Tattoo Designs | Tattoo Ideas

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