Multi.Colored—tattooed people, tattoo dreams

In my last couple posts I talked about rude, crude tattoos and images of death. In the wake of the elections in the USA, I think it’s now time to focus on upbeat, positive images that reflect well on us and send a positive message to the world as well.

I wrote earlier about spiritual designs.  Putting an affirmation of your spiritual beliefs on your skin could be one way of sending a positive message, although in today’s increasingly fractured world other people might not see the message you are trying to send.   But in thousands of years of religious art, there are plenty of examples of designs that uplift both the wearer and the observer.  It’s worth doing research to find exactly the right design.  The usual run of religious (mainly Christian) flash can be found just about anywhere.  You want something that represents you, not a bazillion others with exactly the same flash, right?

Another form of positive design is a memorial to a lost loved one.  I have mentioned before that I am not a fan of fine-line portraits.  I think there are plenty of other ways to honor those we have lost.  Think about what mattered to that person and find a design that showcases that.  I have a stylized dragon on my back to honor my grandmother.  That, to me, is more profound than just getting her name or a portrait inked on my skin.

And of course there is a wide lexicon of images that are upbeat and postitive all on their own.  “Sunshine, lollypops and rainbows” is more than just the title of a 60s bubblegum song.  :)  Well-done Celtic designs can combine the spiritual and the decorative.  The tried-and-true images of four-leaf clovers, lucky horseshoes and the like are popular for good reason.  There are more elaborate designs representing good fortune from pagan beliefs and non-Western cultures.  Once you set your mind to it, the possibilities are limitless.

What kinds of positive images does your ink show the world?
photo credit: showbizsuperstar

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Last weekend, I went back to Fairfield, Iowa, for the first time in 25 years, for my 40th high school reunion. Even though my family only lived there for three years, and I didn’t actually graduate with those guys because we moved after my sophomore year, that’s about as close to a home town as I’ve ever had and it was a joy to be back there.

What’s that got to do with tattoos, one might ask?

Well, during the reunion party, small prizes were given out in various categories. I got the prize for coming the farthest (from the Los Angeles area). But, doggone it, I lost out on the prize for “most tattoos.” One of my (female) classmates beat me by one!

Clearly, in the next five years, I better go get at least two more tattoos. Victory will be mine!

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Sorry there have been no additions to the blog for such a long time. As John Lennon said, life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.

However, for those interested in tattoo doings, please check out the tattoosymbol.com link in my “resources” list to the right. They even have a cool widget you can put in your Google homepage to show you a Tattoo Symbol of the Day.

Well worth checking out.

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