Koi Fish Tattoo

Japanese sleeve tattoo arts are usually the more colorful designs. They range from symbols of Japanese mythology (deities, nature, Buddha and Shinto symbols), animals (the mystic Dragon, the Koi or Japanese carp, phoenix and other mythological animals), sometimes even kanji (Japanese lettering). Figures of Japanese folklore, like samurais and geishas, also appear as tattoo sleeve art.

Tribal designs of tattoos lie on the basic colors - Black. They are the more free-flowing and abstract designs of tattoo art. In this art you can test an artist's ingenuity and uniqueness as the tribal art is more abstract, thus, is more open to original and reinvented designs.

If you want to try a tattoo sleeve art, browse the internet for good tattoo designs. You can always try a temporary tattoo first before the real thing, and see if it will really match your taste.

Cherry Blossom Tattoos

For the Japanese the cherry blossom is seen to represent life itself. The flower is a thing of great beauty. It is strong in that is pushes itself and blooms in harsh conditions and climates and often comes out when the snow is first melting. Yet it is paradoxically fragile at the same time. It is fragile because it will only last a few days and then it will fall from the tree and land in the snow. The Japanese view this as a representation of life itself. Life should be lived to extreme beauty and everyday should be lived to it's fullest. Yet one must always be aware of the possibility of death and therefore with the eventuality of death live life even more fully. This is a great tattoo and a symbol that is laden with powerful reminders and a great guide to how each individual should live their life.

Koi Fish Tattoos

Koi fish are probably the second most powerful symbol in tattoo designs in general but also fro the Japanese. Koi fish can been seen in front of almost every temple throughout Japan. The myth states that the Koi fish swim back up stream against the current to eventually read a bridge or a gate. If they can make it to the gate they are turned into dragons and magically fly away to start a new life. The symbolism behind this design is one of perseverance which is a very deep and important concept for the Japanese. In fact they have many more words to describe perseverance, effort and sticking with something in the language then we do in English.

Hannya Masks

Hannya masks are scary looking and demonic masks. The mask comes from the famous Kabuki plays in Japan and it depicts a women who has been consumed with rage over a lover or someone that has not returned her love. There are different variations as each Kabuki play has a different interpretation. At any rate these masks represent a jealous women. However, they have been widely used in Japanese tattoos and also here in the west. When they are used in tattoo in it is believed that they will ward of evil spirits and bring good luck to the person wearing it. Japanese will also sometimes but these up for display high in the room of their house to ward off evil spirits.

Samurai

Samurai of course lived by the code of Bushido. There is not enough room here to full explain the code of Bushido but it deals with living life to the fullest, being prepared to die in service and being loyal and strong. The concepts of Bushido are pretty much at the heart of all Japanese values and morals and also what is taught to most young kids over and over again through stories. You could say the code of Bushido is the heart of the Japanese culture and beliefs. Samurai's and samurai tattoos of course are the best symbol of these beliefs.

A great tattoo to consider is a dragon tattoo. You can do many things with a dragon tattoo, and have it symbolize different aspects of life. Here are very important dragon tattoo representations:

1. Power: Dragon tattoos can very easily represent power from the obvious nature of the dragons physical appearance and physical performance associated with dragons.

2. Wisdom: A dragon tattoo can also signify wisdom. Many who choose wisdom as representation usually choose Chinese style dragon tattoo's.

3. Mysticism/Magical. Dragons are very mystical creatures, which makes this representation ideal. Many who are after this type of meaning choose very vibrant, colorful dragon tattoo designs.

4. Warrior. A dragon tattoo can represent the warrior within. Someone who takes control of situations and fights alone and strong in times of distress.

5. Loyalty/Protectiveness. The dragon tattoo can represent a strong sense of loyalty as well as protectiveness to one's own family. A father or a mother could choose a dragon tattoo as a representation of being the strong protectors of the family.

6. Fierceness/Explosiveness. Representation of these elements could be worn by athletes such as mixed martial arts fighters who want to symbolize their own strong fighting skills. Dragons have a powerful, fierce, and explosive nature and athletes who wish to represent those qualities could choose a dragon tattoo.

7. A Strong Woman. The dragon tattoo worn by females can symbolize that of a strong, independent, and intelligent woman. Males can also wear dragons representing their strong natured intelligent other halves or symbolizing the strong relationship their in.

Dragon tattoos have many options in both symbolism and design. Black and white, color, and even tribal dragon designs are available. It's best to consult a tattoo catalog either at a parlor, or an online tattoo design book, to get ideas to choose your ultimate dragon tattoo.

Let's face it, people who like tattoos are always looking for the next amazing tattoo design to set themselves apart from the crowd and although this might seem like an easy task, anyone who has been through it knows differently. Sometimes it can just hit you, you see something in a picture or in a museum or even in a movie and bingo! that's it - you know straight away that this is your next tattoo. If you're one of the lucky ones (those who can draw beautifully from imagination) you can scribble it down and take your own amazing tattoo design to your tattooist and within no time at all your dream is a reality. However, most of us are not that lucky and whilst we have willing and creative minds which think up all these amazing tattoo designs we have weak and stubborn fingers who insist on not getting the picture (literally!).

Body art has been with us from the year dot when ancient cave men used it not only for camouflage but also to mark themselves and their tribesmen out from other rival tribes. Indeed, the word ' tattoo' is derived from the ancient Tahitian word "tattau" meaning to mark. Since then tattoos have evolved into a serious art form and most people are into their body art because it is beautiful and because it makes a personal statement about themselves. Choosing your amazing tattoo design can be a minefield though. Just think of all the Chinese symbols for example. Do you know what they mean - and moreover, do you expect your tattooist to know? A very good friend of mine had a Chinese symbol tattoo done a couple of years back. It was a beautifully intricate design on his left shoulder with symbols surrounded by oriental dragons and magnificent colours. He was born in the year of the dragon and his wife was born under the sign of the dog. The symbol was suppose to say something like ' dragon will honour dog in life and death". However he has since discovered that although it does say that it could also be construed as "dragon will curse dogs honour in life and death".

The same is true of Celtic or Egyptian symbols, and if you fancy something a bit out of the ordinary it's best to do loads of research first and be sure your symbol says exactly what you want it to say. Remember, your tattoo artist is just that, an amazing artist - NOT an expert in all sorts of ancient scripts and symbols!!

When you know it's time for another tattoo (or indeed when you've taken the decision to have your first) it is wise to take some time and look into various styles and designs and also think hard about where on your body you want to have it done. I know some women who have had amazing tattoos designed and inked all around their belly buttons only to discover that when they are pregnant (and subsequently left with stretch marks) the fabulous butterfly looks just a bit less fabulous than it did on a tanned and taut abdomen! Also, think about it from an employment point of view. Like it or not, a tattoo is not always viewed favourably by prospective employers. This is not such a problem for males, however lots of women get tattoos around their ankle or lower leg and, if in a professional capacity you need to wear a smart skirt suit, then it could make things just a little bit difficult.

Consider also, that your tattoo will be with you for life. Now, I know this is always the argument against having a tattoo, especially when it's your first one, however it is a valid one. You must be committed to the design you choose as it will be with you for a very long time. In my opinion, it's best to steer clear of the 'fashionable' tattoo styles, the ones that come in fad's and disappear a year or two later leaving your skin very 'last season'! Choose something that means something to you, something that has a little personal story behind it. Then, when people remark on your tattoo and ask about it (and they will!) you have something interesting to say about it and about yourself too.

For hundreds and hundreds of years, cultures across the globe have used special tribal tattoo designs for individual decoration and communal identification. In recent years, the use of tribal designs by modern skin artists has grown exponentially to meet the demand from people of all ages seeking tattoos of this very nature.

Historically, traditional tribal tattoos have been utilized by cultures all over the world for everything from signifying rites of passage and defining social status to augmenting personal beauty and identifying persons of importance. And in fact, the designs of tribal tattoos vary as greatly as the cultures from which they come.

Some tribal art has been traced back to as early as 2000 B.C., and it continues to be used for cultural and social purposes today. Nearly every continent has contributed some form of recognizable tribal tattoo art to the modern-day repertoire.

Tribal tattoo artists may draw from elements originally created by the ancient Egyptians, the North American Indians, West African tribal elders, and many, many more. Although most tattoo seekers today request tribal tattoos based on their visual appeal rather than their social affiliation, the significance of such art cannot be underrated.

Tribal art has become one of the most requested types of tattoo designs by men and women alike. Many men get these tattoos as armbands or as large images on the shoulder; most women request them as an ankle band or as artwork on their lower backs.

Although most modern-day tribal designs do not have a particular significance to a tribe or clan, the amalgamations that have emerged from the many influences belong more to the person creating the art or the individual wearing it. Many people find their tribal art tattoos to be a statement of their individuality.

Many tribal art designs are comprised of strong, bold images that are appealing to the eye. They are usually characterized by intertwining, thick lines and are often symmetrical in shape. They are frequently filled in black and feature distinctive, repetitive patterns that are often unique to the artist who has developed the design.

As more and more men and women seek tribal tattoo designs, the popularity and significance of this art will continue to grow. Some people get tribal art tattoos to pay homage to their ancestors or family roots; others choose a tribal design based on what it represents to them. Still others select a tribal design based only on the way it looks. But regardless of the reason why it is selected, tribal art offers the wearer the opportunity to be part of something larger than themselves.