Tell me about your tattoos!

wandajune6

I've been reading a lot of posts about tattoos lately and am now curious:

What tattoos do you have and what's the story behind them?

I'll start: tats are pretty unacceptable in my family, despite people being very socially liberal. I always said that I had to love any design for a year before getting it. Never happened. FI has a bunch and wants more. 6 weeks after we started dating, I got an idea on my drive to work. I called him and we went together to get it that night. My family didn't learn about it until my mom and sister saw the "carpe diem" on my side when I tried on wedding dresses!

NavyBlue143

Mine is a tribal-ish rose between my shoulder blades. Underneath are the words "Love as thou wilt." I had it as my computer background for six months to make sure I wanted it. It's from a book series I really like. The character who has it takes pleasure in pain, but for me it's a reminder to find joy in the pain of life. I got it when I was 19. My parents were a bit shocked because although I said I wanted a tattoo, they thought I was just saying it to get a rise out of them.

SmileDamnit

I got a little flower above my ankle when I was 18. I often forget I even have that one. Then I have the quote, "This too shall pass" on on my left inner forearm written in my own script. I love being able to reference it as a reminder that all of life is temporary.

smalfrie19

My first one is a Pisces with koi fish on my left shoulder blade. I wanted one there for years and when my sister turned 18 I bought her first and got my first at the same time. I now want a few more that have more of a back story to them like the word "Bing" on my inner arm, for Chandler Bing from Friends, because well that's who I am. I really identify with the character and friends is my all time favorite show because it was my grandpa's favorite show and I'm super close with my grandpa.

JennyColada

Definition of "Chortle" on my inner left arm: it's my favorite word and I do it often.
California on my right foot: "home is where the heart is."
Peacock feather behind my left ear: my little take on the feather of truth from Egyptian mythology.

emmyg65

I have the Gadsden flag (Don't tread on me) on my forearm. I got it as a punky 19-year-old. It's not totally awesome having a prominent "Fuck off!" sign now that I'm older, especially now that it's also the Tea Party logo, but it is what it is.

I also have a large phoenix on my right shoulder blade, which has really deep personal (private) meaning, and a koi on my ankle, to remind me to "swim through life like a fish swims through water" and manage my anxiety. 

All my tattoos are black ink only.

My brother and I have been talking about getting matching tattoos of Mount Rainier, which has family meaning (my mom is a fifth-generation Washingtonian), but we haven't gotten around to it yet.

theartistformerlyknownas

I have a turquoise cross with some swirly purple/grey clouds and stars around it on my hip that I got in college.

I really want some kind of anchor or compass rose (dad and grandpa were both sailors, and I love the added meanings of either stability or guidance) or a rose and lily of the valley entwined together (my two grandma's favorite flowers) or maybe merge everything together into one. But then I think maybe a lace snowflake. Or three birds in a tree (my two sisters and I may get that to match). I'm clearly entirely too indecisive to get a tattoo right now.

FiancB

I wanted something horse related but it's hard to think of something that isn't cheesy. Besides horses, I also love art, and I took an art history class to fulfill a lib ed requirement in school. I learned about Franz Marc, who painted hundreds of colorful horses. So I researched him and found one of two foals grooming each other. It was especially appropriate since I had been doing a breeding farm internship.

I went into a tattoo shop kind of last minute and told them I had a bus to catch  to go visit my parents and not much time. She got done in 45 minutes. It was at Scapegoat Tattoo in Portland OR. 

I didn't tell my folks then but the next time I visited I wore a top that showed it. My dad said "I thought you were smarter than that", got over it, and told a story about one of his ship captain buddies that got propellers tattooed onto his buttcheeks. 

It's been 3 years and I still love it. 

lmcooper86

I have a cross on my back (self explanatory), which is something my dad actually drew. And I have 2 lines of a song in Latin on my ribs. I'm toying with the idea of getting a couple of birds on my other side or on my wrist; might end up being something that my sister and I do together.

jennyleigh16

I have a rosycroix between my shoulder blades that I got when I was 18. I didn't have to break it to my parents because I told my older brother in secrecy and he blabbed. Her response was "well at least it's pretty".
A couple years later I got the words Stronger Than You Think I Am in fancy script around my ankle. It's my reminder to myself that no matter what life throws at me, I can handle it, even if I don't think I can. I adore it. 

cupcait927

My first tattoo was three stars on my hip when I was 19. Not my favorite anymore but at least it's covered most of the time. I'd love to have it covered up someday with something nicer. My second one is on my ribs. It's two lines from an Emily Dickinson poem - "that love is life and life hath immortality". I still love it but should've gotten it done a little bigger as it's starting to bleed now (also got it when I was 19 so it's 8 years old now).

My third tattoo I got 2 years ago on my upper left arm and says "love is enough" with a small bird and heart. Again should've gotten it bigger and will eventually cover it up with flowers. My intent is to have all flowers down my left arm.

My fourth and fifth tattoos are part of a larger piece. The fourth I got a year ago on my right shoulder/upper arm. It's a ship with waves and an anchor in sailor jerry style. I added to it a few weeks ago with two swallows underneath it with clouds, also done in sailor jerry style. My next piece will be on the underside of my right arm, also vintage/sailor jerry style and will either be of a mermaid or a marlin. I love the style and get so many compliments on the piece. I can't wait to have my whole upper arm finished.

thetimewillcome

I have one on my lower back that spans across from one side to the other (11" wide by about 6" tall). Its an eagle in flight with an American flag waving behind it. I did it for my grandpa who I was extremely close with. Afterwards I did a painting that "copied" it and gave it to my grandpa to hang on the wall.

I attached a picture of the painting. I couldn't find one of the tattoo offhand.

Starlet514

I have a star on the back of my neck that has been there for 10 years... my mom just recently learned about - she is coping fairly well but asked I cover it at the wedding. 

She hasn't seen my other two - one is a tree of life on my ribs which I got in honor of a friend who died of cancer. We were supposed to get tattoos together and had called for appointments the day before we found out about his cancer - so I got mine but he never got his. 

I also have a drawing of mine on my lower back, all in black - I still laugh when people see it and say... wow I never knew you had a tramp stamp!! haha... 

RebeccaB88

I don't have one yet, but it's been planned for probably 10 years.  My surgeons want me to be surgery-free for a certain amount of time before and after, and I haven't met that timeline yet.  There's a story. 

My dad was sick with lung disease for 13 years. During that time my mom had a red hibiscus plant. It was the most pathetic looking thing ever and we babied it constantly. It still bloomed during warm months.  After he crossed over, it started to only bloom for special days, events, during crises, etc.  It was inerrant.  Never missed a date. We started keeping a journal. Every Christmas, Thanksgiving, Valentine's, Easter, July 4th (his favorite), every holiday.  Every birthday, with multiple blooms when his grandchildren were born. It went crazy when my mom's mom was sick and crossed. Every trip we took. Anything with his siblings and my mom's.  Every time someone was sick.  I've had some major medical issues with lots of surgery and treatment since, and it bloomed every time. Even when I bought my house. When my mom had to sell the family home (was my dad's dream home, too big for one), she moved the plant...and it didn't survive.  

So I want to get a single, open hibiscus flower, somewhere. Not too big (I'll let the artist guide me there).  It's so personal, I don't want it somewhere visible, at least when I'm wearing normal clothing, but somewhere I can see it when I need to without needing a mirror or something.  That's the last thing I have to decide. And stop having surgery. 

AddieCake

Here is mine. Sorry for the poor pic quality; the colors are much prettier in person. 

My mom loved butterflies and always wanted a butterfly tattoo but never got one for herself before she died. So I got it for her. 

mysticl

I've always wanted one but never got one.  I used to work for a plastic surgeon who did tattoo removals.  I saw a lot of people spend a lot of money because of buyers remorse.  I figure I will never regret not getting one but I might regret getting one.  

EarthToChelsea

I have a small bird on my hip (my first one, when I was 17), the bird from "To Kill a Mockingbird" on my foot along with the words "make yourself", "praise the Lord" written in Greek on my ribcage above a large grey bow for my best friend with brain cancer, a band logo from my favorite band (Coheed and Cambria) on my left calf, a small positive sign on the inside of my right ring finger and a half sleeve of poppies on my right arm.  

I'm basically covered, haha.

jennyleigh16

Jennycolada said:

Definition of "Chortle" on my inner left arm: it's my favorite word and I do it often. California on my right foot: "home is where the heart is." Peacock feather behind my left ear: my little take on the feather of truth from Egyptian mythology.

Just found this on buzzfeed.  #4. You @Jennycolada ?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/perfect-tattoos-for-word-nerds?sub=3209295_2876410

KytchynWitche

Both my tattoos are black ink only, and I will probably continue the trend.

My first tattoo was my interpretation of the symbol of the guarding dark, from Terry Pratchett's Thud!, which is my favourite book. It's about 7x7cm, on my back, just above my left shoulder blade.

The second tattoo I got over two sessions, not because it was big, bt because I only had one part of the reference with me. I'd been planning for a while, but actually getting it was spur of the moment. It's on the inside of my right forearm. First I got a bird silhouette, about 3x5cm, flying towards my elbow (about 10cm from it). Then I had 'but sing their hearts out for us' added as its 'flight trail'. So that's my second favourite book, To Kill a Mockingbird, done as well.

I have plans to complete my 'Top 3' with 'you have been the last dream of my soul' (A Tale of Two Cities), probably as a collarbone.

I also want to get 'Allons-y' in circular Gallifreyan on one of my ankles, a tree of some description on my left wrist, and I would really like to get something shoulder to elbow on my right arm, to cover a scar I have from being stabbed when I was younger. I want more birds as well...

PrincessOfHavoc

Upper back - my beloved bat wings. My mom drew them for me when she was dying. They have her doodles in them, including her favorite critters - a squirrel and cardinal. She refused to die until she saw the tattoo finished. I really wanted to not finish it to keep Mom, but she was exhausted. The night I showed her the newly healed finished tattoo was the night she died.

Under that is my astrological stars with a gray wash symbol.

Left side is the Democratic donkey with my DNC years below. Below that is "They were right. WELL DONE (family members who fought for voting rights of all citizens)!"

Left calf is Figment and K-9 snuggled together.

Left ankle is cogs and gears. DF drew that for me.

Right calf is a drawing from a murdered friend.

Right ankle is Calvin and Hobbes dancing.

I love each and every last one.

JennyColada

jenbaer16 said:

Jennycolada said:

Definition of "Chortle" on my inner left arm: it's my favorite word and I do it often. California on my right foot: "home is where the heart is." Peacock feather behind my left ear: my little take on the feather of truth from Egyptian mythology.

Just found this on buzzfeed.  #4. You @Jennycolada ?

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/perfect-tattoos-for-word-nerds?sub=3209295_2876410

@jenbaer16: Holy crap yes! Awesome!

ShallowSeas

I have 6 right now.  My first was a small, swirly heart behind my ear.  I also have an anchor and wave on my collarbone/shoulder. My best friend also got an anchor tattoo; it symbolizes our friendship. I have a skeleton key tattoo on my wrist that I drew because I collect skeleton keys. I have a raven on my inner bicep because I am a huge Edgar Allan Poe fan. I have a rosary on my back because I was raised Catholic and because it reminds me of my mother, and I have a compass on my shoulder/deltoid that I got after my divorce to symbolize my new direction in life. I don't have a pic of my rosary or the heart behind my ear...but here are the others.
(taken in a mirror)

buddysmom80

I only have three tattoos right now (I'm planning on getting a 4th this summer).

My first tattoo I got when I was 18 and lived in Tampa, FL. I always wanted a tattoo and had to wait until I was 18, so my roommate and I went to a tattoo parlor and got tattoos. I love whales and dolphins so I have a dolphin on my lower back first.

Second tattoo my friend at the time and I went to get. I always loved angel fish, so I have an angel fish tattoo between my shoulder blades.

Third tattoo I got a few years ago (2003 or 2004). It's a line from the book "The Handmaid's Tale" and it really spoke to me after going through a tough couple of years with some bad stuff/people in my life it's in black ink, across my lower back and it says: "Nolite te Bastardes Carborundorum" which means "don't let the bastards grind you down". Come to find out, this was a saying during WWII as well, so in a way, it's an nod towards my paternal grandfather who was a tough old WWII vet. 

wandajune6

You all have such amazing artwork! I'm so impressed! Thank you for sharing!

lightningsnow

I have the word Strength in script on the inside of my left wrist. I was extremely suicidal in high school and college. The thing that got me through it was my own personal strength that I didn't realize I had at the time. I also got it as a 25th birthday present to myself because I was sure I would never make it to that age. It took me a total of 7 years to get the courage to get it done.

I have plans for at least two more. One is the word Bubbles and my aunt's initials and her DOB and DOD to remember her by. It was originally going to go on the inside of my right wrist but I'm not sure it will look good with so much. The other is my and BF's birth flowers intertwined in a half sleeve on one of my shoulders/upper arms.

VulgarGirl

The first one I got (and still one of my favorites) is a dove on my shoulder. It's identical to the dove my mom and dad both have, and it's my middle name (which is why they have it). I was 14 when I got it. Yeah, you read that right. I convinced my dad to sign for me to get it and told him that yes mom did know about it. I mean, she knew I wanted it at least, so I wasn't totally lying. That was when it was decided that they would be checking in with each other a lot more. 

The second one I got at 16 (both parents in the know! mom signed this time) and it's an infinity symbol at the base of my neck. As it's crossing itself it says "create" because I wanted to be an artist.

Then there's my "I have a friend with a gun" tattoo. Inner wrist and says "Carpe Diem" and looks like crap. Everyone asks why I don't get it fixed or covered or something. It'd be an easy fix. Well its so when someone stomps there foot that we won't tattoo them because they aren't 18 and they say they'll just their friend who made their own gun to do it I can point at it say "And it's going to look this good if you're lucky. And if you're lucky you won't get hepatitis or HIV or any other blood born illness or an infection. If you're really really lucky". It's nice to have a visual. 

Right now I'm doing a pin-up girl tattoo of FI on my back. I've also got a 3/4 sleeve on one arm and a half sleeve on the other. The half sleeve is really cool, it's a music note background, and then has like silhouettes of people dancing in various styles. The other side is kind of a swirling look of various things I like. There's a cupcake, some day of dead things, stars, a Tardis, it's kind of chaotic but it looks awesome. And I can keep adding to it. I've got a few other tattoos, and more planned, but those are the major ones.

jdluvr06

The first one I have is on my foot. It is pink ballet slippers.

The second one is a Native American fairy with a cat that looks my my kitty that just passed away sitting on her lap. It is on my left calf

The third one is the word survivor in Sanskrit on my wrist,

The fourth one is the eye of Osiris on my shoulder.

The fifth is an Irish protection knot on my hip.

The sixth is a lily on my inner thigh with my dad's name on a black ribbon.

The seventh and my favorite is a big back piece. It is a tree with all the Alice in Wonderland characters scattered through out. In an arch over the tree it says "begin at the beginning, go on until you come to the end then stop". I love it but it is huge and it took multiple sittings but it was so worth it.

I'm at work so I don't have an pics to post. I'm already planning out my next one. I think it is going to be a pin up of a flapper girl with some sort of quote. I'm thinking of "though she be but little she is fierce". I have to wait until after the wedding though.

JCbride2015

I have always thought I wouldn't get one, because I'm generally a pretty conservative, traditional person (not politically, more like the way I dress and my career).  If I ever got one, I would get a green balloon.  When my beloved grandpa passed away, we released balloons at his funeral.  When my next birthday came around, a slightly deflated helium "Happy Birthday" balloon was floating in our front yard.  It was green, my favorite color.

For many years, my mom and I would find balloons floating in the yard on our birthday or other major events.  One time, my mom was driving on her birthday and a Happy Birthday balloon swooped down and landed on her windshield!

So if I ever get a tattoo, I think I'd get a little girl standing on her tiptoes, releasing a green balloon.  I'd get it on my ribs, probably.  

But I don't like to think about what if I ever gain weight or get really wrinkly?  I don't think I'd regret the tattoo design itself, but I'm not sure I'd want a wrinkly tattoo.

VulgarGirl

JCBride2014 said:

I have always thought I wouldn't get one, because I'm generally a pretty conservative, traditional person (not politically, more like the way I dress and my career).  If I ever got one, I would get a green balloon.  When my beloved grandpa passed away, we released balloons at his funeral.  When my next birthday came around, a slightly deflated helium "Happy Birthday" balloon was floating in our front yard.  It was green, my favorite color.

For many years, my mom and I would find balloons floating in the yard on our birthday or other major events.  One time, my mom was driving on her birthday and a Happy Birthday balloon swooped down and landed on her windshield!

So if I ever get a tattoo, I think I'd get a little girl standing on her tiptoes, releasing a green balloon.  I'd get it on my ribs, probably.  

But I don't like to think about what if I ever gain weight or get really wrinkly?  I don't think I'd regret the tattoo design itself, but I'm not sure I'd want a wrinkly tattoo.

I always tell people not to worry about how it will look when you get wrinkly. Yes, it will look different. But the reason you got it won't change. Though I will say, ribs, hurt like a fucking bitch. I've got a tiger on one side, I think it was my most painful one. And it's not even that big.

I look forward to get old with all my tattoos and looking at them and going "Oh yes, the stars on my feet, well I got those after having a dream about dancing in the stars.." I plan on having a lot of good stories in the nursing home.

lightningsnow

MagicInk said:

JCBride2014 said:

I have always thought I wouldn't get one, because I'm generally a pretty conservative, traditional person (not politically, more like the way I dress and my career).  If I ever got one, I would get a green balloon.  When my beloved grandpa passed away, we released balloons at his funeral.  When my next birthday came around, a slightly deflated helium "Happy Birthday" balloon was floating in our front yard.  It was green, my favorite color.

For many years, my mom and I would find balloons floating in the yard on our birthday or other major events.  One time, my mom was driving on her birthday and a Happy Birthday balloon swooped down and landed on her windshield!

So if I ever get a tattoo, I think I'd get a little girl standing on her tiptoes, releasing a green balloon.  I'd get it on my ribs, probably.  

But I don't like to think about what if I ever gain weight or get really wrinkly?  I don't think I'd regret the tattoo design itself, but I'm not sure I'd want a wrinkly tattoo.

I always tell people not to worry about how it will look when you get wrinkly. Yes, it will look different. But the reason you got it won't change. Though I will say, ribs, hurt like a fucking bitch. I've got a tiger on one side, I think it was my most painful one. And it's not even that big.

I look forward to get old with all my tattoos and looking at them and going "Oh yes, the stars on my feet, well I got those after having a dream about dancing in the stars.." I plan on having a lot of good stories in the nursing home.

If it's a first tattoo, I would probably not get it in this area as it said to be one of the most painful spots to get a tattoo. After your first tattoo though, they say that the pain isn't too bad, especially since most of it is in your head.

cupcait927

My second tattoo was on my ribs. I still remember that pain and it was almost 10 years ago. That being said, it was worth it.