How to Choose a Tattoo Design

First and foremost, always remember that a tattoo is permanent.
Consider why you want a tattoo or even a specific tattoo design. Does it symbolize some kind of transition in your life?Good or bad?
Learn the meaning behind certain designs. Not all tattoo designs have a meaning
Pick something that has meaning. Whatever you choose needs to be something you can be happy with for the rest of your life, so if it fits your personality, is a memorial to a lost loved one or something to symbolize your children or other loved one, then you're more likely not to regret it 10 years down the road.
Select the location on your body where you want your tattoo. The size and shape of the area can greatly affect the type of design you should choose.
Decide on what size you want it and what colors to use.

Lotus with AUM Tattoo

 
AUM is the primeval, audible and inaudible sound of Hindu creation, also thought to mysteriously embody the very essense of the universe. Chanted at the beginning and end of prayers and mantras and also used as a form of meditation, it is pronounced with three sounds, A-U-M.

Lotus, according to the Egyptians, it was the first flower of the universe, and from it sprang the first gods. Many of the ancient pillars of monumental architecture in Egypt are actually designed as bunches of lotuses.

In Hinduism, the lotus blossom is one of the most important symbols used in spirituality and art. Brahma, the Hindu creator of the world, was born from a lotus blossom that grew from the navel of Vishnu on the water. However, the lotus paired with Om has a particularly significant Buddhist association.

In Buddhism, the lotus is thought to symbolize the Buddha's nature, pure and ascendant.

Along with Aum, it is part of the most famous of Buddhist mantras

Writing Art Tattoos


It seems that there is a growing trend in some circles to select a warrior image as a tattoo and then add some motivational saying under the image. Most of the time, the two are not in any way related and can look a bit odd. An example would be to have a vicious warrior with Mum and Dad underneath or some poem like Love You Forever as the writing tattoo.



Now I am sure you can see this would be a nonsense and totally wrong. Of course for a long time it was only motorcycle gangs, convicts and the odd local neighbourhood gangs who would use the image of warriors as a tattoo. This of course would be to show their allegiance to the gang and confirm membership, perhaps the warrior was as a symbol of their fierce nature and their belonging to a "tribe" of sorts. This would be their mark and the only writing would be the name of the gang for the most part. Now however it has become popular for all to consider a stunning warrior figure with a motivational quote.
Writing Tattoos

Whilst there is nothing wrong with going for a Writing Tattoo with some strong phrase or motivational quote, it is very important that the two match. If one is weak and the other is strong it will just not look good no matter how good the tattoo artist performs. So if you are going to put some writing under your warrior make sure it goes. The next thing you need to consider is what warriors, will it be one from your homeland or perhaps a Highlander or a Viking, an Aztec or Red Indian perhaps a Mongol or Cossack horse man, there are so many to choose from. However you should be aware that few if any of these warriors were likely to have had a tattoo themselves.



The tattoo should not be seen as a copy of what these ancient and noble warriors wore themselves, it should be seen more as a symbol to honour the Vikings or the Highlanders as noble warriors. It is to symbolise the strength and character of these great peoples.

So if you are of Scandinavian origin or Scottish fine go with it but remember it is to match their character and the motivational saying to go with it should be the same.


So if you want a Writing Tattoo with a warrior and a motivational saying great, but let's make sure it is super cool by matching each other. Olivia Curtis loves tattoos and has become a big fan of Writing Tattoos with a pet hate for those that get the writing wrong ending up with a nonsense statement instead of a dedication to loved ones or an inspirational quote

Feather Tattoos



A single feather as a tattoo design may represent or symbolize the ability to take flight, either spiritually, emotionally or creatively.

Many Native American cultures held Eagle feathers to be sacred and they were seen as powerful symbols of Chiefs, Elders, Shamans, Healers and Medicine Men.

Rose Tattoo Designs


A symbol of love, but especially of a love that is pure.

A symbol of passion, chastity, and purity, the rose reigns supreme as the

most beloved of flowers.





Unique Footer Tattoo


Today, tattoos can be seen in a wide variety of styles with many creative placement areas, reinforcing the belief that tattooing is the ideal method of self expression. The individuality behind the entire tattooing process is what initially attracts most people to the practice as each person must decide on the design and placement for themselves. Because of this, what works best for one may not for another, but don't worry if you aren't yet sure about where to get your tattoo as there are plenty of options to consider such as the increasingly popular foot tattoos.

Here are some of the facts you should know about foot tattoos:
Foot tattoos are usually more painful: Because the skin on the feet is thinner than most other places, tattoos done here tend to be a bit more painful than others. But, the good news is that foot tattoos are generally smaller in size so the pain won't last as long.

Foot tattoos are easy to hide: If need be, foot tattoos can be concealed simply with socks or footwear. This is ideal if you work in a professional setting where tattoos are normally frowned upon. Also be aware that the healing time for a tattoo is generally around the two to three week mark, in which time you would have to wear an open style of shoe to protect the skin and allow the artwork to heal properly. So if you simply must wear shoes, try also wearing two pairs of socks made of thin fabric.

Foot tattoos are usually considered to be sensual: While it's true that opinion varies widely from one person to the next, especially when it comes to inking the skin and what looks good, but even those who usually don't care for tattooing say they don't mind foot tattoos and even consider them to be rather sensual.

Foot tattoos may need more maintenance than those in other areas: The feet are one of those places on the body that are regularly exposed to harsh conditions, as opposed to other areas of skin, and tattoos here will eventually fade a bit or become blurred sooner, requiring some touching up to keep them looking their best.
Some of the most popular choices for foot tattoos: Lettering, flowers, stars and other geometric designs and patterns are common for foot tattoos, however, if you're looking for something truly unique, you can always ask your tattooist to create a tattoo just for you based on your ideas. But do keep in mind that large tattoos and those with intricate designs will of course be the most painful as well as the most expensive.

Hand made Tattoos


I have read several articles all over the internet claiming that a large amount of people around the world are having severe allergic reactions to henna tattoos.

Granted most of these people have traveled out of the United States to somewhere in Asia. A nine year old girl from Greece got a henna tattoo and within hours of getting it, it blistered and when the blisters popped the ink began to scab off. Then it got redder and hotter. They went to a doctor and the doctor advised them to go to a burn unit at the hospital. Doctors are concerned that this temporary tattoo is going to scare this little girl for life.

There is also another horrible story about a 10 year old boy from Australia that is experience something a little different than blisters, very dark hair is growing around the henna tattoo.

Dermatologists say these horrible allergic reactions are being caused by the toxic dye para-phenylenediamine, or PPD, that these people are using while giving people these henna tattoos. This toxic dye is similar to the dye that is used in hair dye. Also experts are suggesting that these places in Asia are using black ink and not the traditional brown ink.

So the best advise dermatologists and parents who have children that have had reactions to these henna tattoos is just to avoid them all together, especially if you are out of the country. Also if you notice the ink they are using is black is another huge indication to stay away from them. If you want a fake tattoo just stick to the original temporary ones.

Sexy Koi Tattoo Arts


Koi is an oriental name for fish in the carp family. In the Orient koi are very revered, and are thought to have certain mystical abilities about them. Koi stands for courage, strength, determination, advancement, and perseverance. In the English Language the word "Koi" is translated as the word "love", or the feeling of love. It can also be translated as romantic love or a very passionate love affair. However, koi can also mean selfish. In the orient koi is a symbol of good luck.


In China there is a legend that describes a koi fish swimming up the Yellow River to a waterfall, and if it is at a place called the Dragon Gate, the koi may then jump over the fall and be transformed into a dragon.


In Buddhism it is believed that people are like the koi, swimming in an ocean of suffering all their lives, yet they continue striving forward until they die. The koi fish tattoos with 5 golden koi stands for well being through our daily lives, and eternal wealth, 5 being a lucky number. And matched with the legend the koi is as lucky as a dragon. And the perfect koi tattoo art would be of a golden koi changing into a dragon, just like a butterfly does.


In koi tattoos you will often see them combined with water, cherry blossoms or lotus flowers. However, the Japanese koi tattoos have many symbolic meanings depending on what the koi is doing. Japanese koi tattoo art is a symbol of masculinity. Koi fish are a very energetic fish, and the Koi fish tattoos may often involve very lively colors, with the fish depicted as moving. Koi fish tattoos are often represented with victory as well, and are often tattooed on a person's body to represent someone who is very independent, going against the grain of society.


Any koi tattoo art is suppose to bring its wear wealth and abundance, and thus this king of fish is known as the dragon fish, and many koi tattoos are depicted in a larger tattoo. They are very popular tattoos for the back and/or both shoulders, or as Koi sleeve tattoos. The background colors are as spectacular as the fish itself. They have been depicted with suns and moons as well.


The koi has also been depicted with the Yin/Yang symbol; the Yin being the black part, which is female, night, water, earth, and it is passive; the Yang being the white part, is male, day, fire, air, and it is active. Together these two symbols meant balance and harmony. In itself the Yin/Yang makes a very strong statement, but together with the koi, makes it extraordinary.

Lotus Flower Tattoo














The Lotus flower is symbolic of rebirth, but in addition to its religious meaning, the lotus is also a symbol of all that is true, good and beautiful, representing good fortune, peace and enlightenment.In some belief systems, different coloured Lotus blooms have different symbolic meanings. There are white, blue, red and yellow lotuses described in ancient Indian sutras, or writings. Different colors have different meanings. White, for instance, represents "purity"; blue represents "goodness"; and red represents "enlightenment."

Beautiful Flower Tattoo

Tattoo is an art used to express ones individual personality. This art work is done by inserting ink into the layers of skin via needles to change pigment for decorative and religious reasons.

Tattoo artists have come up with wide varieties of tattoo designs. Tattoos are not only attractive but they also symbolize the inner meaning. Flower tattoo designs are most favored by women.

Flower tattoo designs indicate beauty and youth. Floral tattoo designs come in different shape, size and colors. Depending on the body part where tattoo is done, people can choose their favorite flower designs.

Among flower tattoos, rose is preferred by most of the women. Rose is believed to represent both inner and outer beauty. Rose tattoo is also associated with love. A rose tattoo with a thorn indicates that love is very delicate and should be handled very carefully or else it may be very painful.

Different colors of the roses are linked to different meanings. Red rose implies true love and passion; pink rose is an indication of elegance and gentleness; yellow rose depicts friendship and black rose tattoo indicates death of the love relationship and sorrow.

Sunflower tattoo attracts people's attention due to its bright vibrant yellow color. Sunflower always positions itself to face the sun. This symbolizes worship. A big sunflower tattoo is a symbol of loyalty and a small sunflower tattoo implies adoration.

Lily's long white petals symbolize purity. According some religion, the shape of the lily flower represents erotic love and reproduction. The calla lily is a symbol of beauty, the orange lily denotes hatred and the tiger lily is a symbol of pride and power.

Lotus begins its life deep in the mud and grows into a beautiful flower as it emerges from the water and it continuously moves towards the sun. Lotus flower tattoo represents the life in general. It is a symbol that whatever difficulties one has in life, with great determination he/she can overcome it. Lotus flower has symbolical ties to Indian mythology. According to Hinduism, it indicates birth and beauty.

Hibiscus flowers are one of the prettiest among the flower tattoos. Hibiscus flower tattoo is associated with the rarest delicate beauty and hence it is one of the favorites of young girls. The tropical flower tattoos like hibiscus along with a Hawaiian band are perfect for both men and women.

Flower tattoos are not only used to express the emotions but it also enhances the beauty of the person. Flower tattoos can be quite small and hence gives flexibility of placement of the tattoo on the desired body parts.