Symbols in Ink

A physical dream catcher is typically used to ensure that a child can have a restful sleep as good dreams pass through the web and bad dreams are caught. Chosen as a tattoo it communicates that the wearer wants to be protected from the evils and nightmares of the day and welcome the good. The feathers are representative of breath and air, which are simple necessities for life but are often forgotten. Thus, they are a reminder of how we often overcomplicate life by trying to control what happens when we should just let life go as it pleases like the air. The beads that are scattered throughout the web can show that good dreams or experiences have already been caught. Although it is usually nightmares that are caught in the web, these particular beads may represent experiences that are a mixture of good and bad, or an ongoing dream that did not just pass straight through the web.

Another interpretation of the tattoo is that although people grow older and more independent, there is still an appreciation for the feeling of security provided by an outside force (the dream catcher). As dream catchers were commonly used for children, it can represent the possible vulnerability of the wearer as sometimes they feel the need to be protected. Thus, as children often get into troubling situations, the mishaps that happen in a teenagers or young adult’s life sometimes require a parental type saving.

Looking at the tattoo as having a potentially cultural significance, it could represent someone’s Native American background. Dream catchers are more of a popularized symbol of Native American culture so it could easily be a representation of one’s Native American heritage. If the person with the tattoo grew up with Native American culture prevalent in their life, the dream catcher can be a reminder of home and the family, as it would most likely have been the parents who provided security for the child. Nonetheless, dream catchers can simply be beautiful tattoos that can be customized with symbols within the web to show the personal experiences of the person bearing the tattoo.