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Do your tatoos mean something?

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  • 26-07-2007 2:29pm
    #1
    Registered Users Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭


    I've always wanted to get a tatoo but I don't want to get one just for the sake of getting one. I would like to get one that meant something or represented my personality in some way.

    Is it the same for you guys? And how did you go about finding your tatoo?
    I know some do it for the love of the art and I repect that.
    Others get it because they think it looks cool which I personally find stupid.


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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 1,095 ✭✭✭Fantasy_Suicide


    Mine mean nothing other that 'Huh, I think that'd be cool'

    I like random. :)

    And it's not stupid. Mine all look mega awesome. And I love them. they are complete random things that I gave a week's thought into, tops and I have no regrets. And never will. I used to think the same thing, but, as you can see, I changed my mind. :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,640 ✭✭✭Gillie


    I have a picture of a Bull on one arm and a Scorpion on the other.
    People ask if its something to do with Starsigns but its not. Just repesents my personality.

    Also have my Wifes name done and will be getting by Daughter's name done also.


  • Registered Users Posts: 12,683 ✭✭✭✭Owen


    One of mine, the largest, means something to me. It means I shouldn't have drunk a coal bucket full of Whiskey in Bangkok at 2am and staggered into the Tattoo parlour at 4am. No recollection of it at all other than the photos on my phone.


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭jester77


    And it's not stupid. Mine all look mega awesome. And I love them. they are complete random things that I gave a week's thought into, tops and I have no regrets. And never will. I used to think the same thing, but, as you can see, I changed my mind. :)

    Well, the reason I think some are stupid is I've seen alot of people with tatoos just for the sake of looking cool. Over here every 2nd girl is going round with the "hairdresser tatoo", or that's how it translates. They all think it looks cool, but I find it doesn't. Although nothing comes close to a lad I know who got a Nike swoosh on his shoulder!

    You sound more like someone who appreciates it because of the art and like I said I respect that! I would love to get a sleeve but at the moment I don't know where to start but once I do I'll probably end up like you and getting lots of them, lol


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,183 ✭✭✭✭Will


    hairdresser tatoo:confused::confused::confused:
    like one at the base of your back or something?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 1,095 ✭✭✭Fantasy_Suicide


    Or on your shoulder, I assume.


    jester77 wrote:
    Well, the reason I think some are stupid is I've seen alot of people with tatoos just for the sake of looking cool. Over here every 2nd girl is going round with the "hairdresser tatoo", or that's how it translates. They all think it looks cool, but I find it doesn't. Although nothing comes close to a lad I know who got a Nike swoosh on his shoulder!

    You sound more like someone who appreciates it because of the art and like I said I respect that! I would love to get a sleeve but at the moment I don't know where to start but once I do I'll probably end up like you and getting lots of them, lol


    Yeah, that's true. i like the art side too. I guess you're right. I don't get inked to be 'cool' like alot of other idiots out there. 'I want a tattoo but I dunno wha' sorta job. I like my mods, so yeah. I guess it's the individuality side that drives me.

    My sleeve is gunna be a huge pokemon one, as soon as my boy gets drawing!! :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 11,264 ✭✭✭✭jester77


    Wilburt wrote:
    hairdresser tatoo:confused::confused::confused:
    like one at the base of your back or something?

    yep, that would be them. They all more or less look the same and are awful!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 81 ✭✭madson


    i have three and none of them have any real meaning.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 699 ✭✭✭aoife2k


    my 1st one is for my dad...the celtic tree of life...tree grows, leaves fall off die but help the tree to grow and the process starts over again...

    2nd one was a random thought one saturday mornin in derry. its a star and some people think i got it done cuz ya no, stars, emo, all that but it's not. got the idea from the star above the celtic crest on the jersey (which i'm passionate about) and friendship.


  • Registered Users Posts: 677 ✭✭✭The_Scary_Man


    All of mine bar the first one were done at periods in my life when I was going through some big change and they all reflect a new beginning for me.

    I have a celtic pheonix (re-birth) a large sun (aztec sacrificial symbol but also life giver), 'This Too Will Pass' in Arabic on my wrist (from a Sufi parable) and the one I'm getting next week (Woohoo!) which is a Sanskrit representation of the Ultimate Reality (Saccidananda).

    I'm planning on getting a lotus and a Tibetan Buddhist mantra up the side of my torso later on in the year, as soon as I can get the money together. This will represent my own efforts to be more compassionate to myself and others.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 8,382 ✭✭✭petes


    jester77 wrote:
    yep, that would be them. They all more or less look the same and are awful!


    Tramp stamp.

    I have two and neither mean anythiing to me. I just like them.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,698 ✭✭✭garthv


    It took me nearly two years to decide what tattoo I wanted. I was never a big fan of tattoos. I loved them on other people but never thought I would get one myself.

    Then I came across a chap by the name of Alex Gray. He does all the cover art and microcosm art for the majority of TooL albums and with me being a huge tool fan, I knew a piece of his work was for me.

    I love all his art pieces and I love TooL so I decided to go for a circle of eyes done by Alex. I havent looked back since!


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,326 ✭✭✭Zapp Brannigan


    My two mean something to me. I wouldn't get them otherwise.


  • Registered Users Posts: 550 ✭✭✭mcauley


    ned78 wrote:
    One of mine means I shouldn't have drunk a coal bucket full of Whiskey in Bangkok at 2am and staggered into the Tattoo parlour at 4am. No recollection of it at all other than the photos on my phone.

    Legend! :D


  • Registered Users Posts: 550 ✭✭✭mcauley


    To the OP, You may want to do some research into tattoo's before getting one for yourself....

    Learning how to spell the word would be a good start :)


  • Registered Users Posts: 128 ✭✭McFearless


    My First piece,on my leg wont really mean anything,its all polynesian.Ive never really thought of a tattoo as a representaion of some part of my like,who knows though,that could change.....


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,386 ✭✭✭Attol


    I was brought up on Led Zep. Ever since I was a kid I've been listening to em. In school I'd draw the 4 symbols all over my books and one year I spent hours drawing them out on an A4 page each. I had always thought I'd be too fickle to get a tattoo so dismissed them thinking I'd never find somethingl I'd like forever. After having way too much time on my hands I realised I love the Zoso symbol and decided to get that done. 2 days later it was on my shoulder. I've only had it 2 days now but I couldn't be happier with my decision. I think it suits me. There's no deeper meaning to it other than I love Led Zep and I think it's a funky design and that having too much time on your hands can lead to unexpected decisions.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭Crumble Froo


    since the age of about 12 ive had this almost obsession with stars, and spent about 6 years drawing them on copies, books, my hand, my wrist, dust... they kinda came to have meaning attached to them, i went through a pretty rough and ****ed up time during my teens and i used to draw three stars in a specific design, initially interlocking,but later with a sort of exact space and sense of fitting together, but not *quite*... perfection in their imperfection, they came to represent hope, happiness and the future. id said since about age 14 that id get them tattood on my left wrist one day, to remind me of the times id spent dreaming of something better, of a life i *could* have one day...

    so when i was 18 and moved out from home properly and could afford rent and bills nad **** (somewhat minimally, but that wasnt the point), i splashed out and got the tattoo. it's really significant to me, though most people wouldnt guess how much unless they asked (or knew me from the days when i was drawing them everywehre and would draw them after signing my name)...

    working on another huge lifechanging representative one at the mo, a polar bear, title of a song that represents a huge change in my life... when i learnt to have confidence in myself, to get past all the huge issues in my life and come through in one piece, that i had support in doing this... it's a song whose lyrics my (now) boyfriend used to post on a board we were on a lot, and it meant a lot to me, and picked me up a lot as id read the lyrics. as it happens, the first two verses i associate with that having faith in myself and that..and initially they were the important verses to me... and the third verse is a love type one.. love, longing to be with that certain someone, offering them help and support and freedom, and as my relationship developed with my guy, that verse became more important to me...

    so im getting the image of the title of the song tattoed onto me, with the first line of the first two verses (they both start on teh same line) written in an arch above the image in my handwriting, and the first line of the third verse written in my fella's handwriting :):cool:


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 16 robs666


    thats pretty cool!!! definately means something to you which is better than random pointless stuff...


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭Crumble Froo


    oh, and forgot to mention, will be getting second one done in nz, as im moving there to be with my fella pretty soon (see sig:D :D:D )


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  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭dazftw


    Ive 2 and they both meaning something! Ive been skateboarding about 6 years this summer and its just been something that I could always do and never get bored of and I dont plan on stopping!

    So my two tattoos are about skateboarding, I want to get more all to do with things in my life I love or have been doing a long time like photography or computers lol

    I lack drawing skills so its been awhile since my last one, if I could draw... jaysus lol :)

    Network with your people: https://www.builtinireland.ie/



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭Crumble Froo


    yeah, i wish so much i could draw the designs and stuffs in my head...

    that said, i think my wallet's happier that i cant...:rolleyes:


  • Registered Users Posts: 5,728 ✭✭✭dazftw


    narco wrote:
    yeah, i wish so much i could draw the designs and stuffs in my head...

    that said, i think my wallet's happier that i cant...:rolleyes:

    Yeah tattoos are expensive alright.. Then again you don't mind spending money on them :)

    Network with your people: https://www.builtinireland.ie/



  • Registered Users Posts: 8,196 ✭✭✭Crumble Froo


    speak for yourself. im living on 12c noodles, a pan of bread fora week and tea at the moment :(

    im horribly horribly broke and my nz fund, which includes money for my next tattoo is slowly dwindling away :(


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,766 ✭✭✭Reku


    My sleeve is gunna be a huge pokemon one, as soon as my boy gets drawing!! :)
    Well I doubt anyone would ever get a pokémon tattoo to seem cool so I think it's a safe bet that you have the sense to be your own person and not just one of the mindless masses.;)

    I've 5; 4 are symbols that I just know (kinda complicated and very long winded story) but are definitely me, 5th is a song lyric which just sums me up in a way I could never articulate.
    My family are only aware of some of them, but the simple fact that even my mum (of all people! She hates tattoos.) is actually ok with, & has even admitted to liking, the first two I got just confirms that it's not some tasteless piece of crap picked out of a book.
    Since they're all custom work I also don't have to worry about coming across someone with the same ones (since the last one was done in UV ink it's even less likely), or if I do at least I'll know that they probably didn't just pick it from a catalogue.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,000 ✭✭✭spinandscribble


    i always had a thing for stars. they reminded me of the better side of growing up, the carebears and even my twin sister whose name means star in turkish which i always found interesting. it just became a thing that reminded me im always a kid inside so i decided to get a star. it wasnt a flash even if it was a simple star but a zappy star is the only way of describing it. its on my foot which apart from being a place i find attractive, its also represents the amount of time i spent growing up with bare feet.

    my next tattoo i had planned was meant to be about my family, home and the luck we need. which was why i was going to have honeysuckle, swallows and a ladybug across my ribs. i had it all planned but have now decided not to since it was going to be very large and althought i love large statement pieces i dont think i'd be happy with it in 50 years.

    now i've had a henna tattoo on my wrist for a week and love the place so im thinking of getting a swallow there to represent home since i've have a tough few years with not feeling like anyways home anymore and dealing with depression for a year and i want to put it behind me with a constant reminder that "home" is me.


  • Registered Users Posts: 1,732 ✭✭✭rain on


    mine are mainly to do with family, friends and personal strength.. y'know all that trite stuff :)
    my grandfather was a semi-famous artist and my first tattoo was of a sculpture by him. my second was a matching one with my best friend, third was to celebrate surviving a really horrible phase in my life, fourth was a complementary piece to the second, and fifth is part of Shelley Jackson's Ineradicable Stain project. next one will most likely be to do with TS Eliot, and I might get another of my grandfather's pieces done too because it's his centenary this year.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 958 ✭✭✭porn_star


    two don't mean really have any specific meaning at all, but the thing I like about it is I can pretty much pin point and remember exactly what was going on around the time I got them, so in turn they have something attached to them that way.. but the actual tattoos themselves weren't done to have any specific meaning.
    The third one I have was designed with meaning and took a while, but was done for the whole art side of it aswell.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,057 ✭✭✭amazingemmet


    Just got reminded last time I replied to one of these threads I got Pm off some people wanting to interview me about my replies, Odd eh?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 30,123 ✭✭✭✭Star Lord


    My tattoo, and indeed my second one, both mean a lot to me, as the qualities associated with the creatures are reflective to me of what I've come through i the past, health wise and my life in general.


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