bijouxbroussard · F
I got my first tattoo at 20, and I had been looking forward to it. It was a symbol that meant something to me, and I now have a total of four that have represented different stages in my life.
I got that first tattoo when few women had them, and two promises I made myself (and kept) were, never putting anyone’s name on myself, and never placing a tattoo on any area that couldn’t be covered by clothing. My parents didn’t know I had tattoos for almost 30 years, until I became ill and spent a month in the hospital.
I’m planning to get one last tattoo—a sunflower in memory of my mother, who passed away recently. 🥺
I got that first tattoo when few women had them, and two promises I made myself (and kept) were, never putting anyone’s name on myself, and never placing a tattoo on any area that couldn’t be covered by clothing. My parents didn’t know I had tattoos for almost 30 years, until I became ill and spent a month in the hospital.
I’m planning to get one last tattoo—a sunflower in memory of my mother, who passed away recently. 🥺
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@bijouxbroussard your life story on your skin - cool!
TheRealBarbossa · 36-40, T
2 of my tattoos are Elvis related. Not because I believe he will always be my no1 artist, but because "he" and his music helped me throughout hardships when I was younger. He's still my no1 artist and still brings me comfort, but the tattoos are a reminder that "comfort comes if you're willing to listen"
If it wasn't for his music I'd be dead a long time ago.
Am I making sense?
I also have a sibling tattoo on my left wrist to remind me that no matter what, they're always there for me. Makes it harder to put a blade up against it.
If it wasn't for his music I'd be dead a long time ago.
Am I making sense?
I also have a sibling tattoo on my left wrist to remind me that no matter what, they're always there for me. Makes it harder to put a blade up against it.
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@TheRealBarbossa that’s awesome!
PerfectionOfTheHeart · 46-50, F
I can see that side of it. And if I chose to link the bad moments and thoughts with what I’ve chosen to adorn my skin, I never would’ve gotten them. But instead I focused on the strength represented in my tattoos. The simple word “Strength” on the back of my shoulder to make me feel like my mother is watching over me. The two tattoos my dad drew with his own hand, one right on top of the veins on my wrist so every heartbeat I have can somehow make a part of him live on. The Celtic tree etched in between my shoulder blades to symbolize my ancestors who made it possible for me to even be here.
I wanted art to connect me with my loved ones who are no longer here, and for me it was an easy decision to capture their radiance through this art form. I can’t run my fingertip over a memory and feel its warmth, but I can run my fingertip over the tattoo on my skin and smile as the warmth of a loved one’s signature is artistically left behind.
I wanted art to connect me with my loved ones who are no longer here, and for me it was an easy decision to capture their radiance through this art form. I can’t run my fingertip over a memory and feel its warmth, but I can run my fingertip over the tattoo on my skin and smile as the warmth of a loved one’s signature is artistically left behind.
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@PerfectionOfTheHeart thanks! That makes sense
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
In many human cultures the skin is believed to provide a path between the physical body and the spiritual world. So symbols might be chosen for good luck or safety - think of the anchor worn by many sailors. That said, my dad was a sailor but refused a tattoo for fear of needles and infections.
Ynotisay · M
I have one. It's pretty small and it's hidden. It's a symbol that has a couple of meanings that I lean in to as a person. I even got it on a symbolic date. It all lined up and when certain things line up I pay attention. And the reality is I don't even think about it anymore.I don't look at it and ponder the meaning. But if you're curious I'd say do it for yourself and not for others. Because a lot of people get them because they want to be viewed a certain way. That's their call but I would imagine there's more regrets taking that path.
hippyjoe1955 · 70-79, M
My wife and I were walking down a beach one day when a stranger and his wife stopped to chat. The stranger said "You two are Christians aren't you?" Kind of surprised I acknowledged that indeed we were Christian and I asked him how he knew. He pointed at my chest and said "I can see your dove of peace". I had forgotten that a number of years ago I had indeed had a dove of peace complete with a green olive branch in its beak tattooed on my chest.
JimboSaturn · 56-60, M
SunshineGirl · 36-40, F
@JimboSaturn Don't ask me questions . . look at my bumper sticker . . that tells you everything you need to know about me!!! 😩
emmasfriend · 46-50, F
SUPERVlXEN · F
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@SUPERVlXEN so no Sean Connery tattoos (something I saw once).
If I ever got a tattoo, I’d probably spend months contemplating and designing it
If I ever got a tattoo, I’d probably spend months contemplating and designing it
SUPERVlXEN · F
@trollslayer
None of any person as a portrait or worse, emphasis on classy and timeless. Lol
None of any person as a portrait or worse, emphasis on classy and timeless. Lol
CountScrofula · 41-45, M
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@CountScrofula i like that explanation!
22Michelle · 70-79, T
Kathleen23 · 41-45, F
Youwereexpectingajoke · 31-35, M
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@Youwereexpectingajoke i could see memorializing a loved one as to not forget the the year they were born or died. My wife sometimes forgets the years her mom and dad died.
JimboSaturn · 56-60, M
@Youwereexpectingajoke Hey I'm not knocking them, I guess I just don't feel anything is important :P
11knaves11 · 46-50, M
justanothername · 56-60, M
Ideally a tattoo tells a story about some part of your life. Tattoos are also done to show your family history.
The word tattoo is derived from the tat-tat-too sound that the tattooist makes as they hammer the ink into your skin. The tattoo is Polynesian in its origin.
The word tattoo is derived from the tat-tat-too sound that the tattooist makes as they hammer the ink into your skin. The tattoo is Polynesian in its origin.
trollslayer · 46-50, M
@jefferson can you elaborate?
ThirstenHowl · M
View 1 more replies »
ThirstenHowl · M
@Magenta yep, it's not the first article I've seen in the news about it either ... yet another reason to embrace the natural body (as much as possible, e.g., when modification isn't legit needed to preserve health)
@trollslayer regulation of tattoo inks is another area where the EU does a better job than the US (race-to-the-bottom, hold-my-beer deregulation is our middle name)
as to your actual question, I only have one small one in a spot that can be covered up, and it was never planned, I never really thought of getting one never mind what it would be of, it just kind of happened one day when an ex decided she wanted to get one, so we ended up each getting one at the same time, thus I was just randomly flipping through some catalog to find one I found acceptable (I coudn't tell you if it has any actual meaning) ... I never especially wanted one, but that day I also didn't really find it a big deal to get one, even though I can't really remember why I decided to do it ... I probably just did it for her, even though I didn't feel pressure to do so (I also had my hair highlighted because she liked it, which in hindsight just seems ridiculous) ... if I could go back and redo that day I wouldn't have gotten one though
@trollslayer regulation of tattoo inks is another area where the EU does a better job than the US (race-to-the-bottom, hold-my-beer deregulation is our middle name)
as to your actual question, I only have one small one in a spot that can be covered up, and it was never planned, I never really thought of getting one never mind what it would be of, it just kind of happened one day when an ex decided she wanted to get one, so we ended up each getting one at the same time, thus I was just randomly flipping through some catalog to find one I found acceptable (I coudn't tell you if it has any actual meaning) ... I never especially wanted one, but that day I also didn't really find it a big deal to get one, even though I can't really remember why I decided to do it ... I probably just did it for her, even though I didn't feel pressure to do so (I also had my hair highlighted because she liked it, which in hindsight just seems ridiculous) ... if I could go back and redo that day I wouldn't have gotten one though