Tattoo inspiration

August 3, 2006 9:29 AM

Looking for tattoo inspiration/symbolism.

I have visited a number of highly recommended and acclaimed tattoo artists in my area, and am not much impressed with tattoo as an art. So, I have decided to design my own tattoo and have someone else put it on me. I am looking for ideas and inspiration.

What i want: an idea/object/animal that can be depicted in any way without loosing the symbolism. Something that has a definitive meaning. (A koi fish is a perfect example of this) Is there meaning to where you put it on your body? (not just personal meaning)

What I don't want: anything religious. No direct symbols (cross, ankh, or pentagram) or pattern designs. No "tribal" stuff either. No biker babes, knives, skulls, or motorcycles. No words. (you get the idea)

posted by comatose to media & arts (16 answers total)

Someone else can't really tell you what something means to you. You really need to pick something that relates to yourself.

and am not much impressed with tattoo as an art

If you mean you weren't impressed with the standard tattoo art that the shops had in books or on the walls then GOOD. No one should ever just pick a tattoo off the wall. Either draw something yourself, get an artsy friend to draw something based on your idea, or get the tattoo artists to draw you something based on your idea. Also, take a look at an artist's personal portfolio to get an idea of their style and what they are good at.

Don't be afraid to tweak it or ask them to draw it again differently. If the tattoo artist is put off by these requests, then find yourself a different shop.
posted by utsutsu at 9:40 AM on August 3, 2006

Hot rod flames. They have yet to be used anywhere inappropriately.
posted by DoctorFedora at 9:42 AM on August 3, 2006

So... get a koi?

Seriously, what you're writing is a bit vague. You visited these acclaimed artists, but yet you're not impressed with tattoo as an art. Based on what? The flash hanging on the walls? Or did you talk to the artists about what you want and get their ideas and explanations, and still weren't satisfied? Any reputable artist should be willing to talk ideas out with you and design you something that you want, and if they're not willing to do that, then you shouldn't waste your time.

My main question, though, is if you're not impressed with tattoo as an art, why even bother getting one? Just buy some nice wall art and be done with it.
posted by The Michael The at 9:47 AM on August 3, 2006

I would explore the meaning theme a bit more and develop something that reflects an event, person or memory. i was at a bbq last week and a guest described a design on the inside of his forearm. You have to define the tat - don't let it define you.
posted by greedo at 9:52 AM on August 3, 2006

(whoops) was at a bbq last week and a guest described a design on the inside of his forearm which was comprised of symbols relating to his 4 year old nephew who died from cancer and who he promised to tell everyone he could about. the tat was his way to do this.
posted by greedo at 9:54 AM on August 3, 2006

I searched on symbols.com and eventually wound up with this. I chose it because #1 I am a Scorpio and #2 I was looking for something that symbolized determination and strong will.
posted by neilkod at 10:00 AM on August 3, 2006

the "Keep on Truckin'" guy.
posted by planetkyoto at 10:26 AM on August 3, 2006

I'll have to agree with everyone else. Only you can decide what has meaning or what you want to see represented. Give some guidelines and perhaps we can offer more than generalities.

As for meaning by body location, again thats more of a personal thing. You have the traditional spot on the breast over the heart...to symbolize love for [insert whatever is tattooed]. Usually, tattoos pop up on body parts out personal reasons, the space required for that tattoo, or its just a trendy place to put it (see the lower back tattoos by women).
posted by Atreides at 10:41 AM on August 3, 2006

Tattoos are for life, so decide for yourself on what you are wanting. I personally recommend finding a great tattoo artist and having a consultation with them on what you are wanting. Bounce ideas off of each other. Be as picky as you want. Afterall, it is your body and your tattoo.
posted by wildgarlic at 10:53 AM on August 3, 2006

Just to tack some more on here... a good friend of mine has a bunch of tattoos: two sleeves, some coverage of torso and legs. He said that the first few "had some meaning" but eventually he stopped caring, and now the the tattoos that he likes the most are the ones he got because he liked the artwork. He found artists whose work he appreciated, and then got tattoos from them. Mostly traditional American themes - sailing ships, gypsies, and the like, but you can do what you want. You want the Hello Kitty oeuvre tattooed on you because you like the aesthetic? Go for it. But the artwork is what you're going to be looking at forever, not the meaning.
posted by The Michael The at 11:03 AM on August 3, 2006 [1 favorite]

the artwork is what you're going to be looking at forever, not the meaning.

That's the first good advice on tattoos that I have heard. After having seen plenty of tattoos that that were done by artists who didn't understand perspective, were unable to draw a symmetric circle or drew everything with an outline, I just wanted to call attention to it.
posted by 517 at 11:16 AM on August 3, 2006

The artwork is what you're going to be looking at forever, not the meaning.

This is a good example of how differently different people view their tattoos and the tattoo experience. For me, it's exactly the opposite: while I wouldn't put something I really found ugly on my body, the meaning behind my tattoo will always be the most important part of it. I have a red circle the size of a nickel on the inside of my left ankle, where few people ever see it because it's generally covered by a sock. From a purely aesthetic perspective, there's really not much to it-- it's a nice circle and all, and a nice color, but very plain. It doesn't mean anything to anybody else but me, because only I know what it's about-- it's a reminder to myself to be a good person. I carry it with me wherever I go, as a part of my body, so that I never forget the lessons I've learned about compassion and decency.

So what kind of tattoo you get depends on what kind of purpose you want it to serve. It doesn't seem like you're really into it from the artistic perspective, although maybe if you took some of the suggestions other folks have made, you might find more inspiration on that end. If you want your tattoo to be purely symbolic, it seems like the first thing you should think about is what you want it to symbolize, and to who. If, like me, you are the only intended audience for the symbol, then it can be anything you want that is personally meaningful-- you don't have to worry about what it 'means' culturally. But if you want other people to be able to read you, then look for something more easily understandable.

Really, I'm a little confused about why you want a tattoo. You don't want it for the art, but for the symbolism-- but you aren't giving us any sense of what you want it to signify. I think you should think some more about why you are doing it before you take the leap. Tattoos are basically permanent, afterall.
posted by bookish at 11:52 AM on August 3, 2006

I'm confused as well. If you don't have an idea for a tattoo, why do you want one in the first place?
posted by junesix at 12:23 PM on August 3, 2006

an idea/object/animal that can be depicted in any way without loosing the symbolism. Something that has a definitive meaning. (A koi fish is a perfect example of this)

Symbols can carry different and maybe even contradictory meanings depending on cultural context.
They are rarely definitive in the sense that they can be "depicted in any way" without changing their meaning.
A koi fish isn't going to symbolize squat to someone who's never seen a picture of a koi fish before. They're going to say "oh a fish, that's neat I guess."
posted by juv3nal at 2:44 PM on August 3, 2006

It would help if I knew more about your personality. If you're a successful man with a sensitive side and a good sense of humor, I would suggest getting a tattoo of an orchid. The word orchid comes from the Greek word meaning testicle (funny / manly) and has symbolism of lust and wealth (successfulness) and yet is asthetically pleasing. Plus the girls would think you were sensitive for getting a flower. You could still incorporate other things into the design. Bonus points if you've read The Orchid Thief or seen Adaptation.
posted by Ugh at 5:03 PM on August 3, 2006

How about a cornucopia? Tenacity? Indecision? Grain, or perhaps grapes? An elephant? An egg? A wheel? Water? A waterwheel?
posted by box at 7:50 PM on August 3, 2006