| Gothic Fairy tattoos have increased in popularity in line | | | | Middle Ages starting from the 12th century and ending |
| with the resurgence of Gothic art across Europe and | | | | in the 14th. |
| the United States. | | | | Gothic fairy tattoos are derived from the religious |
| Fairies are spiritual entities, or nature beings, of the | | | | artwork that flourished in that age, with several |
| metaphysical world, with magical powers of | | | | memorable pieces in the modern age produced to |
| enchantment, who were widely patronised in medieval | | | | reflect the artistic conventions of the period. |
| Europe and the Middle East, and are depicted in a | | | | The rise of Christianity saw Gothic art incorporated |
| variety of fascinating shapes and characteristics, | | | | into religious imagery, with church architecture, paintings, |
| making them a hit with the public, including popular | | | | and sculpture at the forefront of the artistic adaptation. |
| figures like Britney Spears, who spots a Gothic fairy | | | | However, many modern renditions of Gothic Fairy |
| tattoo, and Alyssa Milano, an actress from "Who's | | | | tattoos hark back to non-Christian Gothic traditions, |
| Your Boss", who has a beautiful fairy tattoo on her | | | | characterised by the alluring imagery of medieval |
| stomach. | | | | Gothic art forms of early nature spirits. That said, it is |
| Some fairies are angelic in conceptualization and art, | | | | important to appreciate that both these strains of |
| while others take on a more impish character, as seen | | | | Gothic tattoos are of the same unique Gothic heritage. |
| by | | | | Modern tattoo artists tend to depict fairies as young, |
| - pixies, which are mythical creatures whose features | | | | often winged, human-like beings of small stature. But |
| consist of pointed eyes and ears, and green apparel | | | | they were represented in the Middle Ages as either tall |
| worn with pointed hats, and | | | | and radiant, or as magically minimised to intelligent |
| - goblins, the legendary mischievous entities credited | | | | humanoid creatures often as tiny as insects. |
| with various powers and mysterious abilities, and | | | | Fairy tattoo designs vary in form, size and |
| mostly depicted as brown or green. | | | | temperament. They can be small or large, colorful or |
| Gothic Fairy tattoos often represent these figures as | | | | grey, happy or doleful, cute or menacing. |
| winged creatures, with a human-like appearance, | | | | I've always thought a lone fairy tattoo on the upper |
| similar to the way they were regarded in the Gothic | | | | arm or ankle makes for a classy, understated design. |