The flower has been a symbol of natural beauty for hundreds of years. While flower tattoos are more likely on females, these vibrant images are not just for women. Flower tattoos have adorned virile men for years as accompaniments to other symbols such as crosses, banners, and various other figures. Such tattoo designs can be found at membership sites such as Tattoo Me Now and Chopper Tattoo
Besides being beautiful, flowers are representative of many ideas and beliefs. Flowers in general symbolize nature, birth, regeneration, and the cycle of life. Individually, most flowers have significant associations as well.
The Rose is likely the most popular flower tattoo. The significance of the rose is its association with relationships. The color plays a key role in what the flower represents, for instance, the red rose proclaims beauty, love, courage, and respect, the yellow rose speaks of joy, gladness, and friendship. The pink rose symbolizes appreciation, and grace, while a black rose signifies death. The number of roses is a significant symbol as well. A single rose of any color says devotion, two roses intertwined cries “marry me”, and six roses imply a need to be loved or cherished.
Next to the rose, the Iris is the most symbolic flower. Named for the Greek goddess, the Iris has long been associated with good news. The three petals represent faith, courage, and wisdom.
The lotus flower is symbolic of perseverance in adversity, faithfulness, beauty, and light. It also represents purity and divine wisdom. The Anemone and the Poppy represent death and sleep, and Carnations can mean many things based on the color. A white carnation, once considered an aphrodisiac, symbolizes betrothal, love and fertility, while a yellow carnation signifies rejection and a red one denotes an aching heart.
There are many striking flowers to choose from when considering a botanical tattoo. The most effective are those that are bright and colorful, have recognizable petals and stems, and represent clearly the sentiment of your choosing.
Getting a tattoo is a very personal and permanent reminder or symbol of someone or something you hold dear. The Cross is a very common tattoo and while that might not surprise you, it might surprise you to find that the cross has been an important symbol for centuries, predating the Christian cross. Before getting a cross tattoo it would be worthwhile learning its history and origin.
The symbol of the cross has been found on artifacts dating as far as 1500b.c. The cross symbol has been found in nearly every known culture on the planet and has various meanings, but nearly all of them refer to the sacred, protective, and transcendent.
The cross can represent an intersection of time, space, and psyche. The sign of the cross has been associated with torture and death, and for the Christian it represents not only those things, but also forgiveness and renewal.
While some denominations argue that tattoos are forbidden in The Bible, this is a matter of dispute. The verse that comes into question is Leviticus 19:28. Most scholars agree that this was a cultural and ceremonial edict and not a moral one. Most agree that if you believe in Christ as your savior then you agree that His death on The Cross was propitiation for your sins and that makes the matter moot.
Designs For Cross Tattoos
There are many cross symbols to choose from and the style often determines what is being represented. A cross within a circle often represents the seasons or cycles of nature, eternity, or unity and is one of the oldest symbols in the world. The Egyptian cross represents both physical and eternal life, and Chi-Rho, The Celtic, and many other cross designs represent the Christian faith or some saint.
There are many cross designs and coupled with banners, flowers, names, or other meaningful symbols, the cross tattoo has definitely “made its mark”. If you would like yo make your make with a cross tattoo, check out the membership site Tattoo Me Now and Chopper Tattoo. They have hundreds of cross and religious tattoo designs to view and print out.
Polynesian Tribal Tattoo
Body art is not a new idea. Archeological evidence proves that man has adorned himself for thousands of years. The oldest form of tattooing involved tribal art that identified the wearer; as part of a specific tribe, according to rank or status within a particular group, for protection or status, as a form of intimidation for warriors, to signify that a person had achieved adulthood or was ready for battle or marriage, or even the number of victories in battle or on hunting expeditions.
One very popular category of body art hails from the Polynesian culture. Tahitian, Samoan, Hawaiian, and Māori design, whether traditional, authentic, modern, or enhanced are beautiful, intricate works of art on a canvas of skin. Traditionally completed over a number of days, the Samoan tattoo was a mixture of dots, lines, waves, and net like combinations. Placement ranged from simple to elaborate as well including simple chest emblems to sleeve to full body coverage.
Mayan and Aztec tattoo design includes various elements of nature including celestial bodies, trees, plants, and air, water, and land animals, all integrated with intricate shapes to make colorful and striking images. The Native American tattoo offers vivid and beautiful designs that incorporate natural and spiritual element as well.
Often tribal art is interesting and intricate, most symbols are very visually appealing, but all have significance for those belonging to that culture. Those who care deeply about preserving their culture find that a tattoo is a great way to accomplish that and encourage discussion and awareness of that culture.
When choosing tribal are for a tattoo, please use caution and respect as some symbols were sacred and inappropriate use might be offensive to members of a specific tribe or nation. If this is a concern of yours, research your design choice carefully. You can find many great Tribal Tattoos at Chopper Tattoo.
Today, Japanese tattoos are very popular and now well-know to Western eyes. Thanks to the power of the Internet and the spread of Japanese traditional and popular culture, Japanese tattooing conventions are less of an arcane event they they used to be.
Like many Japanese traditions and customs, Japanese tattooing is an art unto itself. However, Japanese tattooing is still regarded with some suspicion in mainstream Japanese society. People who display their tattoos may be ostracized and struggle to rent an apartment or secure a job. Even being admitted to hot spring bath houses or public swimming pools can be problematic.
No doubt, from some Hollywood movies you have seen, you’ll know that Japanese tattooing is associated with the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. Yakuza members are renowned for their extensive full body tattoos. These tattoos are revealed to other gang members in ritualistic ceremonies or tattoo festivals, but otherwise tend to be covered up by clothing, as they are considered a private endeavour, not to be shared with strangers.
The Yakuza tradition dates back to the era of the Shoguns, when criminals would be marked with crude ring tattoos signifying their status and convictions. The subsequent adoption of tattooing as a sign of belonging underlines their refusal to abide by the rules and conform to society.
Recently, Japanese tattoo masters have traveled to tattoo shows in the West and divulged the finer points of their art, books have been published on the subject, and a few western tattoo artists have actually completed much sought-after and rare apprenticeships with Japanese tattoo masters.
Kanji Tattoos
Kanji scirpt tattoos are becoming increasing popular with Westerners. Kanji is one of the writing systems in Japan, in which abstract symbols are used to communicate. I must note that Kanji script tattoos are not what we would call traditional Japanese tattoos. While I have seen hundreds of Westerners with Kanji tattoos, I have never meet a Japanese who has had one. Most Japanese find it amazing and quite add with the westerns fascination of Kanji.
However, to the Western eye Kanji have mystic and a natural beauty. If you decide to get a Kanji tattoo then you want to make sure you get what you want. I have seen several Kanji fail tattoos over the years. I met on man who though he had the kanji “Samurai” tattooed on his arm when it was in fact “ambassador”. On an other occasion, I saw a man with a Kanji tattoo on his foreman meaning “family”. The problem was, while it is translated to family in most dictionaries, the symbol actually relates to things done at home like “house work” or “home tutor”.
If you are wanting to get a Kanji tattoo and need an accurate translation of a word then I recommend you purchase Design For You – Japanese Symbols Takanori Tomita, a Japanese Translator specializing in translating and designing Japanese symbols. If you are looking for traditional Japanese tattoo designs the I recommend you check Tattoo Me Now.
Thinking about getting your first tattoo? Most likely you have done plenty of research, searched through hundreds of images, bought tattoo magazines, and even watched a few episodes of LA Ink or Miami Ink. If you still haven’t found a design you like I recommend you join TattooMeNow.com, a membership site that will give you access to thousands of tattoo designs.
So, what’s next?
First of all ask yourself if you truly want one. Getting a tattoo should not be a spontaneous decision. And it should never be anyone else’s decision, but yours. So, do not succumb to peer pressure, do not get a tattoo as a fashion accessory and never get one when you are drunk. also, make sure you see a health professional if you have a medical condition.
Once you are ready to get a tattoo, possibly the most important decision with getting your first tattoo is to find the right artist. I recommend you meet your prospective tattoo artist face to face at least once before having permeant ink put to your skin. Try to look for an artist who has a website with an online portfolio, and who has been in some publications. attending a tattoo show is a great way to canvass several tattoo artist in a short amount of time.
When you have found an artist you are comfortable with, be very clear and firm on what you want. Allow yourself to take on board suggestions, but make sure you get what you want. Your tattoo will stay with you until the day you die, unless you decide to have it removed, which will cost you a lot more than than the tattoo itself.
Never ever get the name of your partner tattood on yourself. Relationships end in one way or the other. Go for something else to express your commitment and love.
I recommend that you scout your artist’s studio before get your tattoo. Questions you should ask yourself include:
- Is the studio clean?
- Do you feel comforatable there?
- Is there a private area avaiable to get your tatoo?
- Can you see sterilzing equipment?
- Is there bin of discarded medical gloves?
- Can you see a needle bin?
- Is new ink prepared for each client?
If you can answer yes to all these questions then you know you are in safe hands. If most of these questions return a no, then get out of the studio as quickly as you can.
When the work is done, your tattoo artist will give you after care advice. You should be told to avoid exposing it to sunlight and given some protective ointment on your skin. The skin under your tattoo will swell up, but it will soon return to its normal size.
I hope you enjoy the experience of getting your first tattoo. Read our Tattoo Me Now review if you are still looking for a tattoo design.
Beautiful rose tattoo
My wife has a rose tattoo on her right butt check. I have been begging her to let me take a photo of it for this site, but she won’t let me. She is quite the shy girl and doesn’t want anyone to know about it.
If you are thinking about getting a rose tattoo you better spend some time thinking about the color you want, for every rose color has
several meanings.
Rose Color Meanings
The Red rose – Well, we all know that a red rose is all about love, but it also represents beauty, courage,
romantic love and my favorite passion.
The White Rose – Now, my wife should have chosen this color for her rose tattoo. White roses mean purity, innocence,
silence (my wife’s speciality), secrecy (she’s good at this too), reverence, humility and youthfulness.
The Pink Rose – I don’t think I’ll be ever getting a pink tattoo but if you do keep in mind that the pick rose represents
appreciation, grace, perfect happiness, admiration and gentleness.
The Yellow Rose – It could be called the happy rose as it means the following joy, gladness, friendship and delight.
What color rose tattoo do you want now?
Facts about Roses
- A single rose of any color depicts utmost devotion
- Two roses entwined together communicate “Marry me”
- Six Roses signify a need to be loved or cherished
- Eleven roses assure the recipient they are truly and deeply loved
- Thirteen roses indicate a secret admirer
Rose Tattoo Designs
Looking for some rose tattoo designs? Find hundreds at TattooMeNow.com
