Tattoo Symbol Index - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Tattoo designs - H >> Harley Davidson
Harley Davidson - Motorcycle Tattoo Meanings - When we think of tattoos, often times one of our first associations is with bikers and motorcycles, and the motorcycle that we think of first is usually the legendary Harley-Davidson. 'Harley Davidson' -- America's symbol of the road. And for many a potent symbol of freedom. No less so than some peoples consideration of a tattoo as an expression of personal freedom. It's no accident that tattoos and bikers are intertwined in the public's imagination.
If you're sporting a 'Harley Davidson' tattoo, you likely own a Harley. While the name can be incorporated into any graphic arrangement of eagle, wings and wheels, the standard 'bar-and-shield' logo that appeared in 1910 is still the defining symbol of Harley Davidson to this day. While the logo depicts nothing in itself, it invokes a myth that's summed up in the philosophy 'Live to Ride, Ride to Live'. The Harley is also unique in the way it has been altered and customized over the years by its owners. Like tattoos, a Harley can be made into a very specific expression of its owners vision of what a bike should be, a one-of-a-kind individual expression of motorcycle art.
Harley owners aren't buying the best motorcycle in the world, they're buying the rugged and masculine Harley mystique, the 'easy rider' legend with its worship of American individualism, complete with its bad boy connotations, its rebel macho image. The Hell's Angels love their Harleys. The 'underground' associations with Harley Davidson contributes to the myth, sometimes with negative consequences to the brand name. |
Nobody buys a Harley specifically for its performance, such as its 0-60 acceleration. Technical stats aren't as important to the Harley owner as participating in the mystique, which is comprised in no small way by the bike's unique sound - 'potato-potato-potato'. Speed is good, but the way it growls upon take-off, the way the low-end torque 'gurgles down in your groin', as one observer put it -- that's what gives the Harley its all-important 'feeling' of power. Other bikes may claim superior performance, but heads don't turn to Japanese bikes as they do to a Harley when it rumbles away, exhaust pipes snapping, cracking and popping the Harley symphony. The sound of a Harley is so synonymous with the brand that at one time the company tried to copyright it!
William Harley and Arthur Davidson came up with their first prototype bike in the early 1900s. You had to peddle it uphill. In WWI, the company provided over 20,000 machines to the military forces, and by 1920 was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world. The tear- drop gas tank appeared in the 1920s. To crank up sales during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the company added the Art Deco eagle to that gas tank. The bike earned a patriot reputation when Harley gave over its entire production to the cause of WWII. But it wasn't until Hollywood deployed the Harley in a raft of outlaw biker gang movies in the years 1950-70 that the bad boy image became firmly established.
For Harley insiders, the name and winged logo inspires an astonishing devotion to the Harley cult, which includes a certain dress code and occasional rituals such as cruising in packs. The brand name implies a counter-culture lifestyle that's designed to exclude more people than it includes. While Harley owners may like their 'Harley' T- shirts, when the company came out with Harley aftershave, they turned up their noses en masse. The company quickly realized they were messing with a powerful icon.
Harley-Davidson tattoo designs usually make heavy use of the HD logo, but you will also frequently find patriotic design elements and symbols such as the American Bald Eagle and the Stars and Stripes of the American Flag. Other popular design elements are engine parts like spark-plugs, pistons and connecting rods. And in an homage to the biker philosophy of 'Live Fast, Die You, Leave a Good-looking Corpse', many tattoo designs feature skulls, a stark reminder that life is transitory and short. Ride while you can!
Get inspired by some great images and photos in ourHarley Davidson Inspiration Gallery
Choose your own Harley tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com.
Find and buy the Harley tattoo design that's perfect for yourself.
Pick out your Harley Davidson Motorcycle Tattoo design from many ideas at TattooJohnny.com
Tattoo designs - H >> Harley Davidson
Tattoo Symbol Index - ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in tattoo designs and symbols, I can confidently provide information related to the concepts used in the article about Harley Davidson tattoos. When it comes to tattoos, the association with bikers and motorcycles is a common one, and the legendary Harley-Davidson is often the motorcycle that comes to mind.
The Harley Davidson brand is a symbol of the road and is considered a potent symbol of freedom by many. This association between tattoos and bikers is deeply ingrained in the public's imagination. If someone has a Harley Davidson tattoo, it is likely that they own a Harley motorcycle.
The standard logo of Harley Davidson, known as the 'bar-and-shield' logo, has been the defining symbol of the brand since it first appeared in 1910. While the logo itself does not depict anything specific, it invokes a myth that is summed up in the philosophy "Live to Ride, Ride to Live." This philosophy reflects the spirit of freedom and adventure that Harley Davidson represents.
Harley Davidson motorcycles are known for being unique and customizable. Just like tattoos, each Harley can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind expression of its owner's vision of what a bike should be. This individual expression of motorcycle art is similar to the way tattoos allow individuals to express themselves.
When people buy a Harley, they are not just purchasing the best motorcycle in the world; they are buying into the rugged and masculine mystique of the Harley brand. The Harley Davidson brand is associated with the 'easy rider' legend, which celebrates American individualism and carries with it a rebellious, macho image. The Hell's Angels, a notorious biker gang, have a strong affinity for Harleys. However, the underground associations with the brand can sometimes have negative consequences for its reputation.
While performance is not the primary reason people buy a Harley, the unique sound of the motorcycle is essential to the overall experience. The distinctive 'potato-potato-potato' sound it makes, especially upon take-off, gives the Harley its all-important 'feeling' of power. The company even tried to copyright this sound at one point. This sound, synonymous with the brand, sets Harleys apart from other motorcycles.
The history of Harley-Davidson dates back to the early 1900s when William Harley and Arthur Davidson created their first prototype bike. The company provided over 20,000 motorcycles to the military forces during World War I, establishing its reputation. In the 1920s, the tear-drop gas tank and the Art Deco eagle were added to the design. During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the company used the Art Deco eagle to boost sales. Harley-Davidson's patriot reputation grew when the company dedicated its entire production to the cause of World War II. However, it was in the years 1950-70, with the emergence of outlaw biker gang movies in Hollywood, that the bad boy image became firmly associated with Harley-Davidson.
For those deeply connected to the Harley cult, the name and winged logo inspire a remarkable devotion. There is a certain dress code and occasional rituals associated with being a part of this Harley lifestyle, such as cruising in packs. The brand name itself implies a counter-culture lifestyle that aims to exclude more people than it includes. Harley owners may proudly wear their 'Harley' T-shirts, but when the company released Harley aftershave, the owners turned up their noses, as it seemed to tamper with the powerful icon they held dear.
When it comes to Harley-Davidson tattoo designs, they often heavily feature the HD logo. However, you will also frequently find patriotic design elements and symbols such as the American Bald Eagle and the Stars and Stripes of the American Flag. Other popular design elements include engine parts like spark-plugs, pistons, and connecting rods. In homage to the biker philosophy of 'Live Fast, Die Young, Leave a Good-looking Corpse,' many tattoo designs feature skulls, serving as a reminder of the transitory and short nature of life.
If you're interested in Harley-Davidson tattoo designs, you can find inspiration in the Harley Davidson Inspiration Gallery, or you can choose a design from Tattoo-Art.com or TattooJohnny.com. Both websites offer a variety of ideas for Harley Davidson motorcycle tattoos.
I hope this information provides a comprehensive understanding of the concepts discussed in the article about Harley Davidson tattoos. If you have any further questions or need assistance with anything else, feel free to ask!
