Tattoo Designs & Your First Tattoo: What's Right For You What To Avoid

That awesome Chinese character on your girlfriend's hip doesn't mean peace and love. Read on to avoid making the same mistake and having I love egg rolls permanently inked into your body.

There are so many different options when choosing a tattoo design, it's often overwhelming at first. You know you're ready to get your first tattoo. Fortunately for the current younger generations, getting a tattoo isn't as taboo as it used to be. You no longer have people staring at you like you're an old sailor or are fresh out of prison. In fact, tattoos have become quite socially acceptable - after all, all your friends have them, models have them, movie stars have them, rock stars have them.

Tattoos are a great way of self expression, but how do you stand out from everyone else's I love Sheila or I heart Mom tattoos? There's nothing better than a unique design, but a design that is still very meaningful to you, even though it might not be totally unique can be perfect. Why is it so important to have a unique design? Well, other than the fact that you'll have the ink permanently (important to remember at all times before deciding to get a tattoo - laser removal isn't perfect yet) it's always great to have a unique story.

?Here's an example - a friend of this author got one of those copy-and-paste ribal tattoos. He's pretty popular with the ladies, and the first thing they always ask is, Oh wow, this is really neat, what does it mean? So he has to sit there and explain that it doesn't really mean anything, he just thought it looked neat. Not very smooth.

A different friend has an amazing sleeve (two, actually), all the images intertwined and coalescing in a very artistic way. They were custom drawings, drawings from his favorite artists, and so on - whenever a person asks him why he got the tattoos or what the designs mean, he has great stories to tell.

So there's the difference between your run of the mill tattoo design, and a tattoo design that has plenty of meaning behind it. You've got that part down, so what should you avoid?

Well, unless you actually know a person that speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, or any other Asian language and can confirm the character you're having stamped on your butt doesn't say more ketchup please, the best advice is to just avoid that style of tattoo all together. In this author's opinion, it's no longer unique, it's very played out.

Don't be afraid when getting inked for the first time. It's not quite as painful as you might have heard. Some people even enjoy the experience. Just make sure it's not one that you'll regret - you'll have that tattoo design for quite a long while.

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on tattoo designs and tattoo pictures at http://www.tattoodesignparlor.com

Read More

The Adventures of Diogenes

Diogenes was by no means an ordinary chap. Not at all! He was a bit of a conservative philosopher, although with a sense of humor, and he was convinced that he had a calling, very much like the mission of the original Diogenes from the barrel. Had he lived during the Hellenistic period, he, no doubt, would have been noticed and, perhaps, celebrated. But now, in the 21st century, when common sense has been replaced with individual sense and universal values have been substituted with personal values, Diogenes was rejected as a misanthropist. Yet, his heart was full of love and compassion for fellow humans, but who would believe him?

During Christmas' week of 2005 he had visited London and spent a lot of time walking in areas like Soho, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. He wasn't interested in shopping. He couldn't afford much, anyway. But he was interested in studying people by looking at their faces, the way they dressed and the manner they spoke. He was stricken in particular by some youngsters' forky hairstyle - sometimes pink, sometimes yellow - and their profound body piercing. Oh, how did he wish that he could stand up in one of those crowded places and preach a sensible message to the masses! He envied some street evangelists who were fervently inviting people to be saved, bravely ignoring the mocking and the hostile glances of passers by.

So, how could he deliver his message - a critical view of body piercing? Well, where there is a will there is a way, the saying goes. And the best way of delivering his message would be through a certain discussion board in which he had been posting in the previous year under a different name. Besides, posting his view in a discussion forum was, at least, physically safe. He wouldn't be in danger of being beaten up, except verbally. So, upon his return to Bristol he got ready for preaching on the board.
Here is his first post:

Hello everybody and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

I have been thinking of making some new-year resolutions tonight, and one of these is about body piercing. To PIERCE or not to PIERCE???
This is the big question to which I am agonizing to give the right answer.
You see, I wear a ponytail and this usually goes well with earrings, at least half a dozen of them on each ear. Doesn't it?

But as I was contemplating about this, I thought, once my ears are pierced then my nose will get jealous and will want to be pierced, too. And then my eyebrows, my lips, and my tongue will expect to be pierced so as to not look out of fashion. Going further down on my body, I realized that my nipples should not be left out of fashion, neither should my navel. They, too, should be pierced!

Then I came to my very intimate parts at the top of my legs and, as I was tenderly touching them, I wondered if the ultimate fashion of piercing should reach them as well. Should I pierce my precious vital organ or not, I wondered... And if I did, would this make the penetration to narrow passages hard? Difficult question, isn't it?

Oh, just thinking about it felt as a nightmare! Was it the fear of pain that made me shivering? But, there again, 'no pain, no gain', I reckoned... Would the pain justify the gain? I wondered! 'I must be brave!' I said to myself. 'I should not be a coward! I must overcome this ugly fear, which tries to keep me out of fashion!' Perhaps, I thought, there might be some people in this board with a few holes in their bodies, who could encourage me to make this great new-year resolution.

Could anyone advise me: to pierce or not to pierce? And if I pierced, what pleasure shall I derive from it? Would I be happier? More acceptable by modern society, more fun to be with? What would I gain from going through this pain? A lot of serious questions that demand an answer... Is there anyone in this board who could answer all or, at least, some of these questions, please? And if you come back to me, could you please indicate under your name: 'pierced', or 'not pierced', accordingly? This way I will be able to evaluate your answers. Because it is different when the answer comes from experience than from observation or prejudice.

Oh, by the way, does any one know where this fashion came from? Which people, in which country, at what year the first brave pierced man or woman appeared?
Looking forward to your answers. Thanks!
Diogenes

The answers started pouring in immediately! Just as he had guessed, everybody took Diogenes' seriously and showed compassion. No one suspected the irony behind the questions. Here are excerpts from some of the postings:

CHARLES:
1st Piercing? Probably Neanderthals.
Go get your ears done, and take it from there... If you don't like it the holes will fill back in. I've got a pierce in each ear and always wear my gold or diamond studs...Navels are nice, but not for me... Yet, make sure a qualified person does the piercing and you follow their hygiene instructions, or serious infection can result. It has to be done in a completely sterilized fashion and then you need to apply antibacterial/fungal ointment everyday for several weeks and keep the ears sterile...
Good luck!

ZIZI:
I would start out slowly, with the ears. It can get to be too much real quick and you'll look like a freak! It also is not healthy for you to be trying to heal too many piercings at the same time. Make sure you go to a professional piercer and don't have them done with a gun at the mall. I have earings (one in left lobe, 2 in right lobe and one high in the right cartilage), a tiny diamond nose stud, and a quarter-sized tattoo on my ankle that I regret. Piercings at least are reversible as long as you're not stretching them out.

BOB:
Piercing? It is a case of personal freedom.
DO be aware that tongue piercing is very dangerous.
Best of luck, it's all about your personal freedom.

GAYMAN:
It's all personal preference - but do remember that excessive facial piercing can reduce your employment options. I've had several piercings and many of them have healed closed (mainly because I couldn't be bothered with them anymore) and now just keep an ear pierced. When you first get it done you have a feeling that everyone is staring at you (like an ear stud REALLY makes you stand out).
Tongue piercings or anything below the waist really hits my squeak buttons.
Oh, and while ears do not hurt, do not believe what they tell you about anywhere else. Like tattoos, they hurt.

By now Diogenes was fed up. Surprisingly, no one had stepped in to give the answer he was expecting. So, he decided to hit back with his previous alias, i.e. Marilou - a female poster of the Board:

MARILOU:
Diogenes, Welcome to this Board but, for goodness sake, can't you think of any other resolutions for the NEW YEAR that make more sense? Oh, you of poor COMMON SENSE! How embarrassing for your name to ask such silly questions... Haven't you ever thought that we owe our wonderfully made body a bit of respect? Who are those who bring all the silly and self-destructive fashions around, and what are they after? Of course they are shrewd people who know how to make money out of fools!

My advice is to leave your body in peace! Don't make any holes on it! And, excuse me to say, try to patch up some 'holes' in your mind! Sorry to disturb you on the first day of the New Year, but really someone has to wake you up... I am also disappointed with all those who kindly advised you as to how you should proceed in making holes in your precious body. Isn't there any sober man or woman in the Board to kindly warn you out of this? Or have some missed this stupid topic?

Happy New Year to you, Diogenes! And Happy New Year to all the others, 'pierced or not pierced'! Peace and warm hugs for all, even for those who bite!
Marilou

Now Diogenes answered back to Marilou by saying:
Marilou, you are the one who BITES! At least you shouldn't do it on the first day of the year. And, listen to this: I do not accept your advices. My body belongs to me and I am free to do as I am pleased.

And, sure enough, there were many angry posters who rushed in to support him by attacking Marilou. Here is a sample:

ISABELLA:
Marilou, you spew insulting hateful bile and then wish peace and love? How about leading by example? I was impressed by your first posts. Now you've shown yourself to be judgmental, petty and mean. You are not representing your faith well. Our bodies are a temporary vessel and ours to adorn as we please. What's a little hole here & there or some artwork? If there is a god, I hope he's got bigger fish to fry. Lighten up!

There were more postings in the same angry spirit and Diogenes had a good laugh at all of them. However, at the same time he was disappointed, and he couldn't help questioning about the posters' intelligence. And he still wonders what would be the best way to make his messages intelligible, when even humor didn't help...

About the Author

Maria Seferou was born in an agricultural family of Dendron, a small village of Peloponnese, Greece. She studied Civil/Structural Engineering at National Technical University of Athens and had a successful 20-year professional career both in Greece and in England. For the last 21 years she has been a writer of non-fiction books and articles on religious, philosophical, political and social issues.

Read More

To Pierce or not to Pierce?

Diogenes was by no means an ordinary chap. Not at all! He was a bit of a conservative philosopher, although with a sense of humor, and he was convinced that he had a calling, very much like the mission of the original Diogenes from the barrel. Had he lived during the Hellenistic period, he, no doubt, would have been noticed and, perhaps, celebrated. But now, in the 21st century, when common sense has been replaced with individual sense and universal values have been substituted with personal values, Diogenes was rejected as a misanthropist. Yet, his heart was full of love and compassion for fellow humans, but who would believe him?

During Christmas' week of 2005 he had visited London and spent a lot of time walking in areas like Soho, Oxford Circus and Piccadilly Circus. He wasn't interested in shopping. He couldn't afford much, anyway. But he was interested in studying people by looking at their faces, the way they dressed and the manner they spoke. He was stricken in particular by some youngsters' forky hairstyle - sometimes pink, sometimes yellow - and their profound body piercing. Oh, how did he wish that he could stand up in one of those crowded places and preach a sensible message to the masses! He envied some street evangelists who were fervently inviting people to be saved, bravely ignoring the mocking and the hostile glances of passers by.

So, how could he deliver his message - a critical view of body piercing? Well, where there is a will there is a way, the saying goes. And the best way of delivering his message would be through a certain discussion board in which he had been posting in the previous year under a different name. Besides, posting his view in a discussion forum was, at least, physically safe. He wouldn't be in danger of being beaten up, except verbally. So, upon his return to Bristol he got ready for preaching on the board.
Here is his first post:

Hello everybody and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you!

I have been thinking of making some new-year resolutions tonight, and one of these is about body piercing. To PIERCE or not to PIERCE???
This is the big question to which I am agonizing to give the right answer.
You see, I wear a ponytail and this usually goes well with earrings, at least half a dozen of them on each ear. Doesn't it?

But as I was contemplating about this, I thought, once my ears are pierced then my nose will get jealous and will want to be pierced, too. And then my eyebrows, my lips, and my tongue will expect to be pierced so as to not look out of fashion. Going further down on my body, I realized that my nipples should not be left out of fashion, neither should my navel. They, too, should be pierced!

Then I came to my very intimate parts at the top of my legs and, as I was tenderly touching them, I wondered if the ultimate fashion of piercing should reach them as well. Should I pierce my precious vital organ or not, I wondered... And if I did, would this make the penetration to narrow passages hard? Difficult question, isn't it?

Oh, just thinking about it felt as a nightmare! Was it the fear of pain that made me shivering? But, there again, 'no pain, no gain', I reckoned... Would the pain justify the gain? I wondered! 'I must be brave!' I said to myself. 'I should not be a coward! I must overcome this ugly fear, which tries to keep me out of fashion!' Perhaps, I thought, there might be some people in this board with a few holes in their bodies, who could encourage me to make this great new-year resolution.

Could anyone advise me: to pierce or not to pierce? And if I pierced, what pleasure shall I derive from it? Would I be happier? More acceptable by modern society, more fun to be with? What would I gain from going through this pain? A lot of serious questions that demand an answer... Is there anyone in this board who could answer all or, at least, some of these questions, please? And if you come back to me, could you please indicate under your name: 'pierced', or 'not pierced', accordingly? This way I will be able to evaluate your answers. Because it is different when the answer comes from experience than from observation or prejudice.

Oh, by the way, does any one know where this fashion came from? Which people, in which country, at what year the first brave pierced man or woman appeared?
Looking forward to your answers. Thanks!
Diogenes

The answers started pouring in immediately! Just as he had guessed, everybody took Diogenes' seriously and showed compassion. No one suspected the irony behind the questions. Here are excerpts from some of the postings:

CHARLES:
1st Piercing? Probably Neanderthals.
Go get your ears done, and take it from there... If you don't like it the holes will fill back in. I've got a pierce in each ear and always wear my gold or diamond studs...Navels are nice, but not for me... Yet, make sure a qualified person does the piercing and you follow their hygiene instructions, or serious infection can result. It has to be done in a completely sterilized fashion and then you need to apply antibacterial/fungal ointment everyday for several weeks and keep the ears sterile...
Good luck!

ZIZI:
I would start out slowly, with the ears. It can get to be too much real quick and you'll look like a freak! It also is not healthy for you to be trying to heal too many piercings at the same time. Make sure you go to a professional piercer and don't have them done with a gun at the mall. I have earings (one in left lobe, 2 in right lobe and one high in the right cartilage), a tiny diamond nose stud, and a quarter-sized tattoo on my ankle that I regret. Piercings at least are reversible as long as you're not stretching them out.

BOB:
Piercing? It is a case of personal freedom.
DO be aware that tongue piercing is very dangerous.
Best of luck, it's all about your personal freedom.

GAYMAN:
It's all personal preference - but do remember that excessive facial piercing can reduce your employment options. I've had several piercings and many of them have healed closed (mainly because I couldn't be bothered with them anymore) and now just keep an ear pierced. When you first get it done you have a feeling that everyone is staring at you (like an ear stud REALLY makes you stand out).
Tongue piercings or anything below the waist really hits my squeak buttons.
Oh, and while ears do not hurt, do not believe what they tell you about anywhere else. Like tattoos, they hurt.

By now Diogenes was fed up. Surprisingly, no one had stepped in to give the answer he was expecting. So, he decided to hit back with his previous alias, i.e. Marilou - a female poster of the Board:

MARILOU:
Diogenes, Welcome to this Board but, for goodness sake, can't you think of any other resolutions for the NEW YEAR that make more sense? Oh, you of poor COMMON SENSE! How embarrassing for your name to ask such silly questions... Haven't you ever thought that we owe our wonderfully made body a bit of respect? Who are those who bring all the silly and self-destructive fashions around, and what are they after? Of course they are shrewd people who know how to make money out of fools!

My advice is to leave your body in peace! Don't make any holes on it! And, excuse me to say, try to patch up some 'holes' in your mind! Sorry to disturb you on the first day of the New Year, but really someone has to wake you up... I am also disappointed with all those who kindly advised you as to how you should proceed in making holes in your precious body. Isn't there any sober man or woman in the Board to kindly warn you out of this? Or have some missed this stupid topic?

Happy New Year to you, Diogenes! And Happy New Year to all the others, 'pierced or not pierced'! Peace and warm hugs for all, even for those who bite!
Marilou

Now Diogenes answered back to Marilou by saying:
Marilou, you are the one who BITES! At least you shouldn't do it on the first day of the year. And, listen to this: I do not accept your advices. My body belongs to me and I am free to do as I am pleased.

And, sure enough, there were many angry posters who rushed in to support him by attacking Marilou. Here is a sample:

ISABELLA:
Marilou, you spew insulting hateful bile and then wish peace and love? How about leading by example? I was impressed by your first posts. Now you've shown yourself to be judgmental, petty and mean. You are not representing your faith well. Our bodies are a temporary vessel and ours to adorn as we please. What's a little hole here & there or some artwork? If there is a god, I hope he's got bigger fish to fry. Lighten up!

There were more postings in the same angry spirit and Diogenes had a good laugh at all of them. However, at the same time he was disappointed, and he couldn't help questioning about the posters' intelligence. And he still wonders what would be the best way to make his messages intelligible, when even humor didn't help...

(This is a true story)

About the Author

Maria Seferou was born in an agricultural family of Dendron, a small village of Peloponnese, Greece. She studied Civil/Structural Engineering at National Technical University of Athens and had a successful 20-year professional career both in Greece and in England. For the last 21 years she has been a writer of non-fiction books and articles on religious, philosophical, political and social issues.

Read More

Flower tattoos

For some strange reasons, I like designing flower tattoos more than others. Flower tattoos are mostly favored by women, they are like clothes accessories except that you can wear your tattoo to bed. It's like having a piece of art with you all the time. I find women with tattoos more appealing, sexier, more feminine and more powerful.

The image of a tattoo can be so captivating that it stirs up all our senses. You can have a Rose tattoo with a barbed wire around it and still look very good. It's Ying and Yang, loving and sweet but authoritative and intimidating. But if you are intending to ink a flower tattoo on your body, it's best to find out the meaning of the flower and what you want it to represent. You can then combine different images to give contrasting impressions of your tattoos.

I have compiled a list of meaning of flowers as a guide before you tattoo them on your body. I cannot vouch how official these meanings are, but my research has shown them to be fairly consistent. flower tattoos are permanent, so look around before deciding on one.

BABY'S BREATH: Innocence. BALSAM: Ardent love. BELLS OF IRELAND: Good luck. BOUVARDIA: Enthusiasm. CACTUS: Endurance. CALLA LILY: Magnificent beauty. CAMELLIA: Gratitude. CAMELLIA, PINK: Longing for you. CAMELLIA, RED: You're a flame in my heart. CAMELLIA, WHITE: You're adorable. CARNATION: Fascination, distinction, divine love, woman CARNATION, PINK: A woman's love, I'll never forget you, mother's love. CARNATION, RED: Alas for my poor heart, admiration, my heart aches for you, fascination. CARNATION, WHITE: Innocence, faithfulness, sweet and lovely, pure love, ardent love, good luck. CHRYSANTHEMUM: Cheerfulness, optimism, rest, truth. CHRYSANTHEMUM, RED: I love. CHRYSANTHEMUM, WHITE: Truth, loyal love. CHRYSANTHEMUM, YELLOW: Slighted love. DAFFODIL: Regard, rebirth, new beginnings, unrequited love, you're the only one, chivalry. DAFFODIL, SEVERAL: Joy, happiness. DAISY: Innocence, loyal love, I'll never tell, purity. DANDELION: Faithfulness, happiness, love's oracle. DAY LILY: Coquetry, Chinese emblem for mother. EREMURUS: Endurance. EUPHORBIA: Persistence. FORGET-ME-NOT: True love, hope, remembrance, memories. FREESIA: Innocence, thoughtfulness. GARDENIA: You're lovely, secret love, joy, sweet love, good luck. GLADIOLUS: Strength of character, remembrance, infatuation, splendid beauty, give me a break. GLOXINA: Love at first sight. HEATHER, LAVENDER: Admiration, solitude, beauty. HEATHER, WHITE: Protection, wishes will come true. HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty. HOLLY: Foresight, defense, domestic happiness, enchantment. HOLLYHOCK: Ambition, fruitfulness. HONEYSUCKLE: Bonds of love. HUCKLEBERRY: Simple pleasure. HYACINTH: Sport, play, games, rashness, dedicated to Apollo. HYACINTH, BLUE: Constancy. HYACINTH, RED OR PINK: Play. IRIS: Wisdom, Fleur-de-lis, emblem of France, your friendship means so much to me, faith, hope, valor, my compliments. IRIS, WHITE: Purity. JASMINE, WHITE or INDIAN: Amiability , I attach myself to you, sensuality, attachment. JASMINE, SPANISH: Sensuality. JASMINE, YELLOW: Grace, elegance. JONQUIL: Sympathy , love me, affection returned, desire. LADY SLIPPER: Capricious beauty. LARKSPUR, PURPLE: First love. LAVENDER: Devotion. LEATHERLEAF FERN: Fascination. LILAC: Youthful, humility, confidence. LILY: Majesty, wealth, pride, innocence, purity. LILY, WHITE: Purity, modesty, virginity, majesty, it's heavenly to be with you. LILY, MAGNOLIA: Dignity, love of nature, nobility. MIMOSA: Sensitivity. MINT: Virtue. MISTLETOE: Kiss me, affection, to surmount difficulties, sacred plant of India. MORNING GLORY: Loves you. MOSS: Maternal love, charity. NARCISSUS: Egotism, conceit, self love, self admiration, formality, stay as sweet as you are NASTURTIUM: Conquest, victory in battle. OAK LEAVES: Bravery. OLIVE BRANCH: Peace. ORANGE BLOSSUM: Purity, innocence, eternal love, marriage and fruitfulness, fertility. ORCHID: Rare beauty, love, refinement, beautiful lady, Chinese symbol for many children, mature charm, beauty, long life. PALM LEAVES: Victory, success. PEPPERMINT: Cordiality. PERIWINKLE: Friendship. POPPY: Eternal sleep, oblivion, imagination. POPPY, RED: Pleasure, consolation. POPPY, YELLOW: Wealth, success. PRIMROSE: I can't live without you. PRIMROSE, EVENING: Happy love. QUEEN ANNE'S LACE: Haven. RANUNCULUS: You are radiant with charm, radiant charm. ROSE: Love, passion, perfection. The rose was named for the Latin word rosa which means red. It has been a symbol of love since ancient times. ROSE, BURGUNDY: Beauty within. ROSE, CORAL: Desire. ROSE, DARK CRIMSON: Mourning. ROSE, HIBISCUS: Delicate beauty. ROSE, LAVENDER: Love at first sight, enchantment. ROSE, LEAF: You may hope. ROSE, MOSS: Confessions of love. ROSE, ORANGE: Fascination, display feeling of enthusiasm. ROSE, PEACH: Desire, gratitude, apprecation, admiration, sympathy, modesty. ROSE, PINK: Happiness, appreciation, admiration, friendship, sympathy. ROSE, DARK PINK: Thankfulness. ROSE, LIGHT PINK: Grace, gladness, joy, perfect happiness, please believe me, gratitude, admiration, gentility. ROSE, RED: Love, passion, respect, courage, I love you, beauty, pure and lovely, prosperity. ROSE, DEEP RED: Un-selfconscious beauty. ROSE, SINGLE, FULL BLOOM: I love you, I still love you, new love. ROSE, BUD, SMALL: Pure and lovely, beauty and youth, a heart innocent of love. ROSE, THORNLESS: Love at first sight. ROSE, WHITE: Innocence, purity, secrecy, I am worthy of you, silence, friendship, truth, virtue, girlhood, humility spiritual love, but of the soul, reverence, charm, happy love. ROSE, WHITE, DRIED: Death is preferable to loss of virtue. ROSE, YELLOW: Joy, friendship, true love, decrease of love, jealousy, try to care, freedom, slighted love, shows I care, joy, gladness. ROSES, BOUQUET, MATURE: Gratitude. ROSES, RED & WHITE TOGETHER: Unity, flower emblem of England. ROSES, YELLOW & RED TOGETHER: Happiness, congratulations. ROSES, YELLOW & ORANGE TOGETHER: Passionate thoughts. ROSEMARY: Remembrance, purity, rebirth. SAGE: Virtue. SALAL: Zest. SCABIOUS: Unfortunate love. SMILAX: Loveliness. SNAPDRAGON: Deception, gracious lady, presumption. SPEARMINT: Warm sentiment. SPIDER FLOWER: Elope with me. STAR OF BETHLEHEM: Purity. STATICE: Sympathy, remembrance, success. STEPHANOTIS: Happiness in marriage, desire to travel. STOCK: Lasting beauty, bonds of affection, promptness, you'll always be beautiful to me. SUNFLOWER: Follows the sun as it grows, adoration, haughtiness. SWEET WILLIAM: Gallantry, smile, finesse. THYME: Activity. TUBEROSE: Dangerous pleasure. TULIP: Perfect lover, frame, flower emblem of Holland. TULIP, RED: Believe me, declaration of love, fame. TULIP, VARIEGATED: Beautiful eyes. TULIP, YELLOW: Hopeless love, there's sunshine in your smile. VIOLET: Modesty, faithfulness, innocence, understated beauty. VIOLET, BLUE: Watchfulness, faithfulness, I'll always be true. VIOLET, PURPLE: Thoughts of you, blue love. VIOLET, WHITE: Let's take a chance, youthful innocence. VIOLET, YELLOW: Love of country. WATER LILY: Purity of heart. WEEPING WILLOW: Mourning. WHEAT: Friendliness. YARROW: Healing, sorrow. ZINNIA: Thoughts of absent friends, in memory of an absent friend. ZINNIA, SCARLET: Constancy. ZINNIA, WHITE: Goodness. ZINNIA, YELLOW: Daily remembrance.

You can download all my free flower tattoos designs at http://www.miluping.com/flowertattoos

About the Author

Ong Hui Woo
http://www.miluping.com

Read More

The History and Choices of Small Heart Tattoos

Heart tattoos have been one of the most popular tattoo choices for both men and women since the beginning of the 20th century. Small heart tattoos perhaps gained their intriguing popularity through military men going off to war and getting their girlfriend or wife's name emblazoned on their arms, in the middle of a bright red heart tattoo. Of course, as with anything, it didn't take long for this trend to move from the military to the mainstream. Today, small heart tattoos are as popular as they have ever been, with everyone from celebrities to high school seniors getting them as their tattoo of choice. What is exciting about small heart tattoos is the sheer variation that can come with what should ostensibly be such a simple design. One popular version of the heart tattoo comes in the style of the Sacred Heart, a powerful symbol to those involved with Catholicism. Most Sacred Heart tattoos involve a heart and a flame, and are in use for those who wish to symbolize and proudly wear their devotion to Christ. It is unusual to see these tattoos on those with no religious affiliation, even if it is on a purely personal level.Another version of the small heart tattoo is the locked heart combination. This involves a couple going out and getting tattoos that complement each other. One member of the partnership gets a tattoo of a heart with a padlock on the front. The other member gets a tattoo of the key that would unlock the padlock. Together, they are one. This can be a wise alternative to getting a tattoo with the name of one's loved one. In the event of a breakup, these tattoos can quickly lead to intense regret. Getting a locked heart tattoo sidesteps this potential disaster.

Of course, that is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the choices and selections one is faced with when wanting to get a small heart tattoo. There are broken heart designs, tribal hearts, hearts with names inscribed in the center, hearts pierced with arrows, and some even forsake the traditional heart design and go with a more realistic depiction of the human heart. Sometimes these anatomically correct hearts are used to symbolize surviving a heart attack. If you've been thinking about getting a small heart tattoo but aren't sure where to begin, take a visit to your local tattoo parlor and browse through the design books they have. Chances are there will be plenty of heart tattoos to choose from By Timothy Croy

Read More

How to Choose a Beautiful Heart Tattoo

And by now heart shape is not only used to say our feel but it is being used for more informative and creative purpose. A tattoo is on the first line, they are trying to make their most original design based from the original heart shape and combining with another initial, star shape, leaf to make itheir creation is deserved to be put on their specific body, which is how it goes lately. They are so enthusiastic about how to make their own design, and it ended up popular until right now. So what about you? Are you making one? Or you cannot draw yourself or you are end up confusing to pick the right heart shape for you? Okay here are some guides lines to help you pick the right desgn. A conventional heart shape will look too ordinary, usually it is developed by making another scratch on its line. Why does it go like that? Because they want something different with another.Knowing the form, by knowing its form you must be thinking where it should be placed on your body, wrist, sleeve, shoulders or anywhere you want.Wrist, if you plan to make it on your wrist reassure that the image is not too big because wrist area very suit with something tiny it will help the view look proportional and beautiful. Do not choose an image that has too many complexities on its shape because it will be screw and unclear enough to be seen by people, try to choose a simple shape and beautiful. A different kind that suit for this area is a shape that not has too many creations such as adding a border with name and line to make the outline look bold.

The smart way to make it brighter is making another color on it.Sleeve or shoulder, sleeve is also have popularity, it usually has a bigger size than wrist. The different between wrist and sleeve area is on the size of the image. A man loves to have big size tattoo on their body, to help them look awesome and show up their power. I have seen several celebrities who had heart tattoo on sleeve, he made it big enough right on his shoulder. You have a wider area on sleeve because of that you need to modify the shape until it looks awesome. This is where you will make more creation of its shape, you can add more variation around it. A border, strengthen the line will be allowed on here or add text will make your tattoo more personal.Upper back, it is rarely to place tattoo on upper back or lower back because it will not be often see. But some people loved to hide tattoo from public because they want to keep it safe and secret By Eddy Harvard

Read More

Heart Tattoos For All Personalities

When most people think of heart tattoos, they think of the classic red heart with an arrow going through it. Usually this tattoo has a name connected to it in a scroll. Today, the typical heart tattoo is defying the standards and becoming more creative than ever!Heart tattoos don't have to be the typical cross design anymore. The most striking tattoo I have ever seen was an anatomically correct heart tattooed on a man's chest right where his heart was. At first glance, it was so striking because it was the most realistic tattoo I've ever seen. It came complete with arteries and veins which added to the intrinsically interesting design. A tattoo of this character shows how the heart truly is the center of someone's existence, and crucial to life.If you're adventurous and biologically driven, an anatomical heart is a unique heart tattoo design that will turn heads. In fact, anatomical tattoos have become more popular in the last few years. There's even a "Zombie man" who's had his bones, tendons and gastrointestinal organs tattooed over his body in anatomically correct positions!During ancient Rome, the heart was thought to be the center of emotion and passion. As such, the God Cupid was seen and portrayed with a rough etched heart design that's close to what we draw today. Except in ancient Rome, the heart design wasn't perfectly balanced. It had a larger left side, which made the design seem a bit off-balance.

Of course, many modern tattooists are still opting for the typical heart design. The regular heart design began during the late Christian era after the fall of the Roman Empire. Monks would draw the heart design on the Judeo-Christian symbol of the crucifix. They would also use the heart design to represent the "Sacred Heart" of Jesus. Today, we have the modern heart design that represents love, passion and sexuality. This symbol has infiltrated almost every culture on Earth.This typical heart symbol combines both Roman and Christian tradition. The heart as an expression of sexuality reaches back to ancient Rome when Cupid was the ruler of passion and romantic love. The traditional heart as a symbol of commitment and familial love comes from the more subdued Christian undertones. Still today, the heart can be used as a symbol for the Roman god, or the Christian faith in many tattoos.So, what kind of heart is right for your tattoo? It depends on your personality and what style you want! Classic heart tattoos usually have a name or date attached to it. Some other heart tattoos use a color other than red to shade the heart. Another design for heart tattoos includes using whole groups of hearts in a pattern, rather than just one. Utilizing your own creativity can help you design your own unique heart design that stands out from the rest. Also, using a special color can add more meaning to your heart tattoo that can be secret and mysterious. This adds only more interest to your design. By Clark Moore

Read More

Heart Tattoo Designs on the Web

Humans have been decorating their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. Tattoos have moved from the fringe to the mainstream, with more and more young women choosing tattoos. Many young women choose a heart themed design for a their tattoo. The Internet is a great place to find heart tattoo designs. There are many web sites with a variety of heart tattoo designs. TattooJohnny.com- TattooJohnny.com has over 2500 heart tattoo designs, ranging from small tattoos to very large tattoos. The heart designs are available in color and black and white and run the gamut from simple line hearts to complex designs with multiple colors and shading details. Examples of heart designs include hearts with wings, that are appropriate for the lower back, as well as hearts with roses and dolphins. Prices range from $10 for a small black and white heart tattoo design to $14 for a large color design. Bullseyetattoo.com- Bullseyetattoo.com features over 500 heart tattoo designs that range from tribal to romantic. Designs can be simple or very complex. Many of the heart tattoo designs can be combined with other symbols like stars. Prices range from $4 to $12 and can be downloaded and printed out to take to the tattoo artist of your choice. Beautyfeast.com- Beautyfeast.com has a more limited number of heart tattoo designs. Most of the heart tattoo designs on Beautyfeast are simple black and white line designs, but all of the designs are free for download. Many of the designs show a strong tribal influence.

Tattoonow.com- Tattoonow.com has a few heart tattoo designs. Many of them are winged hearts that are popular for use on the lower back, but there are heart tattoo designs that can be customized for use on any part of the body. The designs can be resized from small to large and all sell for $14.95. Tatoodles.com- Tattoodles.com has thousands of tattoo designs, including many diverse heart designs. Heart tattoo designs can be found in many sizes and colors, with influences ranging from fantasy to tribal. Individual designs aren't for sale, but there are unlimited downloads available for a $19.95 monthly membership. Tattoomenow.com- Like Tattoodles.com, tattoomenow.com is a membership based tattoo gallery. The gallery contains over 3500 tattoo designs, plus unlimited options in the Tattoo Studio, where users can combine two or more designs to create a one-of-a-kind design. A one year membership is $27.00. A lifetime membership is $37.00 By Kari Livingston

Read More

Heart Tattoo Design Styles

Heart tattoos have different design styles. Three common heart tattoo design styles are the following:1. Traditional heart tattoo design. These are the traditional heart tattoos that have been around for years. Many of which carry a banner across the front, with a name. They are the simplest in form and style, yet also the most classic. One should consider this heart tattoo design if they desire something classic and more traditional. The banner across the front also lends itself best to this style of heart tattoo design.2. Modern heart tattoo design. The modern design is usually more abstract or else it is more "busy" than the traditional style. An example of a more modern design is a heart surrounded by elaborate flames, or a heart being ripped open with something appearing to come out. Modern heart tattoo designs have much variety to them, and many possibilities to explore if one is looking for something custom.3. Tribal heart tattoo design. Essentially this is a tribal design, formed into a heart. Many times at first glance the heart is not apparent. When one focus's in though, the outline of a heart can be strong and distinct. A tribal heart tattoo design is a good option if you like tribal tattoo's but also prefer something more distinct than a typical abstract tribal design. Here you can have an actual heart tattoo, and a tribal tattoo, in one shot.

Whatever design style you prefer, it's important to research and take a look at all kinds of heart tattoo examples and designs. A good online tattoo book or collection can be a great source to view all kinds of different heart tattoo designs. By Chess McDoogle

Read More