this is a Celtic Spiral tattoo on my left shoulder done by the esteemed Pat Fish in Santa Barbara, Cali.
It embodies the movement, and the power of momentum. In the words of Pat herself its "the soul of the cosmos made visible".
I have several tattoos. Got them on different occasions from different individuals (both men and women). Happy to say that some of them are quite well known and for a good reason. I am proud of my tattoos because they are an indivisible part of me - they will go when I do.
Obviously, one can get a tattoo anytime they want - anywhere, the only prerequisite is to pay the fee and sometimes sign the agreement sheet that you are not holding the salon responsible if you don't like the work, but I think there is much more to the tattoo, and putting ink on your body without thinking is like driving drunk and without a license - it endangers you and those around you.
The markings on the body are as old as the Earth herself - there must have been an urgent need in an ancient man or a woman to mark themselves, while maintaining agility and awareness necessary to keep surviving. That is, verses markings that will not allow you for a movement for sometime, such as the Samoan p'ea. Because of its complexity and long time that takes to do it, an initiate will have to wait until the wounds, which are oftentimes dramatic will heal. They are invalid, cannot move and have to be fed by close family and friends.
I am not talking about that, since I have never taken part in a p'ea ceremony. But I thought of it, and after reading some material I wasn't sure anymore whether I really want to go through that ordeal. I am not really afraid of pain that much, but on that scale - well its a different thing and requires different resource both physical and not least financial.
One, my friends, should think hard before getting a tattoo. That is because (and reasons may vary depending on an individual) a tattoo is basically a window into your soul. It is the most intimate thing - to mark your body. And whether you want it or not it will be there forever - I don't believe a laser surgery can remove a tattoo completely - may be visually, but the mental scars will not only remain longer but intensify because of your commitment to be rid of that which caused you to have a tattoo.
A tattoo is an intimate piece, and you can make it up anyway you want depending on how you feel, and how your imagination dictates what you want. It is no wonder that many people get tats during their very tender teenage years, and those tats often times look like scribble, or something out of a horrid dream. This is because it is the imagination, and perhaps peer pressure dictate to the kid what they should be having, and since there are no parameters, and no rules - they come up with whatever they want. If there is a good day - the tattoo will reflect that, say with an image of a cake. If it is bad - a teary face, etc.
But beyond that, there is a kind of a tattoo that has nothing to do with what you feel. Yes, simply that. It is a tribal way, and it has to come to you. Of course one has to be a part of some tribe that has a tattoo in their culture to truly be an initiate, but what I am talking about is becoming a part of universal tribe that simply aims to make this world more beautiful by adding imagery to their bodies.
From what I see in the news media, the Internet, and just outdoors - many do succeed. The astounding beauty of the work completed multiplied by the awesome artistry of the technique and great planning. Or just a circle, a line, and ornament, or a symbol. When I feel that the tattoo clicks with my aesthetic I want to have one too, perhaps not same, but in a similar genre. I particularly like minimalist tattoos that are just simply ancient symbols, or their modern interpretation.
Tattoos, no matter how lovely you find them on other peoples' bodies should not be reproduced and serious salons and artists are very stern about that. Tattoo is a personalized symbol done on the individual's very skin so copying it is a disgrace to the artist. However, there are so called "flash" tattoos that are meaningless repetitions and others perhaps with some meaning in them. Whatever the case may be, please don't go into the salon and say - "I want a flash tattoo", that will just be laughable and show how immature you are to get one. Even if the tattoo that you chose is a generic symbol such as an "anchor" it will be done by a human being on your skin in a place where you will need it to stay forever and ever. Think about it.
The study of tattoo is a study of culture whist it comes. And I can't emphasize to you how important it is to know what the imagery embodied in the tattoo means. The images, coming from certain cultures were intended to mean something, and to empower its wearer - without that they would have no value in the society. And tattoos, such as the ta'moko of the Maori, the tatau, and others around the world have a tremendous value to their wearers. I think that is way different then seeing a famous star "inked". I frankly, feel that these people are often times emotionally unstable - their money and fame hasn't helped their consciousness to mature to the point were they can soberly decide about what they want. Otherwise, why would they mistreat their bodies in that way? In any case, I am not the one who should be judging them, but it is my opinion, and a point of this blog, that one should think hard and for a long time if needed, before they put a tat on their bodies. Study and learn what is it that you really want to say, and whether that will say just that. If success, it is a life time satisfaction - physical and spiritual, and also other that is hard to explain.
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