Tattoo Art - Does Your Tattoo Have a Hidden Meaning Which Can Trip You Up?

A tattoo is a tattoo is a tattoo, right? Not true if your tattoo art is based on some kind of symbol. For example, you may think that a double lightning bolt looks pretty cool. So do I, actually. But in some places, this double lightning bolt is the symbol for white supremacists. This is one tattoo you do not want to show off in a black ghetto. Another example would be the swastika. Before Adolf Hitler and his Nazis stole it, the swastika actually meant good things to Native Americans (or Red Indians to people of my generation). In the East, the swastika is actually the symbol of Buddhism, one of the most peaceful religions on this planet.

So, how do you find out if your tattoo has some kind of hidden meaning? First, you need to classify your tattoo design:

• Flower
• Zodiac
• Celtic
• Animal, Bird, Fish, etc
• Nautical
• Tribal
• Chinese/Japanese words
• Others

After that, just look up an appropriate reference book in your local library or on the internet. For example, if you type in "meaning of flowers" into Google, you can get references to what flowers normally mean. One of these websites says that marigold means "cruelty, grief or jealousy". Probably not a tattoo you want to get to celebrate your new girlfriend or marriage.

Of course, Chinese and Japanese words are not so easily researched. Unless you know a native Chinese or Japanese speaker, you should give these a miss. For example, there are 2 forms of Chinese words, old Chinese and new Chinese. Old Chinese is still used in Taiwan, and by many overseas Chinese. New Chinese is used in China, and is increasingly superseding old Chinese in Singapore and Hong Kong. Additionally, old Chinese words have slightly different meanings depending on which dialect of Chinese you are speaking. Beyond the basic meanings, the same word in the mainstream Mandarin dialect (used as the standard dialect in China) could have additional meanings in Cantonese (the original main dialect in Hong Kong), or Hokkien, or Hakka (other dialects used by overseas Chinese).

Animal and bird symbols are considered significant by both psychoanalysts and astrologists/fortune-tellers. When I typed "animal symbols in dreams", I found over 800,000 references. Among the more fascinating things I found out:

• Gold koi fish represents wealth
• White and red koi fish represents love
• Tiger represents power and energy
• Coyote represents ingenuity and resourcefulness as well as playfulness

If your tattoo design is more abstract, you could look up the Anti-Defamation League's website. They have a pretty comprehensive list of hate symbols used by extremist groups. I found the swastika and double lightning bolt on their website. If you think the viewpoint of the Anti-Defamation League is too Jewish, you can also google for "racist symbols". But I have to warn you that their website is well-regarded, and appears on the first page of search results.

Some of you may prefer a printed reference, with all the information you want in one place. Terisa Green's "The Tattoo Encyclopedia : A Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo" (ISBN-13: 978-0743223294) is a good and cheap reference book. She organizes the most common tattoo symbols into alphabetical order, and has 800 tattoo images in her book. I found the paperback version of her book on Amazon for only $12.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Sexy Girl With Design Heart Tattoos Gallery Picture

Sexy Girl With New Red Heart Tattoo Design On The Upper Back

Red heart tattoo design is very simple but still interesting in view of the eye. Design small and simple that this tattoo a lot of use by women and the manufacturing process is very easy. Red heart tattoo design is also good in place in the hands, neck or tattoo in the foot, if you want to put as the picture is not the problem.

Sexy Girl With Broken Heart Tattoo Design On The Back Body

Tattoo design a special heart for women who are just heart broken he ... he ... he .... Where is the heart tattoo design in coherent with bird tattoo pictures and flower tattoo placed on the back body. Broken heart tattoo is very large designs.

Sexy Girl With Zebra Heart Tattoo Design On The Lower Back

Like the picture of a woman wearing a tattoo design of a new heart using zebra theme on the lower back. Zebra heart tattoo design is very unique and creative. Zebra heart tattoo designs can be in place where you want, at hand, in the neck or tattoo in the foot because of the unique design and simple. I think the women also like to design this tattoo zebra hearts.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Japanese Crane Tattoos - What Do They Mean?

The red-crowned or Tancho crane of Japan (grus japonensis) is most easily identified by the bright red patch of skin on the top of its head, its white feather's with black-tipped edges, and its long and pointy beak. Although revered for centuries as a symbol of long life in both Japan and China, the crane itself is now an endangered species. While efforts to promote its survival are underway, its place in Asian mythology and Japanese tattoo symbolism are secure.

Our vermillion crowns – perfect for catching the sun;
Our frosty-white wings – not to be tainted by mud,
Delighting in ponds, long can we stand there;
Looking at the moon, we have yet to roost.
Spring grasses throughout the yard – so high;
The road home to Three Mountains – so hazy.

(Excerpt from Poem II, by Liu Yu-hsi, ca. 826)

As is so often the case with Japanese tattoo symbols, we have the good fortune of being able to look to ancient China for some of the earliest evidence of their meanings. For the crane, the chief symbolic meaning has universally been long life. Although their natural lifespan in the wild averages some 30 years, they have been known to live over 60 years in captivity. Although these numbers may not seem staggering, the average life expectancy in China around 680 B.C. ranged from 22 to 35 years. Even as recently as 1955 life expectancy there was still only in the mid-forties. Perhaps inspired by their relatively long lives, cranes were thought to live not just decades but thousands of years. In Taoism, they were virtually synonymous with immortality, sometimes depicted accompanying the god of longevity, along with a deer or a tortoise.

Much of this symbolic meaning is still ascribed to the crane in Japan, where the northern island of Hokkaido is still a natural habitat for a non-migratory population of this large bird. Considered a national treasure, the image of the crane will often make an appearance at weddings where it represents not only long life but also fertility and fidelity. The dancing display, with its bows, head bobbing, leaping and calls is justly famous and is often filmed and photographed. Again, their symbolic meaning may be inspired by their actual lives, since these cranes are monogamous and may stay together for many years.

In tattoo artwork, these beautiful creatures are most often seen in the midst of larger pieces in the Japanese style, perhaps set against a swirling grey cloud, or with a pine tree (another symbol of longevity), or perhaps in pairs to emphasize their marriage symbolism. The circular version of the crane is also a popular form for this tattoo and, from time to time, you will also find the origami version as a tattoo as well – which has its own history.

According to Japanese tradition, a person who folds one thousand paper cranes is granted a wish. Folded and then strung together in multiple strands, they serve as good luck offerings for new parents and reminders of long life and marriage at weddings. Perhaps one of their more poignant uses is as a symbol of world peace, especially when left at the Sadako Sasaki memorial in Hiroshima. Two years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, one mile from her home, Sadako later contracted leukemia as a result of the radiation exposure. During her hospital stay, she folded cranes earnestly, inspired by the tradition of receiving a wish, although she would ultimately die of her disease at the age of 12. Today, children worldwide learn of her story and the Japanese folded crane is the symbol of the lessons that they learn from her brief life.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Photos of Tattoo Gallery

Kanji - Chinese Character

Kanji - Chinese Character

Kanji - Chinese Character
Kanji - Chinese Character
Tribal

Tribal

Tribal
Tribal

Tribal
The Wolf
Tribal
Tribal

Sword And The Dragon
Sword And The Dragon

The Wolf

The Wolf

Hippy Girl

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Text As Images in Tattoo Design

Recently I was approached by someone asking for assistance in designing a pair of tattoos; one of them and one for their partner. They were concerned about using text rather than images. Initially they wanted to simply get a tattoo of each other's names, but through the course of discussion, they began to think about accompanying images that were meaningful to them in various ways. Effectively, they became confused and overwhelmed making their decision. The idea of text compared to images needed to be explained and explored.

Text is imagery. Font, point size, kerning, and script all come into play when considering text for a tattoo. The main difference, and even then only in part, is the semantic association with the chosen text. Initially, the couple mentioned above had disassociated the imagery of the text itself with the semantic meaning. Once the elements of the text as art became clear, they needed advice. What style should they get? How large should the text be? How far apart should the letters be spaced? Should the words the wanted tattooed be in their first language or in another?

Using one's first language for text tattoos has immediate meaning and most likely meaning for those most often admiring their artwork. Using another language could make the meaning of the text or characters more personal, almost secretive, in the same way that some religious text is "hidden" from public knowledge. Some Buddhist texts, for instance, are written in scripts only taught to monks such that mostly only those who study the text can gather the semantic meaning behind the text. Choosing to use the Chinese character for love would only mean love to those who can read the character unless explained, otherwise it would be a beautiful array of stokes and lines rather than an idea. Pierician semiotics discusses this very concept and that is beyond the scope of this article. What should be addressed is the level of exposure of the meaning behind the text tattooed: will most admirers understand the artwork or is something more private preferred?

Placing the text also comes into play. The length and shape of the artwork may be determined by the kerning of the characters and the style of font used. This will interact dialectically with the canvas provided by the receiver's body. What space on the skin that is available and desirable will in part determine the size and shape of the text.

Text need not be isolated, either. Surrounding or integrating text and characters with non-semantic artwork can provide a combination of meanings and increase the shapes and styles to be thematically presented through tattooing. Related non-semantic artwork to semantic text is a perfectly acceptable parallel presentation, as is creating a collage of meaningful images and words to form a more complicated and in depth personalized tattoo.

Semiotic discussions may well be too complicated of a concept when thinking about creating a personalized tattoo, but it is important to remember the concept that text is artwork in and of itself when choosing to incorporate semantic meaning into tattoo design. Enlisting the assistance of an online tattoo design service can be very helpful to ensure the beauty and clarity of a text oriented design. Read some reviews of services and select the service that is best for you. Some services are even text specific, such as Chinese language tattoo design sites, and these services will always have experienced artists available to help you make informed decisions when creating your custom text oriented tattoo designs.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Best Ambigram Tattoos

Would you like to decorate your body with tattoos and want to get a tattoo that is different from most people? Then you may consider getting a tattoo ambigram.
ambigram, also sometimes known as an inversion, is a graphical figure that spells one or more words that are not only in the form as presented, but also in direction or orientation lain.Seorang good artists can help you in the mood for ambigram tattoo. Of course when getting a tattoo, you want to choose an artist who you trusted so that you get good results so that you can appear more confident.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Using Colors For Butterfly Tattoo

more design for butterfly tattoo

Do you want a color or a black tattoo design? Black tends to give more definition and doesn't fade as much as if you use colors. With colored ones on the other hand you can bring more expression into your design. Generally using colors is more expensive.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Best Gallery Neck Tattoo

Gallery Neck Tattoo

Gallery Neck Tattoo

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Collaboration Between Flower Tattoo And Butterfly Tattoo

Collaboration Between Flower Tattoo And Butterfly Tattoo. It's look so great tattoo.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Scorpion Tattoo on Arm Sexy Women

When men go to get tattoos done, they always seem to want ones that boast about their masculinity and what better a design than a scorpion? They are creepy, gross and most of the time full of poison. The most frequently asked question after deciding on a scorpion is what kind of design to get and where to get it? Scorpion tattoo pictures for men are probably the best way to find inspiration.

These can be found in numerous places—online, in books, on friends, in shops. One of the pictures found online depicts a large scorpion tattoo done on the arm above the elbow. It takes up the majority of the arm, does not contain any color whatsoever and generally looks a little creepy. While most of the pictures show the arm as the best place for the scorpion tattoo, one depicts a scorpion on the hand. It is mostly in black ink, but has a surrounding color of red.

Most men don’t often opt to get color put on their scorpion tattoo, which is alright, but for those who do like color it does add a nice touch. It gives the scorpions lifelike characteristics and a more defined look.

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

Flower water Tattoo

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection

sparrow tattoo

A Sparrow Tattoo, and any other tattoo for that matter, is a significant move that stays with you for a long time, so if you choose to have a Sparrow Tattoo you should know what it represents.

(Some say a tattoo stays for life, but you can always hide a tattoo under a bigger one )
Historically, the sparrow tattoo started as a sailors’ tattoo.
Sailors used to get a sparrow tattoo for every 5,000 nautical miles they traveled.
Sparrows were also believed to bring a sailor good luck, so sometimes the sailor got his Sparrow tattoo before leaving the docks, hoping it would act as a talisman, and help bring him safely home again.

The ancient Egyptians believed that sparrows would catch the souls of those who had died.
This belief was another cause for a sailor to have the sparrow tattoo, as if the sailor had the misfortune of dying at sea, according to the legend the sparrow would carry his spirit to heaven.

In modern times, the sparrow tattoo is sometimes used as memorial designs for loved ones who have passed away.
The sparrow tattoo can be inked holding the ends of a banner that bears the name and birth/death dates of the person being memorialized.

Sparrow Tattoo is a very popular tattoo for a lot of good reasons:

• The sparrow tattoo come in a variety of sizes and can feet most parts of the body.
• One of the beauties about the sparrow tattoo is that even in small sized it can be very rich in details and colors.
• If you haven’t decided how your tattoo will look like, I truly recommend this amazing collection of more than 3500 tattoos.
• I gave it as a gift to my wife and she already picked two tattoos from the flash
• 
  
• 
  
• The way the sparrow is pictured also defines a lot about its meaning -
• A sparrow singing a song symbolizing Freedom and a sparrow diving toward a nautical star represents freedom to love and to find your true love
• When someone chooses the sparrow tattoo, he usually chooses to add details to the “scene” ant not go for a plain sparrow.
• Some popular ideas are to have the sparrow flying near a flower, have it sitting on a branch of a tree, hold the name of a beloved one who passed away and more

Beside its advantages as an artwork, the sparrow tattoo has a deep and wide symbolic to it:

• Sparrow is different from most birds, when they find their soul mate, they stay with them till the end of their life.
• For that reason, a sparrow is a symbol of finding your true love as Sparrows symbolize love, dedication and trust
• A sparrow is a symbol of finding your freedom
• Sparrows are known for traveling great distances, but always returning home
• Captain Jack Sparrow in “The Pirates of the Caribbean” had a sparrow tattoo on his arm with the name “Jack”.
• The great success of the movie, along with the appealing character of captain contributed a great contribution to the popularity of the Sparrow tattoo

If you are looking for a Sparrow tattoo, or any other tattoo, you can gain a lot from checking this amazing tattoos collection.

I hope you like this post about Sparrow Tattoo.
You’re welcome to read my posts on other tattoo topics, and you are more than welcome to leave a comment

Source URL: http://top-best-tattoo.blogspot.com/2010/05/
Visit Top Best Tattoo for Daily Updated Hairstyles Collection