After sifting through many responses, it seems all boil down to this:

Can the human body be a canvas for which a work of art may be painted on?

You might think, yes, of course. But why are people so strongly against it as an art form then? I see a lot of people look at modern art and say “I don’t get it” without getting passionate about the question. So what’s the difference when it comes to tattoos? Does the fact that the drawings are on a human body have anything to do with it? If the same tattoo designs that you see on our skin were painted on a canvas, would the onlooker have such strong feelings against it? No, probably not.

Why is this?

It might come down to a person’s beliefs, and what he or she regards as being right and wrong for the body. This would definitely impact things. Most people against tattoos don’t believe someone can look at destruction and self-degradation as being “art”. To take it to another level, it’s as if you looked at a city leveled by war and attacks, saw all of the death and destruction laying before you, and decided you would call it art. You may have the right to call it what you want, but there would be a pretty long line waiting to tell you otherwise.

So maybe it has nothing to do with the tattoo designs, then. Perhaps it all stems from whether or not you think tattoos are harmful towards the body. If it comes to this, the issue is never going to be settled, because people hold different views of what is best for the body. I mean, this subject touches religion as well as hygiene, and turns itself into a much longer article. So let’s dismiss this point from the discussion and go on…

Where do the lines fall when it comes to tattoos being art? Is getting a tattoo a form of self expression on a rare and perishable canvas? Should we respect it as “art” because it exemplifies a high degree of intention? Or should we be able to shake our heads at the works that, simply put, are ridiculous?

As we all know, art is always in the eyes of the beholder, but the ‘art of the times’ is different matter. It reflects the current artistic state of society, and it’s ever changing. It’s often pointed out how some art is ahead of it’s time, and how the public that isn’t ready to experience it yet. But, is that true for tattoos today? Are tattoo designs on the human body an art form that will come about in time? Or do we not want as a public to accept them? Are they just fads that will never really become art?

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This short Guide to Tattoos and Choosing Tattoo Designs is intended to give you an insider view on the process of getting tattoos and the importance of choosing the right tattoo design. Obviously tattoos are a permanent mark on your body and as such can represent an important stage in life or have some other personal meaning. The best tattoos are not necessarily the ones that look the best but sometimes are the ones that have the deepest meanings…

Before you get tattooed you should consider the ultimate reason why you are getting tattooed. It is helpful if you try to learn as much as you can about different styles of tattoos before visiting your tattoo artist. Certain tattoo designs can have totally different meanings to what you may have previously thought and can also be associated with a particular cultural group – in the case of ethnographic tattoos or gang tattoos. The last thing you want is to get a particular type of tattoo that will overshadow who you really are, or worse, mean something different than what you intended.

This is particularly true of kanji tattoo designs. If you are getting a kanji tattoo design make sure you have the words professionally translated and verified by someone who is knowledgeable on the different styles of Japanese script. Don’t rely on some free kanji design taken from a website or picked straight off a tattoo flash sheet in the studio. It is estimated that in some studios there is a 25% chance that the translation you see on the tattoo flash sheet is wrong! There are many documented cases of Westerners getting Asian style tattoos that ended up being complete gobbledygook!

Another important factor to consider is where you are going to have the tattoo design. The placement of a tattoo is not to be taken lightly. It is a good idea to discuss the size and placement of your chosen tattoo design with the tattoo artist BEFORE the needle actually touches your skin. Once that needle starts up and the artist gets to work it is very hard to change your mind and even harder to have it removed. Professional tattoo removalists will tell you it can cost ten times as much to get the tattoo removed as it does to be laid down in the first place. Getting a tattoo emblazoned across your hands or neck may seem like a cool idea when you are young but will you still feel good about it in 10 or 20 years time? Think of the long term impact of highly visible ink will have on your life.

Choose a tattoo design that reflects who you are not as a fashion statement. Tattoo designs come and go. What was in ten years ago is not whats in now. Although there are certain mainstays in tattooing. Tattoo styles such as Traditional American, Black and Grey Tattoos, Celtic tattoo designs, tribal tattoo designs (ethnographic style) and Japanese tattoo designs will always be around and won’t ‘age’ badly unlike other types of tattoo designs such as cartoon characters, certain styles of tribal designs, barbed wire arm-bands or even tramp stamps!

Sometimes size DOES matter! Why bother getting a tattoo that looks like a piece of grime from a few metres away? I know the natural inclination for tattoo virgins is to start small and then work up to bigger designs later on. But rather than getting a tiny tattoo the size of your fingernail why not think about the overall picture and GO BIG instead? Presumably you are getting inked because you like the idea of altering your body NOT because everyone else is getting tattoos. A good idea is to think of your body as a blank canvas and visualize how a tattoo design is going to evolve on your body over the course of your lifetime.

It is often said by people who have been tattooed that it is like losing your virginity! Even while your first tattoo is still healing you will possibly be thinking about your next one. The sensation of being tattooed, the rush, the smell of the shop and even the bonding with the tattoo artist can all be very memorable and intense. This bonding can be so strong that many people will go to the same tattoo artist for all of their tattoos. Either way show your tattoo artist the respect they deserve and if you love their work leave a big fat tip!

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Even though there are many good things about tattoos, there are bad things as well. Among the good things about tattoos include the chance to broadcast who you are, the chance to be you, and the chance to stand out. Most people who get tattoos get them for the symbolic meaning. Although there are some who get tattoos strictly for the look, many end up regretting getting the tattoo later on in life.

Tattoos are great for show, although the design itself should hold some meaning. There are a variety of designs and colors to choose from, which helps to add to the positive benefits of tattoos. You can check out many designs at your local tattoo studio, in books and magazines, and on the Internet. The Internet is a great resource for tattoo designs, as there are literally thousands to look at. You can also look at pictures of those who have tattoos so you can get an idea as to what a certain style will look like once it has been finished.

The cons of tattoos are pretty straight forward. Tattoos work by piercing the skin with a needle and injecting little gobs of ink. With that being said the risk of infection when getting a tattoo is always there. If the tattoo artist isn’t sanitary and doesn’t clean his equipment after every use, the risk of infection will be much higher.

Another thing to worry about with tattoos is removal. If you later decide that you don’t want the tattoo, you’ll have to pay an expensive price to have it surgically removed. Surgery carries risks and complications as well. In some cases, those who have got tattoos have had to have the tattoo removed due to infection. In these cases the infection has gotten so bad that there really is no other choice than to get the tattoo removed.

No matter how you look at it, there will always be both pros and cons with tattoos. Before you decide to get a tattoo, you should make sure that the design you have picked out is something that you can see yourself with for years to come. If there is any doubt in your mind about the tattoo, you shouldn’t get it. Even though it may seem cool at the time – the price for removal and the complications with surgery may not be worth it in the long run.

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Over the years, modern Celtics evolved and established symbols for themselves along the way. Throughout North America, Celtic people often wear these symbols to let others know that they are a Celtic descent. The symbols and knowledge have been passed down through the years, as there is little no written history. Tattooing however, keeps the Celtic tradition alive with the infamous Celtic cross and other popular Celtic designs.

Most Celtic tattoo designs come from Ireland, where the evidence of Celtic history is very strong indeed. The Trinity College found in Dublin, Ireland, contains many manuscripts that document the Celtic heritage and symbols. The height of Celtic tattooing however, occurred during the era when stone and metal work was really popular.

Celtic knot tattoos are some of the most popular and most common designs, featuring loops with no end that symbolize a never ending cycle of dying and rebirth. There are also Celtic animal tattoo designs as well, which are similar in design to the knot tattoos, although the cords in the design normally terminate in heads, tails, and feet. The pure knot tattoo designs are normally never ending, unless an individual adds an end to symbolize a spiral.

The meaning behind the knots in Celtic tattoos defies any type of literal translation and is found at a much deeper level. The interlacing of the knots expresses the repeated crossing of both physical and spiritual elements. The strands and their never ending path is a popular design for Celtic tattoos, representing life, faith, and love. For many years, Celtics have used these designs for emotional as well as heritage purposes.

Those who are from a Celtic descent, Irish, Scots, or Welsh, normally find a Celtic tattoo to be a great way to express their heritage pride. These tattoos help to reestablish pride, and give tribute to one’s ancestors. The tattoos aren’t easy to do, most taking several hours. Unlike other tattoo designs, Celtic tattoos are among the hardest designs in the world.

If you are from a Celtic descent and have decided to get a Celtic tattoo, the first thing to do is find an artist capable of doing the tattoo. The designs are very difficult and not all tattoo artists can do them. It’s always best to find a tattoo artist who has a background in Celtic designs, as this will ensure the tattoo is done correctly. The artist who does the tattoo needs to have an eye for detail and exact line placement – which is a skill that not all tattoo artists possess.

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