By definition, a tattoo is a permanent marking on the skin.  The ink is injected by needle under the skin, creating the image of the tattoo.  The needle moves very fast, puncturing the skin and depositing the ink into the epidermis.  As the ink is depositing into the epidermis, the skin captures the color of the ink.  The artist will continue to clean the tattoo as he works on it, wiping it off with antiseptic and disinfecting the wound.

Over time tattoos will chance with the skin on a constant basis due to the wind, sun, regeneration, water, and other things.  The way a tattoo looks and the design must also chance with the skin as it shrinks, stretches, and ages.  The pigment that makes up the tattoo must remain the way it is over time, although tanning and wrinkles can affect the color and clarity of the tattoo.

The overall length of time that a tattoo styles healthy and vibrant in color all depends on how well it was taking care of after it was completed and how the skin is taking care of.  Even though infection is always a concern with tattoos, you must also promote healing in the sense of retaining as much ink as you possibly can.  Most tattoos will heal completely within a few short weeks, although they must be kept moist to prevent scabbing.  If allowed to scab, the scab that forms will remove some of the color from the tattoo.

The number one enemy of tattoos is the sun.  Just like other colors that are exposed to sunlight, the pigments found in tattoos will fade.  Yellow and red are the hardest colors to maintain over time, blue and black are the easiest and most stable to maintain.  Tattoos are considered to be part of the organism of living skin and need to be maintained to keep the color alive and fresh.  If you are going to be out in the sun, you should always cover your tattoos and wear a quality sunscreen as well, just to be on the safe side.

Tattoos that have been properly applied, properly healed, and protected from the rays of the sun can remain their best for years and years.  Although the colors will remain vibrant as well, time and the sun are definite enemies for tattoos.  No matter how well you take care of your tattoos and protect them, there really is no escape from changes that come as a result of time itself.

They were fierce warriors, great artists, uphold extreme faith with gods and very superstitious. Each of these contributed largely to their awesome art forms and all these attributes can be seen in their arts depicted in modern Celtic tattoos.

One of the more popular design choices in the tattoo industry focuses more on Celtic designs. This trend may be attributed mainly to the universality of their concepts that even now, modern artists can modify designs that were patterned initially from Celtic art.

Their concepts are unquestionably perfect and suited for self-expression that anyone can take a pattern and wear it without negating personal artistic expression. (That reason alone would help us presume why Celtic tattoos are extremely popular. After all, the idea with tattoos is to be able to express something that would maintain itself even after the real meaning of the design has gone.)

Ancient forms of Celtic arts are typically characterized with interlacing symbols, elaborate patterns, perfect knotwork, zoomorphics, spirals, and colorful outlines that most consider abstract.  Most of which illustrate a complete cycle, especially the Celtic knots.

Many other tribal groups modified traditional Celtic art forms into their own. One classic example are the Viking raiders who embraced the art form and produced more chaotic effects that characterized their main culture. Another is the adaptation of neighboring lands of interwoven knotwork patterns in the manuscript that went down into the medieval and succeeding eras.

While Celtic culture has considerably declined during the passing of years, many traditions were still in existence these days. Though the majority of us may not realize this fully, some of our conventional art forms were influenced by Celtic traditions. Some are subtly done while others have openly expressed Celtic arts. Say for example the Celtic tattoos that are popular these days.

The knotworks as we have noted earlier, express something deep. And these must be seen that way. This is one reason why while many other traditional art forms have vanished, we still enjoy the beauty that may only be had from Celtic illustrations.

Knotworks expresses the close association and repeated intertwining between the physical, natural and the spiritual world. The never-ending pattern (since knotwork shows no beginning and no end) portrays the tangling of the permanence and termination of existence, faith, love and life. Celtic designs modified for tattoos also convey underlying emotions that may not be simply addressed with stereotypical patterns that we normally see.

Celtic tattoos try not to copy nature perfectly (after all perfection is no longer characterized with nature). They don’t duplicate the natural world and they are not representational. Somewhat, they lean more on the abstract art forms that many people admire.

We may say that an artistic heart shape (that is normally seen in tattoos) communicates passion but a crooked Celtic designs in the form of animal or a cross may mean more than just that. They can address indirect expressions, often bordering within mysteries and religious symbolism.

With all these said it would now be easier for us to comprehend why, with all choices of tattoo designs that we can gain from other cultures, we remain to be passionate with Celtic art forms.

In general, flower tattoos have a connection with nature, bringing up thoughts and images of life and vitality. Anytime we look at a flower, we see the duration of life, simply flowers connect with us in the sense that we both grow.  Flowers emerge from the earth and continue to grow on a daily basis.  Then, the flowers bloom, knowing that they will later dry up and start to wilt away.

Having a tattoo with a flower brings back the entire process known as life.  Keep in mind however, that different colors and flowers on tattoos will symbolize other things as well.  White flower tattoos symbolize purity, while red flower tattoos can symbolize a burning passion.  There are many colors and designs available, giving plenty of meaning to those desiring flower tattoos.

Roses are the most common flower design for tattoos, symbolizing love.  During the turn of the 16th century, roses were tattooed on those who were sentenced to death.  If they were to escape from the gallows, the rose tattoo would serve as a symbol to easily recognize them.  These days, roses symbolize both love and passion.  Roses have long been known as a romantic flower, popular for special occasions with the ones we love.

In the western regions, rose tattoos are a symbol of love and purity.  In the Eastern regions however, love and purity are symbolized by a lotus flower.  Tattoos that feature lotus flowers also bring a little more meaning to the table.  Lotus tattoos are also known to symbolize fortune, peace, beauty, and goodness.  Even though roses are the most popular tattoos in North America, Lotus flower tattoos are more common in other regions.

Other examples include the acacia flower tattoo which is the symbol for love and friendship.  There are some people with Irish heritage who choose to get tattoos with the flower known as the Bells of Ireland.  This flower is well known throughout Ireland, with the tattoo symbolizing good luck.  Irish who have this tattoo are known to be lucky, or have an insane trend with luck.

Those who think of themselves as being the perfect lover may want to get a tulip tattooed on their arm.  Tattoos with tulips represent passionate love and fame for being a great lover.  If you happen to be shy and timid, you may want to go with a violet flower tattoo instead.  Violets are common tattoos for those who are shy and timid, and enjoy taking things slow.  Those wanting to symbolize wisdom and virtue on the other hand, would be well to get an Iris.  Magnolias are also common with flower tattoos, as they symbolize an individual’s love for nature.

Flower tattoos are very common and popular designs these days, giving plenty of meaning behind their beauty.  The flowers can be large or small and as bold as you wish them to be.  No matter which flower you have decided to use with your tattoo, you can ensure that the flower says the meaning you are looking for.

The purpose of tattoos has differed from culture to culture throughout the course of time.  Research has shown that the earliest tattoos come from Egypt during the time of the pyramids, although most believe they started much earlier.  Egyptians at this time were believed to use tattoos as a way to mark the slaves and the peasants.  Around 2,000 BC, tattoos spread to China and then on to Greece, where the Greeks used tattoos as a way to communicate among spies.

Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well.  The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites.  During this era, Borneo women were the artists.  They produced the designs that indicated the individuals point in life and the tribe that he was affiliated with.  Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections were quite common.  Tattoos were a long way from being perfected – which showed in the way they were done.

Tattoos were shown in the western regions as well, although they weren’t well accepted at first.  William Dampher, who was once an explorer, was the man who re-introduced tattoos to the western areas.  During the year 1961, he brought a heavily tattooed Prince to the area, showing off his tattoos with exhibitions.  He made quite a bit of money with these attractions, which in turn made tattoos very popular and well desired throughout London and surrounding areas.  Before then, it was nearly 600 years since tattoos had been witnessed in the area.

Chatham Square, which is located in New York City, was the first place to feature American styled tattoos.  During the turn of the century, Chatham Square attracted people from all over the United States, especially those with money.  A man by the name of Samuel O-Reily set up shop in Chatham Square, becoming the first man to use an electric tattoo gun.  In the beginning, the now popular tattoo gun was based on Thomas Edison’s electric pin that used a needle point to puncture paper.

The electric tattoo gun features moving coils, a needle bar and tube, which are common components of today’s guns.  The electric gun was very popular, allowing those who wanted a tattoo to get one at a great price.  These guns helped to revolutionize tattoos and allowed the tattoo artists to give tattoos fairly fast as well.  People took to this new technology in flocks, making it by far the best and most efficient ways to get tattoos.

During the late 1960s, tattoos really began to take off.  They were featured in magazines, television, and talked about everywhere.  These days, tattoos are very common, with nearly ½ of the population in the United States having at least one tattoo.  They are still common with bikers and clans, symbolizing that one is a member.  There are millions of designs out there for tattoos – including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today.

In any mythology, you will find that the sun is depicted as one of the highest in a pantheon of gods.

The sun gives light, heat and life. Ancient civilizations revered it as a symbol of fertility, vitality, and every other quality that gives way to life.

The sun symbol can be seen everywhere nowadays. Knowingly or unknowingly, people have incorporated the revered sun-design on many common objects we see today.

Look at the design of an electric fan; that looks a lot like a sun design, right? Look at the overhead view of the Vatican, a common birthday cake, a coin, a pancake: the round sun symbol can be seen everywhere.

Sun tattoos are sought after because they take the round sun symbols and use it to depict so much more.

There are a whole lot of varieties of sun tattoos: rayed, plain circle, paired with a moon, gothic, tribal, Celtic… the list just goes on and on!!! As said before, each culture has its own depiction of the sun and hey, there are a lot of cultures (including the ancient ones) that exist.

The sun tattoo is preferred by many because it has a number of symbolic meanings that can be adapted by every person.

Some may choose a sun tattoo because of the symbolism of light and knowledge. Often, the sun tattoo can be interpreted as the light of knowledge that shines on the darkness of ignorance. This interpretation is, naturally, preferred by intellectuals.

For others, the sun represents the cycle of life. These people get sun tattoos to remind them to live everyday as if the sunset is fast approaching. They live life to the fullest and enjoy every moment possible.

After all, every second counts, right?

Some interpret sun tattoos as a symbol of fertility. The sun gives life to plants and, indeed, everything else on earth. Sun tattoos are often chosen to depict a person’s ability to “energize’ other people.

Much deeper, and yet, more popular, is the interpretation of the sun tattoo as a symbol of sexual fertility. This goes back to ancient Canaan where the sun-god Baal was also worshiped as a fertility deity.

If paired with a moon tattoo, the sun tattoo even goes deeper into its sexual interpretation. A pairing of a moon and a sun tattoo depicts the union between male and female, both sexually and spiritually.

Sun tattoos are often used to depict divine power and authority. The image of the sun was used, and is still used, by religious leaders.

The sun tattoo also symbolizes immortality or reincarnation. Just as the sun rises and sets each day, people believe in the idea that you may die and then rise again.

This takes root from ancient times when people believed that the sun died at the sunset and was resurrected the next day.

Sometimes, sun tattoos look more like flowers. The depiction of the sun as such pays homage to the sun’s life-giving abilities and natural beauty.

Sun tattoos are considered to be among the best kind of tattoos you can get. Artistically, people may have taken the drawing of the sun to a very high level. After all, we all learn how to draw the sun at a very young age.

It is no mystery that we humans love to use different images in order to convey hidden meanings to the world.

We love the use of imagery and designs in showing off our personalities and characteristics.

Evidence of this can be seen in tattoos.

In Asia, specially, tattoos hold significance other than aesthetic. Tattoos are said to be the link between the physical and spiritual bodies of a human being. Specific tattoos try to bring out the “inner characteristics” of a person.

The tiger tattoo holds a high place in Asian symbolism. Most often it is considered to show the aggressive force within each person. It holds equal status, in influence at least, to the dragon.

Whereas dragon tattoos represent the higher sense of self and the attainment of good, tiger tattoos represent the dark forces that can be found within each person.

The appearance of a dragon tattoo and tiger tattoo together can hold different meanings, depending on the position of the two symbols.

If the dragon and the tiger tattoos are at an equal level, this often symbolizes balance and harmony.

If the tiger tattoo is shown overpowering the dragon, this often means the triumph of self-interest and aggression. However, if the dragon tattoo is shown beating the tiger, this would signify a triumph against dark forces.

Tiger tattoos are rich in meaning and symbolism even on their own. Where African and western regions hold the lion as the king of the animals, the tiger occupies the throne in Asia.

This gives tiger tattoos the interpretation of power. After all, the tiger is a very powerful animal.

In light of this, some tiger tattoos represent punishment or vengeance. They show a very cruel and merciless type of revenge, for a tiger is not something to be messed with.

The sleekness of the cat’s movements is often depicted with admirable clarity in tiger tattoos. This same sleekness is the cause why the tiger represents sensuality.

A woman sporting a tiger tattoo may want to show to the world her “predatorial” characteristics. She shows her “huntress” side as a guide to her innate sensuality. And so, men do not really have a monopoly on tiger tattoos.

Tiger tattoos often serve as protection, specially when put in the back. Ever-vigilant and watchful, tiger tattoos are often said to protect a person.

Images of tigers are often put in walls in order to protect the occupants of a home.

Known for its ferocity, the tiger can also represent wrath and cruelty. Men sometimes get tiger tattoos in order to show off their own ferocity. They wear tiger tattoos in order to tell people to “back off!!”

Tiger tattoos are also renowned for their beauty. The artistry of tiger tattoos depends on the tattoo artist, of course. However, the many years of accumulated knowledge of depicting tigers make the seemingly complicated job easier.

The details that are put into tiger tattoos seem to make them more and more realistic as time goes by.

There are really many reasons why you should get a tiger tattoo… the rich symbolism just astounds people, and you can adapt any meaning to your own personality.

However, there is one simple reason why some people may like tiger tattoos: they may just like the fact that a tiger tattoo has stripes.

Hey, anything’s possible, right?

Atleast, that is our general image of what angels are.

Our adoration towards their essence has made us preoccupied with our attempts to create physical manifestations of their being. Nonetheless, we still don’t know for sure how they truly appear. After all, no one has seen a true angel yet. So what we now have are pairs of wings and lovely, charming faces.

Nevertheless, they uphold extreme level of spiritual significance (and so do angel tattoos). They were normally depicted as Divine soldiers and messengers of the Most High. They are the deliverers of His word and the deliverer of affliction for those who have committed grave misdeeds. In short, they are thought to be the links, the beings that create the connection between the realms of Heaven and our earthly dwelling.

Not only do the Christians have records of angels in their scripts. Both the Muslims and the Jews have kept watch on their appearances and manifestations in their history.

While nothing material can provide us with evidences that angels truly exist, we still cannot deny the fact that art has been closely intertwined with images. And tattoo, being an art consequently followed the steps of higher (and more acceptable) forms of art.

Although angels have extreme significance pertaining to religion, their popularity has been attributed much to their beautiful forms that are generously submitted to artistic concepts and designs. The wings, which in normal cases are the focus of tattoo designs, are artistic enough even when used alone. In fact, many depictions and tattoo ideas include only the wings of angels. And these wings, being the body of the full design are added with crosses, wordings and other elements that are used to complement their beauty.

As we talk now, it may seem too natural that any one would wear an angel tattoo. But you see, some centuries past people were forbidden from tattooing, especially those that include spiritual symbolism such as the angels and crosses. And this is undoubtedly true among Christians.

A thousand years ago, the Catholic church considered tattooing (of any forms or designs) as a deviltry since it utterly disfigures and disgraces the human body which is considered to be the “temple of God’. And that was a millenium ago. Nowadays, Catholics and Christians alike are forever changing their bodies with tattoos of angels, crosses and sacred hearts.

Thus, the cultural fad becomes a statement of religion and faith.

It is strange to think that the medium the pirates and prisoners used is now common among people of faith.

Many see angel tattoos as effective means of reminding them of their beliefs. Say in one case, a man decided to have in his chest an engraved image of praying hands and an acronym of the phrase- see me through. Thus, he constantly feels that prayer is not only within his spirit, it has also crept into his body.

This is not an unusual line of thought. After all, man has been for long, in search of protection. And representations of this compassionate images drawn in his skin are known to be the most potent types.  The angles just happened to be the more popular forms of this protection in our part of the world.