Do tattoo's have to have a purpose or reason behind them? Do yours?

Question

wow 10 answers in 10 min's whoot go me!
But really I was just wondering what other people think, I do like reasons, or as one persons answered, it is nice to have some sort of story to go with them.

I have 7ish! I say 7ish because 4 of them make up the one on my back. All 4 parts could stand alone but we (Rebel & Tim the two who have done them fro me) have put them all together to tell the story of my life. So needless to say it's far from finished.

The other three have story's behind them. But don't really 100% fit in "My life story" (Argured for the banner Timmy wants to put somewhere on my back)

Answer 1

I only have one so far and it has a reason. I've taken some serious hype for getting a Kanji and having no Japanese in me but oh well. It's for my great gram who passed on years ago and it best suits me. I think tattoos should have a special meaning because then you have the reminder to why you got it and are less likely to hate it later on in your life. One of my friends has three butterflies on her shoulder symbolizing her and her two sisters. The biggest is for the oldest, Amanda and the smallest is for the baby of the girls, Timmie. They are all really close to each other and it's awesome. I want more, they will be for kids in the future, a personal promise that I want to transfer to a constant visible (at times) reminder and maybe cover a scar some time down the road. That one is a major maybe though.

Answer 2

Lots of people get tattoo's because they are a way of symbolizing something like where or what they've done or been through (death or drug use) or people get them so that they will always remember someone (like a friend or a relative, or someone who has passed away).
You don't need a reason to get a tattoo though! If you really like a design or something then you should get it. Some people get tattoo's just to prove that they are brave, and having a tattoo helps them to remember this.
Also, people get tattoo's to look tough (especially guys lol).
But you always have to remember when getting a tattoo that it will be there for the rest of your life!
I personally don't have any tattoo's, but I plan on getting a few when I am older, and they really aren't going to have a reason behind them I don't think, unless I get one that celebrates a family member.
I watch Miami Ink or Inked alot. Those are pretty cool shows about tattoo's and tattoo artists, so if you are thinking about getting a tattoo you might want to watch the show some day and see what other people are getting.

I hope this helps you out.

Answer 3

I have three. The first two I got because I liked them - "flash" from a wall as someone said. I guess with the first one, I wasn't going for deep meaning, I was just glad that I was getting a tattoo after dreaming about it as a young girl (I thought I MIGHT be able to get away with my SSN on the bottom of my foot or something...). The last one I got, for my 30th birthday, my sister and I - who share the same first initial - got matching tattoos. That is the one I like the best! When I find the perfect sun and moon, I will get another tattoo with my children's names and birthdates because they are my sun and moon.

Answer 4

Mine have meaning and NONE of them are flash off of a wall. I have 7 and they all represent something personnal to me and only one can be seen when wearing shorts and a T-shirt (important point people) Those that get one 'just because' and pick something off a pic on the wall, don't make sense to me. Remember everything is cool when you are 18 or 19 and not so 'cool' when you are older and have some half *** Tat on your neck -

SIDE NOTE - I have one under each arm pitt - as in I had to shave both my arm pits to have them done - a Scarab under the left and a scorpian under the right. Yes they do have meaning.

Answer 5

I don't think they have to have a purpose or reason, but I do think it's important to really think out what you choose before you have it inked on. A tattoo on a whim is likely to be a regret at a later date.

I wanted one for years but never saw one that I liked enough to get. Then a few years ago, I created my own, talked to an artist to make sure it would look good as a tatt, then had it done.

It represents my parents & siblings; it reminds me to dream big & stay balanced. :o )

I'd like to get another one, but I'm still looking for the 'right' one.

Answer 6

some people don't use purpose or reasoning in their tattoos, but i happen to have lots of reasons for my first tattoos (that i haven't gotten yet because i'm 17 and it's not legal until you're 18 in california). i want white tiger stripes because i love cats, and white tigers are my favorite. i want a ring tattoo when i get married (which would have enough meaning behind it alone), flag tattoos to represent my culture, and i want to get and portrait of an original art piece by my boyfriend on my back of either a fallen angel, angels and demons fighting, hell, or a possessed forest.

Answer 7

They don't necessarily have to have a meaning, two of mine really don't. They were the first two that I got, kind of 'starter' tattoos. But they are pretty. My third one is of the holy spirit dove with my dad and husband's initials around it on my left shoulder blade - by far my favorite. My next one will be my son's footprint on my right shoulder blade, but that won't be for a little while!

Answer 8

No they don't HAVE to mean something but when someone starts a conversation about it, its nice to have an answer. I personally have a tiger on my mid back and the eyes are a symbol of green and blue for my boyfriend and my eyes and since it will be there forever i will always remember him and when and why i got it... His eyes are mesmerizing and even if he doesnt last forever his memory will.

Answer 9

Yeah my daughter challenged me to get a tattoo. But I didn't want to go for any of the ones out of the multitude of books. I drew a character out of the book of fairies and then the tattoo artist made a stencil and then drew it on my arm. I have had many comments over the years. I like to be unique and my flying frog seems to have hit the spot. I think next will be a ghecko on the other arm just to balance me out and of course I will draw it myself. Not one out of the books.

Answer 10

No, they don't, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with getting a tattoo that doesn't have any meaning behind it. If you like the design, and are sure you're always gonna like it, go for it. As long as you're mature about it.
Just plain getting a tattoo that represents something you like or enjoy is fine too!