Ideas Tattoo Smart: August 2010

The History of Tahitian Tattoos

The History of Tahitian Tattoos
Tahiti can be a common thought when you hear the word "tropical". Tahiti is located in the Pacific Ocean and is the largest island out of a group that is located in Polynesia. Tahiti can be the ideal location for those who are looking for a perfect tropical getaway. The population is less than 200,000 people and the temperatures are not too extreme.

While Tahiti has been colonized by the French, their culture has remained and includes Tahitian tattoos. They are based around the culture as well as the Marquesas Islands which are also islands that are located in the French Polynesia.

Tattoos in Tahiti are common in both men and women and it surprising that women are more tattooed than men and are historical as well. It was during a passage of rites ceremony that took place at a temple made of stone. This still happens in Tahiti however tattooing is no longer performed with the process. Rectangular blocks are still the most common Tahitian tattoos and they can often be found in spots such as the torso or the inner arm of a male. In some cases, the hands can also have geometric shapes tattooed on them and some may look like a "w" or an "x".

Star Tattoo Ideas - How to Choose One

Star Tattoo Ideas - How to Choose One
A design of tattoo that is rapidly becoming popular in both men and women is the star. Females aim for the smaller stars and others go for the stars that are more nautical or masculine. Some choose to have the tattoo on a certain part of the body and others relate their life in a way to the stars.

One of the most popular star tattoo ideas is to symbolize a goal. Some people get a star tattoo as a way to remind themselves to never give up on their dream no matter what happens or what stands in their way. It can symbolize their desire and determination to fulfill their goal.

Astronomy can be another reason a person may choose a star tattoo. It can symbolize a person's desire to learn all they can about either heaven or heavenly bodies. A person may have a deep interest in astronomy and when they see their star tattoo they are reminded of it. They can also resemble an important event in their life. For example getting married, becoming part of a religion, or simply changing their lifestyle. Here are a few more star tattoo ideas to consider.

Ying Yang Tattoo

of material on this subject and there are many symbols that represent this perfect balance in the world.

Ying yang is a symbol that depicts all the warring ideals in the universe and then goes on to show that there is not only balance of these opposite ideals in the world, there is actually a companionship that has to be eternally present among them. They are fused together and one cannot exist without the other being equally important. They can be the ideals of the dark and light, good and evil or even night and day.

The Ying and yang symbol has two opposite colours like black and white that depict the two opposite ideals. These colours are then placed in such a way that they look like fused puzzle pieces. Then again the black is not even all black and has a dot of white in it while the white portion sports a spot of black in it.

About Tattoos and Tattoo Artists

Tattoos hurt a lot and it is a fact. You can ask any tattooed person and they will tell you. Tattoos do hurt and they hurt quite a bit. It is like getting pricked into your skin. I

t does bleed and it is very normal that it does so; do not get frightened. Some people look at the blood and get freaked out. If you are the kinds who do then I would not recommend you to get a tattoo. There are people to whom the pain is a great feeling. Some people really like the feeling and I do not blame them it gives a feeling of freedom or purity and honesty.

Like Johnny Cash says "I focus on the pain the only thing that's real". Tattooing is an art to some it is a just something nice looking. There are different kinds of artists some of them are extremely amazing. They are all trained professionals or then have been into the field for quite a while. The Miami ink is a very famous soap opera which talks about the different tattoo artists and I believe they are amazing. Have seen some of their work and it is amazing.

There is another soap called L.A ink and that is amazing. It is one of my favorite. There is a tattoo artist Kat Von D who is my favorite artist and I hope to get a tattoo from her some day. She is a specialist at portraits and it is a dream of mine to get a tattoo from her. There are number of tattoo artists in Los Angeles. They make a very good amount of money. They are content with what they are doing. It is a passion for them. They are artists as well. They want to share some art.

Egyptian Tattoo Designs

Egyptian Tattoo Designs

Egypt is one of the first civilizations to classify the elements of art. Egypt is also known for it's great archit

ectural designs with the pyramids and their monumental tombs. Egyptians practiced the art of tattoo. This was discovered by researchers who found patterns on the skin of mummified bodies. These patterns consist of dots and dashes and were mostly found on females and are believed to have been for body decoration, social classification, and religious purposes.

Although these types of patterns are not commonly used today, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and symbols are becoming popular as tattoo designs. Lets discuss some Egyptian symbols that are popular today.

The Philosophy of Body Art

The Philosophy of Body Art

Tattoos are considered cool or frowned upon depending on your point of view. A person with a tattoo is considered

a maverick. The best example of this is the problems people with visible tattoos have in getting jobs. Note that I said visible. If you have a tattoo on your chest or back that is covered with clothing, the unseen tattoo will not become a factor in your chances to get a job. Most people overcome this by getting tattoos they can conceal during working situations and flaunt in social situations. People that get tattoos regard themselves as part of a separate community, with the tattoos as the ink that binds them.

Within the tattoo community there are two factions - the outsiders and the purists. These factions are not rival groups but hardcore or elite and then the amateurs. The elite believe that a tattoo should be created for a reason. There is a quote about tattoos that goes 'Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past'. A tattoo is supposed to have a story behind it. A tattoo that does not celebrate or commemorate a moment of your life is not considered a real tattoo but a decoration by the elite tattoo community.

About Tattoos and Tattoo Artists

About Tattoos and Tattoo Artists
Tattoos hurt a lot and it is a fact. You can ask any tattooed person and they will tell you. Tattoos do hurt and they hurt quite a bit. It is like getting pricked into your skin. It does bleed and it is very normal that it does so; do not get frightened. Some people look at the blood and get freaked out. If you are the kinds who do then I would not recommend you to get a tattoo. There are people to whom the pain is a great feeling. Some people really like the feeling and I do not blame them it gives a feeling of freedom or purity and honesty.

Like Johnny Cash says "I focus on the pain the only thing that's real". Tattooing is an art to some it is a just something nice looking. There are different kinds of artists some of them are extremely amazing. They are all trained professionals or then have been into the field for quite a while. The Miami ink is a very famous soap opera which talks about the different tattoo artists and I believe they are amazing. Have seen some of their work and it is amazing.

There is another soap called L.A ink and that is amazing. It is one of my favorite. There is a tattoo artist Kat Von D who is my favorite artist and I hope to get a tattoo from her some day. She is a specialist at portraits and it is a dream of mine to get a tattoo from her. There are number of tattoo artists in Los Angeles. They make a very good amount of money. They are content with what they are doing. It is a passion for them. They are artists as well. They want to share some art.

The Philosophy of Body Art

The Philosophy of Body Art
Tattoos are considered cool or frowned upon depending on your point of view. A person with a tattoo is considered a maverick. The best example of this is the problems people with visible tattoos have in getting jobs. Note that I said visible. If you have a tattoo on your chest or back that is covered with clothing, the unseen tattoo will not become a factor in your chances to get a job. Most people overcome this by getting tattoos they can conceal during working situations and flaunt in social situations. People that get tattoos regard themselves as part of a separate community, with the tattoos as the ink that binds them.

Within the tattoo community there are two factions - the outsiders and the purists. These factions are not rival groups but hardcore or elite and then the amateurs. The elite believe that a tattoo should be created for a reason. There is a quote about tattoos that goes 'Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past'. A tattoo is supposed to have a story behind it. A tattoo that does not celebrate or commemorate a moment of your life is not considered a real tattoo but a decoration by the elite tattoo community.

Egyptian Tattoo Designs

Egyptian Tattoo Designs
Egypt is one of the first civilizations to classify the elements of art. Egypt is also known for it's great architectural designs with the pyramids and their monumental tombs. Egyptians practiced the art of tattoo. This was discovered by researchers who found patterns on the skin of mummified bodies. These patterns consist of dots and dashes and were mostly found on females and are believed to have been for body decoration, social classification, and religious purposes.

Although these types of patterns are not commonly used today, Egyptian Hieroglyphics and symbols are becoming popular as tattoo designs. Lets discuss some Egyptian symbols that are popular today.

Ying Yang Tattoo

Ying Yang Tattoo
The good and the evil are the two opposites of the universe that are on warring sides and the war is never ending as long as the balance between the two is maintained. Ancient Chinese scriptures have a lot of material on this subject and there are many symbols that represent this perfect balance in the world.

Ying yang is a symbol that depicts all the warring ideals in the universe and then goes on to show that there is not only balance of these opposite ideals in the world, there is actually a companionship that has to be eternally present among them. They are fused together and one cannot exist without the other being equally important. They can be the ideals of the dark and light, good and evil or even night and day.

The Ying and yang symbol has two opposite colours like black and white that depict the two opposite ideals. These colours are then placed in such a way that they look like fused puzzle pieces. Then again the black is not even all black and has a dot of white in it while the white portion sports a spot of black in it.

The best thing about Angel Tattoos

The best thing about Angel Tattoos
Angel tattoos are probably the most common designs for women worldwide. Angel tattoos can be versatile and may be used to create unique designs in a lot of different ways. Angels are thought to be one of the most beautiful heavenly creatures and represent different ideas to different individuals. Professional tattoo studios typically have a number of angel tattoos to pick from and each might possibly be altered into whatever design you'd like.

Angels have represented beauty, purity, and spirituality in several different cultures throughout history. The character of a angel has often been employed to symbolize someone's transformation to a higher plane of existence, either physically, mentally, or spiritually. Most angel tattoos have a great amount of detail so the attractive nature associated with the design and style and the intricate aspects of a design can match the loveliness associated with the angels which have been depicted in literature and art.

Abstract Tattoos - Designing Your Own Piece of Art

Some of the best

works of body art I have seen has been in the form of abstract tattoos. These are unique to the wearer and should be absolute one- off designs. If you can work to design your own abstract tats, then you can be assured that no one else will be walking this earth with anything that is quite like yours.

Many abstract tattoos use the tribal designs that are popular today. You can manipulate some of these designs to suit your body shape or the area you are wanting to have inked, and can change certain aspects of the abstract tats to suit your taste. Some believe that tribal tattoos fall into the abstract tattoos category, but to me, this is a category where you have free reign of the design and interpret it as you like.

Mauri Tattoos - Both Modern and Sacred

The Mauri culture is big on tattoos. It's an important part of who they are and there's no surprise that these types of tattoos are becoming popular all over the world. The meaning of these types of tattoos began to decrease because the European settlers started to arrive in New Zealand. The Mauri culture has pride in themselves and has begun to increase because tattoos are starting to come back as the culture has embraced its symbolism.

Ta moko is the

style of tattoo that is seen among Mauri men. Moko is the style seen among women. Mauri tattoos are known to be bold and the designs are sweeping. They are suitable for just about any part of the body. Being tattooed symbolized a rite of passage to represent each stage that had importance to them. This even included being tattooed on the face. An adornment for a woman meant having her lips tattooed in blue. There are many Europeans that frowned upon this however it's coming back and many Mauri women are insisting to have the right to continue this tradition.

Mauri tattoos should be re-designed by a tattoo artist as a way to respect the culture. Some tattooists specialize in doing this as well as other tribal tattoo designs so that different cultures are not offended. Getting this type of tattoo can often times be offending if you are not from the Mauri culture.

If you are looking into getting Mauri tattoos you should familiarize yourself with the culture. You should go for the look of either the Ta Moko or just Moko and have it not have any type of cultural significance. Aim for single colors such as green, blue or black but can also be done in any color you choose. These designs look good anywhere on the body such as the calf or around the arm.

Dragonfly Tattoos - A Truly Unique Tattoo Design

With the rise in popularity of tattoos in modern times, it seems that everyone is out there trying to decide what is the best image to adorn themselves with and show off to the world! Some people prefer stars or crosses, others Celtic tattoos, and still others like Tribal tattoos. There seems to be no limit to the number of different styles available!

If you are looking for a unique tattoo idea, you should consider getting a dragonfly tattoo. These beautiful, intricate insects are being inked more and more commonly these days, but are still somewhat rarer than

most. Chances are that your family & friends will be truly amazed if you choose to get this type of tattoo!

So, why get a dragonfly inked? Whether it is your first tattoo or just getting a new tattoo, here are some great reasons to consider this particular tattoo design:

1. Impact - these designs are intricate and require a skilled artist to transfer correctly. They look awesome on your skin!

2. Wearability - these tattoos can be worn just about anywhere on your body. Some of the best locations are on the forearm or upper shoulder, looking as if they have just alighted for a well-deserved break from a busy morning of buzzing around!

3. Meaning - dragonfly tattoos represent many different things. Most importantly they represent change, as (like butterflies) they transform from an ugly little worm into a beautiful creature. Unlike butterflies though, they also represent agility and speed, as well as freedom with their ability to effortlessly fly where & when they like! They are also a universal symbol of good luck in the world of body art.

4. Unisex Appeal - these unique tattoo designs can be worn equally proudly by both men & women, whereas butterflies and other insects have mostly female appeal (with the exception, of course, of Pappillion!). Dragonflies are both fragile & strong at once, and can send a vast array of messages about the person who displays them!

5. Rarity - although becoming more common, dragonfly tattoos are rarer than most other insect types and will be a great point of interest & discussion for the people you meet. An extremely good ice-breaker at parties!

If you need any further convincing, just go outside on a bright sunny day and try to spot a dragonfly. You will be enchanted by their fragility, amazed at their agility, and marvel at their ability to seemingly be everywhere at once. Imagine capturing all of that in an awesome dragonfly tattoo design!

Old English Lettering Tattoos

Tattoos made wit

h words or phrases rank among the most favored styles of modern tattooing. It could be a name, a quote, or an adage, and the Old English Lettering style adds mystery, panache, and artistic sophistication to tattoos inspired by that theme.

The font commonly known as Old English is more accurately termed blackletter, a 12th century European script which dominated western Europe up till the 17th century. Blackletter is also known as Gothic Script.

A very popular form of Old English Lettering tattoos involves the use of the calligraphic textualis font. This striking font tends to represent most people's conceptualization of Old English lettering, and was very dominant in its hand-written glory throughout the European Middle Ages.

Inscriptions in this lettering style are displayed today in places as diverse as churches, museums, and libraries. As tattoos on human bodies, they make a bold and trendy statement. The next step, once you've decided to get an Old English lettering tattoo, is to think carefully about what it will say - you want to make sure you get this right, since this is a long-term commitment.

You will also decide on the size of the tattoo. Bear in mind that because of the ornate lettering style, tattoo artists will need to make the letters slightly larger in size than most other forms of lettering, to capture intricate details of the fonts.

Hot Tattoo Lettering Designs and Ideas For Cool Word Tattoo Designs

You see written word

s have been a part of tattoos for a long time. However, it wasn't until recently that the words became the tattoo itself. It used to be that the words were used to embellish and enhance the tattoo design. For example an anchor tattoo might have the words "home sweet home" written under it. Another example might be the classic heart tattoo with the letters mom written under it. You get the idea here lettering used to be an extra piece to add on. However, these days tattoo lettering and literary tattoos have taken the main stage and they are no longer part of the embellishment but they are part of the tattoo itself.

Hot Tattoo Lettering Designs and Ideas For Cool Word Tattoo Designs

Hot Tattoo Lettering Designs and Ideas For Cool Word Tattoo Designs
You see written words have been a part of tattoos for a long time. However, it wasn't until recently that the words became the tattoo itself. It used to be that the words were used to embellish and enhance the tattoo design. For example an anchor tattoo might have the words "home sweet home" written under it. Another example might be the classic heart tattoo with the letters mom written under it. You get the idea here lettering used to be an extra piece to add on. However, these days tattoo lettering and literary tattoos have taken the main stage and they are no longer part of the embellishment but they are part of the tattoo itself.

Dragonfly Tattoos - A Truly Unique Tattoo Design

Dragonfly Tattoos - A Truly Unique Tattoo Design
With the rise in popularity of tattoos in modern times, it seems that everyone is out there trying to decide what is the best image to adorn themselves with and show off to the world! Some people prefer stars or crosses, others Celtic tattoos, and still others like Tribal tattoos. There seems to be no limit to the number of different styles available!

If you are looking for a unique tattoo idea, you should consider getting a dragonfly tattoo. These beautiful, intricate insects are being inked more and more commonly these days, but are still somewhat rarer than most. Chances are that your family & friends will be truly amazed if you choose to get this type of tattoo!

So, why get a dragonfly inked? Whether it is your first tattoo or just getting a new tattoo, here are some great reasons to consider this particular tattoo design:

1. Impact - these designs are intricate and require a skilled artist to transfer correctly. They look awesome on your skin!

2. Wearability - these tattoos can be worn just about anywhere on your body. Some of the best locations are on the forearm or upper shoulder, looking as if they have just alighted for a well-deserved break from a busy morning of buzzing around!

3. Meaning - dragonfly tattoos represent many different things. Most importantly they represent change, as (like butterflies) they transform from an ugly little worm into a beautiful creature. Unlike butterflies though, they also represent agility and speed, as well as freedom with their ability to effortlessly fly where & when they like! They are also a universal symbol of good luck in the world of body art.

4. Unisex Appeal - these unique tattoo designs can be worn equally proudly by both men & women, whereas butterflies and other insects have mostly female appeal (with the exception, of course, of Pappillion!). Dragonflies are both fragile & strong at once, and can send a vast array of messages about the person who displays them!

5. Rarity - although becoming more common, dragonfly tattoos are rarer than most other insect types and will be a great point of interest & discussion for the people you meet. An extremely good ice-breaker at parties!

If you need any further convincing, just go outside on a bright sunny day and try to spot a dragonfly. You will be enchanted by their fragility, amazed at their agility, and marvel at their ability to seemingly be everywhere at once. Imagine capturing all of that in an awesome dragonfly tattoo design!

Abstract Tattoos - Designing Your Own Piece of Art

Abstract Tattoos - Designing Your Own Piece of Art
Some of the best works of body art I have seen has been in the form of abstract tattoos. These are unique to the wearer and should be absolute one- off designs. If you can work to design your own abstract tats, then you can be assured that no one else will be walking this earth with anything that is quite like yours.

Many abstract tattoos use the tribal designs that are popular today. You can manipulate some of these designs to suit your body shape or the area you are wanting to have inked, and can change certain aspects of the abstract tats to suit your taste. Some believe that tribal tattoos fall into the abstract tattoos category, but to me, this is a category where you have free reign of the design and interpret it as you like.

Mauri Tattoos - Both Modern and Sacred

Mauri Tattoos - Both Modern and Sacred
The Mauri culture is big on tattoos. It's an important part of who they are and there's no surprise that these types of tattoos are becoming popular all over the world. The meaning of these types of tattoos began to decrease because the European settlers started to arrive in New Zealand. The Mauri culture has pride in themselves and has begun to increase because tattoos are starting to come back as the culture has embraced its symbolism.

Ta moko is the style of tattoo that is seen among Mauri men. Moko is the style seen among women. Mauri tattoos are known to be bold and the designs are sweeping. They are suitable for just about any part of the body. Being tattooed symbolized a rite of passage to represent each stage that had importance to them. This even included being tattooed on the face. An adornment for a woman meant having her lips tattooed in blue. There are many Europeans that frowned upon this however it's coming back and many Mauri women are insisting to have the right to continue this tradition.

Mauri tattoos should be re-designed by a tattoo artist as a way to respect the culture. Some tattooists specialize in doing this as well as other tribal tattoo designs so that different cultures are not offended. Getting this type of tattoo can often times be offending if you are not from the Mauri culture.

If you are looking into getting Mauri tattoos you should familiarize yourself with the culture. You should go for the look of either the Ta Moko or just Moko and have it not have any type of cultural significance. Aim for single colors such as green, blue or black but can also be done in any color you choose. These designs look good anywhere on the body such as the calf or around the arm.

Old English Lettering Tattoos

Old English Lettering Tattoos
Tattoos made with words or phrases rank among the most favored styles of modern tattooing. It could be a name, a quote, or an adage, and the Old English Lettering style adds mystery, panache, and artistic sophistication to tattoos inspired by that theme.

The font commonly known as Old English is more accurately termed blackletter, a 12th century European script which dominated western Europe up till the 17th century. Blackletter is also known as Gothic Script.

A very popular form of Old English Lettering tattoos involves the use of the calligraphic textualis font. This striking font tends to represent most people's conceptualization of Old English lettering, and was very dominant in its hand-written glory throughout the European Middle Ages.

Inscriptions in this lettering style are displayed today in places as diverse as churches, museums, and libraries. As tattoos on human bodies, they make a bold and trendy statement. The next step, once you've decided to get an Old English lettering tattoo, is to think carefully about what it will say - you want to make sure you get this right, since this is a long-term commitment.

You will also decide on the size of the tattoo. Bear in mind that because of the ornate lettering style, tattoo artists will need to make the letters slightly larger in size than most other forms of lettering, to capture intricate details of the fonts.