Archive for tattoo designs
Wrist Tattoo Designs
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The wrist is a very popular body part for tattoos especially among women. It acts like a permanent bracelet of sorts. The best part about this particular body part is that it is a great spot if you particularly want to make a statement or simply just show off your tattoos. Since most of us use our hands a lot when we speak, our wrists will be easily noticed. Whether you want to tell people that you are actually a rebel at heart or a genuinely sweet person, the wrist can help you make an understated yet powerful statement.
You need to keep in mind that the wrist is not the biggest of body parts, so whatever design you choose make sure it is simple, clean and uncomplicated. It is going to be permanent and in your face all the time so it better be something you really like and want. The flip side to getting a tattoo on the wrist however, is that it is very visible! Take your time to think about its implications and see if you are ready for it, before you make the plunge. For example, if your work place is not very tattoo friendly – and trust me no long sleeved shirt is going to be able to conceal it one hundred percent – are you brave enough to face whatever ramifications might entail your decision?
Again, some of the best designs for wrists are those that are simple due to the space restriction! Most women’s wrists are slender and thin – not ideal for elaborate designs. Some of the most popular designs are those of stars, flames and flowers. Some neat ideas for the wrist are that of bracelets. Any interlocking pattern will do the trick – like barbed wire, Celtic knots or even a rosary. Writing in a different language like Chinese or Japanese is also a cool option. Lindsay Lohan has the word ‘breathe’ tattooed on her wrist and Gillian Anderson has the words ‘every day’ written in Sanskrit on hers.
Now here’s the deciding factor (at least for me) – how much does it hurt when compared to other body parts? Since there is not enough flesh (especially on the inner wrist) to cushion the impact of the needles, wrist tattoos can be very painful! If your design involves a lot of shading like in tribal tattoos or involves complicated Celtic knots you can be assured that it is going to hurt an extra bit more than usual. Also, the wrist normally takes longer to heal and these tattoos are prone to fade faster than those on other body parts due to its exposure to the sun.
Zodiac Sign Tattoos – Libra, Scorpio, Sagittarius, Capricorn
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Libra also known as the scales, the only non living symbol among the sun signs, is depicted by a man holding a weighing scale. In tattoos it is seen as a pair of horizontal lines, with the top line curving in a semi-circle in the middle. You are a Libran if your birthday falls on or between September 24th and October 23rd. The color traditionally associated with this sign is blue. Librans are known to be very friendly, charming, diplomatic and romantic. They can also be uncertain and irresolute at times.
Scorpio also known as the scorpion is symbolized by the scorpion. It is denoted by an ‘M’ like figure with an arrow for a tail. It is supposed to denote the scorpion’s deadly sting. This sign is traditionally associated with the color yellow. If you are born on or between October 24th and November 22nd, then you are a deadly scorpion! Scorpios are very intense people. They have strong emotions; they are passionate and are able to look at the quintessence of things. They are equally famous for their jealous, stubborn and sometimes cruel attitudes.
Sagittarius also known as the archer or centaur is symbolized by a centaur (a half man half horse) with a bow 
and arrow in his hands. It is denoted by an upward facing arrow with an intersecting line in its lower half. It is often associated with the color blue. Birthdays that fall on or between November 23rd and December 22nd are Sagittarius. Sagittarians are often supposed to be multi lingual, optimistic and sincere with a love for nature, philosophy and sports / games. They are often also extreme, loud and tactless.
Capricorn also known as the sea goat is symbolized by a mythical hybrid whose upper half is that of a goat and the lower half or tail is that of a fish. It is denoted by a ‘V’ shape symbolizing the goats horns, followed by an ‘S’ symbol for the fish’s tail. If you were born on or between December 23rd and January 19th, then you belong to this group. Brown is the color most associated with this sun sign. They are known to be rational, patient with a lot of discipline. They are really hard workers. However they can be quite strict, miserly and pessimistic and are prone to depressions.
Zodiac Sign Tattoos – Gemini, Cancer, Leo, Virgo
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Gemini also known as the twins are represented by a pair of twins. In tattoos, this sun sign is often denoted by two ‘I’s, very much like the roman numeral II. It is sometimes depicted as two children holding hands or a man and a woman holding hands symbolizing human contact. Yellow is the color mostly associated with this sign. You are a Gemini if your birthday falls on or between May 22nd and June 21st. Geminis are known to be very spontaneous, funny, intelligent and talkative. But they can also be very superficial and fickle.
The sun sign Cancer is denoted by the crab. Often they are seen as two circles with a tail (in each circle) in tattoos. Traditionally the color associated with this sign is silver (yea, good luck getting that color your tattoo). You are a Cancerian if your birthday falls on or between June 22nd and July 22nd. Cancerians are supposed to be very sensitive, sympathetic, caring and adventurous but can also be over sensitive, moody and known to hold a grudge. 
Leo the lion is symbolized by the lion (obviously enough!) It is represented by a single bended line (very much like a curvy ‘A’) that is symbolic of the lion’s magnificent mane. Gold is the color usually associated with this sun sign. If your birthday falls on or between July 23rd and August 22nd, then you are a Leo. Leos are very confident, creative and very influential. They make excellent leaders and organizers but they can be overly dominant and intolerant at times.
Virgo the virgins have their birthdays on or between August 23rd and September 23rd. This is depicted by a lonely female figure (and also the only female figure in the zodiac signs). This young virgin is usually depicted holding a fully grown ear of wheat representing fertility. It is simply denoted by an ‘M’ symbol touching an alpha symbol. The color often associated with this symbol is green. Virgos are known to be clever, analytical and hard working. Sometimes they can be overly critical and choosy and their attention to minute details a bit much.
Zodiac Tattoo Designs – Aquarius, Pisces, Aries, Taurus
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Some of the most popular tattoo designs today are those of Zodiac signs and if you are thinking of getting one, its better you know what they mean – for after all, you are going to be stuck with it permanently!
The word Zodiac as it is used today comes from the Greek words z?diakos kuklos, which literally mean a ‘circle of animals’. It’s quite apparent what could’ve inspired such a terminology in ancient astronomy – almost all of the twelve symbols depict animals. Although the Zodiac remains one of the ecliptic coordinate systems used in astronomy even today, these twelve symbols and their names are mostly used in horoscopes and astrology.
Aquarius also known as the water bearer is usually represented by a couple of jagged horizontal lines. Obviously this symbolizes water waves, and is also sometimes depicted as a man pouring water from a pitcher. This sign is usually associated with the color blue. If your birthday falls on or between Jan 20th and Feb 18th, this is your sun sign. The Aquarian is said to be very independent, inventive, loyal and intuitive but also careless and eccentric.
Pisces also known as the fish is depicted by two fish swimming in opposing directions. These tattoo symbols are usually found in a soft sea green color – the color associated with the sun sign. You are a Piscean if your birthday falls on or between Feb 20th and March 20th. The Piscean is said to be very sensitive, flexible, humble and friendly but also very indecisive and unorganized. 
Aries symbolized by the ram is often depicted as the curvy horns of the ram. The color associated with this sun sign is red. You would fall under this sun sign if your birthday falls on or between March 21st and April 20th. Just like the daring and aggressive ram, those that fall under this sign are supposed to be very brave, adventurous, smart and enthusiastic but they can also be very hot tempered, egoistic and impulsive.
Taurus, also known as the bull is denoted by the title animal. The signs are usually symbolized by a circle (a round face) with a semi-circle sitting on top of the circle denoting the horns of the bull. The color most often associated with this sign is pink (surprisingly!) You fall under this sun sign if your birthday falls on or between April 21st and May 21st. Much like the animal the sign represents, these people are said to be a bit possessive, lazy and stubborn. Their good qualities however are that they are very practical, responsible and hence very reliable.
Cat Tattoo Designs
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The cat, for many is representative of freedom of thought, independence and quick recovery. The Cat supposedly has nine lives – the animal earned this reputation primarily due to its inexplicable ability to land on its feet no matter what great a height it falls from.
Studies show that Cats have walked the earth for about 50 million years now. It first appeared as a small clever animal which was a predatory carnivore with retractable claws. The Cat has always evoked different reactions from different people – love, hate and even fear. Similarly, various ancient cultures viewed the cat in different light. Some considered it good luck while others thought it was a bad omen. Some considered it sacred, even as a god and some considered it an instrument of evil.
The cat was most revered perhaps in ancient Egypt. It is believed that by 3000BC the cat had become an influential totem. It was symbolic of the feminine representing fertility and motherhood. It was also associated with the moon in early Egypt. It appears as the defeater of evil Apep in the book of the dead. The Egyptians even depicted many of their gods in the form of a cat – either fully or as a half breed (half human half cat). In Egyptian mythology the lion headed goddess Sekmet appears to be the ruler of human fate who had a twin sister Mafdet – the domestic cat. Cats were so sacred to the early Egyptians that killing one earned the death sentence. It is popularly believed that the Persians while at war with the Egyptians captured thousands of cats and threatened to kill them unless they surrendered. The Egyptians surrendered!
In other parts of the world cats were loved for several other reasons. In Japan and China it was valued for its ability to rid the silkworm cultivators of mice. In Thailand, the Siamese cat was a revered temple cat and the cat supposedly guarded the temples of Buddha in India.
Some cultures however associated the animal with Witchcraft and witches leading to the superstitions associated with a black cat. It was believed that a black cat crossing your path brought bad luck.
Many today have come to love the creatures and regard them as silent companions. For many they make a great house pet as they are cleaner and you don’t have to deal with all the poop scooping – like with dogs. I personally don’t like cats all that much but I do think they make great tattoo designs!
The History of Chinese Tattoos
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Chinese tattoos are the in thing nowadays. They not only look great but often have a deep meaning that makes it even better.
Like most of the world, the Chinese also associated tattooing with criminal behaviour. Those found guilty of a serious crime were tattooed on their face and sent into exile. The tattoo served as a permanent mark that marked him as a criminal if he were to return after the exile. The Chinese word for tattoos is Ci Shen or Wen Shen which when literally translated means to ‘puncture the body’. Although tattooing has become a common practice today, the ancient Chinese saw this as a denigration of the body – something unattractive.
Very little is known of its discovery and use in the ancient world. The popular history of Chinese tattooing we know now derives mostly from 940 AD on. A reference to tattooing is found in one of the classical novels of Chinese literature. The story is of Song Jiang and his 108 companions, who were bandits in the Mount Liang area (12th century districts of China). Three of these bandits are fabled to have had full body tattoos.
Perhaps the most famous of these legends is that of the Chinese general Yueh Fei of the South Song Dynasty. The South Song Dynasty (between 960 1279 AD) is known to be the first government in all of history that issued paper money and was also the first one to institute a permanent navy. It is said that during a battle the Marshall under whom General Yueh Fei served, deserted his army and joined the enemy. After this betrayal General Yueh Fei quit the army and went home to his mother. Apparently, his mother did not take too kindly to his renouncement of the Chinese army. She later tattooed the words that (more or less) mean ‘Serve China and be loyal even in the face of death’, to serve as a constant reminder that his first responsibility lay with his country.
Although the mainstream culture does not have any traditions with tattooing, many minority Chinese groups have traditions that go back a few centuries. Most notably the Drung and Dai tribes, as well as the Li people of Hainan Island.