If you are at this site and don’t have a tattoo, you are probably thinking of getting one. You might have even been considering getting one for some time now. I bet you have been sketching out ideas and looking at those glossy skin magazines. Well, if you are serious about getting one, there are a few things you should know about getting a tattoo.

1. Be ready to hurt – Yup it is not an old wives tale but the honest truth. Those suckers hurt, and plenty! So be prepared to feel pain when you are getting it done and even after. After all, a tattoo is made by repeatedly sticking a needle in your arm, so if you aren’t good with needles in general, you might want to rethink this one.
2. Go with a Pro -  Do not get your cousin to make it with a safety pin and don’t do it spur of the moment because you met some guy who says he can do one for you cheap at his home. It isn’t invasive surgery, but things can happen so go to a true Tattoo Parlor and make sure they know what they are doing.
3. Sensitive Skin – If you have allergies or sensitive skin you may want to consider talking to the tattoo artist about alternative inks. Allergic reactions can go on for a long time and take forever to heal.
4. Clean, clean, clean – Because so much trouble connected with tattoos comes from dirty needles, make sure that the place you are getting it always uses clean antiseptic needles. In fact, they should have a machine for taking care of that for you, ask them.
5. Tools of the Trade – In fact, I would ask to see all the tools they use. The autoclave is the machine mentioned above and it should sterilize everything they use. And they should be quite okay with showing you all of this.
6. Ask Questions – Find out how long that particular studio has been around, talk to the artist who will be doing your tattoo about how long he has done tattoos. He should also have a book that shows previous work. Any place that doesn’t have this kind of information, avoid!
7. Apres Tattoo Cleaning – Taking good care of your tattoo as it heals is very important. Leave the bandage on for at least 24 hours (don’t peek!) and then wash and dry if very carefully. It will itch as it heals, do not scratch! You should have an ointment to put on it regularly as it heals to keep the skin moist.
8. No Sun – This is an old tried and true rule that you need to keep your tat out of the sun. For the first two weeks, no sun and no soaking in water. This is especially true of hot tubs!
9. Check it – While it is healing, check it several times a day to be sure it is healing right. Redness or burning sensations are signs of trouble. Go to a doctor the moment you see them.
10. Tattoos are Forever – Well almost, but getting them fixed or a “do-over” is expensive and a pain in the you-know-where. So make sure that this is the tattoo you want for the rest of your life.

So if you are getting a tattoo, well good for you! You can imagine that we here at tattoo central love them and think they are cool. But I always believe you should go in with both eyes open. And just to inspire you – I have added some beautiful tattoos to dream about!

The Aztecs associated butterflies with women who died in childbirth and warriors who died in battle. In some Chinese stories butterflies represent dead women’s souls, but they more often symbolize Summer, Joy, and Longevity!

For many Native American tribes butterflies symbolize the souls of the dead but also Transformation, because the insects emerge from the chrysalis. They also associate the butterfly with Beauty.

The butterfly signifies Fire to the Aztecs while in Celtic solar festivals the firebrand that rekindled the hearth fire after it had been extinguished was called the “Butterfly.”

From the bland caterpillar to the fantastic winged creature of astonishing beauty, the butterfly has become a symbol for transformation and hope, rebirth and resurrection, the triumph of the spirit and the freeing of the soul over the material world.

See also:

Most Popular Free Tattoo Patterns: Butterflies

Butterfly tattoos look particularly sexy on the lower back when combined with tribal swirls on each side. These elements extend the width of the tattoo design and lay quite nicely along the back area. It’s important that the butterfly design be properly centered so the main body aligns with the wearer’s spine. Although off-center non-symmetrical designs work well on other parts of the body they do not lend themselves well to the lower back area. The exception would be to combine the butterfly tattoo design with floral elements. The butterfly design could be centered whereas the floral elements could naturally flow to the left and right of the design, but not necessarily in a symmetrical pattern.

Most commonly found on women, lower back tattoos are often reserved for the daintiest of designs. Everything from flowers to hearts and even lettering can be used as lower back tattoos. Popular in part because they are so appealing, lower back tattoos have quickly become a symbol of sexiness and are commonly seen during swimsuit season or on women who wear low rise jeans.

Since butterflies symbolize redemption, growth, rebirth, and perseverance some people also get words that have special meanings for them tattooed beneath the design.

Considerations When Getting Lower Back Tattoos

Because of the nerve endings in the lower back getting a tattoo in this area can be quite painful. If you have a history of lower back pain you may want to reconsider having a tattoo applied in that area. If you go forward with the process you may want to take some anti-inflammatory medicine before your tattoo session. You may also want to check with your doctor before proceeding with the tattoo. Additionally, you should ask the tattooist to allow for frequent breaks since those with lower back pain sometimes have trouble lying prone on their stomach for extended periods of time.

For more information on lower back photos and to see photos of designs that work well as lower back tattoos click on the following articles:

Lower Back Tribal Tattoos

Celtic Butterfly Tattoos

Let’s learn a little about the meaning of tribal tattoos:

Maori Tribal Tattoos

The Maori tribe can from ancient New Zealand. They are noted for wearing leg and face tattoos. They are also recognized as outstanding wood carvers whose designs would often contain spirals. “Moko” or facial tattoos were used primarily as a form of identification. They believed that when someone died their true identity would shine through the tattoo.

Celtic Tribal Tattoos

Although the people from the Celtic tribes have almost all disappeared their cultural influences are still a part of our art forms and music. Celtic tattoos are comprised primarily of intertwining geometric lines, knots, and spirals. In some instances the lines themselves are shaped to form images. In other cases the outline of an image is filled with Celtic designs. Celtic designs are very popular now and come in many different variations.

Native American Tribal Tattoos

Native Americans also applied and wore tattoos. Warriors would wear tattoos as a badge of honor to represent their strength and courage. They usually wore tattoos of animals (primarily predators) which represented their masculinity and virility. They believed that a portion of the animal’s strength would be given to the wearer after the design was applied to the skin.

Polynesian Tribal Tattoos
Many believe that the Polynesians are responsible for the introduction of applying artistic scenes onto the body. Their tattoos usually illustrated meaningful events in the life of the wearer or perhaps his social status. In some instances the bodies of tribe members were almost entirely covered in tattoos.

Here are some examples of lower back tribal tattoos:

However, not all cultures embrace the popularity of lower back tattoos on women. Some cultures deem women with tattoos in that area to have lower moral standards. In Australia for example, lower back tattoos on women have been given the slang name “arse antlers.” In some parts of America these tattoos are called “tramp stamps”. In towns that border Mexico they’re sometimes referred to as “Tijuana License Plates.”

Why to Choose Lower Back Tattoos

There are several reasons why the lower back is often chosen to display tattoos. For one, the lower back has a lot of horizontal space, which makes it a nice area for showcasing fairly wide tattoos. Women of all sizes can get tattoos in this area. The lower back can accommodate tattoo designs of different types and look very attractive. Usually, tattoos in the lower back area follow this pattern, i.e., narrow on each side and larger (or fuller) in the middle. Here are some free lower back tattoos examples:

Additionally, tattoos located in the lower back area can easily be covered up. They aren’t as easily visible as those on the next, hands, or arms, so they don’t pose a concern for those seeking employment in more conservative environments or public settings.

Also, if the tattoo wearer gains or loses weight, the chance that the tattoo design may become distorted or “faded” is decreased.

However, there are some other issues you should consider before getting a tattoo in the lower back area. The most prevalent issue is pain. If you are someone that already suffers from lower back pain, do you really want to have someone poke a needle into that area? Also, people with lower back pain often find it painful to lie on their stomach for long periods of time. Getting a lower back tattoo can take hours to complete depending on the complexity of the design. This also makes them fairly expensive because of the size of the design.

Lower Back Tattoo Safety Concerns

Some practitioners warn against administering epidurals to pregnant women with lower back tattoos because they believe there is a risk of infection or they believe some of the tattoo ink could be introduced into the epidural space. As such, some anesthesiologists may give an epidural block to women in labor that have lower back tattoos. It is important to note that there have been no studies linking tattoo wearers to delivery complications but women may want to err on the side of caution. Pregnant women with lower back tattoos should discuss these issues with their doctors.

When properly (symmetrically) drawn and inked, lower back tattoos can be very sexy and stylish on women and can last for many years. However, as with any tattoo, consider how you’ll feel about it when you’re much older!

Several celebrities have lower back tattoos. Here are a few to check out:

Angelina Jolie

Dave Navarro

Eva Longoria

For more information on lower back tattoos and to see additional photos of designs see the articles below:

Lower Back Tribal Tattoos

Lower Back Tattoos of Butterflies