Libras are often very proud people and work hard to make sure there’s justice in the world, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that there are plenty of folks out there who want to show off their pride on that attribute (and many more) with Libra tattoos. There are many symbols that you can choose from and plenty of great meanings to choose from, so keep reading to find out all about Libra tattoos.
The seventh sign of the Western zodiac, Libra is the sign of the Scales of Justice. It is symbolized by the image of the scales, weighing two objects, individuals, or concepts for judgement. The scales are easily the most popular Libra tattoos around, but there are numerous design options that people can choose from. The primary meanings still stick no matter what type of design you choose to get, but you can add in other meanings simply by adding to the scales a bit.
Those who enter the world between September 22nd and October 23rd are born into the sign of Libra, and are considered to be fair, balanced, and harmonious individuals, among other things. Ideally, those who want to get Libra tattoos are people who take pride in these traits since anyone who knows about zodiac signs will assume these things about them. You are also a prime candidate for a Libra tat if you strive to live up to what Libras are expected to be.
The Libra sign is also symbolized by the mythological creature the Griffin (gryphon), a hybrid eagle-lion, a signifier of divinity. The gryphon is great for anyone who wants to get a larger Libra tattoo since you usually want to get this creature in as much detail as possible. However, if you want to include a gryphon in a smaller tattoo, that can be done by simply getting the outline of a gryphon included in your design.
The constellation of Libra is a popular image that signifies identification with the sign, although it’s resemblance to the scales is hard to envision. What’s interesting about this Libra tattoo design is that it brings with it an air of mystery, which might be what you want. These can make excellent wrist or forearm tattoos if you only include the stars, or they can even be larger back tattoos if you want the entire night’s sky in the design.
The Libra sign’s origins in ancient Babylonian myth attribute the shape of the constellation to the Claws of the Scorpion, a creature associated with justice. Later when Babylonian astrology was adopted by the ancient Greeks, the constellation became a representation of the Scales of Justice, held by the female Titan Themis.
The name Themis literally means “divine law” and serves as an appropriate and appealing image for the Libra. She is depicted as a beautiful robed woman, sometimes blindfolded and carrying a sword to assist in deciphering truth. Along with these items, she, the ancestor to Lady Justice, holds scales ready to weigh just from unjust.
Those who are Libras and also very into mythology might want to go all out with their Libra tattoos by including Themis in their designs. There are many paintings and sculptures that you can look at for inspiration for your tattoo, but you don’t necessarily have to get her in full detail. Many Libra tattoos simply have a silhouette of Themis holding the Scales of Justice in her hand.
The image of scales on their own is another powerful symbol of Libra and their honesty and fairness. Additionally, they can be accompanied by the Libra symbol, a birthdate, or a griffin. And this is where you come into the design process because you really do want to make a very personalized Libra tattoo that you can be proud of. You can include one or many of these symbols in your tattoo depending on the meanings you want to express through it and the overall look you’re going for.
Because of the nature of scales, different objects can be portrayed within them in Libra tattoos, signifying various traits or beliefs, with one side outweighing the other. Opposing ideas such as “love” and “hate” or other dualities can be used to emphasize the individual’s principles, with the more significant lowered from the weight of its merit. One example of this is to have a demon in on one side and an angel on the other, with one or the other weighing the scale down. This is one of those examples that we went over earlier where you can tweak the design to show who you are.
When the scales are portrayed as completely level in a Libra tattoo, the two sides are equal and serve as a representation of the person. You can use symbols like prosperity and family in these types of designs to show that there is a way for you to balance your life and still stay focused. What’s really great about these tattoos is that they give you an easy way to show off who you are in a simple image, which just isn’t possible in many other zodiac sign tattoos.
The scales can also be rendered empty, awaiting the need for justice. This is a fantastic way to show the thing or things you want to be changed in the world; a silent protest, if you will. It will tell outsiders that you hold strong to your beliefs even when others are saying to give up on them. These designs are obviously easier to make since there isn’t anything in the scales, but they are still extremely meaningful and many people would take pride in this particular Libra tattoo.
Libras are also known for being quite lovable and romantic when they aren’t seeking justice, so there are quite a few great symbols that can be used alongside or in the scales to make it that much more personal. For example, some people might put a heart on one side and a fish in the other, which could mean that they feel the most balanced when they have love in their lives and when they are able to go out on the water. As you can see, Libra tattoos are tremendously easy to make unique simply by adding in a symbol or two that means a lot to you.
What’s great about classic Libra tattoos is that they can come in just about any size and any style. Sure, many people opt to get more complex versions since they are very easy to make beautiful, but they also look quite nice as simply black and gray designs. They can work well as huge back tattoos, and they can also look amazing as smaller wrist tats. This all comes down to personal preference based on the look that you’re going for and how many elements you want to include in your Libra tattoo design.
No matter which Libra tattoo or Libra tattoo meaning you choose to use, you should definitely get a respected tattoo artist to do the work for you. After all, these tattoos define who you are, so you will want to work with someone who can get the most out of the design. A great artist will help you choose the perfect location for your tat and will make it jump off of the skin no matter how little or how much detail it has. They can also usually give you multiple designs to choose from so you can, which can help immensely when you’re unsure of which tattoo to get.
If you were born under this zodiac sign and would like to share that with the world, you might find that getting a Libra tattoo is the best way to do just that. You have so many great design options to choose from and just as many fantastic meanings to attach to the final product. Libra tattoos sit near the top of the rankings when it comes to meaningful and gorgeous zodiac sign tattoos.