Starfish have a bit of magic surrounding them. If you’re lucky, you might find one on the beach or spot one while snorkeling but more than likely you are going to see them as a decoration. You will find starfish used in artwork, as table accents and even jewelry.
The starfish reminds us of all those summer days spent at the beach house or visiting a friend who lives close to the beach. We used to rent a place for the weekend and they would have starfish decorations all over. It wouldn’t be much of a “beach house” without some starfish around.
Starfish are extraordinary things and on the first site, it’s hard to imagine these creatures live, eat and move around. At first glance, it looks like a prickly star but there is much more to see. The starfish is a creature of the sea and a symbol of the ocean in itself. However, there is much more symbolism to talk about when referring to the starfish. It’s such a cool creature that people get this echinoderm tattooed on their bodies.
In this post, we are going to talk about what the starfish is and let you know about some facts that will help you to understand more about this creature. We will also delve into the meaning of the starfish tattoo and talk about what it symbolizes for those who have the tattoo. Finally, we will talk about some of the different variations of the starfish tattoo and whether there are different meanings. By the end of this post, we hope you have a better understanding of the starfish and why someone might get the tattoo.
About the Starfish
Starfish are echinoderms that are shaped like a star and belong to the Asteroidea class. In all, there are about 1,500 different species of starfish that live from the coldest of waters to the most tropical. They are found in extremely shallow waters, but they are also found up to 20,000 feet below the surface of the ocean.
Unlike its name, the starfish isn’t a fish. They don’t have scales, gills or fins like other fish. The only thing they have in common is they both live underwater. Starfish, or sea stars, move around much differently than fish. Fish have their fins to help move them around the water while the starfish have many little tube feet that help them get from one place to the other.
As we mentioned above, starfish are part of the Phylum Echinodermata. Some things they are related to that you might recognize are sea cucumbers, sea lilies, sand dollars and sea urchins. In total, there are around 6,000 species.
Many of these echinoderms display what is called; radial symmetry. This means their body parts are all arranged around a central point or axis in the body. Because of this symmetry, there is no noticeable right or left. This leaves us just a top and bottom. In addition, these organisms are found to have spines. It is not as pronounced in the starfish as it is in the sea urchin, but it is there.
Starfish Tattoo Meaning
The meaning of the starfish tattoo depends on who you are talking to. There are meanings and symbolism to this image, but someone might get a starfish tattoo because it reminds them of a person or place. However, we will get into some of the known symbolism of this image.
The starfish tattoo represents a host of meanings and traits. These include:
– Sensitivity
– Renewing
– Mystery
– Patience
– Strength
– Longevity
– Resourcefulness
– Ancient
– Perception
Now these aren’t the only things the starfish tattoo represents but it is a good start, and many might try to invoke these traits from their own starfish tattoo.
The starfish have been a fascinating creature to anyone who has set their eyes on it for many years. After all, it is a very cool thing to spot a starfish in the wild. We usually don’t see them in their natural habitat. Instead, we see them on coffee tables and on walls.
Another interesting fact about the starfish is that can regenerate broken limbs. Those with the starfish tattoo are taking on that concept in a way. We can’t regrow arms that have been taken off, but we can change or “regenerate” our attitudes, ways of thinking and beliefs just like the starfish. It is a great example of letting things go and being open to change. The starfish is forever evolving, and we should be as well.
Starfish Tattoo Variations
As with most tattoos, there are many variations that you can get. However, the starfish is what it is. There aren’t a whole lot of ways to get the tattoo unless you are talking about different styles of tattooing or the images surrounding the tattoo. Below are a couple of popular ways we see the starfish tattooed.
Tribal Starfish Tattoo
The tribal starfish tattoo is a popular way to have this creature inked on your body. The starfish is linked to the ocean and the origins of the tribal tattoo come from island people like the Maori. Ocean symbols and creatures have long been linked to the tribal style of tattooing and the starfish is a major candidate to be tattooed in this fashion. In addition, the starfish was known as a symbol of protection so those that live on the waters or islands would often have this image tattooed on their person.
Starfish and Shell Tattoo
The starfish and shell tattoo is one that symbolizes the ocean and all things associated with it. These tattoos are generally seen on those who love the ocean and are looking to be reminded of it whenever they need it. The ocean is a vast body of water with many unique creatures in it. We can say with certainty that the starfish is one of the most interesting inhabitants of the sea and we understand why many choose to get this tattooed.
When getting your tattoo, make sure you are comfortable with the artist you go to and if you need help finding someone to do your tattoo, reach out to us. We can help recommend an artist that will make your vision come to life.