The Meaning of Frog Tattoos

Totemism is an ancient cultural belief said to exist among different tribes all across the globe. People who practiced this belief use totems to “guard” their clan. Totems are usually animals and the most common are frog totems. Frogs symbolize the cycle of life or metamorphosis and regeneration. Frog tattoos, therefore, are very symbolic to people who have them.

Tribes living in the eastern coast of North America believe that frogs are related to the moon and water. They symbolize success and wealth that comes to the people. They have a Frog Woman that serves as the protector of water. She is also the one responsible for saving humans from the perils of flood or thirst brought about by a drought by controlling a dam. These tribes call frogs “the Great Rain Maker”. They believe that the last flakes of snow that would touch the ground during the start of spring would eventually become toads, thus signaling the return of the salmon to their rivers. Hence, frog tattoos can symbolize the importance of water for human beings.

Click Here to Visit the Web's  #1 Tattoo Gallery for Frog Tattoos

The Haida nation is found in the Northwest coast of North America that occupies parts of Canada and Alaska. Haidas believe that frogs symbolize balance. It keeps the house from falling apart, which translates to a family breaking up. Frog tattoos are used by shamans to represent traversing from one mystic world to another. In other words, it is the crossing of the bridge that connects reality and the psychic realm. Frog tattoos, when based on this culture, symbolize the ability to jump into a higher consciousness.

The Iban people of Borneo believe that the Frog is the creator of men. Their mightiest god can even transform himself into a frog. Frog tattoos in the throat would mean that a warrior would have his head spared during a battle. Frog tattoos on those people leaning to this Southeast Asian culture are really meaningful considering how the Iban people worship the frog.

In other ancient religions, frogs were sacred as well. It is believed that the Greek goddess of love and beauty, Aphrodite (Venus to Romans) had a special liking for frogs. In Egypt, on the other hand, frogs represented life. They were also believed to guard the souls while journeying into the afterlife. Some Egyptian gods even had frog heads like the goddess of birth, Heket.

It seems like when people have frog tattoos, they often refer to ancient symbolism. Frogs were once important animals to human cultures. Therefore, frog tattoos really have a deeper and more spiritual meaning.

Currently, Christian groups have been using the acronym FROG to remind themselves to Fully Rely On God.