a tattoo to represent 'voice'?

May 23, 2007 12:44 AM

I lost my father last year to throat cancer and I'm thinking of getting a tattoo to remember him.

I wasn't close to him growing up until he contracted the cancer. The tracheotomy left him without a voice box and over the course of the next few years until his death last year, I gradually forgot his voice even though I was beside him day and night, taking care of him.

Is there any sort of symbolism for 'voice'? perhaps something in mythology? anything at all? I'm very open to suggestions. thanks so much!

posted by mordecai to media & arts (11 comments total)

Perhaps some variation on an image of a tongue?
posted by chillmost at 1:18 AM on May 23, 2007

This might be useful to you.
posted by b33j at 2:07 AM on May 23, 2007

or this?
posted by b33j at 2:08 AM on May 23, 2007

Did your dad have a favorite word or expression? Maybe an illustration of that word or phrase?
posted by zardoz at 3:00 AM on May 23, 2007

Not to make light of your loss, but would humor be out of line?
posted by rob511 at 3:27 AM on May 23, 2007

In this context, I think a tattoo of b33j's second suggestion would be immensely appropriate and extremely moving.
posted by Faint of Butt at 3:41 AM on May 23, 2007

I have a memorial tattoo for my mom on my forearm. It's the classic heart with a "mom" banner across the front. Behind the heart blue swallows are holding pink ribbons (symbolic of breast cancer, which is how she died). Is there a ribbon color designated for throat cancer? A quick google check turned up nothing for me.
posted by suki at 6:33 AM on May 23, 2007

Thoth was the Egyptian "scribe to the gods" who stole language and passed it on to humanity - he was the ibis head god and wikipedia has a pick or two and some hieroglyphs for his name. Mercury and Hermes had similar roles and meanings in Greek and roman mythology and are stongly associated with language. Also in Greek myth Polyhymnia ("the one of many hymns"), in Greek mythology, was the Muse of sacred-poetry, sacred hymn and eloquence (Wikipedia again would be a good starting point for imagery if your open to a modestly dressed Greek goddess type tattoo).

From a Christian angle the holy spirit (glowing white dove) is symbolic of the voice of God and passed on the gift of speaking in tongues. Not scripture guy, but there must also be some text or passage which would illustrate this...

I'm pretty sure there would be some equivalent in a number of spiritual or mythological traditions, which would make a more decorative and substantial tat then just a small symbol...

There is always the use of a word in the language of your current, ancestral, spiritual or (other you have an affinity for)...
posted by jeffe at 6:49 AM on May 23, 2007

I meant to say:
"There is always the use of a word for voice or speech in the language of your current, ancestral, spiritual or other (you may have an affinity for) tradition..."
posted by jeffe at 7:07 AM on May 23, 2007

Very touching, but whatever you do, don't get it on your neck.
posted by M.C. Lo-Carb! at 8:08 AM on May 23, 2007

Well, Polyhymnia was the muse of sacred-poetry, sacred hymn and eloquence (among other things), but she doesn't seem to have any kind of symbol - maybe a depiction of her from some classical artwork.

Evidently the astrological symbol for Mercury "Anatomically ... stands for the nervous system, the organs of vision and speech".

According to this page, a raised hand traditionally symbolizes voice on a gravestone.

You could always use musical notes, maybe a phrase from one of his favorite songs or something played at his memorial.
posted by timepiece at 8:34 AM on May 23, 2007