Men who are looking for manly tattoo designs choose Poseidon tattoos. These tattoo designs are inspired by the Greek God who is equivalent to the Roman god Neptune, Norse God Ran (aka Ager), Japanese God Ryujin, and Hindu God Varuna.
If you are choosing a Poseidon tattoo then you must know what Poseidon looked like and what was his place in Greek mythology. You should also be aware that how or what a Poseidon tattoo will represent.
Poseidon Tattoo Symbolism
In Greek mythology, Poseidon was the god of the sea and earthquakes. He is one of the triads of supreme gods from which all others came to be Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades. In his many roles, he also became known as the “Earth Shaker” because of his power over landmasses.
Poseidon was depicted as a mature man with a sturdy figure and dark beard that covered most of his face. His weapon was a three-pronged fork (trident). This symbolized dominion over the sea and was used by him to create storms and whirlpools when thrown into deep water. However, Poseidon could not control everybody of water so it became an enemy to those who were sailors or fishermen.
Poseidon was a master horseman and masterful in all forms of animal training. He was the father to many mythological creatures which included a flying horse named Pegasus, the Minotaur (a creature with the head of a bull on the body of a man), and numerous others such as hippocamps (horses with mermaid-like tails) and golden deer among others.
Importance of Poseidon in Greek Culture
Poseidon was fathered by Kronos with Rheia (the wife of Oceanus). He married Amphitrite, a Nereid, and they had many children including Triton and Rhode. He is often seen with his brother/nephew Zeus who became ruler of Olympus after deposing their father, and his other brothers Hades and Horkos (or Horkhos). When Horkhos wouldn’t release the imprisoned giants he was punished for this crime against humanity by having an eagle carry off one of his eyes. He also held sway over Demeter and Dionysus.
Poseidon was the second son of Rheia and Kronos, who ruled over Atlantis until his brother Zeus deposed him from his throne. Greatly angered by this, Poseidon and his brothers fought a great war that destroyed their father’s kingdom, leaving only scattered islands in its wake. The three brothers eventually allied and divided the world amongst themselves: Zeus took control of Olympus; Hades was given dominion over the underworld, and Poseidon became lord of the sea. Poseidon fathered many children, both with Amphitrite (the Nereid) and with mortals such as princess Amymone.
Meaning of Poseidon Tattoo
What Poseidon represents in this context is that he also related to water in addition to what you would assume by his name. Having tattoos of Poseidon means you are looking for an alternative perspective on life. You want to embrace your masculinity but remain spiritual. This may be why Poseidon’s image has been co-opted by many gay communities which acknowledge his role as a symbol of masculinity, power, and spiritual enlightenment.
Poseidon – the ruler of the sea, earthquakes, and horses. He is also known as Neptune by Romans. He has a dolphin on his trident which symbolizes dolphins are under his control too.
The trident represents fire, water, and air – 3 basic elements of life that we see around us in their simplest form daily. To instruct someone to do something means giving them an instruction with a weapon or tool (trident). The trident even became a Christian symbol for the holy trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Zeus and Poseidon Tattoos – A Great Matching Tattoo Option for Brothers
In Greek mythology, Poseidon was one of 12 Olympian gods who accepted Zeus as their king. As such he held sway over not only the oceans but also earthquakes and horses which were considered to be creatures of the sea.
Zeus and Poseidon tattoos are very popular nowadays because of the resurgence in Greek mythology in pop culture.
These popular Greek Gods make great tattoo material; they symbolize strength and courage, which would be good for guys seeking tattoos, or girls looking to get some ink that’s a little more interesting than a butterfly or flower.
Zeus would represent the lightning of the sky whereas the Poseidon tattoo will symbolize the depth of the ocean. You can add waves or greek water symbols as motifs in your Poseidon design. I love the idea of water symbols because they are very versatile, and can be incorporated with any number of other symbols. They also seem to look good on both men and women as tattoos.
Here we have chosen 210+ best Poseidon tattoos for men as well as women
Poseidon Tattoo Design For Men
Poseidon Tattoo Shoulder
Traditional Poseidon tattoos
Poseidon Trident Tattoo
Conclusion
What does a Poseidon tattoo mean? The answer is up to you. However, what this post has presented are some ideas that you can focus on which will help you in your decision. Remember, the answer is different for everyone!