How To Choose The Perfect Tattoo
I receive a lot of questions about choosing the right tattoo design by men and women that have never been tattooed. This is a very good question. I always tell everyone that if you're going to get inked, make sure it's meaningful. I know when you walk into the tattoo shop and see all those cool designs, your mind can easily fly out the window. The one thing that you should always remember, "tattoos are meant to be for life." Yes, you're planning to wear this for the rest of your life, right? What you think is cool at 18 may not be so cool when you're 40, that's all I'm saying.
If you're looking for a meaningful tattoo, what's important to you? Is it a child, parent, grandma, a special time, or special place? Anything that's important to you could be considered. What is meaningful to you? For example, my kids are my life. They represent my love, desire, passion, and my family. I choose to get a cross tattoo with their names. This is a very meaningful tattoo to me. When I'm older, I'll never look back regretting this tattoo design.
I'll give you another example that isn't related to family. I grew up in West Virginia, moved out West, and now I'm back home. I have a West Virginia symbol tattoo that represents my home. I love my home and it's meaningful to me. Your home will always be associated to you and it should always be meaningful. Home can be many things, from the love of family to somewhere you grew up. It's a place where you live and learn, give and take, and share experiences.
You may also have a special symbol or number that gives meaning to you. What is your background? If you're Irish, you may consider a shamrock or clover tattoo. If you're from England, the bulldog gives you meaning. The same can be said about numbers. You may have played sports when you were younger and that number can be meaningful to you. All of these are examples of meaningful tattoos.
Nearly all tattoo symbols hold special meaning and symbolism as a tattoo. I always use beautiful butterfly tattoos as an example. Is the butterfly important to you? Probably not, right? Have you ever wondered what a butterfly represents? The butterfly starts life out as a caterpillar. Unable to fly or protect itself, many are easy meals for birds and other creatures. If lucky enough to grow, the caterpillar builds a cacoon. It is an easy target here also. The end of the long journey is marked as a beautiful butterfly emerges from the cacoon.
The butterfly represents many things associated to their journey. The butterfly tattoo represents change and transformation. We all go through trying times and difficult circumstances in our life. None of us our perfect. The butterfly tattoo represents this challenge and hardship. This is a meaningful tattoo. Most tattoos represent the traits and attributes of what is being portrayed.
Another great example is the beautiful koi fish. Koi tattoo designs are very popular in the East and the popularity can be found here in America as well. The koi is actually a Japanese carp. Koi tattoos can represent courage, persistence, and strength. Their very strong fish and they are a popular dish in Japan. Although sad, many reports state that the koi never budge as they are placed on the chopping block, a symbol of bravery and courage.
I'm not saying to go the meaningful route, this is your choice by all rights. Even so, you should consider what your tattoo represents and how it is portrayed by others. It may not matter now, but one day, I promise you it will. I want to personally think you all for your support for our blog and our site at Hubpages. If you ever have any questions, suggestions, or comments regarding tattoos and symbolism, be sure to leave us your opinion. I leave you with this, "always be sure to do your research!" Best wishes.
