What is your opinion?

[SearchingWolf]

Well are tattoos bad or good? I got two of em and getting another soon. One is a wolf howling at the moon on my right arm other one is a paw print on my left fore arm on the inside. Does this make me a bad person now?

[Sequoia]

personally, I don't think tattoos are bad. (my boyfriend does! lol he freaks) I think that they're a way of expressing oneself and in some peoples opinioins, a way to add beauty and art to the body (although all bodies are beautiful art to me! ^_^). I have thought about it before but I don't think I could endure the pain, nor am I sure of what I would want and where.

But really, I think it's probably an ok thing, as long as you get it done in a place you KNOW is sanitary and sterile, somewhere you can trust. And so long as you think about it before hand, not on impulse.

btw, those sound kewl! and beautiful.

[Xander67]

NO way, body art has been around forever... it is a way of life in just about every culture.a form of expression.. there are a few who are opposed to it, but I personaly im not against it.

[Myst]

My only pet peeve with tattoos is people who just go get one coz "it's cool" or they think they're being unique. Tattoos have been used for centuries as symbols of important events and people - I think if you want one you should have a very good reason and meaning behind it. For instance, my fiance may get one when he gets his black belt in karate, and I was thinking of getting one for each of my kids when I have them.

[bansidhe]

ive got a black and red celtic knot on my back which i love, so i cant really say theyre bad, even if i wanted to ! :)
i dont think that anything you can put on you can change the person, some one can still be a poohead whether theyre covered in tats or not.
but if my skool finds out about my tat, theyll expell me...*shudder* ive had it since i was nearly 15 til now, so so far, so good! :)

[bansidhe]

wow, landslide victory to the tats so far...

[michellef]

I absolutely adore my tatt.. no way are they bad!
I do agree with Myst though. People who get them simply because they are 'cool' annoy me. I got a celtic design band round my ankle which marked finding my spiritual path.

BB
Michelle

[Faery-Wings]

No way! I love em! For me, they need to be done for a purpose- mine are for my marriage, and one for each child. I am thinking of my fourth, which I want to do as a sign of love for the Goddess and my religion.

BB

Chris

[MammaStar]

Tats are great. I for one, like Puma, am too chicken to get one, cause of the pain.

BUT both my brothers have a few. My younger one, has a cross with the initials J.F.S. in it. That's my deceased Poppy, Dad, and my brother's name (he's JFS III). It's his way of honoring our family. He just finished getting a dragon on his right calf also.

My older bro, has a skull on his left breast, to cover a tatto that has his ex's name. DOPE.

one word, DO NOT GET PEOPLES NAMES!!! Unless it's your kid. My opionin at least.

:( Wish I were brave enough. I want one with my son's name. :(

[Shadowulfe]

i think tattoos are cool. just make sure when you get one to realize the tatt will be with you for the remainder of your life

[Ball-Bhreac Ròn]

eew, yeah, when you get old 'n' saggy...unpleasant.

[Sequoia]

or when the colours fade. . . . . a red rose to a pink rose LOL

[Sita]

he he he!

This guy i know, he had gotten a marawana (im antispellist) leaf when he was younger. because it was th 'in' thing. Now he admits it was stupid and he really regerts getting it.

[Adrenaline Junkie]

I love tats.

Personally I only get them to symbolize something - not just as a fad or because I think the picture is cool.

I like the symbolism thang...

[BlackDragon]

How many people would actually have them?

One side is, it can be a debasing issue, branding yourself like an animal. You could get an infected needle and all sorts of bad stuff, but with today's technology, one doesn't really need to worry about that too much.

Another side is, that it is a way of expressing one's self, personality, excetera. {im almost positive i spelt that wrong} It shows everyone who sees you a bit of who you are, without having to speak a word.

Last, it's your body, do as you please, not what everyone else wants you to do. Personally, I want a couple tattoos, but because of my desire to donate blood, I can't get any.. I'll have to stick with henna and body jewels.. :)

[Flaire-FireStar]

I don't find tattoos all that bad, personally.. I've wanted one for about 2 years now, but I keep changing my mind on the design I want. Right now I have two in mind:
a red flame going up the inside of my left forarm and on my right shoulder a black crescent moon behind a blue rose. :D

:thumbsup:

[faeriedust]

i want one but i want it to be unique. a fairy mystical design.;)

[SearchingWolf]

Well I just got another one today. But yeah I too hate those who just get em cause they are "cool". Mine have a deep meaning to me spirtualy. Got me a nice blue wolf on my left arm this one had a lot of work in it. It hurts worse in my opinion when its over. When you are getting it you kinda go numb so its not so bad as far as pain then. But when its done it feels like a really bad sunburn and stays sore for a while thats the worse part. Well I dont plan on getting anymore cause I dont want to be covered in them I think ill be happy with what I got! Hopefully (they are kinda addictive atleast to me anyways) well thank you all for your opinions on the matter!:) :) :) :)

[Duo]

Tattoos have been around for a long long time, but they were originally designed as rights of passage or history or story telling or tribal recognition, not to show that you got Taz on your rump.
So I voted No.
I do however, fully support piercing body art simply because it hasnt tasted comercial exploitation. The day I see kids walking aroudn with Nike tags hanging off their eyebrow ring is the day I take out my piercings.

[story]

I personally don't have one, just becuase I can't think of anything I'd want on me for the rest of my life. That may change, who knows.
The only other thing I'd say is that Puma's right. Make sure the place is clean. Some seriously ugly diseases rollin around these days.....

[AradiaSupernova]

My Dad is a tatoo artist and I want to get a tatoo or 2 once I am old enough. I think they are a way of expressing yourself. Thats not a bad thing.

[flar7]

find out if you're allergic to the ink. It is supposedly Hypo Allergenic(i think thats the word) but you can still be allergic to it.

[Saeryn]

I have 2 tats and I want one more since I tend to prefer certain things in three's--go figure! :D

I have the Eye of Horus on my right ankle, because I've always been drawn to Egyptian stuff--hieroglyphs, in particular--since I was a kid.

On the back of my right shoulder, I have a Chinese character (lettering) which signifies the Year of the Monkey, which is the year I was born according to the Chinese zodiac. I happen to like the simple elegance of Chinese lettering--it looks like art to me. I had it done in only one color--black-- because I felt that design needed to be kept simple.

I would like to have an ankh on my left ankle to complement the Eye of Horus on my other one. I've worn ankhs long before I knew I was pagan, so ankhs are sort of a "me" thing. I'm not sure what type of ankh design to get--it needs to be kept somewhat simple, but I'd like it to be stylized a little. Not sure what to do there, or what colors to have used. :confused:

I'm surprised I don't have anything Celtic as far as my tats are concerned. Especially since I'm as drawn to Celtic stuff as much as I am drawn to Egyptian.

Tattoos are quite additive, so it's gonna be hard to stay with 3. :smoke:

~~Saeyn

[Swanspirit]

Are SUCH an incredibly personal thing....... I dont ever wish for one but I dont think there is a "good vs bad " call to make on the topic as a whole ....... I dont think the topic lends itself to such a simplistic judgement call.........
Obviously if you get a tattoo.. and the site becomes infected and you get gangrene and lose a limb ( extreme example...... never heard of one instance ) then maybe it was a bad idea ..... but if you SO DESIRE to cover every inch of your skin with some kind of decoration ....... I am reminded of QueeQuog in and other NAtive decorations and it is part of your cultural heritage [or not ] that also is an individual choice.........and I dont think a GOOD OR BAD judgement call is even necessary . I think trying to separate things nito categories of good or bad is linear , and concrete thinking and you might want to expand your thoughts in this area beyond that.....
AS with all personal choices...... there is no accounting for taste.....
There is a local "witch" the one who wants to be "queen of the witches " in the area and who is constantly beating about the bushes for pupils for her wicca 101 class... who has a tattoo of the "god and goddess" ( think cartoon characters here) copulating .... which covers her entire right leg .... so as I said ..... there is no accounting for taste......
But I have some seen some exquisite designs on some beautiful bodies ......some for the simple expression of beauty, or art ,,, others to celebrate milestones...... personal choices all ......... and they really dont call for a judgement ........ IMO.....

"The only man who behaved sensibly was my tailor; he took my measurement anew every time he
saw me, while all the rest went on with their old measurements and expected them to fit me."
(George Bernard Shaw)

The attachment is a pic of a Tattoo from a Scythian Warrior Shaman
Love and Light
Swannie

[Starlight]

I think they're fine within reason! I mean I don't really like to look of those people who have like their whole bodies tattooed! That's a bit excessive! But I'd like to get one myself one day! I saw my sister's and I liked it so maybe I'll get one later on.(Where my mother can't see it for sure) :)

[Xander67]

quote
star
(where my mother cant see it for sure)
/quote

way too much info star LOL

[Starlight]

I meant on my back or something butt munch! LOL

[Isis]

If tatoo's make you bad, then I wonder what peircings do? LOL.

Tatoo's, to me, don't indicate a lack of morality, or superior intelligence, or lack of it. They're just tatoos.


Guess that's my two cents.

Isis

[º¤Wãt€rÃñg€L¤º]

I think that tatts are a way of showing what you care/belive about to the world and i want to get one (for my son)

I think that everyone has the right to do what they like to they own body!!!

I could think of a better way to show the world how great your life is!

P.s I'm a :RuNew: :lol:

[avelina]

I only have one tattoo. A pentagram on my left ankle. I think tattoos are great, but its sad how many people get them to be cool.

[Gender Nectar]

I'm getting a tattoo in a couple of months, but am fearful of the pain. I'll be getting it on my lower back and was wondering if any of you could tell me how bad it hurts in relation to a bee sting. Thanks.

[stormyray]

there is another tatoo thread some where I will try and find it for you.

[yemayasdaughter]

I love my two tattoos... I think that they are not a problem as long as your take some time to consider what you will have put on you.

When I went to get my second tat (A lotus flower on my right ankle), they was these three men, who were strippers. And one of the guys wanted "SEX" in Chinese letters on his chest, next to a panther. Can you imagine years from now, and his grandkids ask him about the tattoo?

"Well kids, when Grandpa was a youngin', I wanted to put the word sex on my chest, next to a large panther!!"

:p lol

[Rævyn Cigány]

I voted that they're freaking cool...I agree, and I want one in the near future...I've already picked it out...wanna see??

BB

Rae )0(

p.s. tell me what you think, okay??

[mysticvik]

i dont like tattoos

[Starlight]

Originally posted by Rævyn Cigány
I voted that they're freaking cool...I agree, and I want one in the near future...I've already picked it out...wanna see??

BB

Rae )0(

p.s. tell me what you think, okay??

I LIKE IT!!! :thumbsup:

[SearchingWolf]

Thank you all for the great responses! :D :D :D

[Raindancer]

Its not something that you can call bad or good, except maybe in terms of taste. Some people can look very good with them, others just look marked up. In a way, you're proclaiming to the world forever how creative or uncreative you are.

Its a choice people make, to tatt ot not to tatt etc. I believe that people have the right to decide what they do with their bodies, but its a river, once crossed, can't be completely uncrossed. Even removal leaves marks. People have a right to express themselves, and for some they may have deep meaning, to others it may just show the world that a lot of brain cells just didn't make it. People have a right to be stupid also, its a fundamental human right.

For me? Never been tempted seriously, I have this thing about needles. Pretty unlucky for a diabetic. though at present I don't have to inject or even take pills. Hopefully never. I HATE needles. But if someone gets their world rocked like that, its their body.Whatever, I'm not the tattoo police, Just don't come near me with that needle.
BB
Raindancer

[SearchingWolf]

Black Dragon sorry to be slow about this but I havent been on for awhile. You said "One side is, it can be a debasing issue, branding yourself like an animal. " Well I am an animal so that doesnt bother me if you consider yourself to be better than animals which I dont then you got a point. However having a human brain is just another tool of survival like claws and fangs to an "animal". If I offend anyone I dont care I hold myself and animals in the same respect. That was posted by Black Dragon a long time back but sorry I just got back to it. The name I use on this site is the name I have chosen for myself and I am a spirtual werewolf so I am part wolf or "animal" as you call them. Its late and I am tired so if none of this makes any sense sorry once again. The only one branding the animals are humans so how does that degrade you? No animal would want to be branded except for the huaman animal.

Not trying to be mean I just hate it when someone puts there selves on a pedastole above the animals simply because I share a spirtual bond with one.


An animal and loving to be one SearchingWolf ^..^






and yes I cant spell to tired to worry about it right now:P

[GingerBurkley]

My Grandma, may she rest in peace, was a SERIOUS Christian. She always said getting a tattoo was defacing the temple that (her) God gave you. She would never understand why I got a tattoo.

I believe, like a few others here have said, that a tattoo is a personal statement. I don't think I've ever met anyone who got a tattoo because they thought it was "cool". Everyone I've ever known who got a tattoo got it because of the symbolism. It meant something to them.

I love my tattoo. It doesn't make a grand statement, it's just pretty. I designed it myself, and I was very specific with the artist (Kane, you are the best!). I wanted it exactly the way I drew it. I thought about getting it where no one would see it, but then I thought, I want people to see it. I'm proud of it. It's on my upper arm, near my shoulder, like a bracelet. I'm planning to get another one, above my ankle (by Kane, of course). Something with my daughter's name or initials. I see a tattoo as sort of permanent jewelry, or permanent make up, or a favorite accessory that you want to wear every day.

I agree with those who said getting someone's name tattooed on your body is a MISTAKE!!!!! Unless it's your kid. I love my husband, but I'm sorry, I'd never get his name permanently branded onto my body. But my little girl...I'm gonna.
Consider for example the case of Halle Berry, who got her (then) husband's name (David Justice the baseball player) tattooed on her rear end. They're divorced now. They hate eachother. And she had to get the tattoo covered up with an even bigger tattoo. ON HER REAR END!!!!!

I don't care why someone gets a tattoo. It's none of my business. I respect it, whatever the reason. It hurts. And it's permanent. That in itself is a statement.

[shnen]

i have one and love it! i think as long as you go to a clean place it's fine! just be sure you want it forever...:) and won't tstretch out into anything over time! :D

[Nissala]

I don't think they are bad but believe one should have a reason behind getting one, not just because they are cool or because someone else has one. I have wanted one for years but did not feel I had a reason, but will be getting one in August in honor of my father who passed away in January. am not sure what design it will be but have something in mind. My son is somewhat of an artist I may see if he can design one for me.

My brother has about 15 tattoos and his wife has about 25...he likes the art and the attention he gets from them......Whatever reason one has for getting tattooed, it has to valid for it is permanent and will last a lifetime :)

[Semele]

Originally posted by LdyStarlite


one word, DO NOT GET PEOPLES NAMES!!! Unless it's your kid. My opionin at least.

:( Wish I were brave enough. I want one with my son's name. :(

LOL!!! That is exactly what the artist who did mine tried to tell me. I got mine and Mol's names on my ankle going around a picture of a sun and moon that make a face together. He refused to do it in black ink because it is harder to cover and so he did it in purple. However, Mol's name is the same as our son's so I guess if need be I could claim it was him I was honoring. You know, if I ever get sick of the bigger one!!:p

[materra]

The difficulty with tatoos is people so often place then over charkra's and other important energy points. Many of teachers of meditation and energy healing are quick to point out that these elements impact on your centers. If incorrectly placed they can prevent normal intake of qi. Raising energy is such hard work sometimes...anything that may block it isn't to my liking. Especially if you do energy healing. So from that perspective, I would be very cautious.

I also have worked in ER's and such....seen some ugly infections that have really harmed people. I guess the best way would be to approach with alot more caution than is common.

[phoenix4]

I'm a tat artist, I certainly hope no one thinks tat's are bad. If they are I am very very bad! I have 38 tat's and I still have 20 more to get before I'M happy!!! All of my body art is my own creations! My favorite {for now} is the Wizard I have on my back. Of course I am pretty partial to the Native American piece I have on my hip! It is the start of my family tree. 20 hours on that puppy!! I entered it in a tat contest and took 2nd place!!!
Tat's are definitly NOT bad!!

[Earthcup]

I think they're cool. May get a Chinese character on my ankle one day, spirit...

I knew a girl who got a cartoon teddy bear with balloons on her chest at fifteen. It took all my self control to not call her mother and find out what was wrong with the woman....:rolleyes:

That thing is going to look so tacky five years from now, her b/f has Insane Clown Posse tattoos everywhere... Can you imagine having an ABBA or Osmonds tattoo today? :lol: Or getting a Vanilla Ice tattoo?

*wonders how many people think through the permanent thing...*

[materra]

One of the most amazing and beautiful tatoos I ever saw was on a woman who had had a double radical mastectomy. She was using the tatoo to recreate her belief in her femininity. It was lovely and healing and really art work. Tatoos with meaning and healing...really beautiful.