What do you know about tattoos?

[Silent_J]

I'm a freshman in college, I'm currently going through a period of change in Christ, and I've been thinking about getting a tattoo as an outward, physical sign of faith. I'm having trouble coming up with what I want, however, so would any of you care to help me understand:
The history and symbolism of the "Jesus" fish and IXOYE (lots of reasons I want a fish)
Tattoo placement and what it means (esp. inner wrist tattoos)
Traditional Australian tattoos (where I'm from)
Women and tattoos
Christianity and tattoos (I've always heard that it's wrong, but I never heard why, really)

Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out on this stuff!

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

What do I know about tattoos?

Well, I know that it hurt when I got mine LOL -- but it hurt a lot less than I had imagined. If you'd like to know "how" the pain feels, for me it was kinda like a pavement burn (if you fall off your bike and skid along on your arm or knee, it's that type of pain, feels less like a needle and more like a burn. Which was good, because burns I can handle, needles I can't, LOL)

You want to know why some Christians think it's wrong: It's because of the whole Leviticus thing about not marking up the body. But this was a very cultural thing that was more about marking the dead than anything else. Taken out of cultural context, it can mean a lot of things it doesn't actually mean.

Other people take the whole "body is a temple" thing uber literally too and they call that reason enough not to get tattoos. Again, it's a subjective scenario, not an objective one.

I have no idea about tattoo placement meaning, never heard of that. Mine was put on my inner forearm because I felt it would look best there. You should put a tattoo where you want it. Don't get all superstitious about the "meaning" of where you place it.

Tattoos are totally personal. Decide for yourself what you want, and where you want it. Discuss it with the artist as well because they may have professional words of wisdom on placement (they recommended mine for the inside of my arm, not the outside -- but I had already decided on that anyway)

Most of the questions you ask could be answered by a simple google search.

Cheers!

 

[Silent_J]

Thanks, BeyondAshes. I have been doing google and library research, but I wanted some other Christian opinions before I really go through with this.

Although I don't fear the pain, your testimony assures me!

And the only reason I'm curious about placement and history of the symbols is because everything, for me, has to have meaning and depth outside of "It just seemed like a good idea to have this here." I want a wrist tattoo because every day when I lift my hands to pray and praise, I'll see it there and be reminded. I want IXOYE because of many reasons. But I don't want something someplace that a non-believer will see and call me on, saying "That fish isn't actually anywhere in the Bible, and has no historical significance," or "Wrist tattoos are indicative of devil-worship in some countries."

Everything has to be symbolic, and have meaning. But it is most important that I don't cause others to sin or be a poor witness because of what my tattoo is.

Again, thank you for your opinion. Any others?

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

Everything has to be symbolic, and have meaning.

That's true, though I had never thought about that for tattoo placement before

But you do have the right attitude. People who get meaningless tattoos, I don't know how they do it.

My tattoo was designed by my husband, so it'll always contain a ton of meaning for me (image below the cut):

Spoiler: Tattoo

(that's a linked facebook image, hope it shows)

 

[Shabby]

Don't get a fish or a cross. I've never heard of any tattoo placement bearing any significant meaning, but I do know you might consider getting it somewhere that you can cover it up if you need to.

I have a huge tattoo with the greek word "eudaimonia" across my back. It doesn't really hurt, like the poster above said it is more of a burning sensation than anything else. The soreness is worse than actually getting the tattoo IMO.

 

[Heritage]

Placement is kind of old school tattooing. The hands, elbows, neck and face were generally not tattooed outside of gang/prison and some of the old time artists find it disrespectful to tattoo those areas still.

Nowadays, placement isn't really a big issue since there are so many 'normal' people getting them, so it's more of an issue of pain than tradition. Anything soft and fatty will hurt, anything with skin directly over bone will hurt more. The one on my back didn't hurt, except when it went up the spine. The one on my wrist killed me when he was on my wrist bone. The one on my chest hurt when she got near the nipple! Wooza! Other ones, like the one on my thigh (where my pants rub regularly) didn't hurt one bit, just felt like someone giving me an indian burn there.

It seems like you want it to be seen, since it's a outward expression of your faith, so let me suggest this. I have my wife's name tattooed on my wrist for the same reason, and the nice thing about the placement, is that it is there when I want it to be, and when I go for job interviews or such where there will be people who might not approve (and I need them to approve) then I just don a watch and it dissappears for an hour or however long.

Good luck in your pursuits, and if you feel it is right, go for it. There are very few things in this world you can buy for $100 that will be with you for years and years and years! But pray about it, and it will come to you.

 

[Silent_J]

Thank you to shabby and Heritage for your comments.
I'm not worried about pain, and covering it up isn't something I take issue with right now, but thanks for bringing it up...perhaps I'll invest in a wristband of some kind

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

Being able to cover it up might be a fore-thought you want to keep in mind. Many employers simply will not hire you if you can't cover it up. In fact, some won't hire you if you have a visible tattoo of any kind.

This is one reason I won't tattoo below a point coverable by a long sleeve. My husband as well. His previous employer required him to cover it up on certain job sites depending on who the managers were of the different sites.

My current company doesn't care, but in this economy? You just never know when you might be out looking for work again.

Although I do also have a vertical labret piercing (right down through my bottom lip) But if I had to, I'd just take it out and let it grow over, which you can't do with a tattoo.

Just something to consider. You're only 18 years old, you never know where you might end up working or for whom and what they will require of you. You don't want to ruin your future professional career because of a poorly placed tattoo.

 

[Heritage]

Although I do also have a vertical labret piercing (right down through my bottom lip) But if I had to, I'd just take it out and let it grow over, which you can't do with a tattoo.

It'll leave a little red mark there though! I had one when I was growing up, took it out a few years ago, and there is still a little red mark that won't grow hair.

 

[Silent_J]

You're only 18 years old, you never know where you might end up working or for whom and what they will require of you. You don't want to ruin your future professional career because of a poorly placed tattoo.

Hahaha, I have no future professional career

 

[Sketcher]

If you're going to get a tattoo, the smart thing to do is to get it where work clothes will cover it. Of course, since you're female, that gives you less places to get your tattoo.

But think again, why do you need a tattoo?

I do not believe they are wrong, but why not let your new lifestyle do the talking?

 

[Sketcher]

Hahaha, I have no future professional career

Don't bet on it.

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

Hahaha, I have no future professional career

I don't have a "Career" either But I know that it would make things harder to find employment regardless.

Plus, you never know what the future holds. It makes no sense just to write it off and say "this will never affect me later" -- many a teenager and young adult has said the same thing about MANY things they've come to later regret

Meh, it's your arm and all Just givin' something to chew on

 

[CrystalBrooke]

You don't have to have a "career"..honey if you want a job, you need to be able to cover your tattoo. I can't think of any job (aside from a bartender, stripper or artist) that people would offer you if you have tattoos that can't be covered up. My mom does some of the hiring where she works (a bank) and I know she's turned many people down because they're covered in tattoos..or simply have a few that they can't cover.

 

[Silent_J]

Twistedsketch, beyondashes and crystalbrooke:

You're right, I can't just write off whatever employment I may pursue in the future, professional or not. So now, I'll be doing heavy-duty praying over placement. Thanks for your concerns!

 

[Breakaway_republic]

not trying to be flippant, don't get a tattoo unless you have a high pain threshold. I've had friends get them and complain about how it stings.

But if you wish to get one, GO FOR IT!

 

[Trashionista]

I know that I personally find them trashy, regardless of placement or whether it's Jesus face on your bicep or not. But to each their own.

 

[CrystalBrooke]

not trying to be flippant, don't get a tattoo unless you have a high pain threshold. I've had friends get them and complain about how it stings.

But if you wish to get one, GO FOR IT!

That also has to do with placement.