The Interpretation of Tattoos

You’ve finally decided upon the tattoo design you want to get. You’ve worked up the courage to go to the tattoo parlor. Forgotten anything? You might want to look into the implications behind your chosen image. It may be beautiful, but what does it mean? The interpretation of tattoos is not an exact science but here are a few widely held associations.

Butterfly Tattoos – The butterfly is linked with the soul in some cultures and butterfly tattoos signify happiness, freedom, fragility, metamorphosis, and beauty.   Many females choose to wear a butterfly tattoo.

Lotus Flower Tattoos – In Buddhism and Hinduism, the lotus flower is a symbol of spiritual awakening. A lotus tattoo is considered by many tattoo enthusiasts to signify life in general and represent the primal struggle of life as demonstrated by the lotus as it emerges through the mud and grows into a thing of great beauty. In turn, this tattoo symbolizes the transformation of a person as he grows into something more spiritually beautiful.

Japanese Koi Fish Tattoos – The Koi symbolizes individualism and strength. The Koi is often complimented with peonies or lotus flowers since those flowers are popular among Japanese tattoo artists.

Dolphin Tattoos – Dolphins are another popular choice in tattoos for the ladies. Dolphins have traditionally been associated with the divine and matters of a spiritual nature.

Dragon Tattoos – In this instance, the interpretation of tattoos will vary according to culture. Dragon tattoos are very popular and symbolize different things to different people in different cultures. In Japan a dragon symbolizes supernatural power, hidden wisdom, and great strength. Old legends say the only way to pass by a dragon is to answer its riddles.

Tiger Tattoos – Tiger tattoos are very beautiful because of their distinctive color. Chinese tiger tattoos are popular choices and are often coupled with dragons; they signify strength and beauty.

Star Tattoos – Star tattoos can have several meanings. A shooting star could symbolize a brief but wondrous moment in one’s life much like catching a magical fleeting glimpse of a star racing across the night sky. A star could also express the wish to be a star, or signify one is seeking his ultimate destiny.

Sun Tattoos – A powerful symbol among all cultures both ancient and modern, the sun symbolizes the ultimate life force and giver of life itself. A sun tattoo is often paired with a tattoo of the moon. This duo is rich in meaning and usually symbolizes the dual nature of life and the interplay of opposites such as Ying and Yang, hot and cold, male and female. The moon and the sun both nourish and sustain our lives in crucial but different ways.

Zodiac Tattoos – Zodiac tattoos are popular and a good choice as a first tattoo. These tattoos can be in the form of a standard zodiac sign or personalized according to individual taste. Their meaning is straightforward and taken from the ancient zodiac itself so there is little room for misunderstanding the interpretation of tattoos when it comes to these zodiac symbols.

The Meaning Of Tattoos – Understanding The Meaning of Tattoos

People who choose to adorn their bodies with tattoos generally have a strong self identity and aren’t afraid to show the world who they are. Unfortunately, many people tend to think negatively towards people with a lot of tattoos without understanding the meaning of tattoos. The truth is, they are just like any one else. Tattoo wearers are often misjudged simply because they have an outwardly visible sign which lets the world know what they are about.

Those who rush to conclusions about the meaning behind wearing tattoos may associate tattoos with prison and criminals. That is certainly not always the case as tattoos are often just an expression of beauty and freedom. But whether the tattoo signifies loyalty to a clan, homage to a departed loved one, or symbolizes a certain belief, there is always a meaning behind the tattoo.

Even psychologists who study people with tattoos have a hard time understanding their frame of mind. Understanding the desire for tattoos from a psychological standpoint isn’t easy and helps to explain why people often just choose to associate tattoos with criminals. While it is indeed true that many criminals get tattoos, it is also true that there are many people who are not criminals who choose to get tattoos. While they might look like criminals to some people, in fact they are some of the nicest people you could hope to meet. Tattoos are worn by people of all ages and males and females alike.

The meaning of tattoos should only matter to those who get them. To try and understand the psychology behind it is pointless. Those who choose to wear tattoos do so for a specific reason or they wouldn’t go through the painful process of permanently marking their bodies. The real reason is only known by the person getting the tattoo and everyone else is left to appreciate the beauty of the tattoo and to contemplate the meaning behind it.

Tattoos have been part of human society for as long as mankind has existed, however tattoos are much more popular today than in the past. No matter where you go, you are sure to see someone with a tattoo. That certainly doesn’t mean criminals are taking over society or everyone is following a fad. Over the years more and more people have opted to express their individuality with tattoos as they have become less taboo in modern society.

Tattoos can tell you a lot about a person and his past. Some tattoos might even be scary looking, but as you ponder the meaning of tattoos, keep in mind the person may have gotten a particular tattoo several years ago and no longer has the same beliefs. Tattoos are for life though and if nothing else are a reminder of the person’s past.

Tattoo Risks And How To Avoid Them

The majority of tattoos are applied with no adverse complications whatsoever. That does not mean getting a tattoo is risk free. Even though a tattoo artist may tell you having the procedure is totally safe, you should make sure you are aware of potential tattoo risks so you make an informed decision. Sometimes complications do arise. You can minimize your risks by becoming aware of what they are and how to avoid them.

Infection is the most serious complication which can arise from getting a tattoo. Infection is usually caused by unsanitary equipment, conditions, or procedures. The equipment must be properly disinfected in between uses, and sterile or disposable needles used. The shop must be clean also. With customers in and out all day, the shop can get dirty and grimy in no time so it must be cleaned at least on a daily basis. If the tattoo artist does not clean the work area or uses a dirty tattoo gun you could get a serious skin infection.

If you see swelling around your new tattoo or excessive redness, you should see your doctor as soon as possible to find out if you have acquired a skin infection. If the infection is caught early while still mild, it can probably be treated with medication. When a tattoo becomes severely infected, hospitalization may become necessary. It is possible the tattoo and infected skin area will need to be removed with a surgical procedure which has a risk of complications too.

If your doctor determines tattoo removal is required, it could be done as an out patient procedure or it might require a short hospital stay. Your doctor will consider many factors such as your overall health and severity of the infection before considering surgery, but generally tattoo removal is a simple procedure which is followed with medications to clear up the remaining infection and control pain.

Health complications are the most serious tattoo risks, but there is another big risk too and that is how the tattoo will turn out when permanently affixed to your body. If the tattoo is not applied properly or if applied by an inexperienced artist, you may be very sorry you ever wanted a tattoo. Your tattoo will be with you for as long as you live, so the finished appearance is extremely important especially if it is in a very visible location on your body. Even if you get the tattoo surgically removed you will likely have a slight scar that may fade with time but will probably never go away.

To minimize the risk of complications, make sure you inspect the tattoo parlor for cleanliness. Ask the artist about the equipment he uses and how he sterilizes it. Hang out in the shop for awhile and observe his procedures to get a feel for how sanitary his practices are. If the parlor is clean and the equipment is sterile, your chance of picking up an infection is low.

Just like any other decision in life, there are pros and cons to consider. A tattoo is not something to get on the spur of the moment. Know why you want one and think about how you will feel about still having it later in life. Before marking your body permanently, make sure you are doing it for you because it is something you really want. Don’t do it because someone else talks you into it. Understand the tattoo risks so you can protect yourself and minimize the chance for complications.