Backstory: I’ve always been interested in tattoos and started to seriously consider getting one early in college. I dallied about for a while, unsure of the image I would get. About three years ago I decided on the Celtic Cross knot. I have pondered it long and hard since then and finally feel that I am ready and certain that I want it permanently marked on my body. The specific design was done by my friend Sarah several months ago. This is the image.
I will be getting it on my right shoulder blade.
The obvious questions are: why are you getting a tattoo? And why are you getting this particular design?
Why a tattoo? Here are my thoughts. Tattoos are a way of decorating the body. Similar to other fashion choices such as piercings and nail polish, they enhance the beauty of the body. Because of their permanent nature, however, they are also symbolic and usually have a meaning specific to the person that chooses the tattoo. They can be a way of commemorating an event or expressing a thought or belief that the person sees as deeply meaningful to them. Artistically, they allow a person to treat themselves as art, their body as their canvas. A combination of taste and creativity lets them make themselves as interesting and beautiful as they can be.
I love the fact that tattoos are an expression of the individual, something unique to them. I think they can be beautiful (I think mine will be).
There definitely has been and to some extent perhaps still is a social stigma associated with tattoos. I do not see it as being significant enough to discourage me from getting mine. In my field I won’t suffer any sort of negative reaction; most of my friends and colleagues have more visible decorations than I ever plan to. If my life ends up somewhere else, the size and placement is discreet enough that no one will know I have it unless I want them to.
As to why I’ve chosen my design: I first discovered the Celtic Cross when I bought my necklace at the salt mine outside of Salzburg. I wore it every day for years, until the string started to wear out. The knot is a symbol of infinity: no beginning or end. Irish Christians used it as a symbol for the Trinity: the three points of the triangle representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the infinite nature representing the unity and infinity of God.
I love the idea of being marked with a representation of the Trinity, in a way reflecting my commitment to God, a commitment more permanent than my tattoo will ever be. The infinity of the knot sort of points to eternity and reminds me that I serve an infinite God and my soul will live forever. The Irish tradition reminds me that I come from Irish stock (as well as other stuff). The extra swirls added by Sarah complete the design aesthetically in a beautiful way and remind me of my friendship with her.
All of these reasons are long-lasting enough to make me comfortable with permanently marking this on my shoulder. I’m not going to outgrow my commitment to the Trinity, my eternity, or my heritage. The timing, me getting it next month, will commemorate my first year in New York. I will get it with Meg when she visits, which will also be a good bonding time for us.
Anyway, those are my thoughts. The reason I’m letting you all know about this before I get it done is because I expect that you may not be comfortable with the idea. I want to give you a chance to let me know any thoughts or concerns you may have. I really do want to hear from you--I can't promise to change my mind as a result of your comments, but I promise to seriously listen to and consider anything you have to say. I know this is a bit of a new thing for the family to handle, so please, anything you have to say, say it now.
well, i've been waiting for this post all day.
ReplyDeleteyour ideas are interesting. i've never heard you explain it before.
It's interesting you say that tattoos are beautiful. I've personally never thought the actual tattoo to be beautiful, though sometimes the designs are. do you think the actual tattoos are beautiful?
have you considered the possibility that you might decide to get more tattoos? People often say before they get their first tattoo that they won't get another one, but then they add them little by little until they have lots. just something to keep in mind.
in closing, there is a guy in BCN (who I never saw, but heard about several times) who walks all over the city (and on the metro) totally naked...except he's absolutely covered in tattoos. i wouldn't recommend going down his path.
Gots to go to bed now. I'm tired. We should talk soon.
Love,
Remus
interesting thoughts.
ReplyDeletehave you thought about how the tattoo will age? most of the time when I see tattoos, they're on fairly young people (say, under 35), with reasonably good skin and muscle tone, but how do you think it will look when you're 60+ with wrinkles?
well after all the politically correct comments above (=D), I'm just going to come out and say what I think...I'm behind you all the way. No, seriously, I think tattoos can be really cool. I only have two concerns: 1) That once you have one tattoo, you'll get more.Too many tattoos = not classy. 2) The potential hazards. I read an article about how the tattoo ink isn't regulated by the FDA, so it's hard to know what's in it and have you read the stuff about possible diseases from it.
ReplyDeleteNone of this is to say that you shouldn't get a tattoo, but have you investigated the health side of the issue enough?
Julie is right about the health risks. Please read this article from the Mayo Clinic
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mayoclinic.com/health/tattoos-and-piercings/MC00020
thanks for all the comments! remus, it is my new life goal to become like the barca guy. perfect meeting of the au naturale movement and the fashion industry. making people reexamine their thoughts about clothing and all that. :-P
ReplyDeletein terms of the concern that i'll want more tattoos...clearly i can't say for certain that i'll never want another tattoo. but as of now i plan to stop after the one. it's hard to stay classy with tons of tattoos.
about aging/wrinkles, this is one of the main reasons i chose my shoulder blade as the location. not much fleshy muscle there to sag or stretch.
finally, health risks, yes, they definitely can exist. which is why it's so important to make sure you choose a good tattoo parlor. both of the ones i'm considering are excellent, i've been very impressed with their hygiene and professionalism. one of them was even voted best tattooist in the city!
what do you all think of the design?
what's with the swishy things through the design? especially the one on the left--it looks kinda like a shepherd's crook.
ReplyDeleteI think I kinda prefer it without the swishies and just the original design, but it's your tattoo not mine...aka you'll be stuck with it, not me ;-P