First off, you should know that the zodiac signs most commonly used in the Western world have now been shifted by a month. For example, if you were a Taurus before, you are now probably an Aries under the new zodiacal system. The lesson here is that before you settle on one of the zodiac tattoo designs because you fall under its category, you must make sure of your sign. Who knows, you might even be an Ophiuchus!
With that said, there are actually many zodiacal systems used around the world aside from the most commonly used one based on Greco-Roman traditions. You can choose a zodiac sign from the Chinese, the Celtics and the Aztecs, all of which have deeper roots than the Greco-Roman zodiacs we use today. Your choice will depend on which one appeals the most to your criteria, be it in terms of aesthetics, personality or beliefs.
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Greco-Roman Zodiac Signs
The most commonly seen zodiac tattoos are from the Greco-Roman tradition for the simple reason that it’s the one used in popular media for the horoscopes of the sun signs. Again, be sure to look at the new system before making your choice from among the zodiac tattoo designs. If you don’t know it yet, here are the new dates and signs:
- Capricorn: Jan. 20 – Feb. 16
- Aquarius: Feb. 16 – March 11
- Pisces: March 11- April 18
- Aries: April 18 – May 13
- Taurus: May 13 – June 21
- Gemini: June 21 – July 20
- Cancer: July 20 – Aug. 10
- Leo: Aug. 10 – Sept. 16
- Virgo: Sept. 16 – Oct. 30
- Libra: Oct. 30 – Nov. 23
- Scorpio: Nov. 23 – Nov. 29
- Ophiuchus: Nov. 29 – Dec. 17
- Sagittarius: Dec. 17 – Jan. 20
Chinese Zodiac Signs
If you are enamored of Chinese and Japanese customs in tattoos, we suggest going with the Chinese calendar-inspired zodiac tattoo designs. This time, you can combine three elements – animal, element and color – such that you have 60 possible designs for each year you were born. For example, the metal element is associated with the color white while fire is for red.
There are 12 animal signs for the Chinese calendar, as follows:
- Rat
- Ox
- Tiger
- Rabbit
- Dragon
- Snake
- Horse
- Goat
- Monkey
- Rooster
- Dog
- Pig
For example, if you were born in from 11 Feb 1975 to 30 January 1976, your Chinese animal and cosmic element sign is the wood rabbit.
Aztec Zodiac Signs
If you want to be more exotic about the choice of zodiac tattoo designs, turn to the Aztecs. You have more choice since Aztec astrology has 20 day signs to choose from. Just to mention a few of these signs and their meanings:
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- Crocodile – Dominance
- Wind – Agility
- Serpent -Charism
- Deer – Helpful
- Dog – Faithfulness
- Monkey – Expressiveness
- Jaguar – Mystery
- Eagle – Freedom
- Sun – Artistry
If you want, you can choose one sign each from among all of these possible zodiac tattoo designs and then incorporate them into one comprehensive tattoo. Now, that would make your zodiac sign as unique as you are.
