Tattoos Designs & Symbolism
Tattoos Designs & Symbolism
Well first up if you’re going to get a tattoo, any sort of tattoo, whatever size, whichever colour then don’t skimp on the design. Sure check out plenty of pictures of tattoos but don’t grab a freebie off the net, don’t pick one on the spur of the moment and don’t hand trace one out of a book. Why? Because in the end it will cost you. Find a design that you’re really happy with.
If you take a badly designed tattoo to a good, professional tattoo artist then they will take the time to redraw the design before they ink you up, and they’re going to charge you for that time. A good tattoo artist costs money, so use their time wisely. However if you’re unlucky you’ll end up getting inked with a really bad tattoo design, that you still had to pay for but now you’re too embarrassed to show and guess what. They don’t wash off.
Take your time. It’s real easy to rush in, especially with your first tattoo when you’re thinking, “If I don’t get it done now, I ain’t never going to get it done.” Well fair enough don’t get it done then.
You want to be going into your tattoo parlor in a positive frame of mind knowing that you’re going to get a tattoo design that you really love. You don’t want any nerves or any second thoughts. If you’ve got any of those then walk away until you’ve found a tattoo that you’re happy and confident with. Even the tattoo veterans out there need to stop and think, “Will this tattoo fit with my other tattoos?” ‘cos nobody wants to end up looking like a smudged oil painting.
The current top five tattoo designs are:
- Tribal tattoos: It was the Polynesians that gave us the word tattoo from their word tatau meaning “to mark” and it is their tribal style of tattoo that is still the most popular today. Originally a Polynesian tribal tattoo was unique to each individual and denoted a person’s stature, background and family. Today people are attracted to the spiritual nature of tribal tattoos and many indigenous North Americans are seeking out the tattoos and designs of their tribal forefathers.
- Dragon Tattoos: These intricate and beautifully colored tattoos are the next most popular form. With obvious Eastern overtones they represent a mysticism that is appealing to many people. On men Dragons signify strength and wisdom whilst on a woman they represent creativity and life. Interestingly there are three main types of Dragon tattoo: The Chinese dragon, which has five claws; the Japanese dragon, which has four claws and the Vietnamese dragon which has three claws.
- Cross Tattoos: With obvious religious overtones these tattoos have become very popular among Christians but there are other non-Christian cross tattoos to consider. Most of the non-Christian designs stretch back to pagan beliefs and have overtones of Mother Earth and nature. For many people these cross tattoos are the perfect spiritual design
- Celtic Tattoos: Like the pagan crosses Celtic tattoos have their origins in pre-Christian times when the Celts were a major force in northern Europe. Many of the designs are intricate lattice and rope work which appeal to a lot of people simply as beautiful geometric designs. However true Celtic artwork is tightly integrated with their religious beliefs. Intricate knotted rope designs portray their belief in the interconnection of animals and humans within the universe and the balanced part everything has to play.
- Heart Tattoos: Perhaps the definitive sailor’s tattoo. A girl in every port and a tattooed heart for each of them. These can be fabulous designs for lovers but bear in mind the obvious. If you don’t know what that is just ask Angelina Jolie who got Billy Bob Thornton’s name lasered out of her heart tattoo. A procedure even more painful than getting tattooed in the first place
So there you have it. A brief introduction to some of the most popular tattoos, designs and symbolism involved with them. If you’re going to get a tattoo spend some time picking a design you are really happy and confident with. It can be one of the most rewarding ways to express yourself but get it wrong and you’ll regret it forever.
4 years ago • 12 notes
