Tuesday 22 March 2016

My Pagan Tattoo -- Labrys (Divine Feminine)


[Photo by My Rare One]

The Divine Feminine is honoured in my tattoo by a Labrys, the ceremonial double-headed axe of the ancient goddess-worshipping Minoan Crete civilization. This immensely old fertility symbol represents the vulva's butterfly-like double labia. The Labrys is so inextricably associated with women that classical Greek, Roman and Western art often portrays it as a favourite battle weapon of the Amazons, the mythical female warriors who fought against patriarchal domination.


This latter interpretation also led to the Labrys being adopted in the feminist 1970s as the symbol of the Lesbian Nation. The modern Women's Spirituality movement has now revived its original spiritual meaning as well. And, of course, all three movements -- feminism, lesbian rights and women's spirituality -- have been central to my own life.

Tomorrow: Thor's Hammer (Divine Masculine)

34 comments:

Rosemary said...

I am sure that I have seen that Amazonian mosaic in the Louvre!

yellowdoggranny said...

I just love it..

and I also love my new blog..thank you again.

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Lovely photos and very interesting information.

Best wishes

Miss Val's Creations said...

Beautiful choice!

Adam said...

The only path to heaven is the belief in our lord and savior, Thor God of Thunder

Debi said...

I love visiting and leaving with useful cleverness! Double headed axe...... very useful, would clear a room nicely! xoDebi

Jeanne said...

That's really cool! Why that specific location (inside forearm) and not somewhere else? (if I may ask...)

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Jeanne -- For three reasons, really -- (1) that spot is still a nice unblemished patch of skin (boo to the aging process); (2) I wanted to be able to easily see the tattoo myself; (3) and yet the tat remains private because I always wear a long or medium sleeve on my blouses/t-shirts.

Marie Smith said...

Great symbol. Love the tattoo, artistic and meaningful. Beautiful.

The Cranky said...

I like that a lot Debra. Oddly enough, I've been thinking about a new tattoo... if I do get one, the labrys may be an element of it.

Or I may go hog wild and have the Copernican solar system done.

DEZMOND said...

Wait what? There's a symbol for double labia? :)
Did it hurt getting the tattoo?

Bill Lisleman said...

I had never heard of that interpretation of this axe. Pardon the pun but I figured it was useful in battle since it could swing both ways.

e said...

Beautiful symbolism, and meaningful.

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed this thank you for sharing

Jono said...

I am glad the spirit is still very much alive.

anne marie in philly said...

I must say how tasteful your birthday present is. and I never knew all the information you presented here.

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Very interesting facts. Happy birthday to you. You said it didn't hurt...
Debra, you are more of a kid than us....LOL

Magic Love Crow said...

Beautiful and great information Debra!!!

Martha said...

Absolutely fascinating! I love it.

Fearsome Beard said...

I was unaware of the symbols. Thanks for sharing and I look forward to learning more about Thor's hammer. I do like the tattoo and the meanings it has. Don't know if I'll ever do one, but never say never.

greekwitch said...

Congratulations! I love it! It's beautiful and meaningful and you! Also I know what you mean about menstrual cramps being so much harder and I totally agree!! Lots and lots of love!

bj said...

Tattoos....they are a double sided sword for me (but remember, I am an olden lady)....
our son has several but in very good taste...and being a business man, he always is able to cover them when going to a business meeting and etc. I love every single one of his...of course, we all know just about ANYthing a child of ours can do is A.OK.
His sweet wife has a beautiful rose tattoo just above her swimsuit line, in the back...very attractive. Most of the grandgirls have those adorable bellybutton piercings but no tattoos as yet...
The ones that make me sad are on the young people that have them all over their necks, up on their faces...sleeves....I just don't like those at all...and I wonder as they become mothers, daddies, grandparents...will they regret doing it. I'm glad you finally decided on one that has meaning to you.

Fundy Blue said...

I really like your tattoo, Debra! There is something about the quote that resonates with me, and I found the information about the symbols fascinating. I want to thank you for reminding me several times that blogging is not a job. That straightened my head out a lot, and I really appreciated your words of wisdom. I think I was approaching too many things as a job. We have been nothing but lazy since we arrived in Honolulu (well except for when I'm at the gym), and I've been loving every minute. Take care!

LL Cool Joe said...

If I were to get another tat it would be barbed wire around my arm. But I couldn't get a blog post out of that could I? Maybe I need to be more creative.

Anonymous said...

I had no idea about the double axe. It makes sense. I liked the tat before, but now, with the close up, I like the detail more. By the way, right after, does it itch?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ strangelynaked (Pickleope) -- yes, there was some slight itching afterwards but all in all, it was fine. I had to keep it covered with some plastic bandage stuff for the first 24 hours (if I remember correctly). Then the skin could be gently washed with scent-free liquid soap.

Magaly Guerrero said...

I've learned something new, thank you!

And now the phrase "double-labia" will stay in my mind for days. Because my mind gets stuck on these things...

MrsDuncanMahogany said...

Beautiful, just beautiful! :)

This N That said...

I always learn something from your posts...Thanks

Professor Chaos said...

Is that the origin of the sexist insult "battle-axe?"

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Professor Chaos -- Yes, I believe it is. And of course, it usually gets teamed up with the pejorative adjective "old." A charming mixture of ageism and sexism, LOL!

The Happy Whisk said...

This was interesting but you know, that image of Thor the bride, is still burned into my brain.

Anonymous said...

I love the tat and the information about the Labrys. I know the quote as Jung's is there an older source?

Debra She Who Seeks said...

@ Anonymous -- You're right -- this quotation was a favourite of Jung's and it was featured above the door to his clinic in Switzerland. But it does have an ancient history -- I discussed it a couple of days later in this post:

https://shewhoseeks.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-pagan-tattoo-quotation.html

Thanks for your interest in my tattoo!