Topic: Tattoo required

[goldshirt*9]

as stated i want to get a tattoo on my upper back and left arm.
as i am English i want something related to this.
i have seen saxon designs



but i love the 3 lion passant heraldic design.

with out the red back ground though

[Skadi]

I would say of the 4 the middle 2 will turn out best. The top one people will say look like intertwining willies. And the bottom would be hard for some tattoo artists to translate properly... but maybe they could..Minus the red, would you leave the other colors the same? Do you have one person you go to? Would it help to consult with them?

[Skadi]

I just flipped through a book of Saxon art, and I didn't see anything better. It had lots of doors, chalices, weapons, grave stones, and armor. Some of it was more simplistic. One was similar to the second one you posted, but looked more like bones. One was similar to the third you posted, but more primitive. Are you going to do a coordinating tattoos between arm and back? The guy who did my piercings is really good, and also does tattoos, I can ask him if he has other sources for Saxon designs. Otherwise.. I'd go with the lion one you're most passionate about for your back, and just get a good artist. Then, maybe do a more simple pattern for the sleeve band.

[goldshirt*9]

the arm and back would be different not connected.
the 3 lions i would like to do in black and white mainly. NO RED but other than that im not too sure.
ask your friend for me please 

[Skadi]

but they'd be connected by theme.. you're doing them both Saxon? I'd still say just commit to the 3 lion passant heraldic design because you're bound and passionate about it. This brooch design is cool. cool to me. it might look too primitive/simplistic for most people.

[goldshirt*9]

it could be incorporated 

[Skadi]

I think I like it because it look like an artifact someone would use in a 'chaiots of the gods' ancient astronauts example It reminds me of the cuneiform clay tablet -

http://www.physorg.com/news126183668.html

Are you getting your whole arm done? Something over the top like a sword (or some other weapon) would be cool... It looks really dumb on Brock Lessnar the location he has one.. but, if done right it would/could be cool.

Or, are you just doing a simple band on your arm?

[goldshirt*9]

top of left arm i am aiming at 

[dweez]

but they'd be connected by theme.. you're doing them both Saxon? I'd still say just commit to the 3 lion passant heraldic design because you're bound and passionate about it. This brooch design is cool. cool to me. it might look too primitive/simplistic for most people.

No offense, but it looks like crop circles to me.

[Skadi]

No offense, but it looks like crop circles to me.

lol I know That's why I said it looks lke some 'chariots of the gods' ancient astronauts relic. I think it would look good in a tattoo if the colors were reversed. And it's more original then using a patteren as a tribal band. I still think if he's doing something Saxon it should be a sword on his arm... it's a good figurative reference for what Saxons literally believed as important symbolism.

[dweez]

I've always wanted a Celctic Cross with an "endless knot" type design for it's innards.

[goldshirt*9]

if i was any good at design i would attempt something , but i'm not 

gives me ideas though

[dweez]

I'm just as bad at "artistic creativity".  I've had this image in my head and all I can do is scour the net looking for the right tattoo, picture, tapestry, sculpture, etc and so for, nada.

[subvinorosa]

I used to lurk this site where this guy posted his tat designs.  I can't for the life of me remember what it was so I'll keep looking.  I do remember that he was planning on doing his entire body and that he was anal about how he wanted it done.

[Skadi]

Is this blacklight tattoo ink for real?

 If so it would be cool to get one full arm done it it so people can't see it every day. Then get a knife and knife sheath on your upper arm in regualr tattoo ink that is visible. In the day you'd look like a history/weapons/Saxon buff.. then at night in blacklight you'd look like an immortal warrior.

[goldshirt*9]

have seen before . neat work but wouldnt last the test of time.
imagine your granddad having that

[Skadi]

have seen before . neat work but wouldnt last the test of time.
imagine your granddad having that

By discussing extremes on here.. you just gave the best response yet because you answered your own questions, and dealt with any hesitations about what you want, and narrowed your field by 95%, so you're nearly decided.

You're probably close to having what you want on the original images you posted.

If the color scheme is simple the lion passant heraldic design would work on your back, especially because you love it.. but also it's the right shape. And for your arm you'd want to get something equally bold and simplistic and classic.. like a tribal banding like one of the ones you posted, something to do with later Saxons. Or a simple really ancient Saxon symbol like a Valknut or a Irminsul. Just keep reserching scroll work until you see one that hits you on a gut level. Or, research to see if there's scroll work tied to your specific regional lineage.

[goldshirt*9]

nice design there
looking at some prices at the moment 

[Skadi]

>_>

okay.. I kept forgetting to post this this week... but you can't/shouldn't use a valknut, because people might read it wrong. Which I'm sure you weren't leaning that way anyway.. I still thought I'd mention it. I was watching the history channel this week.. and saw a spot about how neo nazis use it as a tatoo. Stupid nazis.

[goldshirt*9]

quite a nice design though.
but i wont get that one 

[Skadi]

I found a cool Hopi indian symbol the other day. Not that it applies to you... but it's cool. If I got a tattoo i'd consider using it.

[goldshirt*9]

thats nice

[Skadi]

It's the Hopi World symbol / cosmic cross. It's cool in itself because it addresses cardinal direction (north, west, east, and south) which is sacred universally in cultures. I like basic nature driven symbols. Plus it's interesting they consider 4 a sacred number... instead of 3 which is key in other cultures.

It also means-

The Hopi are a Native America Nation who primarily live in Arizona. The Hopi call themselves Hopitu - 'The Peaceful People'. This symbol signifies world to the Hopi "cosmic cross". The four bars represent north, south, east and west. The shield symbol with its four circles in four quadrants means: "Together with all nations we protect both land and life, and hold the world in balance." It is a symbol of peace to yourself and others, a symbol of honor to oneself as well as to others.

This symbol signifies world to the Hopi The "cosmic cross" or four bars represent north, south, east and west correspond to the outermost points on the horizon where the sun passes through the year; the solstice and equinox points. The four circles inside the outer outline represent the four nations (the first four tribes of mankind), which came to the world to keep balance.

^ If I got that, I'd consider getting it on my inner wrist. The Hopi spiral would be good on the inner wrist also-



This rendition of the Hopi spiral is also common among North, South and Central Native American Indian tribes. The spiral represents the number of journeys or treks a tribe or nation has made to the four corners of the earth. Engraved on stones, the spiral suggests an intricate journey made to the Otherworlds on back. Generally, the spiral represents a broadening of consciousness, which is the destination arrived after a long journey.

If I would do a big tattoo this would be cool-



A symbol of creative and natural energy. The supreme god due to the Hopi's dependence upon it for the growth of corn, and other sustaining crops. The sun symbol represents the heart of the cosmos and deals with vitality, growth, and passion

Or.. a lunar phase sequence would be awesome shoulder blade to shoulder blade, maybe basic shapes in and arch, but with these phases represented-

[dweez]

I think "4" might be mystical to them also because way back in the day, the whole of existence could be broken down to the 4 elements, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air.

[Skadi]

I think "4" might be mystical to them also because way back in the day, the whole of existence could be broken down to the 4 elements, Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air.

yep. lots of different cultures attach different important elemental symbolism to cardinal direction.

Chinese -

North =  Rat: Adaptability, charm, creativity, sociability, wit.
East = Rabbit: Trust, sincerity, love, compassion.
South = Horse: Physical strength, health, adventure, loyalty.
West = Rooster: Confidence, business, energy, persistence.

Celtic-

East = air, communication, new beginnings, new growth
South = fire, energy, passion, creativity
West = water, emotion, psyche, movement
North = earth, home, security, fertility

North = Infinite Possibility (no-time)
South = Present – Now
West = Past
East = Future

American Indian-

North = wisdom/thought
East = salvation/spirit
South = beginnings/purity
West = conclusions/fullness

[Skadi]

I just talked to a guy, and he has the celtic alphabet tattooed as arm bands. He divided the letters in two parts, and half is on each arm.