Meaningful body art?
June 19, 2010 6:33 PM Subscribe
What should I get as a tattoo?
I'd like to get a tattoo. Probably on my upper middle back. Something relatively sleek and classy that symbolizes long life/strength/optimism/connection to the universe. Any ideas?
I'd like to get a tattoo. Probably on my upper middle back. Something relatively sleek and classy that symbolizes long life/strength/optimism/connection to the universe. Any ideas?
This post was deleted for the following reason: Kind of chatty. -- mathowie
But, also, agreeing with what mollymayhem said.
Why would you want something permanently on your body that other people had chosen? That's kind of like letting somebody else pick out your outfit every day for the rest of your life. But hey - your skin, your call.
posted by pecanpies at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Why would you want something permanently on your body that other people had chosen? That's kind of like letting somebody else pick out your outfit every day for the rest of your life. But hey - your skin, your call.
posted by pecanpies at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Respectfully, and speaking as someone with a lot of tattoos, don't choose a tattoo based on the advice of semi-strangers on the internet. Look at tattoos, look at art, think on it, be patient. When you have the right idea, you'll know it.
posted by box at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by box at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
If you have to ask this question, you are not ready for a tattoo.
Also, chatfilter.
Agreed. Also, flagged.
posted by ottereroticist at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Also, chatfilter.
Agreed. Also, flagged.
posted by ottereroticist at 6:37 PM on June 19, 2010
Response by poster: Sorry--I didn't know this would be considered chatfilter. Obviously I have a lot of ideas already; I guess I was just looking for something I might have missed. Feel free to delete.
posted by Go Banana at 6:43 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by Go Banana at 6:43 PM on June 19, 2010
a boot stamping on an ouroboros' face – forever
posted by Juicy Avenger at 6:45 PM on June 19, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by Juicy Avenger at 6:45 PM on June 19, 2010 [3 favorites]
Something relatively sleek and classy that symbolizes long life/strength/optimism/connection to the universe. Any ideas?I think that's what the Infiniti logo purports to be, in a way. You might start there, maybe modify it with a chinese symbol or two underneath. Chinese symbols are cool.
posted by circular at 6:46 PM on June 19, 2010
ON YOUR FACE. DO IT ON YOUR FACE.
No don't, seriously. You're going to be the one wearing it for the rest of your life. If you're so indifferent about its location and design as to post on askme for suggestions, you may want to rethink your decision to get the tattoo in the first place.
posted by 517 at 6:51 PM on June 19, 2010
No don't, seriously. You're going to be the one wearing it for the rest of your life. If you're so indifferent about its location and design as to post on askme for suggestions, you may want to rethink your decision to get the tattoo in the first place.
posted by 517 at 6:51 PM on June 19, 2010
Response by poster: I'm not indifferent--far from it, believe me. I want something that actually means what I want it to mean. This tattoo isn't supposed to be a meaningless decoration. I want it to really symbolize strength and long life; something tangible to help lift me up on days when the struggle is too much. I guess I'm asking what various cultures use to represent strength/long life--pretend I never mentioned a tattoo if that makes it more palatable.
Again, if this isn't how Askme is meant to be used, I'm sorry.
posted by Go Banana at 6:57 PM on June 19, 2010
Again, if this isn't how Askme is meant to be used, I'm sorry.
posted by Go Banana at 6:57 PM on June 19, 2010
You might try asking one of the mods to help you revise and repost. It sounds like you have a much more specific, particular question to ask than was clear from the original phrasing.
posted by cribcage at 7:05 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by cribcage at 7:05 PM on June 19, 2010
Response by poster: I've asked for a straight deletion. Please ignore.
posted by Go Banana at 7:08 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by Go Banana at 7:08 PM on June 19, 2010
What are the ideas you have already? What ideas have you said "no way" to already?
posted by macadamiaranch at 7:09 PM on June 19, 2010
posted by macadamiaranch at 7:09 PM on June 19, 2010
This is a fine way to start. When getting tattoos you want to gather all your information. Ideas will lead to new ideas. Asking is part of the research process. I do think you should narrow down your question. What cultures' symbols are you drawn to? Do you want something that symbolizes all 4 things you mentioned? Together? How do you visually see it, strong solid elements, delicate detailed elements? 'Sleek and classy' as in modern or tribal? Etc.
If you bring more into the question, it will be less chat and get you stronger answers.
posted by Vaike at 7:11 PM on June 19, 2010
If you bring more into the question, it will be less chat and get you stronger answers.
posted by Vaike at 7:11 PM on June 19, 2010
The American trend towards Chinese / Japanese / Tibetan tattoos makes me laugh every time. I mean, it's a benign sort of racism, I suppose, to infuse "the other" with mystical meaning when you have no idea what their (foreign-to-you) script actually means . . . but it's still a bundle of ridiculous assumptions about someone else's culture. (Obviously, this isn't so if it's part of your own culture or you've studied the culture or language or something.)
I know a Chinese-American girl who says more than half of the "Chinese" tattoos can't possibly express what the wearer assumes they do. Her favorite is one that translated to something like "mouse smell factory."
I heard of an American of Hungarian origin, who loved the "rovás-írás" script (an early runic-style script) and went to a tattoo parlor and explained to the Hungarian tattooist what he wanted - the word "strength" in this script. He now proudly bears a tattoo which clearly reads "idiot" to anyone who's bother to learn that fairly simple script.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 7:12 PM on June 19, 2010
I know a Chinese-American girl who says more than half of the "Chinese" tattoos can't possibly express what the wearer assumes they do. Her favorite is one that translated to something like "mouse smell factory."
I heard of an American of Hungarian origin, who loved the "rovás-írás" script (an early runic-style script) and went to a tattoo parlor and explained to the Hungarian tattooist what he wanted - the word "strength" in this script. He now proudly bears a tattoo which clearly reads "idiot" to anyone who's bother to learn that fairly simple script.
posted by Dee Xtrovert at 7:12 PM on June 19, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, chatfilter.
posted by mollymayhem at 6:35 PM on June 19, 2010 [14 favorites]