GIRLS WITH TATTOOS!!

okay, fo ran art project which i am just starting and is in next week, i want to know about your tattoos!

if you could answer a couple of questions about them fir my research that'd be great (and post a pic of the tattoo we're talking about):

1. What is it?
2. Does it have specific meaning?
3. if so, what?
4. were you going through anything dramatic or significant in your life when you had it done? did it help you deal with it?


annd anything else you might have to say about them really.

THANK YOUU SO MUCH in advance =)

Okay, don't laugh at me. Please?

Spoiler:

1) My stylized cherry blossoms, around my left wrist.
2, 3) Cherry blossoms, according to some reading, symbolize a beautiful soul. The flowers are short-lived, and fall as a whole unit, as opposed to leaf by leaf or petal by petal. Japan celebrates the arrival of the blossoms yearly, honoring them with a festival. I got them around my wrist to help me remember that, even though my time here on earth is brief, it had some effect on someone, somewhere.
4) I was having a difficult time remembering that I wasn't as insignificant as I felt at the time. Getting this tattoo helped, and still helps when things pressure me back into a hard place. There are five flowers to it, symbolizing the five people most important to me at the time. There are also petals 'blowing' past, to show the people that left an impact on me, even if they're no longer around. The branch itself I suppose is me, as I am the one constant variable in my life, even if the people those flowers symbolize change through the years.

Spoiler:

1) The Ankh, just under the back of my neck, centered between my shoulders.
2, 3) To the ancient Egyptians, the Ankh symbolized life. The symbol is often related to the symbol for magical protection. The Ankh is often pictured being carried by the gods, and was found on many kings tombs as a symbol of their eternal life. Later, it was adapted by the Coptic church as a form of the cross.
4) For the longest time, I hadn't been happy with religion, studying many for about five years, trying to find one that matched what I believed in. At the time, what is now known as Kemetic Orthodox was the closest match I found. Reading about it made me feel at peace with myself again at last. It was some time before I was able to get a tattoo, but it just felt right that my first piece would be an Ankh, a symbol of the faith I'd held for so long. It ensured that, even when people or schools forced me to take the necklace off, I would have my faith with me still.

wow Liz that's absolutely brilliant, thank you soooo much! =)

Yeah, but I feel all awkward for being the only one to post.. someone else explain theirs! Please?

I knoww!! pleaasseee girls, i have a deadline on mondayy!! =)

I could explain my planned tattoos?

Yeah I guess, i mean, i planned actual ones because part of it is having that permanent thing on your body, bt planned ones could help just as much!

Ok, but you have to promise not to laugh cause its a bit lame...

The first one I hope to get is roses on my feet. Old school roses with scrolls (although I'm not entirely decided on they will say, it will be part of the lyrics from a song). On my right foot the rose will be blue and all frosty, with snowflakes round it. My left it'll be pinky red and all sunny and bright.

They're sort of for my gran. When I was wee she used to always sing "the Rose" to me, from that Bette Midler movie. A couple of years ago I sang it in the choir and the conductor dedicated to my gran and she was so happy. The lyrics are incredibly cheesy, but I think when you're upset sometimes thats the kind of shit you need to hear.

"When the night has been too lonely
and the road has been too long
and you think that love is only
for the lucky and the strong
Just remember in the winterfar beneath the bitter snows
lies the seed
that with the sun's love
in the spring
becomes the rose"

So yeh, a winter rose and a summer rose. To remind me that no matter how bad things seem, it will get better. Obvious I know, but something I frequently have to remind myself.

I'll take a photo of my sketches if I get the chance..

The rest of my planned tattoos are less meaningful. While they all sort of symbolise something they will mainly decorative. All of them are nautical themed..A big reason for me with tattoos and piercings is claiming my body as my own. Just because you can't chose the body you're born into, decorating it makes it mine...probably suggests I'm a few sandwiches short of a picnic but oh well!

wow thats really cool, i like it. Thank you!

wow, the explanation and reasoning for you cherry blossoms is awsome. That's actually really cool, and cheery blossoms are gorgeous