What can only be described as a massive beast, the bull is an animal that is not to be trifled with. Since before recorded history, bulls have held a special spot in human culture. Going back 17,000 years, the bull has been appearing in cave paintings. In the ancient Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, the mythic Bull of the heavens plays a role. This goes all the way back to 2150 BC. The reference of the bull even goes so far as making an appearance in the form of the Taurus in the zodiac. In the Hindu religion, Nandi is a bull that is worshiped because it is the vehicle of the Shiva and is depicted in many capacities. In addition to being worshiped in other cultures, the bull is also very popular mascot across the world.

Bulls have a strange relationship with humans overall. We use these animals to procreate with cows so we can factory farm and use them for meat. We worship them in some cultures and it’s illegal to touch them. Bulls are ridden for sport and if you can stay on for 8 seconds you did well. In addition, you’ve got the Running of Bulls in Pamplona where people try to avoid getting run over by these beasts. Once popular, the sport of bull-baiting was finally banned in 1835. This was when a bull was attacked by dogs bred to be attack dogs.

The above goes to show how bulls are thought of in all corners of the world. It’s strange how a creature can be so revered in some areas and then treated so cruelly in other parts. Whatever the case may be, bulls are an important animal in the world and it’s no surprise this animal is tattooed all over people across the world.

A bull is an adult male cattle. The bull is more aggressive and muscular than its counterpart called the cow.

Bull Symbolism

The bull can stand for many qualities in a person. Having the bull tattoo on your body is a statement to let everyone know that you possess these qualities. Some of the meaning behind the bull tattoo are as follows: