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[Mimitchi]

I've thought of getting one since I was very young, but I have yet to do it for many reasons. It is such a huge decision because unless I want to pay big money to get it removed, it's there for life. I figure when I finally decide what I want, I need to wait about 5 years to make sure I still want it.. and heck if I still want it after that amount of time, then it's time to go for it. I still don't know for sure what I want though. Plus my fear of needles... oh boy, how do I get over that 

Anyone here have a tattoo? If so, what is it and how did you know for sure you wanted it? Was the proceedure as painful as it looks?

Anyone else thinking of getting one?

[Elana]

My body is completely unadorned. I don't even have piercings in my ears! But I've been thinking about getting a tattoo for a long time.

Tattoos are forbidden according to Jewish law... but it wouldn't be my first sin, and I'm willing to bet it wouldn't be my last.

Generally I advise against tattoos unless you are absolutely, positively sure you will be happy looking down at it when it's all wrinkly and deformed when you're 82.  So I feel like most things that are purely decorative are a bad idea, because when you're old, it's going to look really stupid.

On the other hand, there are certain icons that are very meaningful, and probably won't ever stop being meaningful. Maybe it represents something that you want to use to characterize your whole life. So even if it stops looking pretty, it won't stop being something you want on your body.

There are two kinds of things I might want on my body. One is Minoan art.

Quick explanation: The Minoans are an ancient civilization that lived on the Greek islands before the Greeks arrived. They first moved there in the the Neolithic (circa 7000 BCE). They peaked between 3000-1500 BCE. Around 1450 BCE, the island of Crete (where most of them lived) was occupied by the Mycenaean Greeks from the mainland. That began a decline of their culture until 1200 BCE, when there was widespread destruction on Crete as well as the mainland and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean, marking the end of the period.

I LOVE the Minoans and I want to dedicate my life to researching them.
Any kind of Minoan art, although especially their seal impressions, would be my dream tattoo, because that would be really symbolic. It would be like sealing myself to their possession.

Here are some of the amazing Minoan designs that I might want:

- dolphins frolicking on an amazing pithos jar - maybe on my leg, near the ankle, a few dolphins and shells here and there
- the double-headed axe, an important religious symbol for them. I'd put it on the inside of my wrist. Downside: it has recently been appropriated by the lesbian community. I wouldn't want to give the wrong impression. 
- I adore these little birds from a fresco (wall painting) on the island of Santorini - I would put them on my hip or something. I'd like to work in the vegetation somehow too.

...There are so many beautiful icons the Minoans used. I have a small collection of archaeology books with lots of pictures. They drew these adorable little goats, and griffons, and beautiful women. Google Image Search has some things, but a lot of weird unrelated things too, and it's missing a lot. I couldn't find many good examples of seals.

I'd have to pick just one and stick to it. Maybe that's how I'd celebrate getting my Masters in Aegean Archaeology or something.

My second idea is this: every Japanese family has a kimono pattern. It's like a family crest for English families, or a tartan for Scottish families. It's one symbol, printed on the back of the collar of the kimono. My grandmother's family symbol is just exquisite. It's floral, kind of like a sakura flower, but a teeny bit abstract. It's unique to my family heritage. I would get it on the back of my neck, right where it would go on a kimono. I think that would be really special.

So I have all these ideas, but my mom forbids it. I don't have a burning need to get this done. Maybe someday.

I wish there was a less permanent way to get tattoos, so I could change them every week!

[Bojko]

I'm only 18 still, I've decided if I do want a tattoo I will get it in a number of years time.

I've had a few ideas, one that I think I've mentioned on these boards before is a few words across my wrist. My Dad has this on his, and my brother and I have been wanting to get the same thing for a very, very long time now. A few months ago my brother mentioned it once more, and we found we were both still very keen on getting it done. The words themselves are meaningless (HEY STUPID) but the tattoo itself would hold great value to my brother and I.

Another I've thought of is a small dragon either on my hip or lower back. I've had a loving fascination with dragons (hasn't everyone?) for a number of years. I wrote essays about them for school and preached to everyone who would lend an ear of their possible past existence. My belief in them is a speculation indistinguishable from pure faith, and I'm alright with that. I'm not a religious person, but it is nice to believe in something.

One thing I've been thinking of for a while is something with Charles Chaplin. I've been a dedicated fan of his work for many years, again a subject I tried to incorporate into my life in any way possible. There is an image, of just his hat, shoes and cane. To me, that would represent my adoration for him, and his many films who inspired millions. His films for me offer a quiet solitude from, at times, hectic life.

All just ideas I would love to get, and I know I'll get a tattoo one day, hopefully with my Dad. He thinks he is too old to get another but he said he was willing to get one with me. Most of his were done at home or in a bar... er... I think I will be taking both him and I to a professional.. ^.^;;

[alexa]

I'm 17, and I've wanted one for a long time too, but as everyone has said, I don't want to get anything I would regret later.

I'm an artist, as most of you know, and I think it would be really fun to design my own tattoo. I'd either do something really small or really outrageous...like a small feather or something behind my ear or completely filling my arms with art. I wouldn't do anything tacky, it would flow, and be more of "body art" than say....tattooing someone's name or a band name onto your shoulder. It would look almost natural, like Native American and African body art did. I know my parents would have a cow, but they'll live if I ever DO decide to get one

[snickerdoodle]

Nope.    Couldn't do a permanent tatto, personally. I have a birthmark but God gave me that.  I figure that's His business.

I listened to some young adults on TV talking about the fact that it cost them $40 to put one on and nearly $4000 to have it removed. Ouch!    They really regretted it.

Maybe a temporary tattoo would be nice.  I could definitely see that.

Generally I advise against tattoos unless you are absolutely, positively sure you will be happy looking down at it when it's all wrinkly and deformed when you're 82.  So I feel like most things that are purely decorative are a bad idea, because when you're old, it's going to look really stupid.

excellent wisdom 

[alicetwasbrillig]

No, I don't have permadent tattoos but, I do like to use henna though.  Mostly on my hands, sometimes I'll make an ankle bracelet or something.

I also have my ears double pierced... nothing major

[Glacier]

Nope, I'm only 11, and I don't like tattoos very much, don't need one.

[CaffeineChick05]

I never really thought I would get a tattoo, for some reason growing up I never felt that they were for me. But just a few months ago, for whatever reason, I decided that I was going to grit my teeth and just do it. I wasnt really worried about the pain, it was the fact that its on my body for the rest of my life that scared me. So I got a small tattoo on my inner left wrist, figuring that I can always cover it up with a watch if need be. After getting my first tattoo though, I have to warn you....its very addictive! Only about a month and a half later, my friend and I went in together and both got the word "Serendipity" tattooed on our inner forearms.

Its one of those things that I always thought I would avoid, but after finally getting one, I realized that Im not at all regretting it, or worried about having it on me for the rest of my life....on the contrary, it proved to be a really liberating experience!

If you've been thinking about getting one, I'd say go for it. Maybe start out with something small, and get it in a location that wont be seen when you're wearing normal clothing, that way if you do for whatever reason end up regretting it further down the road...you wont have to go to all of the time and trouble of worrying about getting it removed.


All in all, Im definetly glad I did it!


(My first one on my inner wrist. It's the heart containers from the Legend of Zelda)

(My second one, on my lower inner arm)

[K-StateFry]

Well I'm not at all scared of needles, I had a wart on my hand that I removed myself because I didn't feel like going to the doctor. But I would be worried about the sterilization of the equipment they use, I would probabaly be sitting there the whole time just scared to death of the possible pathogens that laced the needle in front of me. So for that reason alone I will probably never get one.

Im surprised no one has mentioned anything tama related. If you were really dedicated you could tattoo a tama in the egg on your had with your favorite character on it. Then you could have your favorite character with you forever.
I guess you could even feed it, just wipe your hands off when you're done.

[Mimitchi]

CaffeineChick05: those are very nice! It looks like they were done by a very skilled person. Did you have to do the outline and coloring on separate occasions or is it done all at once? I ask because I had a coworker at an old job that had his tattoos 'filled in' with color after having them for a while. I wasn't sure if that was a choice or just how it was done.

I too have that same fear you did... "what if I regret?". I still wonder how it'll look when I'm 80, but I've thought too if it were hidden that wouldn't be the issue. Did it hurt as much as it seems like it might? I'm a big wimp with needles, but part of me thinks if I turned my head I'd be okay with the needle part, if I thought I could handle the pain, ya know?

Taking in what Fry has said... CaffeineChick05 how did you know you'd be safe in getting your tattoos? Is there a way to be smart about choosing a person to do this for you? How did you choose?

Sorry for so many questions.. I'm the curious type on this topic and crave personal perspective on the issue (too many websites on this topic are very general). 

Fry: you totally cracked me up about the feeding thing.  I've considered a Mimitchi tattoo, but then I've consitered many others so.. *shrug* not decided yet.