Just a little background on myself, I am 28 years old and have been with the same girl for 12 years (married for 2 ½ of them). She has been everything to me and I would do anything for her. Well, just recently I was told that she wanted to separate from me for no particular reason or wrong doing on my behalf. Well to say the least I have been devastated and have definitely pondered whether life was worth living any longer… Luckily I have many good friends and family members that care for me and are helping me get through this tough time. I have always wanted to get a tattoo but said that I would only do it if there were a strong meaning behind it… Well, there has been no stronger life changing event for me than what I previously described.
I think the best quote that comes to mind with regards to the situation is “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger”. The only problem with that is that I feel it may be too cliché. I did some research on symbols for this saying but have come up empty. Being as this quote really does embody my current feelings I may end up running with it regardless of its over-use but I figured what better place to get some ideas from than here. Any symbols you guys/gals are aware of that encompass the meaning of the quote? Should I just get the quote regardless of it being cliché?
The last dilemma that I have will be the tattoos placement. I am in the financial business so I cannot have anything exposed on the neck, hands or forearms etc. I have 3 places in mind for the tattoo: between my shoulder blades on my back, on my chest (close to my heart) or down one of my calves. Any thoughts?
Thanks!
-Bobbo
I am not planning on doing this in the next week or two but I suppose that makes a lot of sense regardless. My reasoning behind the tattoo is not necessarily to remember the agony that I am going through right now but more of the idea that down the line I can look back and say that I was able to get through this which will give me confidence to tackle anything going forward. Right now I am just in the planning phase and will by no means run to the nearest tattoo parlor so soon to get something of this nature inked on me for eternity.
With that said, I will definitely keep your advice in the back of my head throughout the process so as to not get something I will regret later. Thanks! 😉
“What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger” makes me think about this Hellenistic statue of a Greek Boxer. Prior to the Hellenistic period, statues tended to be of glorified youth, but not this guy. He’s in his deep middle age, starting to get past his prime. His nose has been broken, reset, and broken again, his face and knuckles are scarred, but he’s still strong. He’s experienced, still has that inner fire.
Maybe you could do something based on him.
I think calf would be your best bet. A piece like this won’t take up your whole back or chest, and those are prime pieces of canvas. Your calf should be plenty big to get a detailed tattoo, without wasting the best places on your body for tattoos.
Love. Peace. Metallica.
Hi
I agree with Iz you need to step back and take some time before committing to ink – things like that can take aa while to adjust to.
KH – I love that statue it is a very symbolic piece.
The quote “what doesn’t kill you only makes you stronger” should read “what doesn’t kill you will eventually!” but that is just my twisted sense of humour. 😀
There are many symbols that could represent strength or continuity from the mobius symbol to the phoenix which has a endless rebirth to a dove that symbolises hope for the future.
Placement should be somewhere you can keep covered.
More than happy to help but would need to know more about your personal likes and dislikes to give you something. The statue would make a very nice piece tho.
Take Care
Matthew
I don’t know Matthew man, the whole phoenix and dove thing are starting to go the way of the kanji and the koi. In my Methods and Concepts class, which is about 24 strong, there’s more tattooed bodies than not. Among them I count three doves, two phoenixs, five koi, and enough Kanji to make me think I may be able to read it fluently by the end of the quarter.
Love. Peace. Metalica.
Hi KH
You raise an intersting point I too have seen an increase in these and the praying hands type of tattoos. The symbolism has been around for centuries but like all things art they have popular trends and dips.
For the most part I try and keep my ideas fairly mainstream because I like the person to have a nudge in the right direction to decide for themselves.
I will have to have a chat with you about the increase as I will be doing a chapter on tattoo trends over the last 30 years.
Take Care
Matthew
Love. Peace. Metalica.
i am definately over doing kanji and kois….i could tattoo them in my sleep now i wreckon
i say get it but since u have a job that requires to keep it covered get it in a spot where its not showing under your suit or office clothes
That is the plan. I am leaning towards either my back or my calf now. It will depend ultimately on what I choose and the overall size it is. If it is too big for the leg than the back it will be.
You must be logged in to create new topics.
