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Ideas for Tattoos

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By relache


The #2 Tattoo Question

It's true. Questions about ideas for what to get for a tattoo always fall second to the inevitable "does it hurt?" Yes, tattooing hurts.

Now, how do you choose what to get tattooed? This is a much more interesting question as every single person will take their own path and methods for picking what design to have etched into their skin. In the almost 20 years that I've been a tattooed person now, the best answer I've found for that is "whatever the answer is, it's best when it comes from something inside you, not something outside of you."

I believe if you think carefully about what you are really commemorating and think about yourself as a person, you can successfully pick a tattoo design that you can live with happily the rest of your life.

One of the keys to this is, if you have any doubts about any part of the tattooing process or your tattoo design at all, wait and don't do it yet.

If you have any doubts about if you'll still like it years from now, if a certain person might see it and freak out or get angry, what it might make co-workers or friends think about you, if you have ANY of those doubts, I really suggest you wait for a while and then think about if you're ready to get a tattoo later.


My friend's arm - a collection that grew over the years.
My friend's arm - a collection that grew over the years.

Juliet Wants Tattoos - this is sooo cute!

Tattoos in the News

  • Michael Jackson Balding, Incredibly Thin and Had Tattooed Facial Features - FOXNews

    Los Angeles Times Michael Jackson Balding, Incredibly Thin and Had Tattooed Facial Features FOXNews Jackson hair line was tattooed on, as were other facial features. “There is a dark skin discoloration resembling a tattoo on the anterior half of the scalp. ... Shocking Michael Jackson autopsy reports entire face was tattooed on - Video ...Gather.com Michael Jackson Autopsy Report Indicate Vitiligo as Cause for Skin Whitening ...Gaea Times (blog) Jackson Suffered from Skin Disease, Wore a WigTheWrap Times of India all 276 news articles » - 18 hours ago

  • Rebecca Koster's Killer Cut Out Her Tattoo Then Sent Taunting Texts to Family ... - CBS News (blog)

    Long Island Press Rebecca Koster's Killer Cut Out Her Tattoo Then Sent Taunting Texts to Family ... CBS News (blog) NEW YORK (CBS) Prosecutors in Long Island, NY allege that Evans Ganthier cut off Rebecca Koster's fingers, toes, hair and a tattoo on her back to hide her ... Prosecutor: Man mutilated Medford woman to prevent IDNewsday (subscription) all 24 news articles » - 9 minutes ago

  • Man shot to death near Conn. tattoo parlor - Boston Herald

    Man shot to death near Conn. tattoo parlor Boston Herald Hamden police say a 64-year-old man was shot to death outside a tattoo parlor he apparently owns. Authorities say Joe Ferraiolo was shot in the head shortly ... and more » - 2 hours ago

  • Tattoos: sexy or poxy? - Sydney Morning Herald

    Tattoos: sexy or poxy? Sydney Morning Herald When does a tattoo go from turn-on to turn-off? Sexy sigil to tramp stamp? If you're stuck for a gift idea this Valentine's Day and you're thinking about ... Once cool, Milady's tattoo tells a very different story todaySydney Morning Herald all 12 news articles » - 14 hours ago

  • Tattoo culture grows, thrives in Erie County - GoErie.com

    Tattoo culture grows, thrives in Erie County GoErie.com Although the tattoos inked across Paul Grabinski's arms are only skin deep, each one has layers of meaning. The elegantly scripted word ... Sluggish Economy Has Local Tattoo Shops Finding Ways to Bring Customers InWSAW all 2 news articles » - 9 hours ago



One of the most common coat of arms - the Smith family
One of the most common coat of arms - the Smith family

Tattoo Design Books

500 Tattoo Designs 500 Tattoo Designs
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Great Book of Tattoo Designs: More than 500 Body Art Designs Great Book of Tattoo Designs: More than 500 Body Art Designs
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Mitch O'connell: Tattoos Mitch O'connell: Tattoos
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Modern Tribal Tattoo Designs Modern Tribal Tattoo Designs
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Popular Personal Tattoo Design Ideas

Many people choose to make their tattoo be about themselves or their immediate family. This is a pretty good choice, as having something that will remain significant or relevant to you for your entire life is often a good element of a tattoo design.

The one tattoo "taboo" is to get the name of a partner or lover. I mean, sure people do it all the time. However from all the people I've talked to in the last 20 years, and everything I've read about the subject of "name tattoos," that is the one area where tattoos very quickly go wrong. Names of parents, children, grandchildren, family surnames, and even your own name all seem to be things people can live with. But a person who is not related by blood whom you fall in love with seems to be the one name or image which is doomed to become hated or removed. So just don't go there...

Think about:

  • Family crests or emblems

  • Favorite flowers, animals

  • Prayers or blessings of personal significance

  • Images of pets or children

  • Symbols of religious faith

  • Sports logs or colors

  • Emblems of ethnic heritage or ancestry



tattoos from the summer of 1989
tattoos from the summer of 1989

I got tattooed with a boyfriend and lived with the tattoo happily ever after!

It's true. Once-upon-a-time in the summer of 1989 at writing workshop in the Midwest called Clarion, a young college graduate from CA fell in love with an intense writer from NY, and they got tattooed together.

We got tattooed on what also happened to be Bastille Day that year. It was his first tattoo... and my third. In fact, it was exactly five months to the day after my second tattoo... which also happened to take place five months to the day after my first one.

We got a Mayan phonetic glyph. We wanted something that encapsulated the writing workshop experience as well as our relationship without necessarily being specific to one or the other. Our glyph came from Mayan blood ritual carvings, and means "to know, feel and remember."

In case you were wondering, that man and I are long-since broken-up. In fact, it's now been twenty years since I got that tattoo. And I'm still very happy with what it represents and means to me.


How Did You Come Up With Your Tattoo Idea(s)?

RSS for comments on this Hub

shareitt  says:
3 weeks ago

tats tell some amazing stories, thanks for the information and art ideas!

David Harvey profile image

David Harvey  says:
5 weeks ago

I live in Sydney Australia, and most young guys and women too have tattoos of some sort or another. I see a lot of tribal tattoos on Pacific Islanders, Fijians, Samoans and Maoris. But a lot of white guys think its cool to have similar tattoos - mostly on their arms or on their legs just below the knee. Most Japanese Yakuza gang tatts are hidden under their shirts... but then you can look for missing pinky fingers to identify some of them. That's their way of saying 'sorry' when they have offended the boss. Ouch!

ear gauges profile image

ear gauges  says:
4 months ago

love tats

heber  says:
4 months ago

hey i have an idea of a tatto this is a skull wearing this mexican mm m i dont know the name of it but its something warrior wear on top of their heads with feathers kind of like a hat

medarj profile image

medarj  says:
7 months ago

Yes i like tattoos !!

jyotsna  says:
7 months ago

very nice designs

relache profile image

relache  says:
7 months ago

chweet, I always tell people who feel like you do that I don't think they are ready to get tattooed yet. Remember, you have your entire lifetime, there's nothing wrong with waiting.

chweet profile image

chweet  says:
7 months ago

I have always wanted to get a tattoo but am afraid of the pain or worse, i fear i may regret getting it. LOL

MrCoote123 profile image

MrCoote123  says:
9 months ago

Great hub!

Google Biz Kit  says:
9 months ago

always wanted to get one just can never make up my mind, the thing is so permanent that I dont think I'll ever be able to but who knws, great page.

station74 profile image

station74  says:
10 months ago

I really got a good feel about tattoo's, and thanks to your informative hub page Iam looking at getting my first.

AndyBaker profile image

AndyBaker  says:
10 months ago

Great pic at the top of your friends arm!

Mohammed  says:
18 months ago

i appreciate for your nice discusion.

relache profile image

relache  says:
2 years ago

That's really your choice, firetown, and shouldn't be based on someone else's decision. Only you can tell what's appropriate for your own life.

firetown profile image

firetown  says:
2 years ago

I have no tats, where do you recommend my first one?

Dog Obedience Tra profile image

Dog Obedience Tra  says:
2 years ago

I got my first 3 tattoos as a young soldier long before they became a social favourite for everybody.

I had a few more as I grew older and would still be happy to apply more tattoos. The stigma that used to exist is long gone and that's great for everybody.

"I say have a tattoo wherever you feel you want to". Have what you like and never be shy to show them off. They say something about your personality and that is a good honest way to express yourself.

Thank you for allowing views from fellow tattoo wearers! Wishing you great success.

John From Dog Obedience Training

rmr profile image

rmr  says:
2 years ago

Great hub relache. I Have one tattoo for each job that I have held for one year or more. That's 7 at this point. Plus one taboo tat. Yup, I got my wife's name tattooed on my chest, but only after 12 years of marriage and two kids. Tattoos are addictive, and now you have put the idea in my head that I need another one!

relache profile image

relache  says:
2 years ago

I suggest you go back and read, and look at the picture, as I've told the whole story.

Sending online flower  says:
2 years ago

Tattooed with your boyfriend? How?

bloggerjb profile image

bloggerjb  says:
2 years ago

sweet. thank you. i like tattoos b ut coming up with an idea is the toughest part.

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