Religious Tattoos

Religious tattoos and the symbolism of the various religions have strangely become popular to secular society. Crosses and pictures of Jesus and praying hands or the sacred heart have been seen gracing the biceps of clearly non-religious individuals.
This is partly because any and all kinds of symbolism in the field of tattoo art have been appropriated and assimilated into the mainstream culture. This is true not only of one religion but to all systems of belief. It is why a person can have a mix of Celtic crosses, tribal tattoos, Buddhist imagery, Chinese characters, Japanese symbols, and all kinds of religious tattoos all mixed up in one. Aside from Christianity, Celtic, and Buddhist thought; there are also images from Hindu, Islamic, Maori, and tribal culture.
The phenomenon of the secularization and subsequent popularity of religious tattoos might be due to the breakdown of the walls of meaning in the information age. As all the symbols and their meanings have become readily and easily available to us, we have arbitrarily appropriated them in any manner that we see fit. The meanings have then obscured as the images spread from believers to non believers. It is why this mishmash is found to be acceptable in contemporary times.
These are good points to ponder on before going out to get yourself one of those obviously religious tattoos:
o Does it have meaning for you?
o Will it offend someone else's beliefs?
o Are you aware of its history and true meaning?
o Are you prepared to become identified with a certain group by virtue of your tattoo?
o Are you prepared to defend your choice?
If you have read all these questions and still want to go ahead with your chosen tattoo design, then noone is stopping you. If, after reading these words, you come across some doubt in your mind, then stop first and think deeply about it. A tattoo is a permanent body ornament and a very visible statement.

It would be presumptuous for us, however, to assume that all bearers of religious tattoos have appropriated it from somewhere else. Some of the avid tattoo enthusiasts out there do have themselves pierced with images from their own religions. This then functions as a sacred reminder of a person's faith, and a symbol of their spirituality. Inasmuch as the original act of tattooing the body was part of a sacred ritual enacted in rites and ceremonies, so these modern tattoos could also function as such once again.

Tattoos Unlimited Gallery

Are you into using your body as a canvas to express yourself? Are you all right with featuring a permanent marker on your body? If so, then you need to read on. You may want to get a tattoo to express yourself or just to ape Brittney's latest design, either way you need to do a bit of research before you head into the tattoo parlor.
There have been many incidences of 'infected needles' so you need to be aware of a few details before getting 'pricked' in more ways than one. Tattooing is a form of art, one that seems to be in no danger of dying out. I guess you can call it the 'rock and roll' factor but if you are not that keen on the pain part you need to ask your parlor guys a few questions like whether the package they offer comes with a healthy application of a local anesthetic or not. I am not all that big into pain and guess what, I found out the hard way that not all parlors offer the local, so make sure to double check that detail. Before you step into a tattoo parlor, you may need to take a moment to review 'tattoos unlimited' for it provides all the information that you need on tattoos and better yet, on the safe way to do it.
With 'tattoos unlimited', you can expect to get all the 'dirt' on tattoos and on the questions you need to ask your parlor. There have been quite a few instances in the recent past where the tattoo ended up giving the person more than what he had bargained for - a case of cancer. Well, there is nothing wrong in standing out of the mundane crowd, you just need to make sure that you do it standing up and not lying down in a stretcher somewhere.
This e-book is a bit of a misnomer in the sense that it does not provide you with an unlimited supply of tattoos. But here is what you get with this product, a listing of more than 200 top of the line designs, the healthy way to get tattoos and valuable tattoo tips. The best part is that you can always pick out the design of your choice, follow the safety tips contained here, head to the nearest parlor and get the design of your making. You can even combine tattoo designs, come up with your own unique take on the same and get it on your body. All you need to do is to take a print of all the designs of your fancy, get the artist to combine the same and believe me; you will stand out from the crowd.

This e-book is available at a discounted rate so you should be able to get your hands on all the latest information on tattoos at very little cost. You can utilize the information contained here to get your tattoo the healthy way. So if you are looking for an affordable resource on tattoos, well then, this is where the 'prick' in the needle is currently pointing to.

Flower Tattoos Design

For some strange reasons, I like designing flower tattoos more than others. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. It's like having a piece of art with you all the time. I find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful.
The image of a tattoo can be so captivating that it stirs up all our senses. You can have a Rose tattoo with a barbed wire around it and still look very good. It's Ying and Yang, loving and sweet but authoritative and intimidating. But if you are intending to ink a flower tattoo on your body, it's best to find out the meaning of the flower and what you want it to represent. You can then combine different images to give contrasting impressions of your tattoos.
I have compiled a list of meaning of flowers as a guide before you tattoo them on your body. I cannot vouch how official these meanings are, but my research has shown them to be fairly consistent. flower tattoos are permanent, so look around before deciding on one.
BABY'S BREATH: Innocence.
BALSAM: Ardent love.
BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck.
BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm.
CACTUS: Endurance.
CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty.
CAMELLIA: Gratitude.
CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you.
CAMELLIA, RED: You're a flame in my heart.
CAMELLIA, WHITE: You're adorable.
CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman
CARNATION, PINK: A woman's love, I'll never forget you, mother's love.
CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination.
CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck.
CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love.
CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love.
DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry.
DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness.
DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity.
DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love's oracle.
DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother.
EREMURUS: Endurance.
EUPHORBIA: Persistence.
FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories.
FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness.
GARDENIA: You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck.
GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break.
GLOXINA: Love at first sight.
HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty.
HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true.
HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment.
HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness.
HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love.
HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure.
HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness, dedicated to Apollo.
HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy.
HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play.
IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, my compliments.
IRIS, WHITE: Purity.
JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability, I attach myself to you, sensuality, attachment.
JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality.
JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance.
JONQUIL: Sympathy, love me, affection returned, desire.
LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty.
LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love.
LAVENDER: Devotion.
LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination.
LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence.
LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity.
LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you. LILY,
MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility.
MIMOSA: Sensitivity.
MINT: Virtue.
MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India.
MORNING GLORY: Loves you.
MOSS: Maternal love, charity.
NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are
NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle.
OAK LEAVES: Bravery.
OLIVE BRANCH: Peace.
ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility.
ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, mature charm, beauty, long life.
PALM LEAVES: Victory, success.
PEPPERMINT: Cordiality.
PERIWINKLE: Friendship.
POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination.
POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation.
POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success.
PRIMROSE: I can't live without you.
PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love.
QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: Haven.
RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm.
ROSE: Love, passion, perfection. The rose was named for the Latin word rosa which means red. It has been a symbol of love since ancient times.
ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within.
ROSE, CORAL: Desire.
ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning.
ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.
ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment.
ROSE, LEAF: You may hope.
ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love.
ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm.
ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, apprecation, admiration, sympathy, modesty.
ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy.
ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness.
ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility.
ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity.
ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-selfconscious beauty.
ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you, I still love you, new love.
ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love.
ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight.
ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love.
ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue.
ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows "I care", joy, gladness.
ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude.
ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England.
ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations.
ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts.
ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth.
SAGE: Virtue.
SALAL: Zest.
SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love.
SMILAX: Loveliness.
SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption.
SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment.
SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me.
STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity.
STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success.
STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel.
STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you'll always be beautiful to me.
SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness.
SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse.
THYME: Activity.
TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure.
TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland.
TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame.
TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes.
TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile.
VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty.
VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true.
VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love.
VIOLET, WHITE: Let's take a chance, youthful innocence.
VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country.
WATER LILY: Purity of heart.
WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning.
WHEAT: Friendliness.
YARROW: Healing, sorrow.
ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend.
ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy.
ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness.

ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.

A Brief History of Tattoos

Tattooing has been a part of human society for thousands of years and can be found among ancient and native cultures throughout the world. The earliest tattoo to date was found on the famous "Iceman" mummy. Estimated to have lived around 3300 BC and discovered in 1991 in the northern Italian Alps, the mummy revealed approximately 57 tattoos on its ankles, back of the knees and lower back. It is believed that these tattoos were for medicinal purposes, possibly a form of ancient acupuncture.
Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian mummies (though only female) and are evidenced in many cultures worldwide, including Greek, Ainu, Mayan, Aztec, Norse and Saxon. Tattooing in Asia is thousands of years old.
Polynesians have one of the richest tattooing cultures in the world. The word tattoo comes from Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something." The history of the tattoo in the Polynesian culture reaches back over two thousand years, and Polynesian tattoos are considered among the most detailed and complex. For Polynesians, tattooing is considered spiritual and sometimes can cover the entire body. Even today, the tradition of tattooing by hand is considered almost sacred by Polynesians, and the craft is passed from father to son, much like serving an apprenticeship.
The Hawaiian culture is renowned for its tattoos. In the Hawaiian society, traditional tattoo art, known as kakau, is performed not only for the purposes of individualism and ornamentation but also to guard one's spirit, health and well-being. Hawaiian tattoos are typically intricate, mimicking elements of nature such as leaves, reeds, plants, and certain creatures of nature such as lizards, tortoises, butterflies or fish.
Around 1000 AD, Polynesian settlers found their way to New Zealand and became known as the Maori. By the 18th and 19th centuries, the Maori had developed their culture significantly. One notable aspect of their culture was the development and use of the tattoo, which was called the moko. In this culture, the tattoo or moko, was used to depict societal status, tribal affiliation and ancestry. Known for the full face tattoo, the Maori tattooing was actually performed by carving and chiseling the skin. Being master carvers of wood, the Maori used their skill to create intricate designs in their skin too. The tradition of tattooing or carving also expanded to the lower torso, extending from the waist to the knees.
All Polynesian peoples have a common thread when it comes to tattoos. They believe that a person's spirit or life force can be represented in their tattoo and thus it has a tremendous significance among their society.
Regardless of purpose, tattoos have played an important role in ritual and tradition. As described above, the motivation for having a tattoo can stem from a variety of reasons. Over time, society's elite such as royalty and czars have had tattoos to distinguish themselves from the rest of their social order. In a negative sense, some cultures have used tattoos for just the opposite purpose -to distinguish an element of their society for the purpose of discrimination or segregation.
Regardless of the reason or the society, there can be no dispute that the tattoo has a place in history. This is also true in American society, where the tattoo has evolved tremendously. It was in the United States that the first electric tattoo gun was developed, based upon the technology and principles of Thomas Edison. It was this tattoo gun that revolutionized the art of tattooing by making the process simpler for artists and also for those getting tattoos.
Prior to the seventies, the tattoo was considered the mark of bikers, sailors, freaks, and carnival ride operators and was held in disdain by most of American society (except for Hawaiians). While in the 1940's during World War II many in the service got a tattoo, the process of getting a tattoo was considered an "underground" activity subject to health concerns, and considered dangerous by many. However, in the seventies, tattooing started to take on a new significance during a time when the American society was undergoing many cultural changes. These cultural changes, included the development and increased popularity of civil rights, as well as gay and lesbian, peace advocate and women's lib groups. The peace sign and the marijuana leaf became very popular in the late sixties and seventies as a sign of counter-culture beliefs as tattooing started to creep into the middle class of American society. Today, tattooing is more popular than ever with some claiming that as many as a third of Americans under the age of forty have a tattoo. With this popularity, the tattoo parlor has largely evolved to become a safer, more acceptable place in society and even tattooists are now being considered among the ranks of American artists, more and more having an education in art and/or health.

Alan Mischler is an Internet Marketer and a Business Consultant. He has a wife and three daughters and his wife and oldest daughter have tattoos. While he does not have a tattoo himself, he is interested in learning more about tattoos, their origin, history and safety aspects. His blog is dedicated to learning more about tattoos from the "layman's" perspective.

Feminine Wrist Tattoo Designs Show Your Elegance

Considering the elegance of feminine wrist tattoo designs, such tattoos decorate an erotic zone that speaks to your sensual nature. However, before getting a wrist tattoo there are a few things you will want to consider. Keep in mind the wrist tends to be a soft and sensitive area, particularly on the underside and the pain that accompanies a tattoo here may be beyond your threshold. It is also important to note that wrist tattoos require a longer healing regimen than tattoos in other zones due to constant exposure to the elements. Such tattoos also require regular maintenance to retain their longevity and luster.
The design you choose for your wrist is a decision you must not take lightly. Almost a quarter of those choosing feminine wrist tattoo designs, end up regretting their choice later on. This most likely relates to the fact that wrist tattoos are always on display and the wrong design may not always speak the appropriate language, in all circumstances. Another important factor to consider is that before tattoos became a mainstay in society, a woman wearing a star tattoo on the wrist drew perceptions of her representing the gay community. However, mainly a historical symbol, you may still want to consider this fact if your interest leans toward a star tattoo design on the wrist.
The inside of the wrist often finds more feminine wrist tattoo designs than the outer extremity. Studies have shown this is due to the fact that the tattoo is easier to conceal when certain occasion may require it. There is also a rise in the popularity of a combination of tattoos drawn on the outside of the wrist coupled with a tattoo sleeve or a hand tattoo. Wrist tattoo conceptions include a diverse range of designs and are often worn, circling the entire wrist. Nautical stars abound in such designs and words speak of both remembrance and significance.
Tribal designs and Celtic art are also favorite feminine tattoo designs. The written language for word tattoos usually comprise of ancient Sanskrit, modern English or the artistic Kanji scripts. Hearts, flowers, dolphins and many other symbols of femininity, speak to the hidden gems of sensuality. Often tattoos come with the concern of how particular elements of society might look on with disdain of such art. If the office environment is one that resists body art, a wrist tattoo finds refuge with a simple wristwatch, a wide bracelet cuff or by wearing long sleeves. Hence, the convenience is hard to compromise

Fairy Tattoo Designs and Their Meaning

Fairy Tattoo

Fairy tattoo is an excellent choice for people who want to retain their young heart and their fantasy world. Many fairy tattoo designs have been downloaded from the net. You can select from the sophisticated fairy to a childish cartoon fairy for your tattoo.
Do you remember the days when you were young and you use to watch Peter Pan and Ferngully? It's not new for people to go back in their inspirational characters during childhood for there are those who want to stay young and express themselves with their favorite characters.
Back in history, old folks used these mythical creatures to lure the innocent mind of children into a whimsical world of magic. Most literature for children includes fairies of all sorts. Fairies are made attractive and believable for entertainment. They represent angels or guardians who can grant our wishes if we are in a distressful situation. They are portrayed to be mostly in the deep forest and heavenly kingdoms far from human sight and perception.
Just like Tinkerbell who is popular among us because of Peter Pan, she has this magic fairy dust that can make flying possible for anyone. They live in Neverland which is located in a place where no one could go to without their help. These tiny creatures are so cute that women choose this fairy tattoo as their first tattoo. Due to its feminine and magical touch, fairy tattoo has evolved in different forms. From tiny creatures to women-like figures, their images are made more stylish.
On the other hand, fairy tattoo are also worn by men. Don't think that a man with a fairy on his chest or biceps is gay. It is a form of art, self-expression and self-esteem. Maybe he wanted to have this fairy design as his girlfriend and he wanted the world to know about her. Fairies connote different meanings and the interpretations depend on the bearer itself. An man with a fairy tattoo can think of this fairy as his guardian angel and that he feels comfortable with a soft image design.

Another thing is we are often captured by those things we see in movies. Make-believe realms and imaginative characters come to life in these movies. As a result, people tend to make them as part of their lives, making them real and live with them. So for some, having the fairy tattoo is the closest thing to be one with these magical people.

The Meaning of the Spider Tattoo

For the most part of documented past centuries, human beings have embossed tattoos on their bodies for a foray of reasons ranging from magical protection, relieving pain, vengeance to declaring victory against a foe. Historical analysis credits tattoos to have been created to display beauty, valor, group solidarity, religious belief, shock and personal independence. Recent research has indicated that over 60% of the North American youths aged between 18 to 30 years old have at least a single tattoo on their body.
Among the most popular tattoo designs in the world, the spider tattoo is a symbol crossing over numerous tattoo genres. The spider tattoo is believed to have originated from one indigenous tribe of Malaysia. It is therefore strongly featured by most tribal tattoos of various indigenous tribes around the world. Very few cultures fail to have tales about spiders constituted in their mythologies, maybe because spiders inhabit almost all corners of the globe. Struggle in the web of life's intricacies is basically what a spider tattoo symbolizes.
In some tribes, the spider tattoos represents incarcerated capture while the different strands making up the web implies a metaphor symbolizing bars. In the Western countries, these bars are associated with crime, which depicts how long one has stayed behind prison walls. The tattoo is a symbol of a struggling generation; a struggle with drugs, struggle against the political system, while some people are always struggling against the oddity of life. And so no matter how long and much your struggle is, you find yourself entangled in the web of life. Thus from a Nazi wanna-be with a spider tattoo on his cheek to a Latino on the street with the same feature on his neck, it basically draws to the same meaning, the spider tattoo is not an entity belonging to any specific group but to all whom the tentacles of life holds in the sublimes of a web.
Some bikers see the spider tattoo as a representation of fate, where the eventual web emanating from the activities of a spider shows how everyday we are tangled in the web of destiny. In short, this means being caught in a myriad of situations that one cannot contain, as life surely is.
The spider tattoo has been associated with a lot of things in the world today. For some, thee tattoo can only be a representation of the time you spent behind bars in prison, while others perceive it as a person whose web of life crossed path with the KKK. The same tattoo on the elbow would occur as implying a skinhead who have issues with his environment, a derelict and an anti-everything person; anti racist, anti gay, as well as a rubber stamp of a skinhead in prison behind the shadow of death on death row, murder depicted on the forehead. For other type of societal menace, it's just a reminder to them and others that they had the pleasure of serving a sentence for a specific number of years. It would not be a surprise if the spider tattoos does not fall short of depicting the number of people whom one has given an express ticket to the labyrinth of death.

For centuries, the spiders tattoo has drawn connotations from popular cultures, mythologies with a dose of symbolism being the outcome. That's is reason why today lots of spider tattoo fanatics have these inscriptions derived from the imagery of the day, such as the character Shelob from the depth of the movie the lord of the rings and the spider man movie and comic literature, giving them such a macho tattoo and a better representation of their personal belief. A rebellious Belief seen in the traits of a spider, a symbol of patience due to the hunting technique it uses and the way it waits for its prey after setting up a web, and also a dose of malice and mischief from its poison and fatal venom. These traits are adopted by many in the face of spider tattoos as their spirits rise up against the institutions of the day. That's why the adage of the spider tattoos will forever be span in every era within the web of life.

First Tattoo What To Get

Your first tattoo help guide. I guess the first thing I would say is why are you are you getting a tattoo. If you can't make up your mind on what to get it can be that you are getting a tattoo for the wrong reasons and the resistance is you minds way of telling you that. If you are sure on the reasons i.e because you want to and it makes you feel good thinking about getting a tattoo then that's awesome. Lets move on. Next point is don't rush there is no hurry Tattooists are not going to run out of ink or time for you, trust me.
OK so we are happy and calm, point being never get a tattoo when you are angry about something no matter how it may seem now you wont be angry for ever. You don't want to look at a image on you that reminds you of when you were angry when you become happy. I avoid where ever possible words and names if you have to get a reminder of someone or something do it with a picture, be imaginative, or ask you tattooist to help you with making it an image. For example if you have a girlfriend named Mary and shes red hair and your hair is black, Instead of getting Mary tattooed across your back in big black Gothic letters. What about getting red flames that look a bit like hair and black flames that look like hair in a mobis strip symbolizing your union. If thing ever change in the future just make sure you always date red heads and you'll be fine (yes my attempt at humor) but you see my point.
If you cannot think of anything you have a symbol for. Try writing down 5 things that mean the most to you in the world. Then seek out symbols or flash designs for those or get someone to draw up a design with things that match these for you. You may find one that jumps out for you. But bear this in mind now. Once you have one tattoo the second and the third and so on are much easier so if you set the bar low by rushing you set yourself up to become a patch work of random styles that may not still suit you in 10 or 20 years time.
If all else fails get something universal that lasts for your first tattoo.
Tattoo's for ladies: something beautiful, e.g. flowers of you favorite type will never make you feel bad in the future (unless its across your face!)
Tattoo's for men: something that symbolizes strength, a loin, a dragon
For those who don't want their tattoo to be either feminine or masculine: a symbol of peace or love will endure. You can Google that I'm sure.
Now whatever event or theme you want to put on yourself that will last as long as you body does. Remember it might be in a place you see everyday.
Warning to the eager first timer or ever those who have a few. You don't have to get it where everyone can see you have one. Get it where you want. I have tattoos on my hand and trust me even in this day and age you still get discriminated against. It will effect your job opportunities and peoples reaction to you. Mow I could really give a toss if some judgmental idiot doesn't like my tattoos but it does slow you down some times, take it from me it does and I'm not your mum or dad!

Now that being said I had a you chap ask for a tattoo to be done and i thought he would regret that tattoo in a few years (it was words) so I just said to him "that's gay" to test his reaction he replied "you think?" in a doubtful way I said "yes I do" and he paused. I said to him after leaving him with his thought for a few seconds "If my one comment put you off this tattoo then you shoulder get it and I'm not going to do it, Go away and come back when you have something you really know you want. He came back with a handful of tattoo pictures a few weeks later that I made into an flash design that matched his vision.

Nautical Star Tattoo Designs For Everyone

Maritime careers have been around for as long as man has had the desire and ability to navigate the seas. And in fact, as an affirmation of man's dedication to and reverie of the ocean, a long line of nautical star tattoo designs have emerged. From early sailors to modern day war heroes, this popular image has been inked on bodies all over the world.
Sailors were the first group of individuals to revive modern day tattooing, especially during their visits to the islands of the South Pacific and other areas of Southeast Asia. So it is only natural that a tattoo nautical in nature and attributed to their beliefs and travels would emerge.
For centuries, sailors and other seamen have relied on the stars in the sky for directional and navigational purposes. This, combined with their superstitious view of the ocean and its power, has inspired many of these men to tattoo a star somewhere on their body.
The nautical star is thought to be an amalgamation of the symbolism of the North Star and the star that is often the signature on most compasses. Tattoos of the nautical star date back at least 100 years, when sailors began to use the image as a good luck symbol to represent the desire to get to home or to their next destination safely.
In recent years, nautical star tattoos have grown popular with several distinct groups, including musicians and fans in the punk rock scene. This has been contributed to the symbol's association with Sailor Jerry and the popularity of his signature tattoos that often include images of the nautical star.
It has also been said that the nautical star has become a popular design for the gay and lesbian community, especially during the 1940s and 1950s when alternative lifestyles were less mainstream. Many lesbians were believed to sport hidden nautical star tattoos that signified their dedication to and belief in their love relationships with other women.
But despite these claims, there is still some disagreement over the actual meaning of the present-day use of the nautical star. Those groups who currently sport the tattoo en masse proclaim its significance is their own.

However, the nautical star continues to be a popular choice by the very individuals who first created its existence. Many sailors and other military personnel continue to get nautical star tattoos to proclaim their affiliation with those that they serve.

Personalize Your Style With Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos are a universal symbol that represents your style as an individual and have a long history of meaning behind them. It's a tattoo that you can be proud to wear and the design can be altered to suit your personal preference. The style of your tattoo can range from a number of different looks which we will discuss.
The newest trend of Nautical Star Tattoos is the conglomeration of them. Having a plethora of these tattoos placed in a stream like design can be found on many peoples' torsos side, horizontally across their lower back and some even have it done the length of their spine. This tattoo looks very classic without color but many people choose to add color, a word or a name for more personal and significant meaning.
Another style that has been showing up on the shoulder blades of rock stars and punk rockers across the nation is the Nautical Star with wings. The star is placed in the center of the back with angel wings spreading the entire length of the shoulders. It combines the meaning of guidance that comes from nautical star together with the protection that angel wings symbolize.
Those that want to have a tattoo but want something discreet and easy to cover up can choose small Nautical Star Tattoos which are best placed on the top of the foot. If not done as a solo star, it is done with a trail of different sized nautical stars or with a trail of star dust behind it to portray a shooting nautical star.
Nautical Star Tattoos were once used by gays and lesbians to identify themselves and make their sexual preference known to other gays and lesbians as a means of undercover communication. A recent version of this homosexual symbol is the rainbow nautical star. Each section is done with a different color of the rainbow and is now used as a a symbol of gay pride rather than a hidden mark.

The style of your nautical star can be as unique or as symbolic as you like. Get creative and design your own or look on the web for samples of other Nautical Star Tattoos. Your tattoo artist might have a few of his own designs that you might find interesting.

The Transcending Meaning of Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos have been popular for many years because people like to choose a tattoo that is personal to them and carries significant meaning. Tattoos can offer more than just visual body art. Nautical Star Tattoos are simple but beautiful and their meaning has carried this symbol through many different eras of history.
A nautical star symbol can be dated back to the sailing days when seamen wore them on their chests like badges. These ink badges represented the symbol of the compass that was used to direct them home and dually represented the north star which was also a means to help those lost to find their way home. It further became a symbol of guidance and hope. The belief was that the Nautical Star would guide him home safely. This concept carried over in the military when soldiers went over seas. Many of them wore this tattoo with pride and prayed that it protected them and brought them back to their families when the war was over. It was then used as a means to identify gays and lesbians at a time when it wasn't an acceptable lifestyle to the majority of population. It's meaning further transcended into the punk groups of people who wanted others to recognize their individualism. They used the star to separate themselves from others and identify with each other. There are also different meanings behind the number of tips a nautical star has. The star of David is associated with six points on the Nautical Star and 8 points was often associated with the cross of St. John. There are even mystical meanings behind the 5 and 7 point nautical star that are debated and interpreted differently by many people.
Currently, Nautical Star Tattoos can be found on most anyone without being linked to sailing, membership to the armed forces, gay affiliated or punk related. It has a very simple but artistic design and anyone can get this image inked in whatever shades, colors, shapes or sizes on any location of their body they choose. You can wear this tattoo because of it's significant meaning, but you can wear it solely for it's interesting and recognizable design. The history behind this star may be exactly what your looking for in your next tattoo

Tattoo Statistics

I thought it would be kind of neat to find out some statistics on tattoos. For instance, how many people have them, when people think it's the right time to get one, if race and or region have anything to do with getting more or less tattoos and how tattoos have evolved from way back in the day.
In January of 2007, The Pew Research Center found out
-36% of 18-35 year olds have at least one tattoo.
-In April of 2005 it was reported that more than 45 million people had at least one tattoo.
-In July of 2005 a group of teenagers from the ages of 13-17 were asked when they thought the right age to get a tattoo was and they answer 19.
In March of 2005, The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology find out:
-24% of the general U.S. Population had at least one tattoo
-17% of those people have thought about having a tattoo removed
-5% of them have had a tattoo covered up with a different design
Harris Interactive found out in July of 2003
- 16% of all adults have at least one tattoo
- 31% of people with tattoos are gay, lesbian, or bisexual
- 36% of those with tattoos are between 25-29 years old
- 34% of people with tattoos feel sexier because they are tattooed
- 29% of adults with tattoos feel more rebellious
- 17% of those with tattoos regret getting them
- Democrats are more likely to be tattooed than Republicans
In a poll done in May of 2003 found out
-76% of people say the biggest issue that would prevent them from getting a tattoo is not finding the right design.
- 10% of people say that either finding the right tattoo artist or having the money for a tattoo are the biggest reasons preventing them from getting a tattoo
A poll done in April of 2003 find out
- 32% of people prefer traditional plain black tribal tattoo designs over tribal with other design elements, texture, or color variations
In April of 2003 we found out
- The number of women with tattoos quadrupled from 1960 to 1980
The U.S. News and World Report, October 1997
-Tattooing is the United State's 6th fastest growing retail business
Life Magazine, 1936
- 10 million Americans (about 6%) have at least one tattoo

-People living in the West are 20% more likely to have a tattoo than someone living in the East.

Getting a Wrist Tattoo 9 Things to Keep in Mind

Pros and cons of wrist tattoos

Wrist tattoos, like all other tattoos go back thousands years ago. A few hundred years ago sailors were the first to have star wrist tattoos. Many sailors were superstitious and the nautical star on their wrist symbolized the North star which was meant to guide them on their journeys and to find the way home. Later on the star wrist tattoo symbolism evolved into a metaphor for finding your way in life.In the 50's and 60's of the previous century wrist tattoos were a way of expressing someone was gay or lesbian. Nowadays the wrist tattoo has become mainstream. There is no link anymore to being gay or lesbian.
At present wrist tattoos come in all kinds of types. Stars, tribal bands, hearts, butterflies, letters or words in all kinds of languages like Sanskrit, Hebrew, Arabic and so on. The wrist is a cool place to get a tattoo on. Your tattoo will be more in sight than the average tattoo on an upper arm or leg. Because of the location it is important to be absolutely sure about your decision. Below are a few things to keep in mind when deciding to get your wrist inked.
Why the wrist is a cool place to get a tattoo on:

• You can easily hide your tattoo by wearing a bracelet or watch. (or long sleeves)
• They are in plain sight most of the time so you can show them very easy. This way your wrist tattoo is a means to express yourself with a particular design that fits your personality.
• They usually are cheaper to get because they are smaller.
• The wrist is an ideal area for a small tattoo. Most other locations on the body demand larger tattoos.
• Your tattoo will give you much joy because you can look at it all the time. This is why words like a mantra or motto are great ideas for wrist tattoos. Your inked wrist will inspire you or remind you of something important in your life constantly.

Things to keep in mind when having a wrist tattoo:

• They might fade away sooner because the wrist area is liable to influences like the weather. So after a period of time touch ups might be necessary.
• It seems getting Wrist tattoos, like all other tattoos go back thousands years ago. A few hundred years ago sailors were the first to have star wrist tattoos. Getting a tattoo on your wrist is a little more painful then on most other body parts. The skin is close to the bone on the inside of the arm and the wrist tissue isn't very dense. So in theory getting tattooed on the wrist will be more painful. In fact many people say the pain was the same or even less so it's just personal.
• Because the wrist area is used and exposed a lot the healing of a wrist tattoo will probably take a little longer.
• In some situations you'll need to hide your tattoo, for example when applying for a job.