How to keep tattoos unique
1. Look for a deeper meaning
Instead of going for an easy choice, try to come up with something that signifies that same thing, just in a more original way.
“If they’re getting something for their grandfather, instead of getting a cross with his name on it, think about something they did together or something he liked,” said Sam Leys, a tattoo artist at local tattoo shop Black Sword Alliance, located at 1304 E. Princeton Ave. “If they went fishing together, maybe get a fishing hook or even a fish on a hook. There’s a lot of things you could get into to make that tattoo more unique,” she said.
2. Avoid copying a tattoo off of the Internet
“Come talk to an artist in an actual shop,” said Brant Dailey, an artist at 111 Arts Gallery Tattoo Shop, located on East Main Street.
Developing a tattoo with an artist can provide different perspectives and can make the tattoo personalized.
3. Mix concepts
Take one aspect from one picture and another aspect from another and work with an artist to develop a tattoo that combines both elements.
“Maybe you have two different symbols in mind. You can intertwine the two different tattoo designs and in doing so, you will have made each tattoo symbol more unique,” said Tattoo Destination, a website for tattoo ideas.
Tattoos have signified something greater than what meets the eye since ancient times: proclamations of religious affiliation, “declarations of love,” and even punishments, according to Smithsonian Magazine. However, with the introduction of the Internet, some tattoo designs have become more popular, and tattoo artists are seeing them repeatedly.
“It’s mostly because [customers] see [tattoos] on Tumblr or on Pinterest in a black and white photo, and it looks really cute and that’s what they want to get,” said Sam Leys, a tattoo artist at local tattoo shop Black Sword Alliance, located at 1304 E. Princeton Ave. Here are tattoos that she sees regularly:
Infinity signs
Meaning: Infinity sign tattoos can mean a multitude of things. Couples get the ink to signify their never-ending devotion to each other, while other people use the sign to signify that there are no limitations in their lives.
Variations: Infinity sign tattoos can include words to give more meaning to the design. Example words are “love,” “faith,” “family” and “hakuna matata” from Disney’s “The Lion King.” Pictures that are incorporated with the design can include anchors, feathers and birds.
Dream Catchers
Meaning: Dream catchers are Native American objects created to keep nightmares away. The tattoo is supposed to bring good dreams and protection to its inked owner.
Variations: Some dream catchers use natural elements, such as vines or leaves, but they can also include birds, sunsets or personal quotes. New Health Guide’s website warns that dream catcher tattoos can be considered cultural appropriation, aspects of one culture stolen by members of another culture. They recommend being informed before being inked.
Feathers
Meaning: Like dream catchers, feathers can also be tied to Native American culture. Feathers were given in some Native American tribes to people who had done a brave thing. Eagle feathers could be seen as a sign from the heavens, according to the website for the American Indian Heritage Foundation.
Variations: Some tattooed feathers are shown exploding into a flock of birds. Others include a feather intertwined in an infinity sign and a feather accompanied by lyrics from the Beatles song “Blackbird."
One Word Tattoos
Meaning: This tattoo can signify a personality trait or an important moment in a person’s life.
Variations: Words can be complex, often a favorite of the inked person or simpler, such as “fearless” or “faith.”
Semicolon
Meaning: Semicolon tattoos are associated with suicide prevention, because semicolons are used to join two independent clauses in a sentence. The sentence could’ve ended, but it didn’t, similar to how a life can end, even though it didn’t have to. These tattoos were started by Project Semicolon, a movement started in the spring of 2013, which went on to become an organization of hope and support.
Variations: The semicolon tattoo can be plain — just the punctuation mark — or it can be intertwined with other words, such as “continue” or “live.” Some semicolons are portrayed as part of an anchor.
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