Humans have marked their bodies with tattoos for thousands of years. These permanent designs — sometimes plain, sometimes elaborate, always personal — have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment.
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Tattoos talk. Rather than meaning something literal and universal, the art on our bodies is often personal and complicated.
To me, body art is a means of expression. It’s a journal of where I have been in my life and chronicles important events as well as beliefs that I hold dear to my heart. I got my first tattoo in 1996. It marked an event where I reconnected with a very important person in my life. This was an unexpected reunion of two people who were meant to be together. Life came full circle.
I wanted to honor this meeting of two different souls by using the yin yang symbol, a rose and a dolphin.
The most well-known of Taoist visual symbols is the Yin-Yang symbol. The image consists of a circle divided into two teardrop-shaped halves – one white and the other black. Within each half is contained a smaller circle of the opposite color.
What is the meaning of the Taiji symbol? In terms of Taoist cosmology, the circle represents Tao – the undifferentiated Unity out of which all of existence arises. The black and white halves within the circle represent Yin-qi and Yang-qi – the primordial feminine and masculine energies whose interplay gives birth to the manifest world. Basically it shows the duality present in every human being.
In my case, the use of the yin yang symbolizes the differences in both and how putting them together, a “whole” is created. Neither can exist without the other; each makes the other stronger. The rose symbolizes the romanticism of finding each other again and establishing a “couple”. The dolphin stands for my love of the ocean and all things “water” …. my horoscope sign is “cancer“.
As time went by, the image blurred and needed a touch up. I found and awesome artist in Ocala, Florida who did a wonderful job in completing this first tattoo. Two extra dolphins were added to represent the three grand kinds that I had at the time.
(May need to add another for a surprise baby boy who arrived last year).
~~This tattoo was placed on the right side of my upper back~~
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In asian culture the koi swims upstream and up a waterfall (much like trout do to spawn) and once they reach the top of the waterfall they turn into a dragon (a symbol of the struggle of life and when you reach the end you get to heaven.)
For that reason many artists will only tattoo koi fish swimming up and NEVER down as that is a symbol of NOT persevering through life and not getting into heaven.
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~~This tattoo was placed on the left side of my upper back~~
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In Sanskrit, the meaning of Om is avati, or rakùati. Rakùati means
‘One who protects, sustains’. So that which sustains everything is Om. That means Om is the name of the Lord, who pervades your being,
who pervades everything in the world in the form of niyati, the form of the
order that sustains.
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The lotus flower represents one symbol of fortune in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives forth the flower’s first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment.
The second meaning, which is related to the first is purification. It resembles the purifying of the spirit which is born into murkiness. The third meaning refers to faithfulness. Those who are working to rise above the muddy waters will need to be faithful followers.
~~This tattoo was placed on my left arm~~
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There is no other Hindu symbol more well known than Ganesha.
The Ganesha is a Hindu god straight out of Hindu mythology. The Ganesha is a very popular god with some of the most striking characteristics that many are sure to remember.
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~~Ganesh was created by Goddess Parvati as a guardian to her privacy~~
Incensed by the refusal of her husband to respect her privacy, to the extent of entering her private chambers even while she was having her bath, Parvati decided to settle matters once and for all. Before going for her bath the next time, she rubbed off the sandalwood paste on her body and out of it created the figure of a young boy. She infused life into the figure and told him he was her son and should guard the entrance while she bathed.
Soon after, Shiva (Lord of destruction and husband of Parvati,) came to see Parvati but the young boy blocked his way and would not let him in. Shiva, unaware that this lad was his son, became furious and in great anger fought with this boy whose head got severed from his body in the ensuing battle. Parvati, returning from her bath, saw her headless son and threatened in her rage to destroy the heavens and the earth, so great was her sorrow.
Shiva pacified her and instructed his followers (known as ganas) to bring the head of the first living being they encounter. The first creature they encountered was an elephant. They thus cut off its head and placed it on the body of Parvati’s son and breathed life into him. Thus overjoyed, Parvati embraced her son.
~~This tattoo was placed on my right arm~~
MEANING
~~Good Luck, Intelligence, Purity, Truth, Wisdom, Prosperity and Strength~~
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Kanji are the adopted logographic Chinese characters that are used in the modern Japanese writing system along with hiragana, katakana, Hindu-Arabic numerals, and the occasional use of the Latin alphabet. The Japanese term kanji for the Chinese characters literally means “Han characters”.
~~This is the Kanji symbol for love …. in the rainbow colors~~
“MJ” are the initials of my partner’s name.
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The tattoo on the forearm is complex. It has the Kanji love symbol and also a hibiscus flower (my partner’s favorite) and the “equal” sigh … because we are all equal.
♀♀
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Quick summary of the 7 Chakras:
Root Chakra – Represents our foundation and feeling of being grounded.
Sacral Chakra – Our connection and ability to accept others and new experiences.
Solar Plexus Chakra – Our ability to be confident and in-control of our lives.
Heart Chakra – Our ability to love.
Throat Chakra – Our ability to communicate.
Third Eye Chakra – Our ability to focus on and see the big picture.
Crown Chakra – The highest Chakra represents our ability to be fully connected spiritually.
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There are seven main energy centres (chakras) of the body. These chakras are like spirals of energy, each one relating to the others. Using the seven colours of the spectrum, Colour Therapy aims to balance and enhance our body’s energy centres/chakras and also to help stimulate our body’s own healing process. Colour Therapy uses colour to re-balance the Chakras that have become depleted of energy.
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….. and here you have it. These are all the tattoos that I have. They all have a meaning and they all represent a time in my life, my loved ones and my personal beliefs.
You keep getting to know me a little bit better each day!!
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We ALL are ONE!!
All of my tattoos have been works of art done by Ms. Stacy DePaola
You can find Stacy here:
https://www.facebook.com/Barefoot-Stacys-Tattoos-710884935673876/?fref=ts
https://hrexach.wordpress.com/2013/10/17/the-meanings-behind-my-tattoos/
We ALL are connected!!!
Beautiful! I love hearing about people’s tats. So much better than tats done when you are drunk or ‘in lust’ with someone. I can’t have tats, not sure if there is anything I would want on me permanent. Went with my second husband to get his tat and really looked at a ton of tattoos in about 5 different places. Never did see anything which I felt represented me. Maybe I am an unsettled spirit. The only thing I could possibly see is the Phoenix, as I feel my life has had re-dos so many times, or just different lives. But, I have a blood clot disease and when I asked a couple of places about it, they said they wouldn’t do a tattoo on a person with a blood disease. They said maybe a less reputable place might, but it isn’t safe for me. So, I enjoyed your sharing. I can tell it was personal, but enlightening into who you are.
Peace
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TY … peace to you!!
Yes, if you have a bleeding disorder they won’t to them. Even though it’s superficial, there is bleeding.
A Phoenix would be awesome … rising from the ashes!!! Yes …
Thanks for stopping by.
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I have seen some awesome tats, and know they can do just about anything now days. The one I would like, if I was able, is this one: well, damn it! I can’t get it to copy. There are actually two I would get. I will pop them on a little blog post.
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I have a few Phoenix pics. Are you on Facebook?
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Yes, I don’t check it but once or 2x a week. Is there a link on your page?
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Yes, there should be … on the main page. If anything, you can find me as Horty Rexach.
🙂
Don’t think there any other w/ this name!!
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TY for visit and reference!!! 🙂
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Love it Horty! A woman should be very proud of her ink! I’ll let you in on a little secret…I have a Gothic Cross on the upper left arm, shaded in Royal Purple and outlined in Black (very simple tattoo).
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My dear Ed!!! …. we are also ink brothers!! I love that!!! 🙂
Another thing that connects us!!
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I have 3 tattoos. I’d like to add flowers or something to one. 2 Kanji symbols and a compass rose. http://holley4734.wordpress.com/2013/12/09/travel-theme-symbol/
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What beautiful work Doc! I do not have any tattoos.. but I am seriously considering getting one. I want one for my sons, a guardian angel watching over the baby that my youngest will always be. I cannot sort a design though as I don’t want it too big. Any thoughts?? Thanks so much for sharing. Great to get to know you ever better. 🙂
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TY, Jade … I love tatts. Wish I could have more but my “older skin” doesn’t take ink good any longer …. besides don’t want tatts that are in areas that sag!! LOL ….
I love your idea for yours!! I will keep an eye open for guardian angels and baby pics open …. that’s the best way. Look for pics on google and get ideas.
Hugs!!
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Thanks! I have looked for pics but cannot seem to find just the right one! I think I need to get me some bits that don’t sag to start with! LOL. Hope you are well? 🙂
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You have some very awesome tattoos. You are right, every tattoo has a story. I only have three, all drawn by me, so I’m just getting started. My wife has three, all drawn by me as well, she doesn’t know how much more ink she wants since one covers most of her back, about 35 hours of table time for that one.
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Wow!! Suggestion .. write a post w/ pics of yours and hers tattoos.
Would love to see them!!
Hugs …..
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I am so glad I came to see yours and learn the stories behind them. They are beautiful and their stories wonderful. Thank you for sharing them.
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Thank my dear new friend!!! Peace ….. 🙂
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Reblogged this on It Is What It Is and commented:
Throwback Thursday post ….. Meaning of my ink!!
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