When I was young, Greek mythology wasn’t really something that was featured in schools, but the first story I was told was that of Icarus — the boy that flew too close to the Sun.
Now in the grander scale of Greek Mythology, Icarus has quite a minor role, but there’s no doubt that he has become an iconic figure whose story is told and retold till this day.
It’s likely that even if your knowledge of Greek Mythology is limited you would’ve heard the story of Icarus or at least know the name. Today we’ll be going over the myth of Icarus and his father Daedalus, as we attempt to understand why the story has become so popular and what an Icarus tattoo means exactly.
Story of Icarus — The Flight & Fall
In mythological ancient Greece, soaring above Crete on wings made from wax & feathers, Icarus, the son of Daedalus defied the laws of both men and nature. Ignoring the warnings of his father he rose higher and higher. To the witnesses on the ground he looked like a God, and as he peered down from above he felt like one too.
However, in mythological ancient Greece the line that separated gods from men was absolute and the punishment for mortals who attempted to cross it was severe. Such was the case of Icarus and Daedalus.
Daedalus — The Father With God-Like Ambitions
Years before Icarus was born his father, Daedalus was highly regarded as a genius inventor, craftsman, and sculptor in his homeland of Athens. He invented carpentry and all the tools used for it. He designed the first bathhouse and the first dance floor. His sculptures were so lifelike that Hercules mistook them for actual men.
Though skilled and celebrated, Daedalus was egotistical and jealous to the point that he murdered his own nephew out of worry that he was a more skillful craftsman than him. As punishment, Daedalus was banished from Athens and made his way to Crete. There he was welcomed with open arms by Crete’s King Minos, despite his bad reputation.
There, acting as the palace technical advisor, Daedalus continued to push the boundaries. For the king’s children, he made mechanically animated toys that seemed alive. He invented the ship’s sail and mast, which gave humans control over the wind. With every creation, Daedalus challenged human limitations that had so far kept mortals separate from God’s — until he broke right through.
King Minos’ wife Pasiphae had been cursed by the god Poseidon to fall in love with the king’s prized bull. Under this spell, she asked Daedalus to help her seduce it and with characteristic audacity, he agreed. Daedalus constructed a hollow wooden cow that was so realistic that it fooled the bull. With Pasiphae hiding inside Daedalus’ creation, she conceived and gave birth to the half-human, half-bull Minotaur.
This of course enraged the king who blamed Daedalus for enabling such a horrible perversion of natural law. As punishment, Daedalus was forced to construct an inescapable labyrinth beneath the palace from the Minotaur. When it was finished, Minos imprisoned Daedalus and his only son Icarus within the top of the tallest tower on the island, where they were to remain for the rest of their lives.
Time for the Ultimate Invention
Daedalus was a genius inventor. While observing the birds that circled his prison, the means for escape became clear. He and Icarus would fly away from their prison in a way that only birds or gods can do.
Using feathers from the flocks that perched on the tower and the wax from candles, Daedalus constructed two pairs of giant wings. As he strapped the wings on his son Icarus, he gave a warning — flying too near the ocean would dampen the wings, and flying near to the Sun would melt the wax. In either case, they surely would die. Therefore, the key to their escape would be to keep flying in the middle.
With the instructions clear, both men lept from the tower. They were the first mortals ever to fly. While Daedalus stayed carefully to the midway course, Icarus was overwhelmed with the ecstasy of flight and the feeling of divine power that came with it. Daedalus could only watch in horror as Icarus ascended higher and higher, powerless to change his son’s fate.
When the heat from the Sun melted the wax from his wings, Icarus fell from the sky. Just as Daedalus many times have ignored the consequences of defying the natural laws of mortal men in the service of his ego, Icarus was also carried away by his own hubris. In the end, both men paid for their departure from the path of moderation — Icarus with his life and Daedalus with his regret.
So What Does an Icarus Tattoo Really Mean?
The story and symbolism of the Icarus tattoo teach us to remain level-headed and somewhat warns us against the pursuit of instant gratification. Icarus could have listened to his father and once they were safe he could have experienced the feeling of flying many more times.
However, he was unable to see the bigger picture, because he was so concerned about how good it felt and was punished for doing so. The fall of Icarus is a tragic but also a necessary tale of moderation and caution, which is why it became such a popular choice of tattoo around the globe.
Icarus Tattoo Designs
The story of Icarus is worth reading, whilst Icarus tattoos are definitely worth admiring. A tattoo of this kind is ideal if you plan on doing a custom tattoo design, as you can play with the styles, colors, and placement of it all.
When it comes to placement, consider checking out a body pain chart, as there are places that hurt more than others. This will especially come in handy for those that can’t tolerate great pain.
Icarus Arm Tattoo
Icarus Breast Tattoo
Icarus Arm Tattoo
Icarus Chest Tattoo
Icarus Knee Tattoo
Bird Icarus Tattoo
Female Icarus Tattoo
Icarus Stomach Tattoo
Icarus Forearm Tattoo
Icarus Inner Bicep Tattoo
Icarus Watercolor Tattoo
Icarus Rib Tattoo
Icarus Thigh Tattoo
Icarus Leg Tattoo
Conclusion: If Inked, What Would My Icarus Tattoo Symbolize?
We, as humans, tend to be immature. We take risks on a whim and go way beyond what we should have — which sometimes can lead to our downfall.
But not everyone is immature. Sometimes we tend to think a little bit more wisely. Like Daedalus, we know what is at stake and only take a reasonable risk — not more than necessary, yet not less than needs to be done.
If I happen to get an Icarus tattoo, it would symbolize not getting tempted by short-lived success, as I know that it is the destination that counts, not the small beats of victory. Another thing is the pride of the humans — if we fly with our egotistical and prideful wings, our fall will be quicker and even more severe. The solution takes place in balance, not too much, yet not too little. Still, that always takes practice. We hope you liked the story, learned a lesson, and were inspired by our Icarus Tattoos. Which one is your favorite? Leave us a comment. In the meantime, here’s another story of a character from Greek mythology that people love to ink — Medusa.