Sunday, May 30, 2010
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Music Tattoos - Another Form of Artistic Expression
Rebellion Or Personal Expression?Tattoos have been regarded as a form of rebellion, and were even forbidden in parts of Europe due to a rise in Christianity during the early periods. Even today some regard body art as an undesirable practice and associate tattoos with gangs and unlawful behavior. Those with music tattoos are not above consideration in this respect. Some feel those with body art are discriminated against, and often are when attempting to secure employment.
Those who sport a tattoo will tell you it is a form of self expression. Musicians have been associated with the boldest forms of this artwork. Music tattoos often commemorate a particular genre or instrument one plays and they are often placed strategically on the body for visual appeal when performing on stage.
As we all know, some performers are quite famous for stage apparel, or the lack thereof and often choose their costumes specifically for the reason of showing body art. After all, not every tattoo is the same, and for this reason they wear them proudly. Custom tattoos with intricate, delicate designs are considered works of art in themselves.
Some music tattoos are recognizable trademarks for some performers. One such famous artist that comes to mind is Ozzy Osbourne and his famous woman vampire adorned with a bat atop her head. Of course, not every artist chooses such a dark expression. Jon Bon Jovi shows off his simple superman logo.
Tattoos are a very unique way to express emotion and personal interest. As a fellow canvas holder sporting a basic music tattoo consisting of a bass note sprouting a blue rose on one arm and a whimsical unicorn on the other, one can plainly see I am both a musician and hold an interest in mythology as well.
Tattoos are a way to announce a position in society. Just as in ancient times, a tattoo can identify a persons special skill or occupation. Certain union logos can be seen. A highly skilled carpenter may adorn himself with a hammer and nail. I have seen nurses with small medical emblems tattooed on the ankle.
Popular themes, poetry, beloved pets and even loved ones are being immortalized as body art to remain forever as a visual memory of devotion and love. Yet the stigma surrounding them remains.
Musicians are among those excused from refute. Being in the musical industry, it is both expected and accepted as part of a persona. If you are in a band, body art is a normal part of your costume. You have total freedom and can expand your canvas whichever way you choose.
For those living in other cultural societies, body art is often a tradition and even a requirement. Young boys reaching a certain age are often marked to show the passage into manhood. Young females may be tattooed with the mark of their mate.
Rose Tattoos on Women
There is a beautiful legend in Greek Mythology that tells us Aphrodite, goddess of Love, gave the Rose its name. Chloris, the goddess of flowers, created it when she found the lifeless body of a beautiful nymph in the forest. Chloris called upon the other deities to help her right the wrong of this nymph's death. Aphrodite gave her beauty, Dionysus, the god of wine, added nectar to give her a sweet perfume, the three Graces gave her charm, brightness and joy. Chloris then called upon Zephyr, the West Wind, to blow away the clouds so Apollo, the sun god, could shine and make the flower bloom.The rose goes back into antiquity, in fact, fossilized roses have been found that are several million years old. It has always been regarded, in Western civilization, as the closest thing to perfect beauty.
The rose image has been used on royal standards, coats of arm, castle and palace decorations. It has been used in countless paintings, embroideries, etchings, carvings and photographs. Its simple and elegant beauty has endured through time, as has its message of beauty and love. It has always stood as an expression of love. Small wonder then, that numerous women have chosen it as a favorite tattoo. It can be used simply as a beautiful decoration or as a memento of a loved one or an event in one's life. In fact, it serves all purposes very well.
Rose tattoos have been favorites from the beginning and are still the most popular flower tattoo. Each person can decide the message she wants to send and the color, size and placement of the tattoo. Whether done for decoration or love the image of the rose is a thing of lasting beauty.
Shoulders, lower legs, ankles and feet are popular places for tattoos on women, so too with rose tattoos. Women celebrities have been drawn to the rose, from a single large rose on a shoulder to a bouquet of roses on an ankle. One has a stemmed rose on her ankle while another has a heart and a rose on her lower leg, obviously an expression of love. Some people like to be different - one supermodel has a tattoo of a rose and skull on her upper arm. Others like to be daring, with a rose tattoo on a breast.
There is no doubt rose tattoos will stay favorites as, like roses themselves, they depict timeless beauty and elegance and give us all a great deal of pleasure.
Japanese Tattoos - Tattoo Yakuza | TATTOOS FOR MEN
Foo Dog Tattoo - Japanese Tattoos
Traditional Japanese Tattoos
Tattoo Furo2
Friday, May 28, 2010
Japanese Character Tattoos | TATTOOS FOR MEN
Japanese Character TattoosSay you want Japanese symbols characters for tattoos that you want to be printed on your body. I mean, how else can you hide the fact that you had your ex-lover's name inked on your wrist but still not seem like a demented and stalker ex boyfriend, right? Or more so, how else can you have your mother's name printed on you is a "cooler" more hip way?
Thing is, the danger in having Japanese style tattoos is that since you have no idea how the language goes, you are not assured on how the characters should be. I mean, the odds of choosing a symbol that you fancy that may mean something positive but you end up getting it printed on you inverted are very high as that is one horror story I have heard about Japanese character tats.
Japanese Character TattoosAnd if you do go to a Japanese restaurant and ask a waiter to translate things for you, he may not be able to understand what you really mean and give you a translation so far off, you wish you'd just stuck with the online translator.
Japanese Tattooing | TATTOOS FOR MEN
'Nine Tattooed Dragon
Beautiful japanese Tattoos
As we know one of the places where tattooing is heavily practiced as a beautiful art form and with the greatest skills level is Japan. Interestingly, the practice of labeling criminals using tattoos was also practiced in many other countries, notable in neighboring areas as we collectively known as China today. Members of outcast groups were also marked with stigmatizing tattoos.
One of the most popular outlaw characters in the novel is Shishin or the 'Nine Tattooed Dragon' who bore extensive full-body tattoos. Soon Japanese from all social levels started to tattoo ornate designs (irezumi) on their bodies that depict heroic figures, gods, mythical creatures and other traditional and popular images. Presently in modern day Japan the art of tattooing is still slightly stigmatized though it remains a highly regarded art form.
Beautiful japanese TattoosOne of the most popular outlaw characters in the novel is Shishin or the 'Nine Tattooed Dragon' who bore extensive full-body tattoos. Soon Japanese from all social levels started to tattoo ornate designs (irezumi) on their bodies that depict heroic figures, gods, mythical creatures and other traditional and popular images. Presently in modern day Japan the art of tattooing is still slightly stigmatized though it remains a highly regarded art form.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Japanese Sleeve Tattoos | TATTOOS FOR MEN
Japanese Sleeve Tattoos - The Coolest Japanese Tattoo Designs For Men
Often guys get skulls, flames and sexy pinup girls as a sleeve tattoo design. However, recently there has been more and more men interested in Japanese sleeve tattoos. This is great because the Japanese have a long history of full body tattoos and therefore they are very advanced in their sleeve tattoos. These designs are cool and they make a great tattoo design for men also. Here are some ideas to help you get started on your own full sleeve tattoo design.
Koi Fish
Koi fish are an ever popular theme for sleeve tattoo designs. The beautiful oranges of the koi fish and the blue water background lend themselves to the perfect tattoo design for a sleeve. By wrapping the fish around the front of the arm the fish looks dimensional and really pops out and comes to life. Thus it makes a cool looking tattoo with a lot of life. However, more then that the Koi tattoo represent strength, power and individuality. It represents the struggle of going through life and striving to be better. You see the Japanese myth is that the koi fish try to swim upstream. Not all of them make it but the ones that make it to the golden bridge become dragons and fly off into the sky. Dragons
Of course there is always the dragon. This is only second to the koi fish because dragons have been so common place. However, a powerful fierce dragon in red or black makes for the ideal tattoo design for men. It looks rough and tumble and ready to throw down or just breathe fire on a person. The dragon is a very mystical and mythical beast that is filled with all kinds of magic and great lore. The symbolism is of course of power and strength.
Samurai
Samurai and gods are always very popular in traditional Japanese sleeve tattoos. These designs of course feature either fierce samurai in the heat of battle of gods fighting off evil spirits. Either way you end up with a way cool dude tattoo. What can be more guy then a man swinging a huge katana sword and slaying a dragon or a demon. The reason the Samurai is so popular in Japanese tattooing and traditional arts is that the samurai is seen to embed everything that is important to the Japanese male. The samurai carries the Japanese culture as well as being a strong and fierce warrior in battle yet is always mindful and follows the code of bushido. This is what every Japanese male wants to be deep down.
Hannya Masks
The Hannya mask was originally used in Kabuki plays in Tokyo. However, the masks were such beautiful yet haunting piece of artwork that they became stand alone pieces of art. Many Japanese would collect and display them in their house and they believe it would ward off evil spirits. The Hannya masked represents a scorned women that has been overcome by her rage that she has turned into an evil demon. These are also very popular in traditional Japanese tattoos and tattoo in the West. It is hard to make a full sleeve of one mask but it can easily be combined with other Japanese designs and symbols.
Often guys get skulls, flames and sexy pinup girls as a sleeve tattoo design. However, recently there has been more and more men interested in Japanese sleeve tattoos. This is great because the Japanese have a long history of full body tattoos and therefore they are very advanced in their sleeve tattoos. These designs are cool and they make a great tattoo design for men also. Here are some ideas to help you get started on your own full sleeve tattoo design.
Koi Fish
Koi fish are an ever popular theme for sleeve tattoo designs. The beautiful oranges of the koi fish and the blue water background lend themselves to the perfect tattoo design for a sleeve. By wrapping the fish around the front of the arm the fish looks dimensional and really pops out and comes to life. Thus it makes a cool looking tattoo with a lot of life. However, more then that the Koi tattoo represent strength, power and individuality. It represents the struggle of going through life and striving to be better. You see the Japanese myth is that the koi fish try to swim upstream. Not all of them make it but the ones that make it to the golden bridge become dragons and fly off into the sky. Dragons
Of course there is always the dragon. This is only second to the koi fish because dragons have been so common place. However, a powerful fierce dragon in red or black makes for the ideal tattoo design for men. It looks rough and tumble and ready to throw down or just breathe fire on a person. The dragon is a very mystical and mythical beast that is filled with all kinds of magic and great lore. The symbolism is of course of power and strength.
Samurai
Samurai and gods are always very popular in traditional Japanese sleeve tattoos. These designs of course feature either fierce samurai in the heat of battle of gods fighting off evil spirits. Either way you end up with a way cool dude tattoo. What can be more guy then a man swinging a huge katana sword and slaying a dragon or a demon. The reason the Samurai is so popular in Japanese tattooing and traditional arts is that the samurai is seen to embed everything that is important to the Japanese male. The samurai carries the Japanese culture as well as being a strong and fierce warrior in battle yet is always mindful and follows the code of bushido. This is what every Japanese male wants to be deep down.
Hannya Masks
The Hannya mask was originally used in Kabuki plays in Tokyo. However, the masks were such beautiful yet haunting piece of artwork that they became stand alone pieces of art. Many Japanese would collect and display them in their house and they believe it would ward off evil spirits. The Hannya masked represents a scorned women that has been overcome by her rage that she has turned into an evil demon. These are also very popular in traditional Japanese tattoos and tattoo in the West. It is hard to make a full sleeve of one mask but it can easily be combined with other Japanese designs and symbols.
Chinese and Japanese Tribal Dragon Tattoos | TATTOOS FOR MEN
Chinese Tribal Dragon Tattoo
You can find many different designs of dragon tattoos in different forms and colors. Most often, the eastern dragons are the ones being used as a basis for the designs for the tribal dragon tattoos. Japanese dragons have only three claws where as the Chinese dragons have five. Though, some in today's society, eastern dragons that are being created into tribal dragon tattoos is being depicted as a symbol of fear and power; a contrast to the real symbolism of the eastern dragons.
Japanese tribal Dragon Tattoo
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
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