Raised to the same level as art. The works of real masters amaze with their realism, beauty and accuracy. Abstract flourishes fade into the background, giving way to much more complex plots. For example, a very popular and widespread tattoo theme is the gladiator. Strength, courage, the desire for freedom - this is the meaning, as a rule, put into this plot. Let's take a closer look at the features of the tattoo.

History as a theme for tattoos

Once upon a time, gladiators fought in the arena to the delight of an excited crowd. Deprived of rights and personal freedom, these fighters fought tooth and nail, striving for the goal - either to win or to die with dignity. Gladiator tattoos, as a rule, are chosen by those who are trying to emphasize the desire for victory, for the sake of which they do not regret even life itself.

Such a tattoo is a tribute to history. It seems to take you back to the era of heroic battles, courage and bravery. From the works of tattoo artists, the unknown heroes of Ancient Rome and Greece most often look at us.

A new fashion trend is the depiction of characters from famous Hollywood films made about the heroes of ancient arenas. Often, a “gladiator” tattoo can be found in the image of Maximus or Brad Pitt’s incarnation of Achilles from “Troy.”

Styles

Most often you can see a similar tattoo in a realistic style. Sometimes this plot is used by masters working in the styles of trash polka, tribal, oriental, horror and Chicano. The idea also penetrates into other, less common areas.

Portrait tattoo

You can often see an image of a fighter. Sparkling armor, weapons, and streaks of blood add realism and create an ambiance. The pose in which the gladiator is depicted is important. It can express both desire and impulse, as well as fatigue, disappointment, and loss of hope.

Arena

An equally popular subject for a tattoo is a gladiator during a fight. Sometimes it can be a couple of fighters. And in some cases, you can see an angry lion fighting a man. Historically, this is justified, because predatory animals were often pitted against gladiators.

Armor

Armor in the style of ancient Hellas can also be included in this category of tattoos. It is rare when the entire body is clad in painted armor. Most often these are fragments: a shoulder pad, a piece of chain mail, a chest armor.

Localization on the body

To place a realistic tattoo depicting the face and figure of a gladiator, it is better to choose places on the body that are not subject to deformation. Most often you can see gladiator tattoos on the chest, forearms, shoulders, hips, back and lower back. The large area allows you to competently organize the composition of the drawing and carefully work out the details.

The target audience

In our century, gender boundaries are becoming thinner, but the gladiator tattoo has remained traditionally masculine. The plot is too aggressive for a woman. Among the fair sex there are also fans of this theme, but they gravitate more towards female images. The images of gladiator ladies are not so bright and more related to the fantasy style. Many of them resemble Amazons.

On the other side

The interpretation of such tattoos in the criminal world is peculiar. Among the huge number of Zonov tattoos, the strictest gradation is observed, each image has its own meaning. Seasoned authorities, leaders with a harsh fate often adorn themselves as stuffed gladiators. An invariable attribute of such tattoos is dripping blood.

Meaning

What does a gladiator tattoo mean in everyday life? As a rule, this is a desire for freedom, faith in victory, and a willingness to stand up for oneself and family. And although in some cases such a tattoo may directly indicate the aggressive nature of the owner, most who choose this subject rather show their commitment to the history of the ancient world and passion for the culture of martial arts.

On the Internet you can easily find the best gladiator tattoos created by artists from around the world. Some photos of gladiator tattoos look very realistic, others are made using techniques that do not require high detail.

Each person has their own meaning of a gladiator tattoo. These people are remembered for their fearlessness, excellent physical fitness, and ability to withstand unprecedented loads.

They had to regularly fight in the arenas of ancient circuses, such as the Colosseum, just to amuse the masters. The life of the defeated man depended on the will of the spectators. Thumbs up or thumbs down. Sometimes the public, or the emperor personally, could spare a good fighter defeated in a difficult battle, so that in the future he would prove himself again.

On a note! There is also special symbolism. For example, a tattoo of the gladiator Spartacus usually signifies a person’s desire to gain freedom.

Let us remember that most of the fighters who fought in the arenas were slaves. At the same time, they could earn freedom through their victories and become citizens like other people.
Spartacus decided to raise a slave uprising. Overall, he did well. But the empire suppressed the rebellion by executing the instigators. Did Spartak gain freedom in the sense that he himself meant? No, I didn’t find it. Moreover, he died, like many of his comrades. For what? In order for films to be made about him, theatrical productions were created, and several football clubs were named in the CIS. He didn't beat the system. He didn’t show that ordinary people could cope with it. Rather, it demonstrated that it was useless. The image is comparable to Razin or Pugachev.

At the same time, for many people this man is a hero. A sort of Neo of his time, who rebelled against the “matrix” led by the Roman nobility, or Conan the Barbarian, who went from a simple Cimmerian slave to a king.

Sometimes you come across Zonov's gladiator tattoos. They also have references to the freedom struggle. But if the Roman legionnaires became prisoners not through their own fault, but as a result of the expansion of a huge empire, then the prisoners are prisoners of their own mistakes.

Often in prison, such a sign meant that in front of you was an experienced prisoner who had a difficult life behind him. If the weapon is bloody, this could symbolize not only real blood, but also a long sentence.

On a note! Men often try to show themselves as fighters, strong and courageous warriors who challenge death. Therefore, such tattoos are not uncommon for people involved in martial arts, serving in the army, special forces, or who are mercenaries.

Sketch options

Numerous gladiator tattoo designs differ not only in the variety of styles, but also in how exactly the fighter is equipped and what weapon he uses. For example, it could be a gladiator with a chain, one or two short swords, a spear, a mace, an ancient analogue of the “morgenstern” - a handle with heavy balls on ropes or chains.

Craftsmen often draw gladiator armor with high detail. If you wish, you can even draw a fighter with the customer’s face. As they say, every whim is for your money.

Also, gladiator armor is often printed in one color. Some people order only shoulder pads, others like the chest part of the armor. Miniatures depicting equipment are also popular - shield, sword, spear, gladiator helmet.

Sometimes an image can have a deeper meaning. For example, a picture depicting a gladiator and an angel is filled with spirituality. After all, the struggle can be not only in the arena, but also for some values, ideals, and in some cases - for the souls of people.

On a note! Sometimes the man himself in gladiator uniform is depicted with wings and an angelic fiery sword. Perhaps this is a reference to the Archangel Michael - the commander of the heavenly army, or the angel who guards the gates of heaven.

After the release of the song by the Aria group called “Colosseum,” this topic became very popular in Russia and the CIS countries. What kind of sketches were ordered from the masters? Right down to the warrior in a helmet with the face of the ex-vocalist of this band, Valery Kipelov.

Style selection

The choice of the picture itself and the technique in which it can be made confuses many people. First, let's figure out if you have other tattoos. If not, then you can choose any design and style you like.

If there are other tattoos near the selected application area, you should think about how to make them all look harmonious together.

The back is the most convenient option. Here you can create entire paintings, including a complex background and many details. For example, a gladiator is often depicted against the backdrop of the Colosseum, or right in the arena. It is also common to find tattoos on the back depicting a battle against wild animals, or two or more opponents.

Options are less common. Usually this is , or . The first option is good because it allows you to draw a large picture, and the second will be more noticeable if you wear shorts in the summer.

Who is a gladiator tattoo suitable for?

If you are involved in any strength sports, various martial arts, boxing, or are a representative of law enforcement agencies, a gladiator tattoo will look not only beautiful, but also appropriate. You yourself attach a special meaning, or use some kind of motto that is significant for your profession, hobby, or for you personally.

To choose which design option suits you, look on the Internet for new photos of modern tattoos on this topic. Perhaps you will find something suitable.

Is it painful to get a tattoo like this? If it is large, then pain cannot be avoided. After all, it will require many hours of work. It hurts even more if the image is applied to the skin close to the bone. For example, getting a tattoo on the wrist is less painful than on the other side. However, in modern salons they have long mastered local anesthesia. There are special gels containing an anesthetic drug. They greatly simplify the procedure.

Photo

A small photo review of gladiator tattoos in different styles and directions, from realistic ones with high-quality details to classic ones in black and white but no less stunning.

Spartak with a sword against the backdrop of the Spartak stadium

Video material

Tattoos depicting a gladiator - a slave fighting in the amphitheater arena for his life and freedom - have confidently taken their rightful place in the world of tattoos and found many fans. You can often see a similar tattoo, symbolizing those difficult times and deadly battles, on young people. Gladiator tattoos are also found on women, but this is rather an exception.

Gladiator tattoo designs are usually done in the style of realism, so you will need to look for a good artist. This design is usually applied to the shoulder, chest or back.

Such a tattoo pays tribute to history and takes you back to the era of valiant battles, courage and heroism. Most often, tattoos depict famous gladiators of Rome and the provinces of the Roman Empire, heroes of Greece and Homer’s poem “Iliad”.

A new fashion trend has become the depiction of characters from popular Hollywood films, telling viewers about the heroes of the arena, such as, for example, Maximus, played by Russell Crowe in the film “Gladiator”, or Achilles, embodied by Brad Pitt in “Troy”.

The meaning of a gladiator tattoo is fearlessness and courage, loyalty and steadfastness. Each gladiator fought to the last, striving either to die with dignity or to win freedom. Therefore, one of the most important interpretations of such a tattoo is the desire to achieve freedom. In the modern understanding, this can be freedom of thoughts and feelings. Occasionally, a gladiator tattoo represents aggression.

The gladiator's facial expression, his facial expressions, and the general design of the tattoo have a certain meaning. It matters greatly what pose the hero is depicted in. Depending on the chosen design, a tattoo can express either aspiration and hope, or disappointment and hatred.

It must be remembered that the gladiator tattoo is common among representatives of the criminal world and also belongs to the category of prison tattoos. It symbolizes the “seasoned wolf”. Blood dripping from a gladiator's sword indicates a “fighter” with considerable experience.

A gladiator tattoo is most often placed on the shoulder, shoulder blade, back or chest. It looks equally impressive in both color and black and white. The image of a gladiator, depending on your wishes, can be made either very realistic or in a stylized form.

If you want to express your strength and heroism, the indestructible spirit of freedom, a gladiator tattoo is perfect.

Gladiator tattoo video

Tattoos with warriors, bladed weapons, in particular images of gladiators, have been very popular lately; a significant role in popularization was played by the film of the same name with Russell Crowe, who, by the way, can also be found on people’s bodies in the form of tattoos. In order to understand the main meaning of the gladiator tattoo, it is necessary to understand what kind of people they were and how they lived.

The main meaning of a gladiator tattoo

Mostly, unwitting people became gladiators, who were given armor and weapons, usually a sword, who had to fight for their freedom, or die with dignity in battle. All this was done for the sake of entertainment, the crowd also had favorites, whom they rooted for and bet on, due to this the gladiators could earn money, and some even became rich. Therefore, the main meaning of a gladiator tattoo is the ability to independently achieve a set goal, the desire for freedom and the desire to stop at nothing.

Gladiator tattoos are often done in the style of realism, usually a head in a helmet with the smallest details drawn on the damage on it; such a tattoo can mean that its owner is a strong person who has experienced more than one shock in life and does not want to give up.

Should girls get a gladiator tattoo?

Why not? Yes, on the one hand, this is not a woman’s tattoo at all, and it is done long and painstakingly, but if a girl wants to show that she is strong and independent, then why not? Moreover, many men like the image of armor on girls, again, probably, the influence of science fiction films.

The meaning of the gladiator tattoo on the zone

The image of a gladiator in prison symbolizes a strong person; if there is a bladed weapon on the tattoo, for example, a sword covered in blood, this means a murderer. A pronounced emphasis on armor signifies an “impenetrable” person, and a grin on a gladiator’s face can mean aggression.