Native American Scorpion

Saturday, May 28, 2011

 
Submitted by Grant.

The Beatles

Submitted by Katlyn N.

Warrior Tattoo on Chest

Warrior Tattoo on Chest by Adam Young

DESIGNS & SYMBOLS - FOO DOG - FU DOG

Friday, April 15, 2011

Foo Dog / Fu Dog Tattoos - Foo Dog, Lion Dog, and Celestial Dog are all names given to the creatures that guarded the Buddhist temples of the Far East more than two thousand years ago. Foo dog is also called the Lion of Buddha (the lion being sacred in Buddhism), and was seen as the protector of Buddhist Dharma. Where the Foo Dog appears in tattoo designs today, it combines both lion and dog features, and is likely to be spotted with claws out and teeth showing, stalking imaginary demons.

Foo Dogs most often came in pairs, positioned at the entrance to gateways and entrances, one on each side. The male appears on the right and the female on the left. Though they usually portrayed as sitting, their stance was alert and ready for action. They were were meant to appear, both figuratively and literally, as being 'on guard'. The male was depicted with its mouth open and one paw resting on a sphere, said to represent heaven and the Buddhist law (the 'flower of life'). The mouth of the female appeared closed, while her paw rested on a lion cub, representing the earth (or the 'cycle of life'). The symbology of the mouth varied. In Japan the open mouth indicated inhaling (life), and the closed mouth, exhaling (death). In other domains, the open mouth of the male symbolized the sacred sound Om.

Often depicted as fierce, the Foo Dog's face might occasionally appear mischievous or devilish, and sometimes the expression could even look serene. Some designs have both male and female holding a pearl in their jaws, while one or the other held a spear in its paw. This symbolized the tranquillity its presence would ensure by keeping away demon spirits from the place they guarded.
In ancient China, where artists may never have seen a real lion, they modeled their statues on the common dog, causing some confusion about its real identity. Whatever it looked liked, the Foo Dog, or lion dog, was seen as a fantastic creature with power to keep harm at bay.
Once the guardian at the gates of the aristocracy, the Foo Dog today appears guarding more modest abodes and is often called the Dog of Happiness. It is seen in pottery and paintings throughout the East and is enthusiastically imitated in the West.
As a tattoo design, the Foo Dog is often combined with the peony flower, and the Foo Dog itself represents the characteristics, strengths and virtues symbolized by the Lion. The Foo Dog symbolizes strength, authority, nobility of character, pride and justice and protection. It symbolizes guardianship - I will protect you and those ideals worth protecting.


Get inspired by some great images and photos in our Foo Dog Inspiration Gallery
See also: Lion of Buddha
Choose your own foo dog tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com. Find and buy the foo dog tattoo design that's perfect for yourself.
Choose your Foo Dog tattoo design from some of the world's best tattoo artists at TattooJohnny.com. Many choices & tattoo design ideas to buy.

Getting Tattoo Mural on Sleeve?

Friday, April 1, 2011

There are several considerations to make before getting a tattoo mural on sleeve. Tattoo murals are a collage of tattoos, some on top of the others. There are people who are addicted to getting tattoos and they spend many hours in tattoo parlors getting tattoo murals.

People go for tattoo murals because they are very striking to look at. They are elaborate and complex and you need to study them carefully to understand what they mean. You can get tattoo murals in the same style or in different styles.

People go for murals in different styles when they have several styles they like and murals are the only way to incorporate them into one design. Some people get tattoo murals to tell a story. The representation of symbolism that murals achieve cannot be achieved by a single tattoo. However, the tattoo mural has to be done properly. If not, no one will understand what it is saying. People get tattoo murals because no two murals are the same. Having a tattoo mural says a lot about your character and it says that you are not afraid to be different.

Tattoo murals are achieved after many visits to the tattoo parlor. In most cases, you will not even know the mural will look like because new designs are added as time passes. This means each tattoo mural has a story behind it. The murals attract a lot of attention as people try to decipher what they mean. There are several places where a tattoo mural is drawn. These include the whole back, the sleeves, and the legs. The tattoos that are inked on the arm are called tattoo sleeves. When getting a tattoo mural on sleeve, there are several things to consider.

You should consider the design flow. The tattoo mural on sleeve will be a product of different tattoos and you need to know how the best designs for the sleeve. Note that what works for the back and other parts of the body will not work for the arm since the surface area is different. Some symbols and designs are better on sleeves than others. The most common symbols on tattoo sleeves are tribal designs, names, animals, zodiac symbols, and religious symbols. The most difficult thing in the design of these tattoos is deciding how the symbols will fit together.

Another important consideration is the variety of colors you will use. Since you will have many tattoos meshed into one, you should pick colors that will not crush with each other, just like in a painting. Finally, another important consideration is your commitment level. Tattoo murals take years to complete and you should therefore be willing to spend many hours in the tattoo parlor and you must be prepared for the pain. A tattoo mural on sleeve will cost you a substantial amount of money since a simple tiny tattoo goes for as much as $50 and so you should be prepared for this. Pick the right tattoo mural on sleeve because removing a tattoo is painful and costly.

5 Golden Rules on Choosing Your First Tattoo

Choosing first tattoo is a very serious affair and you need to think with a clear mind what you are going to ink on your body. We have heard of many people who have acted on impulse, walking into any parlor and choosing the first design that took their fancy. Well, let me assure you, that you will have regrets later. Tattooing is a permanent modification of your skin and you have to follow the five golden rules while choosing first tattoo.

Golden Rule One: Do not ever make the mistake of inking your partner’s name on your body. There can be no bigger folly than that. Let us hope that with God’s grace a marriage or a partnership lasts forever, BUT if something goes awry than it is just not fair to ask your subsequent partner to put up with a tattoo which reminds him/her of your previous partner. Nor is it fair to you. So let us not be hypocrites and let us be more practical. Hence a little thinking before inking will help you in choosing first tattoo.

Golden Rule Two: If you plan to ink a tattoo with foreign language lettering, then be very careful. If you are sure of your decision then get someone who knows the language to help you. For example if you are trying for Chinese lettering, then find a tattoo artist who knows the language and double check with another translator. No, this is not “much ado about nothing”. Let me recite an experience. A lady who wanted the freedom symbol in Chinese did not get her lettering right and instead inked a tattoo symbol which meant “free”. Imagine what mortification you will face if something like this happens. So while choosing first tattoo do be extra careful while choosing foreign symbols or lettering.

Golden Rule Three: The reason for tattooing is as important as the tattoo itself. If you are just following a trend or if it is just a passing fancy, then you will do well to get a temporary tattoo. Temporary tattoos and Mehendi art are beautiful art work but fade with time. This helps you to have a tattoo and yet get a new one as often as you like. Permanent tattoos are a kind of life style and should be inked only if you like body modification. Tattoos are also a representation of your character and values.

Golden Rule Four: Choosing first tattoo should be done with care, patience and involvement. Do not allow anyone to influence you. Introspect on your qualities and what you want the tattoo to depict before choosing the right design, color and size of your tattoo.

Golden Rule Five: However much you are tempted to get a tattoo inked for free by your friend, restrain yourself. Tattooing is done by insertion of needles in your body and it has to be done hygienically and properly if the tattoo has to look good forever and for the safety of your skin. So while choosing first tattoo, make it a point to choose a good professional tattooist.

Sexy Female Tattoo Design Ideas

There are many female tattoo designs, but finding a female tattoo design that fits your specific requirements is difficult. Even if you consider different sources for ideas, it is hard to find something that suits your taste or personality. When looking for female tattoo design, do not settle for the first tattoo design you come across. There are many designs to choose from and if you search hard enough, you will find what you want. Tattoos are permanent and you do not want something you will hate the following morning.

You can look for ideas online. The internet is the best source of tattoo ideas because you get the ideas free of charge, it is convenient since you do not need to move around and because you can look at the tattoo ideas day or night, all year round, it is anonymous, and you get to compare many tattoo ideas from different parts of the world.

You should not been in a rush when looking for tattoo designs because there are many designs to choose from and because you may end up regretting your choice if you do not choose carefully. Removing a tattoo is very difficult and painful and you should get it right the first time.

You should not go for a female tattoo design just because it is popular – go for what you like. The best tattoos are unique tattoos that symbolize something and that are not easily misinterpreted. There are several popular tattoo designs you should consider. One of the most popular designs today is old sailor tattoos. Examples of these are readily available online.

The tattoo usually consist nautical symbols such as swallows, anchors, and other symbols. Although such tattoos were originally inked on men because they are considered to be masculine, women are finding unique ways to implement them fashionably, such as on their necks.

For those who want more feminine tattoo designs, heart and floral designs are very feminine. Note that most of the designs you will find in floral tattoo parlors are usually outdated and you should do the research online.

The designs on the internet are current and you can look at pictures to determine the most appropriate part of the body. Another popular design is Kenji tattoo art, which is Japanese. Kenji art, such as Koi fish, is not for everyone because the designs are intricate, meaning they need a large canvas such as the whole back. However, Kenji art can be incorporated into tattoo sleeves. The secret for success with a female tattoo design is to own the design. People will respect you when they see that your tattoo is unique.

A tattoo says a lot about your personality and having a common design says you are a copycat. To get a unique design, consider combining different styles, but do not overdo it. If you are having problems making a tattoo design your own, pick the design you like and have the tattoo artist make recommendations. You can come up with an original female tattoo design if you are bold enough.