A positive tattoo question for all you inked up out there!?

Question

There seems to be a bit of a downer on here regarding tattoos, yet I've noticed that many of you have tattoos!

Those of you with tattoos ~ What made you get your first tattoo? Do any of your tattoos have a special meaning? Do you regret any of your tattoos?
For those of you who hate tattoos, feel free to air your feelings, wouldn't want you to think that I was bias!

Answer 1

I am tattooed and have never regretted it. I put a lot of thought into what I wanted and where I wanted and tried to perceive how I would feel about it years from now. I also spent a good bit of time deciding which artist I wanted to work on me.

Most of the time I keep my ink covered, not out of shame, but simply because it is a part of me and not everyone needs to know.

I think the worst thing to happen to the art of tattooing is the popularity it has suffered in the last decade. There is so much dross out there now. Barely trained tattooists with crappy equipment scratching out poor quality, redundent, generic flash with no mind to musculature or artistic integrity. I realize poor quality work has always existed, but now it just seems to stare at me anywhere I go. And also there is the fake, heavy handed "meanings" people have fabricated for their tattoos is wearying. I am not saying that symbols don't have meanings or that tattoos are without meaning. I just find it lacking when folks get things tattooed in languages they can't read, or associated with cultures that they have no connection to.

It used to be a sort of fascinating artistic sub-culture, but these folks have turned it into another fashion cliche.

But yeah, I still like my tattoos and will most likely get another.

Answer 2

Well I do not have any tattoos (yet) and I LOVE them. I think they are beautiful and many are great works of art. I mean not only is it art it is a symbol for your own self expression. I am planning on getting my 1st tattoo soon. I have wanted a tattoo for the longest time but I am very picky about what I want and who the artist will be. What I want is going to be in the center of my back. I want a tree of life with a Celtic band all the way around it and then have flames coming off of that to resemble a sun and four sun points will be longer than the rest which will represent the four directions ya know North South East West. I want it to look similar to a compass with the tree of life in the center. The tree of life to me means that we are all connected and that life continues after death... and the sun is the giver of life and I want the sun to some what resemble a compass so I never loose my way.
I know it is probably hard to imagine... but this is something that I have wanted sense I was 14. I am now 22. Take care.


Its not body mutilation its body modification

Answer 3

I have a couple of tattoos; one on my front hip, which is very small, and one on my backside, which is larger and actually constitutes three tattoos, including my name.

I got them when I was about 20 - 21 years ago. They are still pretty and very colorful, but I do sort of regret having gotten them, only because they show through white clothes. Really the only people who have ever seen them are doctors and lovers!

I do also have to explain to my three daughters why it was okay for me to get a tattoo and not for them to get one.

My only real advice for a woman getting a tattoo is to get one somewhere where you CAN cover it up if need be. Believe me, there is still prejudice about tattoos in mainstream society and it DOES make it harder to get and progress in the job you may want.

My last word is that I got my tattoos BEFORE there was the fear of HIV transmission. I don't know if I would do it now, with all of the blood-borne pathogens out there - even IF everything is "sterile."

Answer 4

Getting tattooed is both very personal and at the same time, impersonal. For most people, their first tattoo has some kind of meaning, but very often after the first three of four tattoos, they cease to be so laden with meaning, and simply become images the person likes, or wants to get, or maybe are a speciality of a certain artist.

My first tattoo has special meanin gonly because my boyfriend did it, other than that, its just a pretty image.

Answer 5

I always said I wouldn't get a tattoo because it would look hideous when I was older and wrinkly.

Then I went on holiday with my best friend, got a little tipsy, and wanting to capture the moment I said "F**k it! Let's get tattoos!"

OK so it wasn't anything daring- a little purple star just above my hip, which I can show off if in hipster jeans or hide if I need to. It doesn't really have any meaning, except that purple is my favourite colour and I'm constantly doodling stars... but I'll always look at it and remember being 23 and having a brilliant time with my best friend. So even when I'm old, gravity has hit me and it looks like crap, I'll be grateful for the reminder that it's still me underneath!!

Answer 6

I don't have a tattoo yet but have been considering getting one for ages it's just getting up the guts to get it done!
I keep getting drawn to the same one everytime I go and look but worry that I might regret it. It'd be on my lower back and would have my kids initials and my hubby's name in Japanese within it. I love the idea as they are my life but so many people say negative things to me about it, when I really need someone to encourage me to go do it!!
People say how would you feel at 70 having a tattoo but surely I would still be the same person inside that I am now and I wouldn't look stupid with it cos don't reckon I'm gonna be getting my kit off that much at that age so the on;y people who would see it would be me and the hubby. And surely so many other people of our generation would have one that it would simply be the norm.
I think I should have it done for me and me only, so should I do it?!!!

Answer 7

I was 20 when i had my first son and i got my first tattoo it's a rose w/heart and has banners with all the name and my other tattoo is of an eagle w/flag and it that to honor all the soldiers in my life and for all who have and are fighting for this country.... and no i don't nor will ever regret getting them because i will always be "mom" and an American

Answer 8

I got my 1st tatt at 18 and i loved it. For me it's a way of releasing all the negative vibes that build up in my body. But I seem to have a lot of them LOL. I didn't want to be sleeved or anything. so i moved on to piercings as well. Now my tatt's i do have all mean something to me. I have a Sacred heart with a bar of music around it. and the tragedy and comedy faces dancing in the fire.
I also have a tribal butterfly. I got that with the 3 girls i grew up with and still know today. I have two Bear paw prints. I like Bears. And of course i have my zodiac sign. Now my piercings well i have several under my clothes. Then i have my nose. My tregus, both cartilage. My nipples and some few others. All in all, Pain is a great release for me.

Answer 9

for me, i decided i wanted a tattoo when i was 18. i decided that i wanted a lizard in a maori style. to be sure, i waited 9 years before having it!! mainly because i didnt know where to have it done, and also because i wanted to know that my design idea wasnt going to change and leave me disappointed if i'd had it inked straight away. there was no particular reason for the design i wanted, other than i designed it myself, liked it alot, and i feel tattoo's help individuality and self expression.
i had another tattoo a couple of months ago, of an ancient fertility character called 'kokopelli'. i decided on this one over a couple of months - it turns out that i have some big fertility issues, and havent been able to get pregnant for a long time, so for me this was a way to always remind me (even for when ive had a kid!) of how much i fought for it, how strong i was etc. kind of an affirmation thing. this one is on the inside of my forearm. i chose this place because i wanted to be able to see it alot without struggling and looking in mirrors etc, i wanted others to see it and have it make them think, and i think it looks cool.

i dont regret either tattoo - i nearly did, after the forearm one - i liked it, but it was kinda in my face for a week. after id chilled out a bit, it was fine. and i dont regret it at all now.

Answer 10

I got my first tatoo when i was on holiday in America. It is a shark on the top part of my left arm. The reson why i got this was whilst i was out there i had the amazing opportunity to swim with sharks (or just be in a cage under water with them!).

I was so overwhelmed by this experiance that I felt compelled to have the memory with me for the rest of my life. That was 3 years ago and now I hate - it looks cheap and tacky!! I hardly ever take my top off and have to wear sleeves all the time to cover it up! At the time I thought it looked great but now I really regret having it done!