Best Tattoo For You

Japanese pop culture has long since been popular in the western world and this is why it should come as no surprise that the cherry blossom tattoo has grown in popularity as well. However, the image of a cherry blossom tattoo may not be quickly recognizable to the average person and, quite honestly, it might not even be truly known to someone who has a cherry blossom tattoo. Part of the reason for this is that the history and the symbolism of the cherry blossom is not known to many people in the western world, but once one examines this symbolism then a greater understanding being the cherry blossom tattoo is possible.

The Symbolism of the Cherry Blossom

The cherry blossom is an interesting image for tattoo selections and it becomes even more interesting subject matter when one sees the growth of popularity of the tattoo in the western world considering that the cherry blossom is a flower that has deep significance in Japanese history and culture. The cherry blossom is the national flower of Japan where it holds tremendous significance. The significance of the cherry blossom is that of a symbol of peace and happiness and change. While this might seem like a somewhat simple view of what the cherry blossom represents there is also great depth on a humanistic level as it is a call for a change in the hearts of people. In other words, one should put away the darker side of human nature and become more accepting of the benign nature. Also, the blooming of the cherry blossom occurs during a brief and fleeting period of the season and, as such, there is also the underlying symbolism that life is short and one must make the most out of it, but there should also be special emphasis on living a life that is pure as opposed to using fleeting time for more selfish and aberrant purposes.

Of course, some individuals will select a cherry blossom tattoo for no reason other than it looks nice and, quite honestly, this is a perfectly acceptable reason for having such a tattoo. Of course, it would always be a better idea to understand the origins of the symbolism behind an image before having it inked. After all, you would want an image that agrees with your sentiments and sensibilities would you not? Then again, if you want it because the image looks nice there is nothing wrong with that either. The choice is ultimately your and your alone to make.

Don’t Be Afraid Of A Rose Tattoo (and if you are, get temporary tattoo roses!).

A tattoo rose design (whether real or temporary) is a symbol of love in all its forms.  However, it can take many different forms and can represent different things depending on the person’s viewpoint.  The red rose is particularly popular.  Sometimes, the tattoo rose design can have the name of a loved-one near or on it.  Many folks have the image of a rose blended into another image, such as a rosebush with a snake curling around a dagger.
Symbol Of Love

Rose tattoos (and temporary tattoo roses) are often symbolic of a particular love of the person the tattoo is on – even if the love is just for roses themselves.  Red roses were once consecrated to the Greek Goddess of love, Aphrodite and Her Roman Counterpart, Venus.  Red roses are also associated with the Virgin Mary.  Whenever she is supposed to appear, the scent of roses is reported to be very strong in the air or permeating the person who had the Marion vision.  Some people equate love with romance and the sexual act – some with caring to the point of self sacrifice.

The Fair English Rose!

A beautiful Englishwoman is usually referred to as “an English rose”.  This was popularized during Shakespeare’s day with sonnets like “O my love is like a red rose”.  Roses are also the family symbols of two long lived and possibly still feuding families, the Lancasters (red rose) and the Yorks (white rose).  Any city or town in England or America named York or Lancaster usually has the appropriately colored roses as their symbol.  Therefore, don’t be surprised if that white rose tattoo means the wearer was born and raised in York, Pennsylvania.  In England, red roses are also the symbol of the Labor Party, currently the dominant political party.

Guns ‘N’ Roses (rock on!)

Many fans of the popular hard rock band Guns ‘n’ Roses (popular in the late 1980′s), will have tattoos of guns and roses.  This is a kind of yin-yang symbol for fans: a symbol of contrasting images making a whole.  The fragile, soft, natural side clashing with the solid, hard manufactured side.  Also, the guns and roses tattoo  looks very cool indeed!

Horse Racing Fans (eh?)

The winner of the Kentucky Derby traditionally gets a blanket of roses (the owner, meanwhile, gets stacks of cash and a trophy!).  If you see somebody with a rose tattoo AND a horse tattoo, then this is usually a tribute to a fallen hero in the Derby.

So, You’ve Decided To Get A Tattoo of Edelweiss

Now what?  You need to determine where on your body you want the tattoo of edelweiss, what exact design you want and what artist to stick the ink in.  You just can’t get an edelweiss tattoo on a whim – which is, on the one hand, a very good thing.  Otherwise, people would be walking around with a skull and crossbones on their forehead! Do a little comparison shopping and, above all, be patient.

Temporary Tattoos

Determining what part of your body should get the tattoo of edelweiss is where the help of temporary tattoos really shine.  You can find temporary tattoos in gift shops, toy stores and on line.  You can usually find temporary flower tattoos, as they are very popular.  You just place them on the skin, wet the back and after a while, peel the paper off.  (Be sure to read the instructions).  When figuring out exactly where to place the permanent flower tattoo, you must ensure that you can reach the area easily to clean it.  You also might want to consider more numb areas of your body, like your ankles or shoulder, as the needles will hurt beyond belief.  If you are worried about your boss or your relatives not liking the tattoo of edelweiss, consider getting it placed where clothes can easily cover it up entirely.

Picking A Flower Design

There are many online sites that feature tattoo galleries and stencil of flower tattoo designs.  Many of these stencils are free.  Stencils are strong black outlines of your tattoo.  It’s like a coloring book design.  The tattoo artist needs this stencil to best do his job in the quickest time possible.  You might be able to draw a tattoo stencil yourself, IF you are good at drawing.

Picking A Tattoo artist

Although you might not have much of a choice as to what tattoo parlor to go to, check it our first to be sure it is clean and that the artists use sterile equipment and surgical gloves.  Sometimes they may also wear surgical masks, although this is strictly not essential.  All of the artists there will usually have portfolios of their work. This is the best way that you can find an artist who is best suited to do your chosen design.  They might even have designs that you like better than what you saw online.  They will also have stencils for any design that they sell.

So, here’s hoping your tattoo of edelweiss turns out to be everything you could hope for!