Tattoo Designs | Tattoo Ideas

My Top 5 Worst Jewish Tattoos post caused a lot more controversy than I anticipated. With the threat of a Nuclear Iran, Holocaust denial and Lady Gaga performing in Israel, you'd think that the American Jewish community would have more to be concerned with. Apparently not. There were a lot of thoughtful comments, however;  one even suggested I provide a positive list of top tattoos among the Tribe. Einstein (a Jew.)! And so, without further ado...

The Five Best Jewish Tattoo Ideas:

5. Meaningful biblical quotes in ancient Hebrew: I have a friend of a friend who has tattooed his entire back and one full sleeve in these messages. They range from reminders on how he should live his life, humbly and aware of the needs of others, to descriptions of the better world that is to come. Wrapping himself in these words, he has turned even his corporal skin into a living, breathing Torah.

4. A Menorah: The Menorah has as much traditional Jewish perceptual connection as the Star of David, but providing two distinct advantages over the Star:  First, the Menorah allows for internal embellishment, giving the tattoo artist an opportunity to create an intricate and proud piece. Second, the Menorah harkens back to Chanukah and the victory of the rugged Maccabbees over those who sought to oppress the Jews. Whereas the Jewish star tattoo seems passive in many cases, the Menorah declares an adamant, almost macho declaration of Judaism.


3. Portrait work: As shown above with my own tattoo of Ze'ev Jabotinsky, portraits of heroes can inspire daily. There are so many Jewish faces to choose -- and as most recently demonstrated by the cast of Glee, the Jewish people are a bunch of lookers. Add to that a long history of unusual costuming and we have a near Broadway range of expressive, intense Jewish faces to tattoo that could become as iconic as Che Guevara's blowing mane.

2. Judaica Art: Ranging from hand-paintings to elaborate, artistic installations, Judaica art has a long history of representing the people and culture of Jews through creative means. The soft colors and painting techniques of Eastern Europe would work well with some of the new Abstract tattoo artists out of Europe (like Noon). The Sephardic style stuff, full of sand colors and vine-like, interconnected lines, is inspiration for artists specializing in tribal and blackwork. Bonus points if you get something from Mark Chagall!

1. Propaganda posters. There is a rich visual history of early Zionist propaganda posters, like the wide selection found here on Zionistposters.com. Celebrate our return home with some powerful graphic statements of our not-so-distant past.

Bonus Suggestion: Craig Dershowitz! Yes, you heard me right. Anyone who gets my name or likeness tattooed upon themselves wins a free lifetime membership to Needles and Sins.

It's early afternoon in NYC on a rainy Monday and I'm having the pleasure of canceling credit cards and pondering the contents of a purse that is no longer in my possession. With a To DO list gettin anxious as Celine Dion plays on the phone while I hold for my bank representative, my laptop dings. I have new mail from the fabulous Jeffrey. And what do I find, all by myself, that makes my heart go on? This:

Tattoo Lady Edith and Tattoo Man Percy selling for $28 on the equally fab Spitfire Girl shop. The dolls are beautifully designed by California tattoo artist Jason Schroder of Incognito Tattoo. Jason also designed these "Gang of Punks" plushies.

Other snarl reducing gifts found on Spitfire Girl: sassy hankies, teeth mug, gypsy wood journal,and the Little Lady Gift basket.

The greatest tragedy here is that my cards are canceled, and until I get replacements, can't order my tattoo dolls yet. It's moments like these I could use those sassy hankies!

by Marisa Kakoulas DiMattia

While the nitrous given to Brian wears off (the only explanation why he'd post that old SNL vid), I'm gonna give you something new, brand new in fact:

Brazilian tattoo artist of over 13 years, Gustavo Rizerio, has made his home in Brooklyn, NYC now and has become the newest resident artist of the Tattoo Culture family in Williamsburg. Gustavo's portfolio ranges from Japanese to Biomech (as shown in this post) as well as Black & Gray, and feminine florals.

He's also renowned for his fine art work. Check his paintings and photography here.

For appointments, call Tattoo Culture at 1-718-218-6531 or hit them up through their site.

The meaning behind Haida Tattoos
The name “Haida” is derived from the word “Hidery” meaning “the people.” The Haida tribe is considered one of the oldest traceable populations in the New World. The Haida are the native people of the west coast of North America. Politically the Haida are acknowledged in Canada as being a First Nation people. Their ancestral language is the Haida language, which is now extremely endangered. Haidas are frequently referred to as fearsome warriors.

Most Haida objects are decorated with crests -- figures of animals, birds, sea creatures and mythic beings -- that immediately identify the moiety (Raven or Eagle) and often the lineage of the owner. Haida have almost seventy crest figures, less than a score are in general use. The Haida culture believes that the great spirit, “Ne-kilst-Lass” created the world. This spirit takes on the form of a Raven. The Raven is responsible for creating the world. Although most impressively expressed in large monumental totem poles, this highly disciplined design is applied to a wide range of materials, including the human body through tattooing.

Haida society is divided into two groupings, one called Raven and the other Eagle. There are a variety of subgroups that fall into either of these 'moieties'. The moieties and their subgroups of Clans, or matrilineal lineages, own unique combinations of crests and other intellectual properties such as songs and names often expressed in haidan tattoos. Tattoos were put on the thighs, chest, shoulders, forearms, backs of the hands and even all of the sections of fingers.

By Tao

Bloods & Crips, Norteños & Sureños

Tattoos have always been used as a means to identify members with particular gangs. Members use tattoos for several reasons. Some members will have numerous tattoos, particularly if they have spent time in prison. These tattoos may include one or more symbols that has been adopted as something unique to identify it’s members.

Tattoos such as a tear drop under an eye or a spider web represent prison time. Many members will have their name tattooed in large bold letters so that rival members will be intimidated. For the uninitiated wearing an unauthorized tattoo could be very dangerous particularly in prison. Prison inmates have been known to remove unauthorized tattoos from non members by literally cutting the tattoo off the person’s flesh.

Some members in particular take pride in branding themselves as outside of the boundaries of conventional society. Tattoos are also used to express their often nihilistic philosophy. Gangsta style tattoos popularized by rappers are often done in a black and gray style and depict firearms, bullets, secret letters and numbers, in old English or gothic script. It is common to have the name of the person tattooed on the back of the neck or have a motto tattooed on the chest.

It is clear that tattoos have been adopted by mainstream society even though not too many middle-class wannabes are willing to get facial tattoos, or tattoos on their hands - practices common amongst members.

But although gang members try to use tattoos to separate themselves from mainstream society, the effect it has had on the young hip middle class is undeniable. Teenagers who may have no idea of these symbols' original meaning are now wearing tattoos which were originally worn by gang members as badges of honor.

There are many prison gangs in California, the two main ones are:

The Sureños which is Spanish for Southerners. They are a group of hundreds of Hispanic street gangs with origins in Southern California. They are connected with the Mexican Mafia prison organization. The Sureños were the first California gang to make use of gang colors to distinguish themselves from other gangs.

The state of California prison system provided railroad handkerchiefs to inmates in one standard color: blue. Hispanic inmates from Southern California selected or claimed the blue bandanas to identify themselves. Once a member of the Sureños graduates off the street and into the prison system they are designated a part of the Mexican Mafia organization.

The Sureños identify themselves with the color blue and sometimes gray, mostly with Los Angeles Dodgers (the baseball team of their home town), Duke University and Dallas Cowboys apparel. Their gang number is thirteen, using Arabic or Roman numerals, or a combination of both: 13, XIII, or X3 and other creative means of symbolism. This signifies the 13th letter of the alphabet, the letter M, meaning La Eme or The M; the Mexican Mafia.

Numerals are also incorporated into the tattoos, such as Tres Puntos (Spanish for Three dots) or X3 for the number 13 (see also: Three Dots Tattoo) which is the representation for the number three within the Aztec numeral system. An additional significance of the LA Dodgers lies in the numbers corresponding to letters of the alphabet: L (12) + A (1) = 13.

The Norteños which is Spanish for Northerners. They are also called Nuestra Familia (Our Family), are a coalition of Hispanic gangs in North America, based in Northern California. A member of these gangs is a norteño (male) or norteña (female); based on Spanish usage, these names are often not capitalized when referring to individual members. Mexican Americans who are not gang members, but feel a strong cultural affiliation with others in Northern California, may also call themselves norteños/norteñas or simply Northerners.

The traditional rivals of the Norteños are the Sureños (Southerners). The dividing line between Norteños and Sureños has traditionally been Bakersfield, California. In the late 1960s, Mexican-American inmates of the California state prison system began to separate into two rival groups, Norteños (northerners) and Sureños (southerners), according to the locations of their hometowns; the north-south dividing line was near Bakersfield. Part of the motivation for the split was the desire of the Norteños to be independent of La Eme, a.k.a. the Mexican Mafia.

As with many other gangs, Norteños have been involved in trafficking of drugs and contraband, and armed conflict with other gangs and with police. According to police investigators, a requirement for full membership in Nuestra Familia is committing at least one murder for the gang.

Federal law enforcement agencies, long unable to infiltrate the group, began to step up their investigations in the late 1990s. In 2000 and 2001, 22 members were indicted on racketeering charges, including several who were allegedly serving as high-ranking gang leaders while confined in Pelican Bay. Thirteen of the defendants pleaded guilty; the other cases are still ongoing. Two of the defendants face the death penalty for ordering murders related to the drug trade.

By Tao

Cool NEW Pictures Updated Constantly...

Welcome to the female tattoo gallery. Here you can post pictures of your tattoos and check out the most popular female tattoos are.

One of the most frequently repeated reasons a tattoo artist hears from female clientèle when they come to get a tattoo is that they just broke up with their boyfriend. A lot of women visit a tattooist when their divorce papers are signed. The ratio of female to men in some studios can be as high as 60 percent women to 40 percent men.

It appears that women get tattoos when they've experienced some kind of major life change in a lot of cases. Those changes can range from the death of a loved one to marriage to childbirth or a new job. This is a practice that is thousands of years old amongst tribal cultures.

So what are the most popular tattoos for women? It seems anything floral, tribal designs across the lower back, fairies, unicorns, butterflies, and sunflowers are the go for female tattoos. Dolphins were the most popular tattoos for women, in around 2003 but every year demand for a particular tattoo design changes.

A lot of women are starting to request larger customized tattoos on more visible parts of their bodies, like arms and legs. The ankle and lower back are common places for female tattoos, but the stigma towards women with tattoos seems to be disappearing so women are getting larger and more prominent tattoos.

Women are also putting tattoos on their ankles and shoulders more so now than in the past, when women would get ink on their breasts or thighs. Part of the artist's job is to help the client select a design or location that will accentuate a certain part or shape of the body.

Women are generally more style conscious than men so are more discerning about what tattoo they want and where on their body they want it. Men mostly pick out a tattoo, choose a spot on their body and thats it.

According to many tattoo artists - women are much better than men when getting tattooed. Men like to think they are tough can withstand the pain. But when the needle hits their skin they pass out in the chair. Women, on the other hand anticipate the pain and have a higher tolerance.

By Tao

Why Tattoos are so Goddamed Hot!!
What is it that makes tattoos, particularly erotic tattoos, so intriguing to some people, and so off-putting to others? There are lots of associations and meanings assigned to them and those who have them, of course, with generally disreputable origins ranging from drunken sailors to biker gangs and prostitutes.

Then there is the closet tattoo enthusiast such as businessmen or lawyers who gets erotic tattoos on more hidden skin as a way of 'going against the grain' or expressing a hidden side without risking their professional respectability.

There is something empowering about claiming absolute ownership of our bodies, free of the judgment of others and the restrictions of a culture that is profoundly suspicious of the body, its desires, and its pleasures. The idea that our bodies are fully available to us to use however we choose -- to offer us pleasure, well-being, and identity (and babies only when we want them) -- is still a controversial one in this culture.

"Your body is like a house [you] live in," according to Fakir Musafar, one of the most outspoken proponents for body modification and erotic tattoos, in a brilliant interview published by ReSearch magazine. "It's your house, and you can do with it as you please. If you want it pink, you paint it pink. People like Australian aborigines know something that people here don't know, and that's the reason they can poke holes in the body, they can tattoo it, they can decorate it.

Fakir Musafar speaks of body modification as a rite of passage from childhood to adulthood several people who have gotten tattoos have done so as a way of reclaiming their bodies from child traumas involving physical or sexual abuse. There is a definite sense of transition that comes from knowing you are making an unmistakable, permanent change in your body's appearance.

Aside from obvious aesthetics, the real significance of the tattoo process is the realisation of how much is possible once we overthrow the kind of cultural conservatism that would limit us to a tiny fraction of our full potential for life and personal expression.

Fakir Musafar says it well. "A whole part of life," he notes, "seems to be missing for people in modern cultures. Whole groups of people, socially, are alienated. They cannot get close or in touch with anything, including themselves. Why? What's going on here?

For a long time Western culture has dictated - don't f**k with the body; it's the temple of God. But finally people are starting to see things in a different way. People need these rituals so desperately. That's why piercing and erotic tattoos have blossomed.

By Tao

Tattoo Designs From the Celtic World
Celtic tattoos have experienced a massive revival in recent years. The history of the Celtic people goes back thousands of years. The early Celts displayed their skills in complex artwork particularly metal, jewelry and weapons as they were regarded as fierce warriors by the Romans. Evidence of Celtic crosses and Celtic artwork can still be found all over Ireland.

Modern Celtic peoples have evolved symbols for themselves, and North Americans of Celtic descent often wear these symbols to show their Celtic origin. The ancient Celts passed knowledge down through an oral tradition of storytelling and didn't keep many written records, consequently, there is little evidence of their tattooing remaining even though Celtic cross tattoos and Celtic know tattoos are very popular designs.

Most of Celtic tattoo designs are taken from the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts The Book of Kells, which is on display in the library of Trinity College in Dublin, my home town. This is a much later time period than the height of Celtic tattooing. Designs from ancient stone and metal work are more likely to be from the same time period as Celtic tattooing.

Celtic knot tattoos are usually loops with no end or beginning symbolizing the never ending cycle of death and rebirth. Celtic animal (zoomorphic tattoo designs) designs are similar in construction but the cords terminate in feet, heads, tails. Pure knots are usually unending, unless the end of a strand is stylized into a zoomorphic element or a spiral.

The intricacy of Celtic knotwork defies literal translation and its meaning is to be found at a deeper level. The repeated crossing of the physical and the spiritual are expressed in the interlace of the knots. The never ending path of the strands may represent the permanence and the continuum of life, love and faith and for these reason Celtic tattoos have become so popular.

For people who have a Celtic heritage, whether Irish, Scots or Welsh , getting a Celtic design can be a way of expressing pride in their heritage by reaffirming an affinity the indigenous artistic style of their ancestors. They are usually not easy designs to do, and it is strongly recommended to anyone contemplating getting one to make sure that the artist they are considering has experience in designing Celtic tattoos. Not all tattoo artist such an eye for detail and exacting line placement required for the intricate patterns particular to Celtic tattoos.

By Tao

Joint Tattoos Come Clean!

Black and gray tattoos are generally believed to have started in prisons in the United States. This was probably due to the difficulty of prison inmates getting their hands on colored ink. When several tattooists such as California's Jack Rudy and 'Good Time Charlie Cartwright' saw the work for the first time they realized that there was great artistic potential in adapting it for use in tattoo shops outside of prisons.

'Jail house' tattooists would jury-rig home made tattoo machines powered by any small, available motor. Since colored tattoo inks weren't available and cigarette ash made an acceptable, easily emulsified pigment, the tattoos were invariably black and gray. They developed the refined, detailed style that has become popular these days.

The advancement of this underground technique was refined in the 1970's, turning black and gray or 'joint style' tattoos into a mainstay of modern tattooing. Black and Gray is customary used for portraits or for achieving a very realistic effect. The artist's concentration is focused on the line and shading of the piece. They can look awesome particularly if the tattoo artist is experienced with shading. Just like the name they are done only in shades of black and gray.

By Tao

Twisted Metal and Flesh
Bio-mechanical tattoos are basically tattoos depicting human robotics. They are a style of tattoo popularized by illustrator H. R. Giger, the designer of the creature from the Alien movies. Bio-mechanical tattoos are most commonly recognized as showing flesh intertwined with machines or mechanics.

They were popular in the late 80's and early 90's but seem to be witnessing a resurgence in interest. The majority of people requesting bio-mechanical tattoos are guys who get them done mostly on their upper arms, legs, back and wrists. They can be done as small pieces say like a gash looking into the flesh or as an entire piece on the back for example.

The most common colors for bio-mechanical tattoos are usually black and gray but colors are used to great effect in the 'android' style.

By Tao

Hot Metal and Skulls 'n' Bones
When most people think of bikers they think of gang members with menacing biker tattoos. The reality is that biker gangs only represent 1% of actual bikers. We have all heard of The Nomads and Gypsy Jokers who represent the outlaw side of bikers. The ones you see whizzing past you on the freeway most likely are biker enthusiasts. Having said that the sound of fifty Harley Davidson bikes in your rear view mirror can be daunting!

Bikers have long since being misaligned in the public eye and are constantly on the receiving end of bad press. The ones you hear about are the One Percenters as they are known by biker enthusiasts. Their world is one of turf wars, conflict with police and criminal activity including the manufacturing of speed and ice.

People join bikers gangs such as the outlaw motorcycle club for many different reasons. One of the main things was the brotherhood or comradeship. It's similar to the army or anything like that, with discipline and codes of honour. The main reason seems to be freedom - the freedom of the biker lifestyle, and most of all, the freedom of the open road. All bikers crave the same thing - the pure adrenaline rush of two wheels at high speed.

The image is of freedom but the reality is of harsh discipline from the club to enforce its rules. Arthur Veno has spent 20 years studying and associating with the clubs. According to his research, new recruits are from lower-working-class or underclass backgrounds, looking for stability.

Those rules are things like you're not to touch another member's wife or partner, no backing out on fights, if you see one person fighting, it's got to be everybody in. No use of heroin in particular seems to be the rule. No missing 'church', which is their equivalent of their meeting, which occurs every week.

Club rules vary, but most have been adapted from those of the Hell's Angels in the US. The clubs themselves are generally not involved with criminal activities as such. There is, however, no doubt that individual members within the clubs are involved in criminal activities.

Everyone has their own perception or biker gangs whether or not that it is the right perception. A lot of people have the wrong perceptions of bikers not helped by the generally scary imagery favored by bikers as tattoos. Generally the perception of bikers as being violent thugs is one of misperception.

Biker tattoos usually depict the biker gang the biker belongs to. Skull and dice tattoos are can often be seen on bikers along with fantasy style and Norse tattoos depicting mythical creatures. As mentioned earlier it is hard to tell the difference between bikers who belong in gangs and those who are weekend enthusiasts who are retired or work in the corporate world. Just be careful when chatting to that burly dude at the bar next time...

By Tao

The Dove is a symbol of the Holy Ghost in some Christian denominations and is often used in representations of the Baptism of Jesus Christ, and the Pentecost. Most will be familiar with the Bible story of the Great Flood, and of God commanding Noah to build an Ark capable of carrying two of every animal and bird.

 According to the Bible, God then released torrential rains that caused the whole world to flood, and only Noah and his family and the creatures aboard the Ark survived. After many weeks at sea, Noah released first a Raven, then a Dove, to search for land. The Dove returned with an olive branch, and Noah and his family rejoiced in the knowledge that the floodwaters were retreating. The Dove became a powerful symbol as a harbinger of hope.

Others believe that the flight of a released dove also symbolizes the release of the soul in death.

Choose your own dove tattoo design by the world's top tattoo artists at tattoo Johnny and buy the perfect dove tattoo design for you.

By Vanishing

The caduceus derives from the Greek 'karykeion', meaning 'staff of the herald'. It was the symbol of the power to harm or to heal. It appears in images of the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom, Thoth, as a magic rod with twin snakes. Other variations show a staff entwined with twin serpents, topped with a pair of wings, or a winged sun and no snakes. Originally, those twin snakes may have been ribbons attached to the wings, eventually evolving into serpents.

Greek legend tells of a seer who, coming upon a pair of copulating serpents, tried to separate them by thrusting his staff between them. For his efforts he was transformed into a woman. Two snakes and a staff -- or wand -- became a symbol of transformative power.

Determining where those wings come from takes us into even deeper mythology. Wings, of course, are synonymous with Hermes, the Greek god who jetted about in his winged sandals at the behest of the gods, and conducted the dead on their way to Hades. (The Romans called him Mercury.) Hermes' magic wand turns out to be this very same caduceus. His association with the healing arts stems from the time (around 700 AD) when alchemists were referred to as 'the sons of Hermes'.

Today, the caduceus is seen as an emblem of commercial and military organizations - the US army Medical Department made it their official insignia. In some parts of the world it is used by pharmaceutical companies. In the United States, many hospitals and medical associations have the caduceus as their emblem. The true and original symbol of medicine and healing, however, was the 'rod of Asclepius', with one serpent coiled around the staff, not two.

In yoga, the caduceus represents the serpent energy of the Kundalini, the dual serpents suggesting both positive and negative energy. The staff is the spine, the serpent the energy, and the wings signifying the mind. Kundalini energy moves through the 'chakras' along the spine until it reaches the head, the temple of the mind. Many disciplines, schools of mystery, esotericism and magic have adopted the Hermetic caduceus because of its association with the intellect, mind communication, and its magical powers.

Today there are many more variations on the theme of the Caduceus, sometimes with the staff being replaced by a sword, a cross or a rocket, but always with one or two serpents in the picture. Video games, comic books, science fiction and animation have been inspired by the symbolism of this ancient emblem.

The Caduceus has long been a popular tattoo design with individuals who work in the medical profession.

Get inspired by some really great images and photos in our Caduceus Inspiration Gallery

By Vanishing

The badger is either fierce, strong, and shy - or aggressive and anti-social - depending on your respect or antipathy for this nocturnal creature.

Many people came to first know the badger in Kenneth Graham's, The Wind in the Willows. Mr. Badger is a gruff, solitary figure who 'hates society'. But he is also the wise hermit, and proves himself brave, cooperating in times of need to keep the enemy away. In that famous story, the badger is the symbol of common sense.

In the wild, the badger frequently cleans out its den and changes its straw bedding, making it a good example of domestic order and cleanliness. As an animal that digs deep into the earth, the badger has links to the mysteries and magic of the underworld, as well as to the spirits of animals and plants. For anyone seeking a symbol of the balance between that which lies beneath the earth to that which lies above, the badger is a great teacher.

This is a compact and muscular animal, standing about 30 cm in height and a metre in length. It has family ties with otters and weasels. It's famous for its teeth, particularly the incisors, which are so powerful that gypsies and gamblers have been known to carry them as tokens of protection and good luck. The badger paw symbol is worn by those indicating the presence of the spirit animal in their lives, or wishing to call on its power. It is believed that catching sight of badger tracks signifies health and strength.

The badger makes its home on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as in Africa and Asia. In Europe, it is believed that the badger's activities are a forecaster of coming weather. For the Chinese, it is a lunar animal and a shape-shifter.

In winter, the badger is a 'fair weather' animal, keeping to its den until it senses warmth in the outside world. It will then emerge and take advantage of some winter sunshine. The best time for badgers is the late spring, when it fully reclaims its faculties.

As a Native American spirit guide, the badger represents positive attributes that reflect its natural characteristics. As a fierce and tenacious hunter, it is a symbol of courage and determination. It is honoured for its self-reliance and cunning, and for its strategy and defense, and is a powerful symbol as a protector of the family. It is also a symbol of wisdom in choosing friends, perhaps because of its partnership with the coyote. With their powerful forelegs, badgers can root out rodents from their holes, but can't compete with them in the chase. The coyote can, and together their shared skills make for a successful hunting team.

As a totem, the badger plays a role as the keeper of medicinal roots. Knowledge of the treasures that lie under the earth - herbs, plants, minerals - has made the badger symbolic of wisdom, knowledge, and natural healing. Its nocturnal and solitary nature has earned it the status of 'keeper of stories'.

Badger Inspiration Gallery - Click here to get inspired!Identifying with the badger - and taking on a badger tattoo - should be preceded by an examination of the animal's negative aspects, particularly its reputation for being anti-social. Badger folk may have to work on their relationships with others, particularly with authority. Though loyal to friends, the introspective badger individual may benefit from acquiring communication skills for dealing with strangers. Cooperation and sharing of skills by strengthening non-physical abilities is encouraged by badger medicine.

Get inspired by some really amazing Badger images and photos in our Badger Inspiration Gallery

Choose your own badger tattoo design from Tattoo-Art.com.
Find and buy the badger tattoo design that is perfect for you.

By Vanishing