The idea library

Ideas worth keeping

Every subject with its real meanings, best styles and best placements — research first, ink second.

Lion

Courage · Leadership · Family protection

Wolf

Loyalty · Instinct · Family / the pack

Snake

Rebirth & transformation · Protection · Temptation

Dragon

Power & wisdom · Protection · Good fortune (East)

Phoenix

Rebirth from hardship · Resilience · New chapter

Butterfly

Transformation · Freedom · Femininity

Rose

Love · Beauty with defence · Balance of joy and pain

Skull

Mortality accepted · Rebellion · Protection

Owl

Wisdom · Seeing through darkness · Guardianship

Koi Fish

Perseverance · Ambition · Good fortune

Tiger

Strength · Courage against evil · Passion

Eagle

Freedom · Vision & focus · Patriotism

Bear

Strength · Protection of family · Solitude

Octopus

Intelligence · Adaptability · Mystery of the deep

Spider

Patience · Creativity (the weaver) · Fear conquered

Scorpion

Defence · Scorpio zodiac · Danger respected

Hummingbird

Joy · Lightness of being · Resilience

Raven

Intelligence · Prophecy · Transformation

Moth

Pursuit of light · Transformation · Vulnerability

Mandala

Wholeness · Balance · The universe in miniature

Compass

Direction & purpose · Travel · Coming home

Anchor

Stability · Loyalty · Safe harbour

Clock

A moment preserved · Mortality · Patience

Dagger

Courage · Betrayal survived · Protection

Crown

Self-worth · Power over one's life · Loyalty (with a partner's)

Heart

Love · Devotion · Loss

Angel

Protection · Faith · Remembrance

Demon / Oni

Protection through fear · Inner shadow · Rebellion

Grim Reaper

Mortality faced · Fearlessness · Endings and beginnings

Medusa

Survival · Reclaimed power · Protection from evil

Sun & Moon

Balance of opposites · Duality · Partnership

Moon

Cycles & change · Femininity · Intuition

Stars

Guidance · Hope · A person remembered

Eye

Protection (evil eye) · Awareness · Truth

Mountain

Overcoming · Perspective · Home landscape

Wave

Nature's power · Going with the flow · The ocean as home

Tree of Life

Family & ancestry · Growth · Connection of all things

Lotus

Rising from difficulty · Purity · Enlightenment

Cherry Blossom

Life's brevity · Beauty in impermanence · Renewal

Peony

Prosperity · Honour · Beauty with backbone

Sunflower

Optimism · Loyalty · A bright person remembered

Mushroom

Whimsy · Connection to nature · Transformation

Shark

Protection (Polynesian) · Fearlessness · Forward motion

Sea Turtle

Longevity · Guidance home · Peace

Cross

Faith · Sacrifice · Remembrance

Semicolon

A story that continues · Mental-health survival · Solidarity

Family

Bond & belonging · Parenthood · Roots

Memorial

Remembrance · Continuing bond · Celebration of a life

Quote & Script

A guiding principle · A voice remembered · Identity