designs Om, Padme, Trishula

When you get a tattoo, you should not skimp on the cost. Pay whatever it takes to get it done right. If you can't afford a big one, then get a small tattoo. Don't end up like so many youngsters today - they see someone with a large, beautiful tribal tattoo and rush to get one themselves. Except that they can't afford a first-rate tattoo artist, so they go to a cheap one. What the end up with is a piece of trash looking as if someone threw paint on their skin. There are several small, simple Sanskrit tattoo designs which are ideal for the beginner tattoo enthusiast. They look good when done right, yet do not cost too much even when done by a good tattoo artist. Here are three of the top Sanskrit tattoos:

 Padme, Lotus Flower

 If you want something colorful, then the Sanskrit lotus flower tattoo will be great for you. Unlike normal flower tattoos, the Sanskrit lotus flower tattoo is drawn in a stylized form. It resembles the bright, colorful Mandalas used in Hindu celebrations.

 This tattoo can stand alone or it can come together with the Om symbol. For women, you might see it in a tattoo on the lower back or shoulder. Since it is stylized, men can also sport it on their biceps without looking wimpy. However, you shouldn't put it on your buttocks because the lotus flower is a sacred flower associated with the cycle of Creation and Destruction of the world.

 Om/Omkar Symbol

 Om is one of the primal sounds which created the Universe. It is a sacred sound and appears in the mantras of many systems of meditation. It has many meanings to the Hindu religion, but to those who just wish to express their spirituality, Om corresponds to the 3 states of human consciousness - the waking state, the dreaming state and deep sleep. In other words, if you get the Sanskrit Om tattoo, it will be a constant reminder to you of your level of spiritual awareness.

 Om can also be drawn with the Omkar symbol which is supposed to represent Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and the God of Success. This symbol has four parts - the upper curve is the head, the large lower curve is the large belly, the curve at the side is the trunk, the semi-circle and dot is the sweetmeat ball held in the hand.

 Trishula, Trident Symbol

 The three-pronged trident wielded by Shiva, God of Destruction, is a popular motif for Sanskrit tattoo designs. This trident is called the Trishula, and it too holds several different meanings. It can mean the unending cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction of the world. At the same time, it also means the past, present and future. It can also mean the three energy channels in the human body coming together at the brow.

 In one version of the Hindu myths of their gods and demons, Shiva cut off Ganesha's original head with his trident and replaced it with an elephant's head. So you probably don't want to put the Trishula together with the Omkar in the same tattoo. On the other hand, the Trishula alone on a man's biceps look pretty good.

 Getting a tattoo isn't just a matter of expressing your individuality and spirituality. It is also a matter of fun. Although you don't really need to know the stories behind the popular Sanskrit tattoo designs, it does make the whole experience more interesting. It's like a piece of good art, what makes a famous painting great is not just how magnificent it looks, but also the story behind it.