A white crane tattoo from my random tattoo phone pics.
(click the pic to see it larger)
Most Chinese mythology symbolically connects the crane with the idea of immortality.
The Xian (basically immortal Daoist/Taoist with super powers) could supposedly turn into cranes to fly around on journeys.
The ancient Greeks thought the crane was a bird of omen and helped the worthy.
Christian symbolism often places them as the enemies of Satan.
They were sacred to the Goddess Demeter who renewed the earth each spring when her daughter Persephone was released from the underworld.
In India however, the crane has a reputation for deceit and evil.
There is a traditional martial arts style called White Crane that derives its name from this bird’s qualities of graceful power and speed as it soars through the skies.
I could list such stuff about crane myths for pages.
Almost all cultures have mythology related to the crane.
This crane however was found in one of my old cell phone picture files.
Since I cropped in pretty close it may be hard to tell location.
It is on a forearm.
You are looking at the fresh version and when you click the picture to see the tattoo larger it shows at about life-size on my screen.
I remember that the client participated in martial arts at a place called “White Crane.”
The place is actually just down the alley from my current place of work.
I believe (but am not sure) that it is mostly a place to study tae kwan do.
Other martial arts are offered there though, and I think possible a mixed version.
The guy that runs the place seems rather nice, and has credentials of a very high level.
The client (who seemed very serious about his martial arts) still attends the place.
Even if he didn’t though… I think this is a great choice for a tattoo as the crane has elegance and a simple beauty that are timeless.
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