The symbolism of images with chains is interpreted almost unambiguously in most ancient cultures. This is a fairly strong connection, even to the point of addiction. Nowadays, a tattoo with a neat chain is perceived as an image of strong friendship, joint efforts made to achieve a goal, a connection between people.
The chain is associated with slavery, but this does not mean that it carries negative energy. This could be a strong love attachment or following your calling, for example, a creative impulse. Restrictions do not always bring harm; they can also guide a person, limiting and shackling his bad sides.
If an image with a broken chain is chosen as a tattoo, then it is necessary to interpret it as liberation, aspiration to the desired independence from circumstances, freedom of thoughts and feelings.
The Christian tradition interprets the image of a chain as a vice that entangles a person, worldly experiences, the desire for enrichment, the opposite sex, and excitement. In Europe, a chain on the body symbolizes dependence on the public.
If there is an image of paired chains on the body, this can be interpreted as consent and union, contract, marriage, unions of higher matter - for example, heaven and earth. According to ancient Greek myths, Zeus, in order to unite with Hera, stretched a golden chain from heaven to earth. To this day, the image of chains is often interpreted as a link between the earth’s firmament and the heavens. This connection helps to cope with difficulties, to overcome the space that separates a person from higher consciousness.
Masons interpret the image of the chain as a symbol of brotherhood, friendship, uniting a secret society. After each meeting, the Masons stood around their table and joined hands, this was a symbol of their unbreakable bond. Nowadays, a chain tattoo does not carry such a deep philosophical meaning. And very often young people choose this particular image because of the external effect and on a whim. The image really looks quite impressive. Girls strive to emphasize the elegance of their wrists and ankles with them. Men place chain links on their shoulders and neck, emphasizing masculinity.
The meaning of chains and chains is very similar. At the same time, the interpretation of a tattoo with a chain is more “soft”; it can perform a decorative function without being tied to a deep semantic meaning. So you can find chain bracelets, complemented by the image of keychains; in this case, the symbolism must be considered together with them. Two chains can be supplemented with a name or initials; this symbolizes a very close connection between two people, both spiritual and physical, whose love is sent from above.
Chains were previously intended for prisoners who had to atone for their debt to society by working in galleys or mines. Therefore, the chain tattoo at first carried a very negative load, because it spoke of worldly destructive passions, slavery and vice.
A good sign was broken chains as the personification of freedom and atonement for sins. But over time, the meaning of the chain tattoo began to transform. An unbreakable chain on a leg or arm began to be considered a symbol of infinity.
The double chain with the name became a symbol of fidelity between two people. To popularize such tattoos, the ancient Greek myth about the connection between earth and sky with a long golden chain was resurrected. Over time, it became clear that putting a chain on the ankle makes a woman's leg look a little slimmer. And a male muscular body, entwined with impaled chains, looks much more brutal.
This is how the original meaning of the tattoo was gradually lost. Now the chain is pricked both separately and as an element of the tattoo canvas, in which masculinity and strength need to be emphasized. Chain tattoos are especially popular among those who like to decorate their bodies - bikers.
Initially, the chain was an attribute of prisoners who were sentenced to socially useful work - most often in mines and mines. To prevent attempts to escape, the prisoners' legs were shackled with chains.
Then the first meaning of the chain tattoo appeared. Such a drawing was considered a mark and spoke of a dark past. In addition, chains correlated with lack of freedom; such a tattoo could be interpreted as being in slavery to internal demons. In general, the image carried an exclusively negative meaning. These were exclusively male tattoos.
Later, the chain tattoo on the leg began to be depicted as broken and the design changed its meaning. The broken chain became a symbol of freedom, getting rid of one's past.
Today, the criminal meaning of tattoos has been lost.
One-piece ankle chain or a chain tattoo on the wrist is considered a symbol of infinity. These are usually decorative chains that resemble jewelry.
Double chain complete with name, is considered a symbol of love and fidelity. This meaning is based on ancient Greek mythology, where it was said that the earth and sky are connected by a long chain. Thus, a chain tattoo means the unity of two people in love.
Many people use the chain as an aesthetically pleasing image. It’s no longer a secret that a chain tattoo around a man’s arm visually makes his biceps larger and emphasizes the relief of his muscles. A chain on a woman's ankle visually narrows it and her legs look slimmer.
The tattoo may also have religious overtones.
The most popular option is a tattoo of a chain with a cross on the neck.. There is no need to look for pitfalls and hidden meanings here - this is an imitation of a pectoral cross, although it is more durable. The meaning of a tattoo of a chain with a cross on the neck is belonging to a religion, a talisman. The chain in this context can be interpreted as steadfastness, stability and confidence in one’s beliefs.
Watch tied with a chain, they say that we are all slaves of time. A massive chain tattoo on the neck without a cross or other decorations can indicate that a person is a prisoner of his passions. If one of the links is open, then this is close to the meaning of a broken chain - freedom. This is a kind of anticipation of liberation and victory over oneself.
You can also often find bicycle chain tattoo, it is unlikely that such an image has any hidden meaning; it was created to perform a certain aesthetic function.
Chain tattoo on hands often done by prisoners, thereby simulating handcuffs.
Anyone can get a chain tattoo. However, this symbol is very ambiguous and has many different interpretations. So it’s worth carefully considering the meaning of the design and the style of execution so that your body painting is not mistaken for a distinctive sign of prisoners.
Popular styles include realism, Chicano chain tattoos, and ornaments. If for some reason the drawing does not live up to expectations, do not rush to remove it; tattoo restoration will help correct the situation.
A chain tattoo means slavery, wrongdoing, independence, love of freedom, unity, infinity, integrity, wealth, abundance, redemption, transformation, rebellion, brotherhood, devotion, vices, hopelessness, adornment, fidelity, freedom, liberation.
Meaning of chain tattoo
A tattoo with the image of a chain is popular among both males and females. Such a body design can serve as a decoration that will never get lost and will not lose its attractive appearance.
Couples in love prefer to get identical tattoos in the form of paired chains, as a sign of their love, devotion and fidelity to each other. In this context, such a tattoo means the unity of two hearts. Such couples are often inseparable.
In ancient times, chains symbolized slavery or imprisonment for criminals. People who committed any crime had to answer for the atrocities they committed and atone for their sins.
Residents of Old Europe portrayed ghosts entangled in chains and shackles as eternal martyrs, wandering around the castle and not finding peace.
Chains were associated with evil, as their owner had committed a serious crime. If the owner of the chains is a slave, then the chains symbolize martyrdom and hopelessness.
The wearer of such a tattoo suffers from the hopelessness of the situation in which he finds himself.
The broken chains represent the atonement for these same sins. A tattoo depicting broken chains suggests that its owner has said goodbye to the past and is ready to move on towards a brighter future.
Also, a tattoo with a pattern of broken chains suggests that a person has finally gained freedom and no longer acts as a slave, both in the physical and spiritual sense. He is no longer a hostage to his own desires.
A tattoo with the image of a gold chain symbolizes wealth, prosperity, abundance, luxury, and the desire to please.
The wearer of such a tattoo is a self-sufficient, confident person who knows how to earn money. He loves luxury, pays attention to brands, fashionable things and tries to live up to his high status.
Representatives of the fair sex prefer tattoos depicting thin, beautiful chains; they can be complemented with precious stones or other decorative elements.
In this case, such a tattoo does not carry any meaning, but serves as decoration.
Courageous men get tattoos with large chains in order to emphasize their brutality, rebellious spirit, strength and power. Such tattoos are very popular among bikers or representatives of rock culture.
One of the meanings of a chain tattoo is a symbol of infinity and integrity. Everything in this world is interconnected and united. The chain represents the connection between people and the divine world, the union of heaven and earth that arises during prayer.
The symbol of the chain is interpreted unambiguously in all ancient cultures. This is a connection that sometimes turns into slavish dependence. Today, the meaning of the “Chain” tattoo most often denotes friendship, joint efforts, and interconnection. The Chain tattoo can have both positive and negative meanings.
Traditionally, chains are a symbol of slavery. Therefore, you can often find an image of broken chains, by analogy with the proletarian slogan. This tattoo signifies liberation, the desire for freedom and independence.
In the Christian tradition, chains are the personification of the vice that entangles a person. Most often in this interpretation they denote worldly passions, cravings for wealth, the opposite sex, alcohol, and gambling. Very often in Christian literature they depicted the defeated Satan, entangled in chains. This was supposed to symbolize his submission to God the Creator.
In the European tradition, wearing a chain was a symbol of the executive's dependence on society. And today, many mayors of European cities wear around their necks a symbol of their power and accountability to the city meeting of taxpayers. In this sense, the chain also denotes a certain social status.
Also, chains applied in pairs can denote a certain union and agreement. This can be a symbol of a contract or marriage relationship, a union of higher matters - for example, earth and sky. Thus, even the ancient Greeks believed that between the earth and sky, the supreme god of Olympus Zeus stretched a golden chain to unite himself with the goddess Hera.
It was this Greek tradition that Christians adopted, when the raising of prayer to heaven was depicted in the form of a golden chain connecting the heavens and the earth’s firmament. Such a connection allows one to overcome obstacles, including the abyss that separates a mortal from a deity.
In the Masonic tradition, the chain was a symbol of friendship and brotherhood, which united the secret society of masons. At the end of each meeting, the Masonic brothers stood around the table and joined hands, symbolizing their unbreakable bond.
Today, such a tattoo does not carry much meaning in the youth subculture. So, girls prefer to apply such a tattoo on their ankles and wrists to emphasize the grace and beauty of women’s arms and legs. You can also apply this image to your neck or shoulder. This tattoo is also suitable for men. In the biker subculture, the topic of chains is very relevant. It emphasizes the brutality and masculinity of the image. This tattoo will look especially impressive on muscular shoulders and forearms.
