Gods and Goddesses Behind Thunderbolt Tattoos
Bolts of lightning are a potent symbol for the heavens, gods and goddesses and the power of electricity.
Nearly every early culture had an explanation for lightning and thunder that involved gods or supernatural powers, and why not since lightning can be so awesome and destructive?
The Greeks believed that lightning bolts were thrown by the father of the gods, Zeus. It symbolized power and the fickle nature of the gods. Since lightning usually brings rain, it was also seen as a sign of fertility.
Romans thought lightning was a symbol of their main god, Jupiter, and the Nordic peoples blamed lightning on one of their gods, Thor. In the case of Thor the lightning was caused by his hammer.
Of course, being a symbol of power it was not surprising that in Nazi Germany a double lightning bolt was used to identify the Germany SS Troops in WWII. Likewise it has been adopted by bikers, prison gangs and others on the fringe.
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