Tell me a colorful story!
The other day there was an article in the news about tattoos. Some of them were so amazing, I flipped through the images in fascination.
In many ways tattoos tell their own story, so I went searching for the varied meanings behind tattoos and was intrigued by the reasons people have used them. From class designations to cultural pride, to protection and even for therapeutic reasons, it’s been documented that tattoos have been around at least 5,000 years–thanks to an Iceman who was uncovered in 1991.
What I thought really interesting in many past cultures is that women were the ones with the tattoos more often than men. The women had dots and other symbols circling their bellies and on their thighs as if protecting their bodies during pregnancy as well as for safe deliveries.
An intriguing style of tattooing comes from the the Maori culture, who wore the the moko, or facial or body tattoo. The moko was a sign of great status that depicted rank, ancestry and abilities. It has even been described as an ID card, kind of like a barcode with all the details displayed on the face. Male warriors wore elaborate tattoos on their faces and bodies, whereas woman would wear delicate chin tattoos. The Maori tattooing almost died out but it’s now experiencing a powerful revival, with many young Maori wearing the moko as a spectacular gesture of racial pride.
In fiction, tattoos are showing up more and more, especially in the cover art. Check out SciFi Guy, Doug Knipe’s video that features many book covers featuring tattoos. And lately, more books are coming out that either feature a tattoo artist or a tattoo parlor as a backdrop.
Tattooing has definitely made its way forward to mainstream. There’s even a popular TV show that centers on tattooing called LA Ink. The artists at LA Ink are amazingly talented. Check out this link to LA Ink’s ‘stories behind the tattoos’. One of the stories features the country music band Emerson Drive going to LA Ink to get tattoos to represent their first #1 hit song. Another story features a woman who lost a friend to breast cancer and she wanted to remember her friend forever via the tattoo sleeve she choose for her arm. In the LA Ink stories link, the stories behind many of the tattoos people chose were very personal and sometimes painful, but they wanted a reminder to keep with them always.
Check out the Spiderman tat on the right. It looks so REAL…the artist’s talent is undeniable! 
What do you think about the rise in popularity of tattoos in fiction and the media? Do you have a tattoo? Did you get one because it tells a story for or about you?
I have one tattoo right now, a dreamcatcher on my left shoulder. I want to get another one but it’s a matter of finding a design that I like. I’m picky like that. It’s a reminder for me to always remember my dreams.
I LOVE dream catchers. I have one hanging in my window.
I don’t have any tatoos but my youngest (27) daughter has a cross on the top of her foot. I would never get one myself but they are fine for other people. I’ve seen some beautiful ones.
I don’t personally have one either, but I enjoy looking at other people’s tats, especially hearing the stories behind them. There’s ALWAYS a story.
I wanted to give Angelina a sandwich, but I eated it…
She might kick your butt now, Jill.
I have a tattoo on my shoulder of just a random blue-and-yellow tribal. I expected the tattoo to hurt really badly, so I picked something with very few black lines (and no personal meaning). Turns out it did not hurt that much after all!
I love tattoos but my husband does not, so I only have the one. I have to admit that I find the tattoos of script or phrases to be very beautiful. If I got another, I’d go for something like that.
Yeah, the pain factor seems like it would be worse in certain areas.
Speaking of script tats, check out that link from LA Ink. One guy got an entire page of words (a prayer, I think) tattooed on his hip. Wow! It was a reminder of him to stay true to himself while trying to make it in Hollywood.
I used to read this manga graphic novel titled Crying Freeman. Its about a Japanese assassin who became the leader of the Chinese mafia. Since him and his wife can’t have children (because the enemies could use them to get to him) his wife got a tattoo of two tiger cubs playing all over her back. It symbolizes the children they could never have. Its a sad one but for some reason that story stuck with me.
Maida, that’s so tragically sad, I can see why it stuck with you!
I’ve always wanted a tattoo I would get something that represents my indigenous culture my dad is Pipil (decendants of Maya) and my mom is Raramuri (decendants of Aztecs) I would get something that represents both…but since I can’t make up my mind on the design I haven’t gotten anything…..my brother wants a Dia de Los Muertos ( Day of the Dead) Calavera (skeleton) on his chest he’s currently sketching it out (he’s an artist) it’s going to be NICE….it’s a representation of our culture
While I was researching the Aztec and Mayan mythological histories, I found that there is a definite blend of the two in many areas. I’m sure you’ll come up with a design that works for both cultures.
I’ve got a tattoo of my Great Dane’s paw print on my stomach, although it’s 50% of the size. He had an inoperable brain tumor and had to be euthanized for quality of life reasons. It’s a wonderful way to keep him with me always.
What a wonderful way to always remember your pup!
When I was eighteen, I got a tattoo of a butterfly on the back of my shoulder. It was supposed to be something meaningful about change and growth, but mostly I was just a walking cliché.
You guys can feed Angelina. I’ll just cuddle with her. I don’t even mind if her elbows poke holes in me as long as she scares me a little before making out with me.
Isn’t it funny how ‘great ideas’ eventually become clichés? This is especially true in fiction.
LOL about the AJ scaring you before making out with you. She does have a very sultry badassness about her, doesn’t she?
Yes, she does. I remember the first time I saw her, WAY back when when Hackers first came out. She was even badass then.
Of course, her Lara Croft sealed the deal for me. I love cheesy action movies with female leads. My favorite thing ever.
Ooh, badass female leads with loads of action?
Then you liked the shows La Femme Nikita and Alias too? Yes? Loved those shows!!
From one fellow Wonder Woman fan to another.
YAY! I always love finding another LFN fan.
I would like to get a tattoo, but I haven’t found one that speaks to me…or that one that I would want to see on a saggy body in 40 years.
Maybe I’ll find one some day.
mmm She’s just that little bit dirty. I love her.
And the comparison to Megan Fox that is being made? To me, there isn’t one. Fox is a ditz, AJ, is a godess! lol
I have two .. One is of a Butterfly it was so beautiful and it is really large. Lots of color.
The other one has a meaning in it for me. I designed it. It is a quarter moon (which represents my husband) with two moons on either side ( represents my two children) with a purple feather and blue ribbon hanging from the tip of moon
Not two moons geesh.. two STARS. good grief. You would think I would learn to proof reading before sending posts by now…
What does the purple feather and blue ribbon represent?
Me. That without them I would be adrift. That is why the feather and ribbon is attached to the bottom tip of the moon.
Ooh, I love it! Beautiful!!
I am gonna try to post a pic of it… but it may not work…
Didnt work.. but thank you.
I love tattoos. I currently only have one, but I definitely have plans for more.
I have a wolf on my back. I got him, well, basically because I was a loner in school, and he became my pack, so I wouldn’t always be lonley.
I have a picture
http://digilander.libero.it/sere.trixi/images/delamare_fairy_moon.jpg
Hope that works…
anyways, I want to get the fairy on the moon, but I want the fairy to be black, as it will symbolize my tie with my husband (who is, well, black)
I love faeries and moons. Have you ever seen this? Love it and the music! Turn your sound up.
http://www.duirwaigh.com/duirwaigh-films.html (Click on the second one down A KNOCK AT THE DOOR)
I have a dragon tattoo on my ankle(it actually similar to the one you have on the woman on the top of the page!)
I have always liked dragons and I was born in the year of the dragon so I figured why not. Though my guy says it suits my personality.He seems to think when I am in full temper I send every living thing diving for cover! LOL. When I was getting it the thing that surprised me was the lack of pain, I wouldn’t get say 6 more but I would like another couple.*sigh* one day!
Some people that are really into getting tattoos say it can be addictive. I thought that was interesting…being addicted to getting inked.
*nods vigorously*
Oh, yes. I will have more. Soon.
Every time I see my tat in the mirror, I grin like a fool. That’s mine. It’s forever mine, and it makes me happy. Little kid with an ice cream cone happy.
Just today my sister and I made a date to go together and get a tattoo for our respective birthdays which are just 2 days apart. Since we are both well over 40- well 50 in my case!- this is one of those “things I always talked about doing…” and are now going to do.
I think I’m going to get a very colorful and flowing phoenix on my shoulder and down my arm to just above my elbow. I love all the ideas that the mythological phoenix represents in life, rebirth, grace, and peace throughout history in different cultures.
My son has 3 tats: a jaguar on his calf, across his ribs he has written in script, “A Life Lived in Fear is a Life Unlived”, and on his bicep he has written, “Everything in Heaven is Fine.”
That’s cool that you and your sister are doing it together! I wonder how many people have “get a tattoo” on their “things to do before I die” list?
Speaking of, my DAD — 62 years old — just got a tattoo on his upper arm. He said he picked out a religious figure.
And he did. He just didn’t mention that the angel had size-DD naked boobs :-/
I yelled something like “OH MY GOD! MY EYES!” and died.
My mom got one at the same time (they went together for their anniversary). I know it’s on her thigh, and that it’s not something naked, but I passed on seeing it, thankyouverymuch.
That’s funny Meljean. Bet your parents got a kick out of freaking you out. Hehe
My husband says he is good with the tattoo as long s his name is somewhere on it!
Heh, he wants to brand you his.
I always like seeing other people having tattoos – but they’re not for me. My mom, on the other hand, has this gorgeous curling blade tattoo with my dad’s name in Latin on it. It is easily one of the most beautiful works of art I have seen. Maybe when I get married… which won’t happen any time soon if I have anything to do with it!
Meljean – I entirely sympathize. *giggles*
I love the description of your mom’s tattoo. That’s neat!
This is a little late but I like tattoos as long as they have some kind of meaning for the person stuck with it for the rest of their life. I can’t get behind a tattoo for tattoos sake. That said I dont have any, but I have always wanted one. Just need to find a design I wouldn’t hate looking at in 20 years.
I agree, I think the meaning is very important if you’re going to put a tat on you that’ll last for the rest of your life.
I don’t have a tatto and I wouldn’t have one, either. To think that I could never remove it (only by that painful laser surgery) and had to run around with it when I’m a doddering old lady… *shudder*
However, I do agree that there are beautiful ones and I absolutely appreciate it when there’s a meaning behind it, like, a personal story of some kind. Still wouldn’t want one for myself, though.
I also think that there are people who can wear tattoos and some who can’t. You know, when the babyface with the pot belly shows me his colourful wobbly upper arm, that’s just not cool.
Some people really “own” their tattoos and it just makes those tats fit them so well!
My maiden name is Griffin. When I got married, I liked my husband’s family well enough to take his last name. However, I didn’t want to lose the Griffin part of my life, so I decided to get a griffin tattooed on me somewhere.
Seven years later, I still hadn’t found a griffin tattoo that I didn’t hate. So, instead, I imagined what little griffin foot prints would look like – bird feet in front, lion’s paws in the rear – and then had them tattooed on my shoulder as though a small griffin had landed there. It’s done in a henna red, so it looks sort of like muddy feet.
I love it. It was sort of like… making a visible statement that this hide, and everything therein, is mine. A laying claim of myself, if you will.
A laying claim of myself, if you will.
I love how you put it!
http://community.livejournal.com/inked_skin/3706.html
I LOVE tattoos. If i worked in a less conservative field, I’d have full sleeves and probably cover most of my back and sides. I love my work though, so I’ll get them at a more conservative rate and amount of coverage
Very cool and detailed tats!
I’ve got about… twelve? Depends on how you count them. :::grins::::
Um. I was born in the year of the dragon so many of mine are dragons or dragon related. I’ve designed most of them… all of them have meaning. I have kanji for my five “adopted sisters” and for writing. I also have three kanji for water (first kanji in wednesday), dragon and demon (because my grandfather used to call me … supposedly affectionately… oni).
The last one I’ve had inked is a “dragon” koi with ume blossoms and waves. The colours are a tancho koi with a pearl in his forehead (the dragon indicator), ume blossoms to signify standing strong in the face of adversity and transition between winter and spring. The waves are to remember to flow with life instead of fighting the stream… picking my battles… knowing when something is worth fighting for.
Let me see if I can link it in.
[img]http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3300604283_7266f86168_b.jpg[/img]
well that was of the fail. i’ll try standard html. if not… the link will take you there.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3622/3300604283_7266f86168_b.jpg
That’s gorgeous. Maybe I will get a tattoo…a really small dragon?
i fully endorse the inking of any dragon
Truly beautiful and colorful. Thanks for sharing!
I planned my tattoo carefully, as I need it to be legible 50 years from now. It’s on my shoulderblade, which is less likely to get wrinkledy than the other location I considered, and says, “Property of the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection.”
=A
Good idea about the shoulder blade. Can’t image that skin moving much with age.
Okay, I HAVE to ask about this…“Property of the William M. Bass Donated Skeletal Collection.”
???
you may have heard of ‘the Body Farm’….
Check out the Forensic Anthropology Center website.
=A
Interesting. I’d heard the title of the book The Body Farm, but didn’t know what it was. That’s truly donating one’s body to science!