5 Apr 2011

Dream Catcher Tattoos

Dream Catcher Tattoos
Dream Catcher Tattoos

There are many symbols taken from Native American culture that have found its way into modern society. These include tomahawks, feathers and moccasins. But no symbol has stood the test of time better or have a deeper meaning associated with it than the dream catcher. That is why dream catcher tattoo designs have managed to become so incredibly popular.

Dream catcher tattoos started their meteoric rise to popularity with the advent of the New Age movement. This movement capitalized on the common human belief that there are realms beyond our control and comprehension.

The dream catcher was the timeless weapon of the spiritual warrior. With it man could exercise some control over their lives.

Dream catcher tattoos are a natural representation of that belief. The dream catcher catches those dreams and negative influences in the world and prevents them from manifesting themselves in our lives. At the same time, the holes in the web allows positive influences to pass through. This makes the dream catcher tattoo design a powerful symbol for those wishing to protect themselves from the negative and increase their access to the positive. Dream catcher tattoos can reveal our belief in the mystical world that is ultimately expressed by our subconscious.

4 Apr 2011

Flag Tattoos

Flag Tattoos
Flag Tattoos

There is one tattoo that immediately identifies a person as belonging to a particular group or tribe and that is the flag tattoo. Flag tattoos have become extremely popular over the past few years because they allow a person to declare their core values and beliefs with a minimal of effort.

What a flag tattoo means depends on the type of flag that is inked into that person’s skin. A person can get a flag tattoo design of their country of origin or a particular organization that they belong. The flag tattoo can also represent a person’s belief system.

Flag tattoos of this sort show the person’s unwavering dedication, love and loyalty to their cause. Rainbow flag tattoos have also become extremely popular with the gay and lesbian community as a way to show their pride in their sexual orientation and community.

Unfortunately, some flag tattoos can have unintended meanings associated with their design. Take the confederate flag tattoo, for instance. Many people choose to get this tattoo to show their love of the South, but it can also be interpreted as a symbol of racism by some people. If you get a design of this sort be sure you understand not only what it means, but also how it will be received.

3 Apr 2011

Gambling Tattoos

Gambling Tattoos
Gambling Tattoos

There are a number of gambling tattoo designs out there in the world. There are gambling tattoos that feature cards, dice and even roulette wheels. Each of these designs have a particular meaning to the individual who receives them and no too individuals are alike. To one person, a gambling tattoo may show an appreciation for their favorite past time. To another person, a gambling tattoo may be a measure that a person takes to increase their access to luck.

A common gambling tattoo design is one of dice. This design was popular during the 1950s and has only recently began to make a comeback.

To most people this design represents luck and good fortune. But it should be noted that it also represents the downfall of the gambler to many people. This is represented in the various “ruins of man tattoos” that can be seen. These tattoos often represent the vices and sins that can lead a man astray from the righteous path.

Another gambling design that can have both a negative and positive symbolism attached to it is the ace of spades. This design may mean misfortune and death to some people, while to others it represents good fortune and luck. It all depends on the particular meaning that the individual wishes to attach to it.

2 Apr 2011

Horseshoe Tattoos

Horseshoe Tattoos
Horseshoe Tattoos

Horseshoe tattoos are one of those designs whose purpose is designed to act as a talisman to the bearer. Throughout history horseshoes have been identified with good luck and this is true even to this day. They are seen as charms that can ward off malevolent forces and bring the bearer good fortune. This belief in the horseshoe as a talisman even extends beyond the world of body art. All throughout Europe and the United States people nail horseshoes over the doors of their houses and barns for good luck.

As with any good luck design, horseshoe tattoos may be pictured alone or with other symbols of fortune. Gamblers often pair the horseshoe with playing cards or dice in the hope that the symbols will join together their symbiotic energies to increase their access to good fortune. People of Irish descent may add a four-leaf clover to their horseshoe design, an act that not only shows their wish for good luck but also shows their pride in their heritage.

When getting a horseshoe tattoo it is important to decide whether it is facing up or facing down. Horseshoe tattoos that are facing up symbolize good fortune and horseshoes that are facing downward are talismans to ward off evil.

1 Apr 2011

Knotwork Tattoos

Knotwork Tattoos
Knotwork Tattoos

When people refer to knotwork tattoos they are generally referring to those of Celtic origin These tattoos when they are designed well by a competent artist are not only beautiful but can be quite impressive. Knotwork tattoo designs often incorporate shapes and symbols that go back as far as the first century. One of the most impressive of the knotwork tattoo designs is called the mystic knot or sacred knot. This knot contains no beginning or end and is therefore a representation of eternity.

A mystic knot continuously reminds the person looking upon it that the nature of our spirit is timeless and immortal.

For the person who is looking to get one of the knotwork tattoos it is important to properly do your research. You not only want to choose a design that is beautiful and strikes your fancy, but you also want to choose a tattoo artist that is capable of executing the design properly. Nothing is worse than seeing a knotwork tattoo that was executed by an unskilled artist. You should also consider whether you want the design inked in black and white, or in one of the many colors of the rainbow. Knotwork tattoos offer a lot of room for individuality, so be sure to take full advantage of it.

31 Mar 2011

Torn Skin Tattoos

Torn Skin Tattoos
Torn Skin Tattoos

If your looking for body art that is a little bit unique, then you might want to consider getting a torn skin tattoo. A torn skin tattoo is a bio-mechanical tattoo that gives the experience that your skin has been ripped and is showing what lies underneath. These tattoos sometimes feature blood or stitches, along with other elements such as skulls, alien creatures or torn muscle.

A torn skin tattoo is a tattoo that can be very complex and should only be attempted by a very skilled artist.

It takes a diverse color combination and an expert hand to make the tattoo look realistic to the human eye. Whether your looking for a torn skin tattoo that is anatomically correct or one that is whimsical, it is important to get the artist that has the greatest level of skill that you can find.

If your not sure how to incorporate a torn skin tattoo into your personal collection, then consider these adornments. A Christian might get a tattoo that features a cross coming out of the skin, ripping the skin as it goes. Or you can get a snake tearing through your arm to reveal its hideous fangs. When getting one of these tattoos you have a number of design options available to you.

30 Mar 2011

Yin Yang Tattoos

Yin Yang Tattoos
Yin Yang Tattoos

While many consider Yin Yang tattoos as meaning the balance between good and evil, it is actually represents a rich and diverse collection of philosophical ideas. A Yin Yang tattoo is traditionally represented by a circle that contains a dark half and a light half. The dark half represents female energy and is considered destructive and the white half represents masculine energy and is seen as positive. When these two forces combine than the five elements are created. These five elements are water, earth, metal, fire and wood.

While the balance of good and evil is a basic component of the Yin Yang tattoo it is not its entire meaning. It actually has six more meanings. One, all things come to an end. Two, everything in the universe changes from one form to another. Three, no two things are exactly alike. Four, everything in the universe is a different manifestation of its infinite nature. Five, all things have a front and a back, and a beginning and an end. Six, all things are relative to each other.

As you can see, these seven basic characteristics offer the bearer an infinite number of meanings for their Yin Yang tattoo design. What it means to the person receiving it is up to the individual to decide.

29 Mar 2011

Alien Tattoos

Alien Tattoos
Alien Tattoos

Many people opt to get an alien tattoo design because they think it looks really cool. And in fact, it does. The alien tattoo has been very popular since the 1950s and there appears to be no signs of it letting up. There are an almost infinite number of alien tattoos to choose from but some of my favorites have been based on the artwork of H.R. Giger. Mr. Giger is responsible for creating some of the most enigmatic alien characters in film and his artwork is known for its surreal style that occasionally borders on the horrifying. His work however, is not for everyone.

The majority of people choose to get an alien tattoo designer that is a little more laid back and relaxed. This tattoos are generally of little green creatures that are well accepted in the popular culture. Some of these tattoo have a cartoonish appeal to them and some of them are downright hilarious.

Generally, a person gets an alien tattoo because he has an interest in science fiction, but this isn’t always the case. An alien tattoo can be gotten by people simply because they like the design and think that it would make a great conversation starter. No matter what the circumstances, however, one of these tattoo is a great way to start a new collection of body art or enhance an already substantial collection.

28 Mar 2011

Bike Tattoos

Bike Tattoos
Bike Tattoos

It used to be that bike tattoo designs belonged exclusively in the domain of the biker. But this isn’t the case anymore. Bike tattoos have gained an unusually surge in popularity and has taken the world of body art by storm. There are a number of reasons for this, but the primary one is that these tattoos represent independence and freedom.

Over the course of my life I have seen quite a few impressive bike tattoos. I have seen designs that were cartoon-like, some that were very realistic and some that were quite surreal.

But one of my favorite bike tattoos was a tribal bike tattoo that I saw at a tattoo convention a few years back. It was made up of a continuous line which gave the bike a somewhat spiky appearance. The monotone color was also something that really impressed me.

One of the great things about bike tattoos is that they are really well received by the public, but haven’t been overdone. These tattoos also help to show that a person is a member of a particular group, whether that be a bike club or some kind of community organization. It all depends on how the wearer customizes it.

27 Mar 2011

Memorial Tattoo

Memorial Tattoo
Memorial Tattoo

Memorial tattoos have become one of the most popular forms of tattooing today. That’s because tattooing is an art form that is very suitable for this purpose. There is no better way of showing that a deceased love one remains in your memory than getting a memorial tattoo. It is also a tattoo that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Today, we are going to go over some of the considerations that you should make before running out and getting your memorial tattoo.

Since the passing of a loved one can be a traumatic and painful experience you should allow yourself the proper time to grieve before you get your memorial tattoo. Choosing a memorial tattoo while you are emotional distraught is never a good idea and you should give yourself some time to calm down.

Once you have passed through the grieving stage, it is now time to think about an appropriate design. A memorial tattoo should be something that embodies the personality and the spirit of the person that you are memorializing. However, it should also contain a bit of your personal style and be something that you will be proud to wear year after year. If you follow these guidelines, then you will end up with a tattoo that properly embodies your loved ones memory.

26 Mar 2011

People Tattoos

People Tattoos
People Tattoos

There are many different kinds of people tattoos available to a person looking to have ink done. There are people tattoos that feature a favorite celebrity, and ones that feature a particular person in your life. While these tattoos can be fun to have inked, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind.

One thing that you have to worry about is the size of the people tattoo design.

If your doing a head-shot of a particular person it usually isn’t a problem, but if you are doing a full length portrait of a person then you might want to have a professional artist have it scaled for you. This is especially true if you are working on from an existing photograph or drawing.

Another thing to consider is the skill level of the artist doing the people tattoo design. You want to find a tattoo artist that specializes in doing portraits and one that has the proper skill level to complete the task. A poorly done people tattoo design can look really bad if it is done by an inexperienced artist, so choose one carefully. Remember, it is going to be permanently emblazoned on your body so you want to be very careful.

25 Mar 2011

Reptile Tattoos

Reptile Tattoos
Reptile Tattoos

When choosing a reptile tattoo design, it is wise to consider the type of reptile that you want to use. There are a number of different reptiles and each one has its own significant symbolism. Some of the reptile tattoos that people get include snakes, lizards and geckos. For the purpose of this article we are going to discuss two of the most common reptile tattoos available, the snake and the lizard.

Snake designs have a huge number of meanings that can be attributed to them.

Some of the more common meanings behind these reptile tattoos include protection, defense, sexuality, renewal, transformation, transition, mystery and magic. In many cultures the snake is also representative of water and is therefore symbolic of fluidity. Regardless of the meaning, snakes are a classic element that can be easily incorporated into any collection of body art.

The lizard has almost an identical symbolic meaning as the snake, with a few differences. One of the primary differences is that the lizard is mainly concerned with self-protection. While the snake is a more offensive animal, the lizard is a more defensive animal. This makes it an important symbol for reptile tattoos that want to place an emphasis on the principals of self-preservation and letting go of past hurts.

24 Mar 2011

Animals Tattoos

Animals Tattoos
Animals Tattoos

Few tattoos can convey a personality trait better than an animal tattoo design. Animal tattoos are one of the most popular tattoos that a person can get and with good reason. All throughout history animals have represented qualities that us humans have wanted to emulate. And this has been reinforced through literature, mythology and popular culture.

When a person gets an animal tattoo it can represent how the animal represents their true self or may even mark a significant turning point in their life. A wolf may emphasis loyalty and a lion may emphasis loyalty.

It all depends on the symbolism behind the animal totem and our individual interpretation of this symbolism.

Animal tattoos are especially important during our modern era. Millions of people spend billions of dollars each year on pet related products. This just shows you how important animals are to us. Some of the more common animal tattoos that people get nowadays include cats, dogs, tigers, lions, horses, wolves, birds, dragons, snakes and frogs. Each of one these has its own meaning and all it takes is a little research to find the one that you identify with the most. Find one that fits your soul and get it inked into your skin today.

23 Mar 2011

Chicks Tattoos

Chicks Tattoos
Chicks Tattoos

Chick tattoos can be sexy and bold on a woman’s soft body. But it can also be viewed with disdain by some people. It appears that there is a common misconception that people continue to perpetuate even to this day. This misconception states that chick tattoos are slutty and people often compare the women wearing them to adult film stars. While to most people this may sound ridiculous, it’s amazing how many people still perpetuate this myth. But like many things that are associated with people, it is not quite that simple.

Chick tattoos do not have to be trashy at all. Most of the women I have in my life are tattooed and none of them are what I would consider slutty.

So why is it that some people keep this prevailing thought going? It probably has a lot to do with the attitudes of their parents or grandparents. You see, there was a time when getting a chick tattoo was completely out of line. And it wasn’t that long ago. In fact, it was only in the last few decades. Women who got chick tattoos this time were often considered to be slutty or a straight out prostitute. Tattoos were reserved for the men and that was it.

For a woman who wants to get a chick tattoo I say go for it. Don’t let a small minority of simple minded bigots influence your decision to get a nice piece of body art. Chick tattoos are and should be a beautiful thing.

22 Mar 2011

Mary Tattoos

Mary Tattoos
Mary Tattoos

If you are a follower of the Christian faith, then there are few symbols that have as much mean as a Mary tattoo. Mary tattoos are a great way for Christians to show their faith and devotion to their religion. You can choose a traditional representation of the Virgin Mary, or you can choose a Mary tattoo that is a little more unconventional. It all depends on your personal taste. Today, I’m going to talk about my favorite Mary tattoo design, the traditional form.

Traditionally, Mary tattoos are drawn using simple lines that can be easily crafted into a tattoo of any size. For these type of tattoos, less is generally more and there is an emphasis placed on simplicity. Using this style, Mary tattoos need very few details. All they really need are the face of the Virgin, her hands and a veil to fully succeed.

The traditional form is also usually done in shades of white and blue, or in shades of gold and white. The ones that are done in gold and white are usually representative of Our Lady of Guadeloupe. This makes for quite a serene and reflective image that is one of my personal favorites.