The Mystical Japanese Tattoo Symbols

Due to the popularity of body art many art lovers have tried to ink the Japanese tattoo symbols in their body. During the early years, when you are in Japan, you would have tattoos of the people you would think that are associated to Yakuza, which is known to be a group of notorious Japanese criminals. But over the years, Japan has developed and the significance of body art is greatly appreciated. Presently, both the tattoo lovers and tattoo artists find the Japanese symbols attractive.

Examples of Favorite Japanese Symbols

1. Koi Fish - This is one of the most sought Japanese symbols used even for non-Japanese. If you visit Japan you will notice that most of the temples have Koi fish symbol. This is because the fish signifies strong determination that is very significant to the people of Japan. Likewise, the Koi fish is also a symbol of uncompromising bravery.

Moreover, Koi fish is one of the many symbols that are used by men on their arms, back, calf areas and shoulders. Some inked this symbol in full sleeve designs while others choose the large koi tattoos. On the hand, women prefer to ink the tattoo on their arms, stomach areas and hips. The good thing about this symbol is that the color harmonizes with any skin tone.

2. Cherry Blossoms - This flower symbolizes life and is comparable to beauty. The essential characteristic of cherry blossoms that makes it an important symbol is its ability to thrive in any weather condition though it is also delicate. In this sense, it implies that living life to the fullest is very important for us to see the beauty of life. On the other hand, living life to the fullest does not mean that we take for granted the possibility of death. That is why it is necessary that we live life on its very meaning.

3. Hannya Masks - This mask has a demonic look that was originated in Japan's Kabuki stage play. It symbolizes jealous and hatred but Japanese believed that inking this symbol in their body would beget good fortune and keep away evil spirits.

Before you decide to pick any Japanese tattoo symbols make sure to know first its meaning as well as what it stands for. In this way you will be confident to flaunt your body art without worrying if anyone asks you what its significance is. Moreover, you should also keep in mind that this body art would reflect your personality and it serves as self representation. Likewise, tattoo does not only add attraction but also used for sentimental reasons.

Angel Wing Tattoos All Have Different Meanings - Learn How to Choose the Right One

It's very common to see people sporting angel wing tattoos these days. There are many reasons for this. Some people get them for spiritual or religious reasons, some do so because they like the symbolism in general, and some do so because they simply find angel wings to be cute or pretty.

These tattoos can come in many forms and sizes. Some angel wing tattoos span an entire arm or back, while others are tiny enough to fit on ankle or wrist. It's up to you which size you get, as it is all about personal preferences. Some people don't want a giant tattoo covering a large portion of their bodies. Smaller ones are easier to hide and many people find them to be more attractive.

Even more popular than angel wing tattoos are images of full-bodied angels. Sure, the wings are very cute, but an entire angel depicts whatever it is you want them to represent. The design can be of an angel smiling and being happy, or of a guardian angel. Some tattoos can be of a fierce looking fallen angel. And, of course, cute little cherubs are always popular tattoos.

Despite being identified as powerful beings serving God, many people interpret them in a variety of ways. Some view guardian angels as a powerful class in heaven, because of everything they do to protect the living. When people choose large angel wing tattoos, they sometimes have a guardian angel in mind. This is because a large wing covering our backs could be considered to be symbolic for protection.

Any discussion about angels without a mention of the cute cherub angel is sad. Everybody knows that the cherubs are all about love. Even though Cupid was a Roman god, he's still drawn in the form of a cherubic angel. There are many people who love this character and get him as a tattoo. Cherubs are often portrayed as chubby, happy, and cute.

Over the past couple of decades, angel wing tattoos inspired by the fallen angel have become quite popular. The fallen ones are those who have been banished from heaven for rebelling against God. Lucifer, of course, is the most well known of these fallen angels. Instead of getting a red devil tattoo, some people choose to get him drawn in his fallen angel form. These designs can depict a sad, lonely, anguished being, often slumped or even chained. Some are drawn as looking fierce and rebellious, with black wings rather than white.

Archangel tattoos are becoming more popular. These beings are believed to be God's elite warriors. Thus, they are often depicted as wearing armor and even holding weapons. Michael and Gabriel are the most well-known of the archangels, and are often memorialized as tattoos.

No matter which angel wing tattoos you find to be interesting, make sure you make the right decision. Tattoos are more than just appearance, they are also about symbolism and meaning. Everybody interprets tattoos in a different way, so as long as you are comfortable with what yours means, it will look great on you!

Nautical Star Tattoos The History, Meaning And Symbolism - What A Strange Mix

The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is
a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have
adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own
movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and
history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide
disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.Historically
most everyone agrees that Sailors were the first people to get
nautical star tattoos. In fact the very word nautical
relates back to sailing. So this connection has been
pretty firmly established. Most people would agree the
sailors were a pretty superstitious group historically and
sailor lore abounds with superstitious and fantastical stories
of life and death and being lost at sea. Early on
sailors navigated by the stars at night and the north star
became the symbol for finding ones way home. Once you
know where the north star is you can point your ship in the
right direction to get home. So the star became a symbol
for finding ones way home or more symbolically even finding
ones path in life. Therefore many sailors would tattoo
nautical stars on their forearms as a good luck symbol in
hopes of returning home.

However their modern day meaning is a more debated topic.
Many believe that groups including gay and lesbians, punk
rockers and those in the military have adopted the nautical
star tattoo as a very important symbol. The diversity of
these three groups has lead many to argue the meaning of their
tattoos.

For the military the connection is pretty obviously point
back to the early sailors and the symbolism and meaning is the
same as the early sailors. Many military people get a
nautical star tattoo as a symbol for finding ones path home
safely. Of course this can also include more
symbolically just finding ones way in life.

Here is a quote we found from a member of the armed
services and his interpretation of the tattoo:

"I am in the United States Army, an MP who searched towns
and villages for Al Quida and insurgents. I was in Iraq for 1
year. I have a red and black nautical star on my wrist. The
reason I got it was because when I was out there, I felt it
was a guide to guide me home to my family safely. I got it so
that it would remind me that I am going to make it to see my
son grow up. I am not gay, it doesn't matter what you believe
it represents, it means something different for everyone. Out
in the desert, I would look up at the stars and think about
home. So anyone can think what they want to, that is what it
means to me. "

Punk rockers have also adopted this as a popular symbol to
have tattooed. The punk movement traces its history and
use of the nautical star tattoo back to Sailor Jerry.
Sailor Jerry is historically one one of the most famous tattoo
artists ever. He was well known for his innovative and
"cool" designs. Punks have taken this symbol and it has
very much the same meaning of finding one way in life.
Being the rugged individualists type Punks are drawing to the
symbolism of true north and finding one own unique way in
life. So the Nautical star has become a symbol for this.
You see many punk bands that have full sleeve tattoos
typically incorporate nautical star tattoos either on their
elbows or elsewhere.

The lesbian and gay connection is the one that does not
seem so obvious at first. Historically back in the
1940's and 50's when alternative lifestyles were not the norm
and often women had to hide their alternative choices they
would sport a hidden nautical star. Often they would get
the star tattoo done on the inside of their wrist where it
could easily be hidden by a watch during the day but shown off
in the evening when out on the town. Today many lesbians
where the nautical star tattoo to show their connection with
their early pioneering sisters. Here is a little
evidence to support my points.

"Here's the passage (with some pieces dropped) from "Boots
of Leather, Slippers of Gold: The History of a Lesbian
Community" by Elizabeth Lapovsky Kennedy and Madeilne D. Davis
copyright 1993 p. 189.

(talking about the 1940's and 1950's):

"...During this same time period, the cultural push to be
identified as lesbians- or at least different- all the time
was so powerful that it generated a new form of identification
among the tough bar lesbians: a star tattoo on the top of the
wrist, which was usually covered by a watch. This was the
first symbol of community identity that did not rely on
butch-fem imagery. We can trace this phenomenon back to an
evening of revelry in the late 1950's, when a few butches
trooped over to "Dirty Dick's" tattoo parlor on Chippewa
Street and had the tiny blue five-pointed star put on their
wrists. Later, some of the fems of this group also go the idea
one night and did it...The community views the tattoo as a
definite mark of identification..."the Buffalo police knew
[that] the people that had the stars on their wrist were
lesbians and they had their names and so forth. That it was an
identity thing with the gay community, with the lesbian
community". The fact that the star tattoo was created by those
who were firmly into roles, in fact by the group that was
considered the butchy butches and their fems, suggest that the
force to assert lesbian identity was strong enough to break
through the existing traditions of boldness based in butch-fem
roles. The stars presage the methods of identity created by
gay liberation. In fact, the mark has become something of a
tradition in local circles and has seen a revival since the
1970s."

This meaning of the symbol has of course created a lot of
problems and arguments among the other two groups of bearers
of nautical stars. Most puck and military people do not
want to have a nautical star that points back to anything from
the lesbian movement so many will say that there is no
connection there and this is false.

Here is a quote from another armed forces member about the
symbolism of the nautical star among the gay community:

"This "gay symbol" is a load of hooey that someone made up
VERY recently. The nautical star tattoo has been around nearly
as long as tattooing itself. The late Celts (or early Irish,
depending on your view of World History) were said to have
been the first to have the tattoos, although evidence of it
being used on ships in Spain has been found pre-dating the
Irish claim.

As a Marine, it's a very commonplace symbol amongst us if
we have been part of a Boat Raid company, red for port, green
for starboard on varying parts of the body. On ship, I saw
about a million different variations on the Sailors I was was
serving with, obviously harking back to the sailor roots."

Here is a quote from a punk rocker and his feelings about
the symbolism of the tattoo:

"what idiots..even the military boys dont know what it
really means....JUST SO YOU ALL KNOW!!!!!it was used by OLD
sailors.. and the symbol represents North on a Map ...and it
is the North Star the sailors would use it as a baring to get
home....you can find it on Really really old maps and old navy
vessels... Punk Rock.. well we use it because we can and
because Sailor Jerry made the coolest tattoos who started
putting them on everyone.. my grandfather even had one thus
being used as a traditional icon"

It just goes to show that when the same powerful symbol is
used over and over again over decades of time it can taken on
very different meanings for different groups. So all of
those that you see sporting a nautical star tattoo might not
all have the same interpretation of its symbolism.

So do you have a nautical star tattoo or think about
getting one in the future? Which meaning of the symbol
will you get the nautical star for? As long as you know
what the symbolism behind the star is for and you have gotten
it for the right reason to either support the lesbian movement
or as a symbol to finding your way!

Popular Tribal Tattoo Ideas to Bring Out the Individualism in You

Tribal Tattoos, although may appear to be simple at times, are undoubtedly appealing and among the most popular today. This article will help those especially new to the world of tattoos in general and particularly, Tribal Tats. The following walk through history will help shed light on some of the different Tribal Tattoo Ideas used throughout the decades.

The most common Tribal Tats found today dates back to the polynesians who used black, geometric tatau ornaments which appeared to be silhouette-like in many ways. In Europe, sailors were attributed for the earliest Tribal Tat ideas - they originated from Tahiti and were added together with the sailors' own maritime-themed designs. Over the years, they have evolved to become what is known as traditional tattoos.

Over in America, Leo Zulueta and Don Ed Hardy, an innovator, were both responsible for an exciting Tribal Tats boom in 1982 when they started "Tattoo Time", a magazine on tattoos. Featuring native Borneo and Samoan tattoos, it quickly popularized these tattoo ideas as a form of interesting tattoo style and design.

As illustrated from above, these modern day tattoos have strong ties and affiliation with natives and tribes from different parts of the world. It was from there that they slowly evolved into the Tribal Tattoo ideas we have today. Although it has been said that a handful of tattoo parlors and tattoo artists would turn down tribal tattoo designs due to their simplicity, a lot of tattoo enthusiasts begs to differ. Tribal Tats, as a matter of fact, needs articulate skill to be tattooed on the difficult body parts in order for it to look naturally "grown". In addition, it has also been said that the coloring of these tattoos requires a steady hand.

You can find an assortment of tribal tat ideas ranging from tribal armbands, flames, black, crosses, stars, tigers and an assortment of motives and designs that are based on tribal motives. Personally, I have 3 tribal tattoos tattooed on different parts of my hands - one of a tribal flame on my right shoulder, one of a tribal motive which I designed on my left shoulder and another circular tribal design on my right wrist.

My advice to all those who are out to get their own tribal tattoos would be to pick one that you feel connected or feel strongly about. Doing so will bring out the personality and individuality in you.

Flower, Star and Butterfly Tattoo Designs - Favorite Girl Tattoos of All Time

Girls never get tired of flowers, butterfly and stars as tattoo designs for their body art. With society easing up on ladies who want to get their fair share of ink art, tattoo parlors are seeing a significant increase of women among their clients. Tattoos are no longer just a symbol of strength and masculinity but they also represent daintiness and femininity. The general rule when it comes to tattoos for women is to keep the design relatively smaller accentuated with vibrant and playful colors.

Flower Tattoos

A woman's love for flowers is not only contained for the ones that grow in the garden. There are ladies who choose to have a particular flower permanently printed on their skin because of their meaning. Orchids are prized tropical flowers. These flowers represent mysterious women and are often synonymous to love, passion and intimacy.

Hibiscus and cherry blossoms are flowers whose bloom that can only survive for a short period of time. For this reason, women would like to immortalize this frail symbol of beauty. They represent love, charm and beauty.

Lilies are the ancient symbol for majesty and purity. This image is due to the Virgin Mary often depicted as carrying a bunch of lilies or being near them. There are different varieties of lilies including the tiger lily and lily of the valley.

Stars Tattoos

Stars have long been symbols used in mythology and religion. Their inclusion as heavenly bodies only helped to bolster their mysteriousness. The star is often inextricable with religion. The early Christians used the 5-pointed star as a symbol of good health. The 6-pointed star or more commonly known as the Star of David is a symbol for the Jewish faith. Other adorable star designs are the shooting star and the trail of stars. The shooting star is used to symbolize luck and success. The trail of stars can be recreated with a bunch of small stars so that it resembles the night sky.

Butterfly Tattoos

You will rarely find a girl who has a tattoo of a bug on her back. The fact is that women aren't huge fans of insects except for the butterfly. Butterflies symbolize a woman who has morphed into a lovely creature who is ready to fly.

A butterfly tattoo is very versatile. A black and white butterfly will have the same appeal as one that has countless of colors. You can also combine your butterfly tattoos with other designs such as flowers and vines. There are countless designs that you can come up with; you are only bounded by your own imagination.

Skull Tattoos

Skull tattoos may appear gruesome or scary to others but those who patronized this type of tat theme actually have special meanings attached to it. They are not just tattooed on them in order to appear tough or to appear funny. In this article, we will be looking at the several variations of skull tattoo designs and the symbolism attached to them.

The very plain skull tat is originally an old school art. It was even once an insignia for groups like bikers, prisoners or gang members during the early days. However, as body art evolves, modifications and alterations for skull tattoo also came into play. Originally, its image was scary but now you can find humorous ones as well as whimsical and colorful styles. Before, they were usually combined with symbols like dagger, crossbones, flames and rose. Nowadays, anything goes as long as it would look good on one's body or as long as it can deliver the message it wants to portray. Artists seem to be having a lot of fun portraying this symbol;from cartoon skulls to terrifying Grim Reaper to realistic skull drawings. Of course, don't forget the poison sign and the pirate symbol. It can also be noticed that this tat them is not only for the male population. The female tat enthusiasts are seem to be giving it a lot of attention and thoughts too through the portrayal of colorful sugar skulls or corpse bride tattoo.

Those who have skull tattoos look upon it as their protection from death or their talisman. It can also be a symbol of near death experience or one's survival from a fatal accident or illness. Other's even consider it as a lucky charm. Whatever meaning the wearer wants to attached to it, the important thing it the personal connection and symbolism it has to them.

Koi Tattoos

The popularity of Koi tattoos is growing everyday. So what makes these brightly colored fish so popular? Many just like their ornamental beauty and bold colors, while others choose a koi because of the symbolism that it represents. So what does this magnificent fish represent?

Koi originated in China and they were introduced into Japan in the 1800's. According to Chinese legend, it is believed that if a koi succeeded in climbing the Yellow River falls to "Dragon's Gate" then it would be transformed into a dragon. This symbolizes worldly aspiration and advancement. In Japan they are considered a manly symbol and according to legend, if a koi climbs the waterfall bravely, and if they are caught, they will lay on the cutting board completely still facing their death bravely just as a samurai would. Based on that legend, the Japanese associate koi with perseverance and strength.

Koi fish are very powerful and energetic and they can swim against the current to reach food or spawning ground. This fact also has bearing on whether people have their koi tattoo swimming up or down. It is said that if the fish is swimming upstream then you have overcome a hardship during trying times. If it is swimming down, then you are struggling with a hardship. However others translate this to mean that a koi tattoo swimming upstream represents a very independent person that has very little concern for what others think. You would rather be your own person and face the challenge of swimming against a hard current than to conform to the rules of society. This is an act of power and you cannot be deterred by anything.

Koi symbolism is also associated with:

* Good luck
* Wealth
* Bravery
* Independence
* Masculinity
* Power and perseverance

There are many varieties of koi and they vary in color and design. Many people believe that the color of the koi tattoo should be in harmony with you and your surroundings. Some of the more popular breeds and their colors are listed below:

* Asagi - Light blue top surface with red underside
* Bekko - Red, white or yellow with black markings
* Butterfly Koi - These come in many colors but are known for their long fins and slender bodies
* Goshiki - Black background with white, red, brown and light blue markings
* Hikari Moyomono - Two colored fish with one of the colors being metallic
* Kin Gin Rin - Reflective scales make these fish shiny metallic colored
* Kohaku - White with red markings
* Koromo - Ordered scales with blue edges
* Ogon - Single colored
* Showa - Black with red and white
* Taisho Sanshoku or Sanke - White, red and black
* Tancho - White with a red spot on its head
* Utsurimono - Black and red or white or yellow

In addition to their symbolic meanings, these tattoos are some of the most beautiful works of art that you can have on your body. Many people add water, a waterfall or flowers to their design. Another popular alternative is to have two or more koi swimming together. The possibilities are endless, and no matter what the reasoning or symbolism is behind your koi tattoo, this is one design that you will truly love forever.

Celebrity Tattoos

Tattoos have become so famous and so accepted in our society that it is even common to see celebrities and movie stars wearing them. Then fans emulate these stars with celebrity tattoos and get themselves inked too. It is a cycle of recognition, popularity, and acceptance. The effect of this is that tattoos with long held negative connotations are becoming widely used as harmless fashion symbols. Although this is a welcome trend, it would still be prudent to know about the symbolism of a tattoo before choosing one for yourself.

It is not as easy to choose a tattoo as some people might think. In order to get ideas, a technique would be to peruse the celebrity tattoos chosen by actors, actresses, and singers of popular culture. Famous persons who have at one time or another gotten a tattoo comprise a long list. Some of the names in this list include Alicia Keys, Angelina Jolie, Anna Nicole Smith, Avril Lavigne, Ben Affleck, Beyonce, Bjork, Britney Spears, Charlize Theron, Cher, Christina Aguilera, Courtney Love, David Beckham, Drew Barrymore, Eminem, Gwen Stefani, Halle Berry, Heath Ledger, Kate Moss, Vin Diesel, and Winona Ryder.

By looking at the tattoos that other more famous people have chosen, you might be able to choose the best one for yourself. This way, it will be easy to visualize, as the design is already tattooed on someone else's skin. Of course, other things have to be considered as well. For instance, here are a few thoughts on the art of tattooing:

• A good tattoo artist from a reputable tattoo parlor is a must. This will not only ensure a well rendered design, but it will also effectively address issues of hygiene.
• The design must suit your personality. It cannot be your choice on the strength of your affinity to the celebrity who is sporting it alone. For instance, a Pisces astrological sign will not be appropriate on you if you are not a Piscean.
• Good equipment and inks are the practical choice to use. A well made tattoo with a well thought out design, but using less than perfect equipment is a waste of time and money. The ink will spread and fade after a few months, and the wrong equipment will only cause unnecessary pain.

Girls' Star Tattoos

Girls star tattoos are considered to be very meaningful and symbolic because they mainly represent a person's dreams and goals in life. There is a lot to consider when planning on getting a star tattoo, like why you want it, what size it should be, how unique you want it to be and most importantly where on your body you want it. Let me tell you about the five most common types of star tattoos and their symbolic meanings.

Let's start with the Pentagram star tattoo. This tattoo has a deep meaning to it and it is a 5-pointed star. The five points represent the five elements which are fire, wood, earth, water and metal. It also symbolizes faith, health, mathematical perfection and celestial sky.

Next is the girls moon star tattoo. This tattoo represents the sky during the night and it is also a combination of the moon and the star(s). Compared to other star tattoos, moon star tattoos have little symbolic meaning to it but they are very beautiful.

Another type of star tattoo is the Star of David tattoo. It is also called a hexagon because it is 6-pointed. It symbolizes the rule of God all over the universe and also His protection from all directions.

Shooting star tattoos are also another kind of star tattoos. They are extremely popular in the tattoo world because they are versatile. They represent a wish coming true, success or good luck.

Last but not the least is the Nautical star tattoo. This tattoo dates back to almost a century and is a 5-pointed star. It was mainly tattooed on the bodies of sailors because they relied on the stars to take them home since they navigated their ships using the stars in the night. Therefore, this tattoo is a symbol of guidance and represents the direction of life.

Follow this advice if you decide to get girls star tattoos.

To make it easier for the tattoo artist to do their job, make sure you wear loose fitting clothes to the tattoo parlor.

Make sure you are completely happy and content with the design you have in mind before you get to the tattoo parlor because removing a tattoo is extremely painful and expensive.

Also make sure that the girls star tattoos design you have in mind is a unique expression of yourself.

Butterfly Tattoos For Girls and Women - Symbolism of a Favorite Tattoo Design

Butterfly tattoos undoubtedly have been and will always be the top favorite tattoo designs among females. Girls love to have them as their first tat and women just can't get enough of them. Its natural beauty plus the flexibility and versatility of it as a tattoo art makes it one of the most sought after themes for body art.

Another main reason why butterfly is a favorite is the symbolism and meaning attached to it. Generally, it means change, transformation and rebirth comparing its natural metamorphosis from a caterpillar into a beautiful and fluttering butterfly. It also symbolizes freedom and beauty with its seemingly endless array of colors. In China, they associate it with the undying love between lovers while in Greek culture, they think of it as the symbolism for the journey of the soul. In the African tribal community, they recognized its amazing physical characteristics as the symbol of the beauty of mother nature.

As mentioned above, butterfly tattoo designs have great versatility. Whether tattooed big or small, colored or black, they look fabulous as they are when executed skillfully by a talented tattoo artist. The most common rendition of this tat theme is the lower back tribal butterfly tattoos which a lot of girls went crazy for in the past. However, its presently becoming a dying trend as other sexier areas of the body are being explored. Examples of locations that girls go for nowadays for their butterfly tattoos are the rib, shoulder blade, lower stomach, foot and ankle. Wherever or however a girl choose to have it inked on her body, one thing is for sure. Butterfly tattoos are definitely classic but will always be around for more years to come.

Sexy Tattoo Ideas

When a female has decided to get a tattoo coping with the pain is the easy part, picking a design that will speak to her soul but also make her feel sexy is the real trick. Many woman have no idea what to get a tattoo of much less how getting the right tattoo design will positively effect there self esteem.

A classic tattoo idea is to tattoo tribal or flower designs along the lower back. Always a feminine spot to get a tattoo the lower back is probably the sexiest place a woman can get work done. Unlike other parts of the body where the subject matter must be considered,most tattoo designs no matter what the subject matter will look cute and girlish on the lower back.

A small symbol looks quite sexy peeking from the nape of a female's neck. A big part of the draw of female tattoos is only seeing part of the tattoo adding to the mystery of the design. This is exactly the case with neck tattoos. Chinese symbols often work well on the neck as do small religious symbols or a loved one's initials.

A more recent trend with female tattooing that proves to be quit sexy is tattooing the rib cage. Often you will find a small framed large breasted young lady with a large tattoo peeking from behind her bra strap under her arm. The mystery of the tattoo is truly the sexiest part and the allure of the design under the bra is intoxicating.

Being Careful With Dragon Tattoo Designs

As with anything that will last forever, you should be cautious when you pick it out. This is especially true for dragon tattoo designs. First time tattooers may not realize the complications they will face if they do not think about their tattoo well enough ahead of time. Draw it out yourself on the part of skin you are thinking of designing. Use pen or marker so it will last a few days. If you do not get sick of it then that is the first step.

The colors of the dragon design should also be carefully selected. If you get lighter colors, they will fade and blend in with your skin tone. This can ruin a dragon tattoo if it is not regularly freshened up with new ink. If you opt to get your whites, pinks, and yellows redone every six months or so, you can find yourself with a hefty maintenance bill. Darker colors fade, too, but they will show up better for far longer.

Do not rush into tattoos. Give thought to how they affect your future. If you aspire to do office or business work, will you have a tougher time succeeding due to a visible dragon tattoo? Often business courses instruct pupils never to have any tattoos showing. This is because there is a social stigma on people with tattoos. They may not be hired due to that, even if they are perfectly qualified.

What about other occasions? Do you have any events that will require you to dress up, say, for a wedding? Would a dragon tattoo mar how you want to look that day? Does your fairy tale wedding dress include a dragon tattoo showing on your arm? If you do not think it would bother you, then you can start looking for a place to get the work done.

Make sure when you consult the artist he or she gives you a price--preferably in writing. Some jobs can take hours. Artists who take longer get paid more. Get your price up front before you are under the needle and find your dragon tattoo design only half finished when you have exceeded your price range.

Pick a place that has excellent reviews and a good sanitary record. Ask around and do your research. You will find a big division between good places and bad. Look at examples of the artist's work. Perhaps you will not like his or her style of dragon tattoo designs

The tattoo for girl

Some of the best tattoos for girls are the ones that are all about trends. From Japanese prints to Betty Boop and barbed-wire armbands, the motives for girl's tattoos are as varied as the girls themselves. The most popular tattoos for girls are the ones that say something about the respective female and that will have the most thought and the feeling behind each and every one.

Many people ask their tattoo designer or friends that know tattoo designers what some of the best designer tattoos for girls these days are. The answer might be surprising to both friend and the overall grouping of the gender of female.

The art of tattoos has really taken off in the past few years. From a male-dominated activity in which sailors, servicemen and motorcycle gangs had their mother's name on their shoulders, to the college freshmen girls that have a butterfly on their ankle, tattoos have come along way.

Many of the styles are now rising to the top as some of the most beloved by the plethora of girls across the world. Added to that the feeling that a woman's body is a canvas and she is an artist, has opened the door to many other designs that are both personal and highly eclectic in nature.

A great way to see and experience the top tattoos for girls is in a short list.

* Traditional Americana
* Old-School Images
* Classic Cars Pinups
* Nautical Stars
* Irezumi
* Koi Fish Dragons
* Floral Designs
* Roses Lotus Flowers Orchids

Many girls go to the tattoo parlor and look at different designs and find inspiration that way. With so many great and colorful designs to choose from, girls rarely leave without finding something they just love. Unless there is a certain significance or meaningful tattoo design that must be placed upon the body, the female is apt to select something that defines her beauty and grace.

One of the most popular tattoo designs for many females these days is of their children. The names of Candy and Sally are now placed on certain parts of their body paying homage to their offspring. Although this is not a new realm in the tattoo world, it is new for women as mostly men were the ones that put their children's name on their shoulders and chest.

Some of best tattoos for girls are ones that are individualistic and meaningful either in words or memories. This could be a favorite rock concert or a long-lost boyfriend who has not been forgotten. It does not matter what the actual design is, what matters is that there is a reason for placing this permanently on the body. It takes a lot to have one's body branded and colored rather painfully as well, and this is important to make the right decision when selecting a great tattoo. The most important thing is not to get a tattoo on a whim or without great thought and to choose a tattoo that says something about your spirituality and special characteristics.

Angel Tattoo Designs

All of us want to attain divinity at some point in our lives and have our own way to achieve it. For this we try different things i.e. trying to be the best of ourselves, believe in the goodness of life and at times to even reflect this goodness through our persona. For this getting angel tattoo designs is quite popular for past few decades. Angel is associated with ultimate beauty, power and grace which has different representations like a group of angels or just an angels wings, all of them representing something special.

All of us have our own unique interpretation for the same through which they spiritually connect. This establishes a special relationship between faith and tattoo. Angels denotes different meaning for men and women. Women associate it with their desire to maintain purity or to be a good person. As angel symbolizes the ultimate nurturer or savior or rescuers therefore women fraternize with them. It depicts their deep desire for being looked after or cared for.

It is a symbol of the natural or inborn ability to protect ourselves forms the evil. For men they depict a sign of strength, or warriors of soul. They are chosen as tattoo as a symbol of bravery and courage. Angels are also a symbol of guardian and guidelines for moral behavior. In all cases it signifies a symbol of protection from the bad for both men and women.

There are endless options to choose a design for an angel tattoo. Like the guardian angel which is very popular as they signify having strength to protect not only you but your loved once too, they exhibit the courageous protection of love. Then comes the Cherub Tattoo which is associated with innocent love, often people add the name of their loved ones lost to the image of a cherub. They are also utilized to remember children when they were little. The archangels resemble strong religious believe. In this only three angels are associated i.e. Gabriel, Michael and Raphael.

Archangels are also found in Judaism and Islam. Then there are fallen angels which are most controversial. They are supposed to have fallen from heaven or exiled. The most famous of these is Lucifer. Thus angel not only represents fragile spirit, but also the darker side of inner beliefs.

Upsides of Temporary Tattoos

As the name suggests a temporary tattoo is one that lasts for a relatively short period of time. The tools used for making a temporary tattoo are very simple and do not require any complex usage. The best part of a tattoo that's temporary is that it lasts for a short period of time. Thus you can easily get rid of it once the attraction wears off. Moreover, you can try many from the available pool of styles and designs.

A temporary tattoo is not very expensive and you can afford to have more than one or two at the same them. Most often, there is little or no pain involved in getting a temporary one made. Since there are no age bars for a temporary tattoo, even children can engage in and enjoy this fun art. Moreover, they do not have any secondary or side effects. Some tattoos which are of an extremely poor quality may cause rashes on the skin etc. In such a case you can simply wash the tattoo off which involves only using a mild soap and water.

Temporary ones do not require any experienced or professional tattoo artists. You can do it on your own itself. In fact today, temporary tattoos have come very close to resembling the permanent tattoo exactly. The look and feel of a few temporary tattoos is very close to that made by a permanent one. Thus you have little pain and more gain.

Even in terms of money, temporary ones are extremely cheap. Moreover, you do not need any numbing lotion or injection. Once the tattoo is applied you need not care about any infection or allergic reactions affecting your tattoo.

Thus a tattoo that's temporary is a better bargain for all those who are not so serious and not so sure about getting a tattoo made and wish to experience it or the fun of it.

Temporary Tattoos

Art comes in many forms. For some, paintings, poetry, and music are their preferred forms of art. For others, body art such as tattoos is the most beautiful to them. If you are interested, but not so sure, one of the best ways to decide if this form of art looks great is by temporary tattoos.

Different Styles

The tattoo industry has come a long way over the years. Styles have increased, tattoo designs have become more enigmatic, and how they are put on has changed. Henna, or skin dye, is one of these forms. Henna is painted directly on the skin and left to dry. It in turns stains and dyes the skin, leaving a semi-permanent art form. Henna comes in very simple colors, normally browns, blacks, and reds.

Air-brush styles have become recently popular. Though they don't last as long, they can be done in any color that the artist has available, giving you a better idea of how the final version will look before going into the dedication of having a real artist pierce your skin. This form of fake tattoos is good for stylization when a real tattoo is not necessary.

Traditional stamp tattoos have been around for many years. These are already designed and are applied to the skin with water. However, these are the shortest forms of temporary tattoos. They wear off in the shower, by rubbing against them, or scratching the skin. They are the easiest to remove as well.

Where to Find Them

Finding tattoo designs is simple. There are many tattoo parlors all over the United States, and Tattoo Designs Online gives a broad view of many different portrayals that can be decided on. Tattoo Johnny Online is one of the sites where not only can styles be viewed, but the artist can be pre-interviewed as well. Word of mouth representation is also a good way to find the artist for you.

Designs to Fit

Whether you are looking for tattoo letter designs or tattoo sleeves, this art form is versatile. You can either look for specifics, such as tribal designs or butterflies. If you'd rather, you can look for tattoos with meaning, such as Chinese symbols. Whatever your desire, tattoo downloads are available for some, and you can take them to your nearest artist to have a quote placed on it. Cost and time are part of the dedication to the tattoo you choose, as well as placement location.

Remember, it costs more to have a tattoo removed by laser surgery than it does to have it put on in the first place. Check with local artists for temporary designs before committing to a lifetime of art.

Temporary Tattoo Designs - Why a Temporary Tattoo May Be Your Best Choice Before Getting Inked

Temporary tattoo designs offer a great way to test out a tattoo design before getting permanently inked. When you have finally decided to get a tattoo, often the hardest part is deciding on what kind of design to get. There are so many different kinds of tattoos that you can have put on all parts of your body, that it can take months or even years to narrow it down. It is too bad that there isn't a way to "try on" a tattoo, and see how it looks on you. But, there is! You can get temporary tattoo designs put on your body and see what your friends and family think before you ever walk into a tattoo parlor to have the real one done.
Temporary tattoo designs are a step above of the rub-on tattoos that you might get at a novelty store. These are full-sized, life-like temporary ones that look just like the real thing. In fact, most people will think that the tattoo is real and that is part of why they are such a good idea. It gives you a real opportunity to gauge the reaction of people before you have ink injected under your skin.

When you are thinking of getting a tattoo, temporary tattoo designs are perhaps the best way to try on a tattoo and see how it looks and where you want it on your body. You may think that you want it on your upper arm, only to find that you realize that will limit what you can wear. A day or two with a temporary tattoo on will tell you a lot about your comfort level and how important it is to stand out (or not stand out, as the case may be).

Some people find that after trying on temporary tattoo designs that they decide not to get a tattoo at all. On the other hand, other people find that it truly does reinforce how they feel about tattoos and that they are absolutely sure that they want one. Whatever you decide, it is definitely worth the small expense that there is to find and create a temporary tattoo that you can try on for awhile. You can run it by your parents, your friends, and even get a good look at yourself in the mirror to make sure that the design you have chosen (and the place where you plan on putting it) is right for you, your lifestyle, your future, and the statement you want to make.

Should I Select a Temporary Tattoo - Tattoo Sticker

Temporary tattoo is no longer only for festival or decorative use. The trend perfectly fits for up-to-date fast food culture. Anytime you like any tattoo designs or patterns, you may apply that particular tattoo images on your skin and clean up with oil-based creams easily! Price is a lot more reasonable and very convenient to carry for everyday uses just like your fashion and nail style. It's very popular in Japan to use temporary tattoos as a kind of body decoration, to replace ear ring or to hide scar. Office ladies will use it daily, it is not limited to only party occasion any more.

Some belief stated that it is not appropriate to cut or damage human body as it is given by lord, we should keep our body like our original appearance when we pass away. Although punching earring is well-accepted nowadays, there is still a huge room of conversation about tattoo printing. Instead of hurting our body, we may choose a substitute - temporary tattoos. Apart from widely used PAPER tattoo or tattoo sticker, here below are some more types of temporary tattoo:

Airbrush tattoos are another popular type of temporary tattoos. This renovation is used the airbrush spray the designs on the body with stencil and ink. The merits of airbrush tattoo sticker are easy to operate, waterproof, low price. Along with expansion of economy, the airbrush tattoo pictures as a kind of new fashionable style, is already incorporated to the social trend tides. Nowadays, many tattoo manufacturers produce enormous styles of tattoo stickers for the trendy market needs!

Additional forms of temporary "tattoos" are henna tattoos, also famous as Indian art of mehndi, and the marks made by the blemish of decorative printing oil (a kind of nitrate) on the skin when unclothed to ultraviolet light. No worry! It can cross up to two weeks to disintegrate from the skin. The quality standard of tattoo sticker is strictly bounded and controlled by accredited international authorities, like EN71- part 3 and ASTM F963.

Tattoo Flash Art

Many people think that when they are searching for a tattoo design to use for their inspiration that the best place to start you search is online. This is not always the best option for a person to pursue as an option as this will lead to them getting a tattoo that they are less than satisfied with. I am here to help you through the process of picking out tattoo flash art that you will be happy with for years to come.

The first thing that you need to consider is you will need to consider what you want as a design for your tattoo. This will be an important aspect that you need to consider before you even come close to making a choice for your tattoo.

Next you need to consider this fact. Many of the designs that you see online look good and all but are not effective as legit patterns. The reason for this is because they were not done by a professional. I am not sure about you but I do not want a tattoo that is not done by a professional. I have seen and heard stories about people who decided to use tattoo flash art that was not done by a professional and as a result were less than pleased about the results of their tattoo.

The first thing that you need to make sure that you do is to make sure that your art is drawn by a professional artist that knows what they are doing for being a tattoo artist. If the art is not professional then you will want to make sure that you save your money and wait till you have flash art that is drawn by a professional. You will be much happier as well as thank me for telling you to do this.

If you are pulling the flash art from a free site then you have no guarantee that the work is being done by a professional. This could lead you to have a bad trip when you go to get your ink done.

Make sure that you are getting a design that is unique to you and also has meaning to you and describes who you are as a person. Make sure that you consider the design carefully before you get any ink done.

Various Techniques of Tattoo Art

Tattoo art has been around for thousands of years. Humans have been associated with body art since times unknown. Tattooing techniques are largely divided based on the geographies. Almost every region has its own way of drawing tattoos. The tattoo art of a region has influences of culture and ethos of the area. Whatever the techniques are, you always end up with a design marked on your body.

Western technique is to use an electrical machine for tattooing practices. The machine was invented in late 1800's. It has undergone very few changes since then. The machine pushes a needle to and fro to puncture holes in the skin. A tube system in the machine is used to insert the ink pigment into these holes.

Japanese technique of tattooing owes its attributes to the traditional tattooing practices of the country. You will be surprised to know that this technique uses meticulously arranged bamboo handles to draw a tattoo by hand. These handles carry the needles required and overall working is similar to an electric machine used for tattooing.

Pacific culture has given the world Samoan technique of tattooing. Hand tools made up of wood are used in this technique. Combination of a rake and stick is used to puncture holes as well as to insert ink. Movements of the rake are used to create designs on the skin. Taut skin is necessary during the tattooing practice.

A tool, almost identical to the one used in western technique is used in ancient Thai technique. A pointed rod capable of sliding to and fro is used to puncture holes. A brass tube of sufficient length is also attached to it. A tattoo artist performing a Thai technique uses one hand to hold the skin tout and other to pierce the skin after dipping the pointed rod in the ink.

Top 10 Tattoo Design Ideas

So you want to get a tattoo, but cannot decide what tattoo design ideas you are looking for? There are so many different ways that you can express your personality, through art on your body, which makes it difficult to decide what you want. You should have a specific reason for getting a tattoo, it may be to remember a loved one, or you may just want to express your own individuality. Whatever your reason may be, finding the right tattoo design ideas for you may be a bit of a challenge. The top ten tattoo design ideas for the beginning of the 2007 are:

1. Angel

You may decide to get an angel tattoo, if you want to express your faith. Catholicism is the primary religion which has an angel as an expression of faith and religion.

2. Tribal

Tribal tattoos are extremely popular, and are as diverse as the people who wear them. With the beautiful lines and curves of tribal tattoos, it is easy to see why so many people are choosing to tattoo tribal designs.

3. Star

Some people consider stars the symbol for truth and hope. This is why so many people choose to get a tattoo of a star.

4. Cross

Crosses can either symbolize a person's faith, or pay tribute to a lost loved one. It may also be a very beautiful background for a child or spouse's name.

5. Wings

Wings are a symbol of faith, It is often believed that wings must be earned.

6. Eternity or Infinity Symbols

Often used in conjunction with crosses, infinity symbols convey that whoever or whatever is symbolized will never be forgotten. This can also be a symbol of love or friendship.

7. Sun

For many people the sun represents life. Without the sun, all things in existence will perish.

8. Dragon

The Dragon is primarily seen in Japanese and Chinese cultures. Many people see the dragon as a fierce, strong creature.

9. Phoenix

In ancient times the phoenix was a symbol of the cycle of the rising and setting of the sun. Over time however, it has evolved to become a symbol of human resurrection.

10. Butterfly

The butterfly is primarily chosen by women. It represents beauty and grace. Butterflies symbolize rejuvenation and rebirth.

Popular Tribal Tattoo Ideas to Bring Out the Individualism in You

Tribal Tattoos, although may appear to be simple at times, are undoubtedly appealing and among the most popular today. This article will help those especially new to the world of tattoos in general and particularly, Tribal Tats. The following walk through history will help shed light on some of the different Tribal Tattoo Ideas used throughout the decades.

The most common Tribal Tats found today dates back to the polynesians who used black, geometric tatau ornaments which appeared to be silhouette-like in many ways. In Europe, sailors were attributed for the earliest Tribal Tat ideas - they originated from Tahiti and were added together with the sailors' own maritime-themed designs. Over the years, they have evolved to become what is known as traditional tattoos.

Over in America, Leo Zulueta and Don Ed Hardy, an innovator, were both responsible for an exciting Tribal Tats boom in 1982 when they started "Tattoo Time", a magazine on tattoos. Featuring native Borneo and Samoan tattoos, it quickly popularized these tattoo ideas as a form of interesting tattoo style and design.

As illustrated from above, these modern day tattoos have strong ties and affiliation with natives and tribes from different parts of the world. It was from there that they slowly evolved into the Tribal Tattoo ideas we have today. Although it has been said that a handful of tattoo parlors and tattoo artists would turn down tribal tattoo designs due to their simplicity, a lot of tattoo enthusiasts begs to differ. Tribal Tats, as a matter of fact, needs articulate skill to be tattooed on the difficult body parts in order for it to look naturally "grown". In addition, it has also been said that the coloring of these tattoos requires a steady hand.

You can find an assortment of tribal tat ideas ranging from tribal armbands, flames, black, crosses, stars, tigers and an assortment of motives and designs that are based on tribal motives. Personally, I have 3 tribal tattoos tattooed on different parts of my hands - one of a tribal flame on my right shoulder, one of a tribal motive which I designed on my left shoulder and another circular tribal design on my right wrist.

My advice to all those who are out to get their own tribal tattoos would be to pick one that you feel connected or feel strongly about. Doing so will bring out the personality and individuality in you.

Cool Tattoo Designs - Are You Having a Second Thought

Everybody is on the lookout for cool tattoo designs that they can have inked on themselves. And for the past few years, there have been such great improvements in the art of tattooing, that tattoo artists have progressed from using canvas to designing human bodies instead. Literally, a living work of art. And if there is certainly one thing that a person sporting a new tattoo would like to hear, it is people's admiration over the new tattoo that they have. And this is also true in the part of the tattoo artist.

There is one problem though, about trying to find the best and cool tattoo designs and that is the fact that there are such a lot of people who want an equally lot of different designs all at the same time. They think that they have decided on a particular tattoo emblem and then they see another design and then change their minds about the first design and they opt for the last option that they saw. There are even people who go as far as calling tattoo art studios that are closest to where they live in order to find out what the most popular tattoo designs are available for them. The two most popular crafts are usually flowers for the women while for the men it is usually skulls. Although there are practically thousands of cool tattoo designs that are available for a person to take a pick from. When it comes to designs that both men and women choose, people usually go for tribal designs or stars or cross designs. As to the location of the tattoos, women usually have the tattoos on their lower backs while the men go for arm tattoos or as is more commonly known, tattoo sleeves. The men also opt for tattoos on their backs and shoulders.

There are also some really cool tattoo designs that are unique and well, I guess I can say, life sized. The neatest by far is a tattoo the size of a fly. Literally. There are people who prefer having thee tattoo designs in places where people would notice them and comment on them. I got to tell you, these types of tattoo designs are great ice breakers. Regardless if a tattoo is indeed great looking, it is important to keep in mind that a tattoo is a permanent thing. It is not something that you can easily remove by taking a good scrubbing. So if you decide to get a tattoo, make sure that it is something that you really would like to have for the rest of your life. Do a background check on the tattoo artists that you would go to as well. Are they using properly sanitized equipment? Are the tattoo artists indeed professional and has lots of experience? Consider as well the size of the tattoo design, the bigger and more customized the design, the more time the artist would spend time working on it and that may cause more money on your part.

Tattoo Drawings - Easily Getting to Amazing Artwork Sites

How many different ways have you searched the net for tattoo drawings lately? Most people stick with the only way the know how to do it, which is most likely why you're drowning in a sea of awfully generic artwork. If you despise all the cookie cutter stuff you've been eying lately, listen to some short and simple tips, which will drastically alter the originality and quality of the tattoo drawings you find.

It can really, really help you pick the absolute perfect tat for yourself. Nothing beats seeing original, high quality artwork. In fact, people who see hoards of generic tattoos will usually ends up settling on one of those basic designs. 99.9% of those people wind up fully regretting the fact that they stuck such a cookie cutter tat on themselves, though. They are stuck with that design choice now, though. This is what happens when you solely rely on search engines to look for artwork sites. It's the worst way to find tattoo drawings, because all you get is generic junk.

Their lists have become saturated with every horrible gallery on the planet, while the amazing collections and websites get left out in the cold. Now is your chance to find them, though. It's a piece of cake, too. The only thing you need will be a big forum. Any big forum, actually. Take a couple seconds to find one of them and then head right over to their wonderful archives. This is where you're going to get informed about so many of the awesome artwork sites that will be filled with sensational tattoo drawings. It doesn't even matter what style choice you're hunting for.

These archives hold onto all past topics, and if you picked a big enough forum, you will find bundles of topics about tattoos in there. If you can take just a few minutes out of your busy schedule to scan the posts in there, you'll be able to pull out all sorts of names and links to the superb galleries that others have found. So many people freely share their findings of tattoo drawings and the sites that take pride in having galleries full of original, perfectly drawn artwork. It's your straight arrow path to the good stuff.

There are many people in this world who settle on generic tattoo drawings, but you don't have to go through that mess.

Here are the 3 largest, most original tattoo galleries to find the perfect Tattoo Drawings.

Best Star Tattoo Ideas and Meanings

Star tattoos are some of the most popular tattoos in both males and females. Some of them like the small twinkling stars tattoo look very feminine while others like the nautical stars are very masculine.

People who chose star tattoos have different reasons. For some people, they only like the appearance of star tattoos on one particular part of their body. For others, they relate themselves or their lives to the meanings of star tattoos.

One basic meaning of star tattoos is that the wearer wants to achieve something, like a goal, and the tattoo is a reminder that he should never give up to get what he wants. It shows the wearer's determination to reach his goals.

Another very basic meaning is the wearer's interest in anything related to astronomy. The wearer must have been very interested in this subject that he wants other people to identify him as someone who likes to know about the heavens and heavenly bodies whenever they look at his tattoo.

Also, star tattoos could mean a very significant point or event in the wearer's life. Maybe the wearer joined a new religion, got married, decided to change his ways, and so on.

These are some basic meanings of star tattoos. Now, if you want to get one for yourself, here are some star tattoo ideas that you can use for your own tattoo.

Nautical Stars. A long time ago, when compass has not yet been invented, sailors use the stars to navigate. These ancient sailors used to wear nautical star tattoos to guide them during their journeys and long voyages. This was a superstitious belief back then. But now, that tradition carried on and whenever you see somebody sporting a cool nautical star tattoo, ask him the reason for that and he will most likely answer something like this: the star is something that guides him to go to the right direction or create the right path in his life.

Shooting Stars. This tattoo could mean a short yet very significant event that happened in a person's life but it changed his or her life greatly. It could symbolize a short romance, a person, a job, or anything that made an impact in the wearer's life.

The Star of David or Hexagram. If you adhere to Judaism's doctrine, then you might be interested in getting a hexagram tattoo. Hexagrams can also be used by people who do not believe in Judaism but believe in the interconnection of humans and the Divine.

Pentagram. This is a five-pointed star that could mean different things. For one, the four points can symbolize the four elements-water, earth, wind, and fire-and the point at the very top is the spirit that the four elements have.

These are just some examples of popular star tattoo ideas. You can think outside the box and create your own design with your own special meaning.

Star tattoos can be placed in different parts of the body depending on your gender. Choose the best design that you want with the corresponding meaning and the location where you want it to be placed to have the perfect star tattoo.

How To Become A Tattoo Artist

With the tattoo industry becoming more popular, the potential for making a career out of tattooing is opening up for a lot of people. If you are one of the individuals who can see themselves working as a tattoo artist, then there are some things you need to know first. In this article you will learn how to become a tattoo artist.

Learning how to become a tattoo artist isn't easy. And it isn't for everyone. If you don't have some raw artistic talent, then it probably isn't the job for you. But if you're artistic side is one of your strongest, then you just might have what it takes. The first step is to exercise your artistic skill. Books, classes and fellow artists can help you do this. Once you've put in the time you need in order to be the best artist on paper, put together a portfolio of your work. This is essentially a collection of your art put together in a professional looking way to show to potential employers.

The next step in learning how to become a tattoo artist is getting an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is like an internship, where you work for someone for free and learn from them as you go. Apprenticing will give you valuable knowledge about the tattoo business. You can get an apprenticeship by networking. Ask your friends and their friends if they know of one available. You can also approach tattoo parlor owners with your portfolio to ask them about becoming an apprentice.

There is no formal ending to an apprenticeship. It ends when the teacher, or shop owner decides that the apprentice is ready and prepared to tattoo professionally. Sometimes a contract is signed at the beginning of the apprenticeship. Other times, the teacher might hire you as an employee. Now that you have learned how to become a tattoo artist, you will be free to look for a job elsewhere, or even open your own tattoo parlor.

Learning how to become a tattoo artist is like many other professions, it's never really over. As time goes on, you'll learn new techniques and processes from employers, co-workers, workshops, conventions and even employees. As a tattoo artist, you should always be open to learning and developing your skill. This is the best way to become and remain successful in the business.

From needles, ink and tattoo machines to body piercing jewelry and equipment, we can provide you with all the info as well as current industy news and new products. Beginning with tattoo equipment, it's important to research the types of equipment that are out there and the pros and cons to using each type. Tattoo guns, needles, tubes, tattoo starter kits, machines, and inks are all key to starting a studio, shop, parlor or business. The guns and machines are usually hand crafted or homemade. As for the inks, it is crucial to carry a wide variety of colors so you as the artists can create rich and unique designs. More information: Caring for a new tattoo.

Dragon Tattoos

Dragon tattoos are some of the most widely used tattoo designs on the globe nowadays, picked by both women and men for what the actual patterns signify. A variety of cultures have dragon myths as well as tales in their history and these kinds of stories tend to be the most repeated stories in the tradition. European countries had knights that traveled long distances in order to slay the fire breathing mythical beasts that stole gold and also consumed maidens.

Asian cultures got wise dragons that foretold things that were necessary for people to be able to live a good life. Some Middle Eastern cultures had dragons in their tales, based on the large lizards that inhabited their lands, and their tales were passed on from generation to generation round the evening campfires. Most of the dragon tales of the past have roots that remain unknown, however the stories remain some of the hottest of all times.

Various kinds of Dragon Tattoos

The most common kinds of these tattoos appear like a reptilian monster with lizard-like characteristics. More costly dragon tattoos outline each individual scale that covers the body of the dragon and some dragon tattoos include the forked tongue common to reptilian creatures plainly displayed. For the dragons that fly, powerful wings resembling those of bats and breathing fire are frequent components of the tattoo layout. Dragon tattoos that include these elements are generally selected since this is how most individuals see dragons within their imagination.

These tattoos signify something different to each individual that chooses to get them and the meaning of the tattoo can usually be determined by the graphic on it. Dragons used to symbolize strength are huge with large wings plus a rebellious expression on its face, usually breathing fire to the side or even directly on the person viewing the tattoo. Dragon tattoos symbolizing wisdom and intelligence will generally have a smile or a look of inner reflection and are built to look wizened to appear like they are truly old.

Dragon tattoos are useful for representing all sorts of emotions and ideals, something like good, evil, mischief, wisdom, action, or sturdiness. The style chosen depends on what the individual really wishes as well as what the tattoo will signify to them. Dragon tattoos could be any color that the actual person can imagine, with guys selecting styles of red or green and women picking styles in purple, blue, or pink. The particular colors are essential to the layout of the dragon tattoos to provide you with a dragon style that is as special as you.

Flower Tattoo

For some strange reasons, I like designing flower tattoos more than others. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. It's like having a piece of art with you all the time. I find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful.

The image of a tattoo can be so captivating that it stirs up all our senses. You can have a Rose tattoo with a barbed wire around it and still look very good. It's Ying and Yang, loving and sweet but authoritative and intimidating. But if you are intending to ink a flower tattoo on your body, it's best to find out the meaning of the flower and what you want it to represent. You can then combine different images to give contrasting impressions of your tattoos.

I have compiled a list of meaning of flowers as a guide before you tattoo them on your body. I cannot vouch how official these meanings are, but my research has shown them to be fairly consistent. flower tattoos are permanent, so look around before deciding on one.

BABY'S BREATH: Innocence.

BALSAM: Ardent love.

BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck.

BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm.

CACTUS: Endurance.

CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty.

CAMELLIA: Gratitude.

CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you.

CAMELLIA, RED: You're a flame in my heart.

CAMELLIA, WHITE: You're adorable.

CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman

CARNATION, PINK: A woman's love, I'll never forget you, mother's love.

CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination.

CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck.

CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth.

CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love.

CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love.

CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love.

DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry.

DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness.

DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity.

DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love's oracle.

DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother.

EREMURUS: Endurance.

EUPHORBIA: Persistence.

FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories.

FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness.

GARDENIA: You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck.

GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break.

GLOXINA: Love at first sight.

HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty.

HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true.

HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.

HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment.

HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness.

HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love.

HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure.

HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness, dedicated to Apollo.

HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy.

HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play.

IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, my compliments.

IRIS, WHITE: Purity.

JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability , I attach myself to you, sensuality, attachment.

JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality.

JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance.

JONQUIL: Sympathy , love me, affection returned, desire.

LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty.

LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love.

LAVENDER: Devotion.

LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination.

LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence.

LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity.

LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you. LILY,

MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility.

MIMOSA: Sensitivity.

MINT: Virtue.

MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India.

MORNING GLORY: Loves you.

MOSS: Maternal love, charity.
NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are

NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle.

OAK LEAVES: Bravery.

OLIVE BRANCH: Peace.

ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility.

ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, mature charm, beauty, long life.

PALM LEAVES: Victory, success.

PEPPERMINT: Cordiality.

PERIWINKLE: Friendship.

POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination.

POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation.

POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success.

PRIMROSE: I can't live without you.

PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love.

QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: Haven.

RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm.

ROSE: Love, passion, perfection. The rose was named for the Latin word rosa which means red. It has been a symbol of love since ancient times.

ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within.

ROSE, CORAL: Desire.

ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning.

ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty.

ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment.

ROSE, LEAF: You may hope.

ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love.

ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm.

ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, apprecation, admiration, sympathy, modesty.

ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy.

ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness.

ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility.

ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity.

ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-selfconscious beauty.

ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you, I still love you, new love.

ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love.

ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight.

ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love.

ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue.

ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows "I care", joy, gladness.
ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude.

ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England.

ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations.

ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts.

ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth.

SAGE: Virtue.

SALAL: Zest.

SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love.

SMILAX: Loveliness.

SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption.

SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment.

SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me.

STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity.

STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success.

STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel.

STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you'll always be beautiful to me.

SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness.

SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse.

THYME: Activity.

TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure.

TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland.

TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame.

TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes.

TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile.

VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty.

VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true.

VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love.

VIOLET, WHITE: Let's take a chance, youthful innocence.

VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country.

WATER LILY: Purity of heart.

WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning.

WHEAT: Friendliness.

YARROW: Healing, sorrow.

ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend.

ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy.

ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness.

ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.

The Meaning and Symbolism Behind the Lotus Flower Tattoo

Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions especially throughout India. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

Within Hinduism and Buddhism the lotus flower has become a symbol for awakening to the spiritual reality of life. The meaning varies slightly between the two religions of course but essentially both religious traditions place importance on the lotus flower.

In modern times the meaning of a lotus flower tattoo ties into it's religious symbolism and meaning. Most tattoo enthusiast feel that the a lotus tattoo represent life in general. As the lotus flower grows up from the mud into a object of great beauty people also grow and change into something more beautiful (hopefully!). So the symbol represent the struggle of life at its most basic form.

Lotus flower tattoos are also popular for people who have gone through a hard time and are now coming out of it. Like the flower they have been at the bottom in the muddy, yucky dirty bottom of the pond but have risen above this to display an object of beauty or al ife of beauty as the case might be. Thus a lotus flower tattoo or blossom can also represent a hard time in life that has been overcome.

Lotus flower and peonies are also two flowers that are very popular among Japanese tattoo artists and they make a great compliment to Koi Fish tattoos. Ironically enough the two koi fish and lotus flowers can often be found in the same pond in front of a temple. The Koi fish is a symbol typically for strength and individualism.

Chris is an avid tattoo enthusiast, as well as an observer and writer of the tattoo scene. He has run numerous tattoo related website business in the past. However, now he provides great tattoo information in the form of articles and web pages for everyone to enjoy free. Check out this page for more on tattoo sleeve designs, or here for awesome Free Star Tattoo Designs.

Tattoo design

Choosing a tattoo design is an important decision. A tattoo can have a symbolism for the rest of your life.

A tattoo is a long-term investment. Making a poor choice can be stressful and frustrating.

It is vital that you consider all the aspects of the tattoo including location on your body, size of tattoo and also the design itself. Ensuring that you take time and choose your tattoo wisely is one of the most important aspects of tattooing.

There are steps that you can take to make sure your tattoo choice is most appropriate for your personal choice.

- Decide on the design of your tattoo. Do you have a definite design in place or do you need to refine your image?
- Searching through Google images with keywords related to your interests can bring up some great ideas.

- Research local tattoo parlors, either using the web or by stopping by and going through their work books.

- Make sure that the tattoo artist has the skill to be able to pull off the look you are after. Get a recommendation from a trustworthy source.

- If you see a tattoo that you like on someone, ask them where they got it inked. Most of the time people are happy to tell you their stories behind getting the tattoo and whether they were happy with the process.

Tattoo's can be very personal, ensuring you choose the design that is correct for you is vital.

Another very important stage of tattoo selection is deciding where you want the tattoo on your body. Do you want to be able to see it every day? Will it affect future employment opportunities? Can you see it in regular clothing? All of these questions are very useful when deciding on what sort of tattoo you want to get.

Coloring is also a factor is tattoo selection. Do you want to have color? Will the area of your body that you choose keep the color bright? Do you want a simple black? Will the color that you choose show up well on your skin?

Detail and coloring are important considerations to make when selecting your design.

The cost of the tattoo is another aspect to consider. Will the tattoo cost you hundreds of dollars? Although prices generally vary from parlor to parlor, usually a good artist will be more expensive.

Also remember that if you are not 100% sure about getting the tattoo, don't go through with it. Do more research and take your time. Only commit when you are completely sure.

Using tattoo design sites such as Tattoo Me Now can be extremely useful as they have mix and match design patterns and designs that can be customized to your taste.

I hope you enjoy the tattoo you select and that this article has been of assistance in making your choice easier.