The Bat Tattoo

The Bat

Before we get into the meaning and symbolism of the bat, We probably need to cover the vampire.

With the renewed interest in recent years of the vampire, there are many people who want to get a vampire bat tattoo.

Of the hundreds of different kinds of bats, there are really only 3 types that actually eat blood. These bats are relatively small bats. Since you are probably wanting the tattoo to suggest the vampire myth, you might want to go with a more exaggerated vampire tattoo than a true bat tattoo.

There is nothing wrong with getting a fun vampire tattoo. You might want to keep in mind that the vampire bats are not from anywhere in Europe. Vampire bats are from South American and Mexico. So Transylvania and the Count really have nothing to do with these bats.

As for serious bat meanings and attributes some of them are as follows. Bats have highly sensitive hearing. They can sense the vibration of insect in the night and eat a lot of mosquitos and other insects.

Some parts of the world, consider the bat to be good luck. The Chinese believe the bat symbolizes happiness and long life.

Some native American tribes call the bat the trickster.  Mayan culture associated the bat with death and the underworld. Of course at some point the bat became associated with witches and Halloween.

Bats do have a strong life force. They are associated with death and rebirth. Some shaman rituals include a symbolic death where they face their fears and reborn with out them.

Other attributes are longevity, guardians of the night, extra sensory hearing, as well as secrecy.

Bat medicine people are intuitive. They can have prophetic dreams. They have an inner depth, and are good communicators.

They are said to be able to see through illusions or lies, and get straight to the truth. Since bats are considered earth creatures, they are said to be reborn in the evening. Coming out of mother earth is like being reborn.

Bat people commit 100% to any cause they take up. So don’t consider giving any less if you are involved with a bat person. You will be greatly rewarded for all that you give.

Tags: Bat, Halloween, Native Americans in the United States, Outdoors, Recreation, South America, Transylvania, Vampire bat