Nah, its just a drawing on your skin.

Use a biro then…

@wwaswas dragon tattoos are ace. Han Mosley almost specialises in them 😀 I had no interest in a dragon tattoo until I saw her work, and one of her clients is covering his entire body with them.

check her out on Instagram @mosleytattoos – she’s based in Wilmslow so a 25 minute train out of Manchester if that’s handy for you.

There are some nice tats out there i suppose, not my cup of tea, but there you go.
Someone I know has tears in the corner of one eye, “candy” above one eyebrow and stars up her neck.
Classy as ***k.

Use a biro then…

That’s what the sole of your slippers for, mainly on a Saturday night.

I saw some lovely tattoos on TV the other day – watching re-runs of Nurse Jackie and this patient had leaves and foliage on her arms – just the sort of art style I love…

You rang?

Loving the mountain range from nobeerinthefridge

Sorry for the long story…but tattoos should always have a backstory if possible.

Had always planned on getting one, but had never got round to it. However, in Jan 2018 I got the news that my older brother had taken his own life.
When we were kids our dad worked for a danish shipping company and we were lucky enough to spend a lot of our childhoods travelling the world listening to all the stories of Viking seafarers from the (mainly stoned) Danish sailors. I’m not a religious person, but when he died I felt more comfortable  thinking of his passing in terms of mythology than religion so  I bought two pendants of Thor Hammers with  Hugin & Munin on – who were supposed to escort Viking warriors to the gates of Valhalla. I gave one to him, which he was cremated with and I kept the other (I wear it daily).The months after his death were understandably awful.
He was a tree surgeon and had a lot of friends in the local area who arranged to have a tree planting ceremony in a local country park in his honour. On the way there my mum told me a story about how she’d started believing in spirit animals and reincarnation since his death and that on the way out of his inquest a squirrel had followed her up the road squeaking at her and she had a real feeling that was him. During the ceremony one of his workmates spoke about him and how they had nicknamed him Squirrel because of his climbing ability. Mum looked quite shocked but was really happy with that.
A month later she was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer and 4 months later she died in a hospice. The next morning my wife took my son down to the park and she had a yellow butterfly following her around and it wouldn’t leave her alone. The conversation started with “You remember that squirrel story? Well…”.
The next day my niece came to stay and we were surprised to hear her refer to a butterfly as “papillon” (she was 7 at the time). I asked her where she had heard this and she told me it was from my mum as a butterfly was her favourite animal. I asked her what was her favourite colour. Obviously it was yellow.
Later on that year I got the pendant tattooed on my upper arm, with a woodland background – with a squirrel and a butterfly to remember my now lost birth family. Had it for 4 months now and like it more each time I look at it.

Lovely story Scott, thanks for taking the time to post that. 👏🏻

Had it for 4 months now and like it more each time I look at it.

That’s a nice tattoo.

On top of the head of the Viking is the symbol Ægishjálmur (‘helm of awe’) not Vegvísir (protection symbol – ‘guidepost’ or ‘direction sign’) or Hulinhjálmur (‘helm of disguise’) as they look rather similar. I used to have Ægishjálmur as my screen saver, avatar for few years …

The next morning my wife took my son down to the park and she had a yellow butterfly following her around and it wouldn’t leave her alone.

In the far east after a person passing the next few days would be something out of the ordinary appearing at home like butterfly or giant moth or deep forest insect appearing at home where it is not common. The belief is that such insect is the spirit of the person coming home to say goodbye etc. The one thing that is out of the ordinary for us in the far east is that the insect is huge. I mean the size of our two hands but that is in the far east perhaps due to the tropical forest.

Loving the mountain range from nobeerinthefridge

I’m currently suing him for copyright infringement 😂

Same tattoo artist, I got mine first though😉

And rounding out the trio, Isla Short the XC racer again visited the same artist for something very similar.

In my head we’re actually long lost siblings with magic powers. One day we’ll reunite and harness the collective power of our tattoos😂

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br8A8WHFoKl/?igshid=dma2j32cu51i

@d4ddydo666 – will have a look 🙂

@wwaswas
Nice.
Are yours Chinese or Japanese dragon? The former is 5 claws while that latter 4.

Lol @ Bob! 😂🤣

You rang?

Sorry, nothing like that 😀

Love the mountains, I want something similar I think. Scott’s story is amazing, don’t believe in spirits an’ stuff, but lordy… 🤔

Chewkw – thanks. And thanks for tbe extra info. Really nice to know.

People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic.

I agree. While I don’t blame those who have tattoos that mean something to them, ultimately it’s a form of art and not all art has meaning. I have a Samoan half sleeve on my leg and a Japanese full sleeve/chest too, not because they mean something but because I like them.

inked by an idiot

You sure it wasn’t Stevie Wonder?

Na not for me or so I thought, unless it was by this lass.

https://www.instagram.com/ponywave/

Spent years watching various tattoo programs on the telly and built up a pretty good image of what I liked but was always too nervous of ending up with a shit tattoo that I never bothered….until I hit that cliche age of 40 and went for it!

#mandalaskullrose

Had this done yesterday, something I’ve been procrastinating over for a while.

David Barry @ Ultimate Skin, Leeds.

We had a good chat about covering some very old, quite poor tattoos as well.

I’ve got loads of tattoos, all in the American trad style. I don’t worry about them dating as trad tattoos have been a thing for well over a century in pretty much the same form.

#boldwillhold

I don’t buy in to tattoos having meaning, just get what you like. That said, every respect to those who do attach meaning.

Had some “indian ink” (diy) back when I was an arsehole in the 70’s , had then lasered off about 6 year ago which is the best thing i ever done. So now I’m tattoo free but my youngest daughter is covered in then including a forehead tattoo , she gets away with it as she is a tattooist plus she can cover it with her fringe although she never does .

I have really liked the idea of a particular idea ifor ages and the wish to get it done is still there. I’ve also found a couple of artists whose work is stunning and I think could deliver the style I’d want.

Roughly what are the rules on healing up? Or more accurately how long before I can pull a wetsuit over it and go sailing 😁

Three years ago I was firmly in the why the hell would I do that category. Mrs G-d has got some very pretty flowers done on her foot. I want something a little less discreet but still capable of concealment under a shirt with sleeves half rolled up.

Heres my take on tattoos. People make the mistake of believing that they have to mean something or be symbolic. Nah, its just a drawing on your skin. I spent years trying to think of something meaningful. Once I realised it didn’t have to be, I got four tattoos in the next 18 months.

They don’t have to have any real significance, but it’s always nice to have some sort of personal connection with the chosen design – any muppet can go to a tattooist’s studio, point at a piece of flash and say ‘I’ll have that one, please’ just to say they’ve got a tattoo. Most of mine have significance; I have a winged heart with a single chainring around the heart on my shoulder, two Ogham script tats, one that says ‘This too shall pass’, around my right wrist, the other, around my lower right leg, says ‘Can’t ride for shit’, I have a stylised clenched fist on wheels on my right wrist, ‘Bikopeli’, which is Kokopeli, the Anasazi trickster spirit on a mountain bike on my left arm, and a stylised hare based on the Uffington White Horse Neolithic hill figure near Wantage.
I have two more planned, a quote from Aldous Huxley, that says “After silence, that which comes nearest to expressing the inexpressible is music.”
The other is a pair of ravens, representing Hugin and Munin, Odin’s messengers, who travelled the world bringing news of what is happening back to Odin. That choice isn’t because of any Nordic fascination, it’s more to do with their names, which translate as ‘Thought’ and ‘Memory’.
And it’s the Valkyrie who escort fallen warriors back to Valhalla.

Good stuff mate, I got to 43 before I finally decided on what I wanted. 

That looks great!

And it’s the Valkyrie who escort fallen warriors back to Valhalla

Yes, you are right. I was writing I’m a hurry. There ravens represent Odin’s welcoming to Valhalla.

I’ve one tattoo, the Thin Lizzy Chinatown dragon face. I’m a welsh boy who has been in HK for 25 years. Carry on

I always wanted a tattoo, but never thought what to have or where but when my best mate passed away it gave me a reason to have one. Nice to know he’s still with me when I go biking –

https://photos.app.goo.gl/pMk4xM9KoYfQyjht6
Raven wings for Odin’s ravens, Hugin and Munin. Some say they represent mind and spirit as Odin would enter a trance like state and use the raven to fly and observe the realms.
Mjolnir was a cover up for an early tattoo and continues the Viking theme.

After being made redundant at the end of last year I decided to treat myself to my first tattoo, combining two of my favourite things.

View this post on Instagram

So I decided to get a my first ever #tattoo. I really wanted something that combines both #starwars and #cycling and always had this idea in mind. Tattoo by @paul_scarrottattoo at #magnumcircus. Looking forward to showing this off on the trails. #vader #mtb #mtblife #thedarkside #bucketlist #darthvader

A post shared by @ tintim_mtb on Feb 17, 2019 at 12:53am PST

Are yours Chinese or Japanese dragon? The former is 5 claws while that latter 4.

Imperial dragons have five claws, ordinary dragons four. Having five toes/claws means the dragon can read a book, drink cups of tea, and write to his friends. Also, the Imperial dragon is black, which is where Oolong Tea gets its name from, Black Dragon tea.

Having five toes/claws means the dragon can read a book, drink cups of tea, and write to his friends.

My late uncle had dragon tattoo but he was a local triad member when he was young. I still recall the day he showed his tattoo to my grandparents 😀

Thanks for all the replies folks.

Have to say I like 99.9% of the tatts posted so far and it’s been extremely interesting reading all your views.

Just back from a weekend in Wales and taken the wrapping off.
Most of the dried blood and excess ink has been washed off and tbh I’m well chuffed.
It’s a Manchester Bee – not at all lifelike, a symbol, but with a nice twist.

Very happy.

There’s a lot less snobbery about these days – step daughter is a doctor and along with many of her colleagues are enthusiasts. They’ve never had any predjudice or negativity.

I have ideas for the next one – a stained glass window from Gorton Baths is favourite, maybe a Gerald Brocklehust portrait, possibly something Pre Raphaelite.

Pics when this has fully healed and updates down the line. 😀

Thanks folks.

@BoardinBob love love love the leaves.

@smudge just glorious. I’d love to think that a friend might have a tat in memoriam of me after I pass, rather than them just think “thank god that argumentative prick has shuffled off…” (-: What a beautiful thing to do, I’m blown away.

I’ve always wanted a tattoo but never quite worked out what, and now I think I might have an idea thanks to this thread so thank you Rusty. #WheresTheGoddamnPics?

A pleasure.🙂

I don’t have a pic account but I promise I’ll sort something once it looks it’s best.

The theme is definitely going to be Manchester related.
I’m seriously tempted by a Lowry portrait on the other arm… .

Possibly one of the ‘Ann’ images.

And a version of this on my back would be lovely……

…….the Angel Of Purity at Victoria Baths.

Along with the bee, both images I’ve thought about for a few years.
Let’s see how I get on with with the bee first 🙂

Rusty, did you keep the clingfilm on all weekend? Or just ‘covered’ to catch the ink/crap? I’ve always been told to take the cf off ASAP and get it washed…

After my initial one the second happened relatively soon 9-10 months. #3 took another 3 years. #4 will be in April…

Not sure if this will work but here’s #3…

View this post on Instagram

Healing well. @inkminxtattoos

A post shared by blakclaw (@blakclaw) on Sep 30, 2019 at 6:45am PDT

I was told to keep the CF on for a couple of hours and to keep clean, and not swim or partake in any activity that might make me sweat for a few days (no cycling).

Aye, Me too, no sweating for a week, and a lot of bepanthen.

I’ve seen a pic at the weekend of my favourite mountain from an angle that would really transfer well to a tatt.

Hoping my man has space in the diary for Easter!.

metalheart

Subscriber

Rusty, did you keep the clingfilm on all weekend? Or just ‘covered’ to catch the ink/crap? I’ve always been told to take the cf off ASAP and get it washed…

I kept it on for five days!

I realise this is contrary to most of the opinion out there, but the shop suggested keeping it on as long as possible.
They used Inksafe as a covering and it’s worked very well.

All looking fine now, no itching, it seems to have healed perfectly. I’m just using a tattoo moisturiser on it every few hours.

Hoping my man has space in the diary for Easter!.

He’s a nightmare at responding to messsages