The Tattoo Removal - Options and Alternatives

There are a lot of reasons for possibly wanting a tattoo removed – the positive element of tattoo removal is that you are no longer burdened with a tattoo you seriously regret. If a tattoo is holding you back from getting a job you want or keeps you from attaining goals you have set for yourself, a little pain and scarring may be worth it to you. If you have a gang-related tattoo and are no longer associating yourself with that gang or any gang (good for you!), it would be in your best interests to have it removed. If you have a tattoo that symbolizes hate or prejudice, I hope that you will decide that it is time to let it go. If you are wearing a tattoo of a past love and now you have a new special person in your life, it would be unkind to your new love NOT to get rid of the old tattoo.

If you have a tattoo that you wish to have partially or completely removed, you should first consider your options and decide which method might be best for you.

Laser Removal
Today, lasers are the most common method of tattoo removal. They work by targeting the ink with pulses of highly concentrated light that break the ink into tiny fragments, which are then cleared away the your own immune system. However, this isn’t all done with just one treatment. The more treatments you have, the more the laser can penetrate to destroy the ink. But, the more treatments you have, the more damage you do to your skin, causing painful blisters and scabs that can eventually lead to scarring. Experts in removal therapy say that technology has advanced to the point where scarring is minimal, sometimes non-existant, but this can vary depending on the situation.

On top of being physically painful (it has been described as feeling like being splattered with hot grease), laser removal can be painful to your wallet as well. Depending on your tattoo, you may need anywhere from 1-10 sessions, each costing in the range of $250-$850 per session. A large, professional tattoo in color could cost thousands of dollars to remove, and the effectiveness of the removal still isn’t guaranteed.

Intense Pulsed Light Therapy
Intense Pulsed Light Therapy, or IPL, is the newest and greatest dermal enhancer currently being used. Instead of laser light, it uses high intensity light in pretty much the same manner. A gel is applied to the skin and then a wand is used to emit pulses of light onto the skin area being treated. This method is said to be less painful than laser therapy, and more effective, resulting in less total treatment sessions. The bad news is that it also carries a heftier price tag – one clinic offering a price of $10 per pulse. Depending on how many pulses per session your tattoo requires, this could add up to a significant amount of money.

Other Medical Methods
There are other methods of tattoo removal, but most of them are so painful and ineffective that laser removal replaced them as soon as it became available. These other methods include dermabrasion, which would actually “sand” away the top layer of skin through abrasive friction. Another method is excision, where the tattoo would be cut away and the skin sewn back together. These methods have proved to cause much damage to the skin and result in severe scarring, and are only used today in extreme cases where laser surgery is not an option.

Do-It-Yourself Cream Removals
I have not personally tested any of the at-home cream removal methods I have seen advertised – even the ones that appear right here on this website. Honestly, I would not expect a whole lot from them. However, the Tattoo Removal Institute (which I am suspicious of being connected with Tat B Gone, but I can’t prove it yet) states that they have tested a few of these products, and found a couple of them to live up to their claims. According to their research, both TatBGone and Tattoo-OFF did show significant fading of the tattoos without any pain or damage to the skin. Another website,Remove that tattoo!, also hails tattoo removal cream systems as “The only proven way to remove tattoos without surgery”. I am still very skeptical, but if you really need a tattoo removed and don’t have the money for surgery, I guess it wouldn’t hurt to try one or both of these products. It’s not chump change, though – a 2 month supply of Tat B Gone is $125, and it takes several months to get the desired results, according to the Tattoo Removal Institute. A 2 month supply of Tattoo-OFF is $116.95. So, it isn’t inexpensive by any means, but certainly a lot more affordable than laser surgery. But before you shell out any money for these products, you might want to read some of the comments that have been sent in by people who have tried them.

Source : http://tattoo.about.com/od/tatremoval/a/tatremoval.htm

Laser Tattoos Removal

Many people regret having a tattoo and no longer want to live with it. Laser treatment at Court House Clinics provides a safe and effecitve way deal with this problem. Our aestheticians use a specialist laser that emits an intense beam of light which is directed into the tattoo. The light breaks up ink particles that form the tattoo, reducing them to minute fragments which are naturally absorbed through the body's own cleansing mechanism. During a course of treatments the tattoo becomes progressively lighter until it has faded or is completely removed. Tattoos generally requre 8-10 treatments. The treatment can be uncomfortable but a local anaesthetic cream can be applied to sensitive areas.Our technology can remove most tattoos but as they can vary in size, density and colour some respond better to treatment than others. A consultation with one of our specialists will determine your suitability for treatment and realistically determine the expected results.





Source : http://www.courthouseclinics.com/treatments/tr_tattooremoval.asp

The Tattoo Renoval

No one knows when the practice of tattooing the skin began, but Egyptian mummies dating back to 1300 B.C. have shown evidence of blue tattoo marks. Tattooing is accomplished by injecting colored pigment into small deep holes made in the skin. Regardless of who injects the pigment - a tattoo artist or an untrained person the marks or designs are relatively permanent. For various personal reasons, people turn to physicians to have tattoos removed.

Fortunately, there are several methods for tattoo removal which have proven successful. In most cases, however, some scarring or color variations remain. The conspicuousness of these blemishes depends upon several factors including size, location, the individual's healing pro-cess, how the tattoo was applied, and length of time it has been on the skin. A tattoo performed by a more experienced tattoo artist, for example, may be easier to remove since the pigment is evenly injected in the same level of the skin. A tattoo that has been on the skin for a considerable length of time may be more difficult to remove than a new one.

Methods of Tattoo Removal

There are several excellent methods of tattoo removal available today. The method that the physician chooses will depend upon the size of the tattoo and its location as well as the length of time it has been on the skin. How the patient heals may also be a factor in the decision.

Excision

Another popular method of tattoo removal especially when the dyed area is small is by excision. The advantage of this method is that the entire tattoo can be removed. With larger tattoos, however, it may be necessary to excise in stages, removing the center of it initially and the sides at a later date.

Excision involves an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area after which the tattoo is removed surgically. The edges are then brought together and sutured. With this procedure, there is minimal bleeding which is easily controlled with electrocautery. In some cases involving large tattoos, a skin graft taken from another part of the body may be necessary.




Source : http://www.howstuffworks.com/tattoo-removal.htm

Celtic Tattoo Designs

or people of Celtic heritage (Irish, Scots or Welsh), getting a Celtic design is often a way of expressing pride in ones heritage. Celtic tattooing is a reaffirming of affinity to the indigenous artistic style of our ancestors.

Most tattoo designs are inspired by the Irish Illuminated Manuscripts. One of these manuscripts is ‘The Book of Kells’, which is on display at the library of Trinity College in Dublin. The dates on these books are from a much later time than when Celtic tattooing is believed to have begun. Currently it is thought that tattooing for the Celts started around the time when Celtic stone and metalwork began.

Celtic history goes back thousands of years. The early Celts displayed their skills in Celtic art forms such as metal, jewelry and weapons.

The Romans regarded the Keltoi as fierce opponents. Celtic artwork and crosses can be found all over Ireland. They can also be found in other Celtic countries and in modern communities in the world.

Modern Celtic people have evolved symbol meanings for themselves (e.g. Awen symbol, Irish Claddagh or a Celtic motherhood symbol). The North American people who of Celtic origin wear these symbols as Celtic tattoos to show that they are of Celtic descent. Others may wear them to show their support for our culture, or just because they like them.

Ancient Celts passed knowledge down orally by telling stories. They did not keep many written records. Because of this, there is little evidence of their Celtic tattooing remaining, even though cross tattoos are very popular Celtic tattoo design.

Knot tattoos are usually made with Knotwork. They are usually made with no beginning and no end. A knot with no beginning or end symbolizes the never-ending cycle of death and rebirth.

Knots that are pure are unending unless they end with a zoomorphic design (feet, heads, or tails) or a spiral. Un-pure Knotwork ends with a broken, ended, strand or does not connect back to its origional band.

Zoomorphic tattoo designs (or designs in general) are very similar in construction to normal knotwork. Zoomorphic tattoo designs, however, use animal heads, legs, tails, body, or feet.

Spiral designs are designs that are formed out of lines which spiral and twirl in a parallell, usually uniform manor.

Source : http://celtic-tattoo.net/default.aspx

The luck o' the Irish and their history in the form of Irish tattoo

The luck o' the Irish is the stuff of myth and legend, and something those who are not Irish often find themselves drawn to. Four-leaf clovers, leprechauns, and that elusive pot of gold all indicate that Irish culture is steeped with enjoyable and indelible folklore about luck. Irish tattoos are a way to keep yourself lucky all the time!

The symbols of Ireland that we have come to know are often the ones associated with luck and fortune. However, not every Irish tattoo is about only luck. The shamrock, for instance, is one of the most famous symbols of Irish culture, and is more about faith than fortune. The shamrock, with its three leaves, represents the trinity of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Of course, when a lot of people think of Irish tattooing, they think of popular Celtic symbols like the Claddagh and the Celtic cross, and the intricate knotwork that goes into these designs. These make for beautiful tattoos because of the elegance of the lines and the careful amount of detail that goes into the knots.

A tattoo of something Irish doesn’t have to be Celtic to be meaningful and have a story behind it. There are many famous symbols that have come to represent luck, which we can never have too much of. It makes for a fun piece of body art, to walk around knowing that the symbol on your arm or lower back -- or wherever you choose to put it -- means that you'll have good luck.

Source : http://www.body-jewelry-useek.com/1350-irish-tattoos.htm

The Irish Tattoo Designs Have Meaning and History

rish history and the Celtic tradition is rich with images. These symbols, such as the Celtic cross and the Celtic knot, were and are used throughout the Irish world to represent their traditions

This Celtic styled rose design will work well as a lower back tattoo. Just add the colors of your choice.

Celtic and Irish people have taken pride in their heritage by adorning their belongings with these designs. The Irish tattoo has been derived from these original works of art. Metal art, jewelry, Celtic paintings and even weaponry contained crests and seals, symbols and signs steeped in Celtic society. The Irish tattoo represents the simple yet aesthetic qualities of Celtic design work, and brings to the modern world the heart-felt beliefs and ideals of an ancient people.

Pride and Desire

While there is no real evidence that Irish people ever engaged in the art of tattooing, for modern individuals looking to bring Celtic tradition to life in the form of an Irish tattoo, there is enough history of Celtic artists and symbolism from which to gather ideas.

The Book of Kells, for instance, is a historical book containing the beliefs of Celtic spiritualism and religion; in it are pages upon pages of designs and symbols used in everything from funeral and burial rituals to hand-fasting ceremonies.

In fact, many Celtic designs were used to mark graves or mass burial sites, and to say something about the individual buried within; consequently, understanding the true history of these designs will help individuals decide which one is perfect for his or her Irish tattoo.

One of the most popular Celtic designs, the Celtic knot, is a popular Irish tattoo. The Celtic knot itself signifies spiritual eternity and immortality, the circle of life; every beginning from every end. The knot is infinite, as is life. Celtic knots can be used in any Irish tattoo; they can be used as lettering or as parts of larger images, or even as stand-alone art.

They are also popular components of tribal tattoos. Celtic knots can also be used as the basis of many zoomorphic Irish tattoo artwork. Animals can also be used to form infinite patterns; heads joining tails, limbs circling around and tying together. The knot itself is only a concept; its presentation is what makes each Irish tattoo unique.

Wearers are always proud of their tattoos and want to display them for the world, and artists must constantly compile portfolios to win customers and employment. With a little research, individuals can find the perfect Irish tattoo idea.

Learn all you can about Irish tattoo art. It will help to build a deeper meaning, and a deeper connection, to an Irish tattoo, and help bridge a connection between the personal and the universal.

Source : http://www.tattoomuse.com/irish-tattoo-designs-have-meaning-and-history.html

Irish Tattoos Designs

Many people that are Irish like to display their pride but getting Irish tattoos. There are so many to choose from, each with their own symbolic meaning.

From ancient Ireland the Celtic design is an extremely popular choice for those seeking Irish tattoos. It is so popular due to how unique each piece can be. One of the most popular and unique Irish tattoos of the Celtic decent is the Celtic Knot. The Celtic Knot, or endless knot dates back to 450AD and is the symbol for beginnings and endings. In a Celtic Knot, you can see no start and no finish, symbolizing birth, rebirth and timelessness. Another Celtic Knot, called the Dara Celtic Knot, has a different meaning. Dara means oak tree and the drawing of the Dara Celtic Knot is similar to the root system of the oak tree. The oak represents power, wisdom, destiny, strength, endurance and leadership.

There are so many different Celtic designs to speak of. A common Irish tattoo is the Celtic spiral. The Celtic spiral is said to represent the travel from the inner life to the outer soul. To ancient Ireland, the Celtic spiral was said to represent the sun. Another Irish tattoo of Celtic descent is the Three Rays. It looks like three vertical lines, side-by-side. The first and third line represents the male and the female, respectively. The middle line represents the balance of energy between them.

The shamrock or 3-leaf clover is an Irish tattoo that is very widely used. It is believed, for centuries, that the shamrock brings luck. Some also view the shamrock as a symbol for Christianity because it was used by Saint Patrick to teach about the Holy Trinity.

Almost as popular as the shamrock is the leprechaun, a very popular Irish tattoo. The leprechaun also symbolizes luck and can be drawn in many different ways. Your leprechaun can be a symbol for whatever it is you feel you’d like to represent. More commonly leprechaun tattoos can be a sign for luck, mischief, or to represent some sort of alcoholic fun.

There are so many Irish tattoos, symbols and meanings in circulation, all that it takes is a bit of research and an idea of what being Irish means to you, to come up with your own unique design.

Source : http://tattoos-and-art.com/irish-tattoos/

Irish Tattoos

Irish history and the Celtic tradition is rich with images. These symbols, such as the Celtic cross and the Celtic knot, were used throughout the Irish world to represent tradition; for millennia, Celtic and Irish people have taken pride in their heritage by adorning their belongings with these designs. The Irish tattoo has been derived from these original works of art. Metal art, jewelry, Celtic paintings and even weaponry contained crests and seals, symbols and signs steeped in Celtic society. The Irish tattoo represents the simple yet aesthetic qualities of Celtic design work, and brings to the modern world the heart-felt beliefs and ideals of an ancient people.

Pride and DesireWhile there is no real evidence that Irish people ever engaged in the art of tattooing, for modern individuals looking to bring Celtic tradition to life in the form of an Irish tattoo, there is enough history of Celtic artists and symbolism from which to gather ideas. The Book of Kells, for instance, is a historical book containing the beliefs of Celtic spiritualism and religion; in it are pages upon pages of designs and symbols used in everything from funeral and burial rituals to hand-fasting ceremonies. In fact, many Celtic designs were used to mark graves or mass burial sites, and to say something about the individual buried within; consequently, understanding the true history of these designs will help individuals decide which one is perfect for his or her Irish tattoo.One of the most popular Celtic designs, the Celtic knot, is a popular Irish tattoo. The Celtic knot itself signifies spiritual eternity and immortality, the circle of life; every beginning from every end. The knot is infinite, as is life. Celtic knots can be used in any Irish tattoo; they can be used as lettering or as parts of larger images, or even as stand-alone art. They are also popular components of tribal tattoos. Celtic knots can also be used as the basis of many zoomorphic Irish tattoo artwork. Animals can also be used to form infinite patterns; heads joining tails, limbs circling around and tying together. The knot itself is only a concept; its presentation is what makes each Irish tattoo unique.Irish tattoo art can also be found online. Free flash and images, tattoo ideas and tattoo photographs are available anywhere for close study. Wearers are always proud of their tattoos and want to display them for the world, and artists must constantly compile portfolios to win customers and employment. With a little research, individuals can find the perfect Irish tattoo idea; it is up to them, however, how much Celtic history they wish to learn before making their decision. In the end, however, background information can only help formulate a deeper meaning, and a deeper connection, to an Irish tattoo, and help bridge a connection between the personal and the universal.




Source : http://hubpages.com/hub/Irish-tattoo

My first Mexican tattoos

One of my all time favourite songs is 'In These Shoes' by Kristy McColl. One of the lines is: "So I'm sitting in a bar in Guadalajara" and that's how my experience starts...

It's about 4am and I've been drinking heavily with my new Partner in crime, Vic. I'd met him online 6 months earlier and now I was two-and-a-half weeks into my new life - 7000 miles from home, training to be a teacher and loving every damn second. We started talking about tattoos and I mentioned that I'm itching for a new one under my right breast to match the one under my left. I just didn't have a clue what I wanted it to say. The one on my left side is a bit of a joke between me and Vic, it says *Frode*. Frode is the guy who introduced me to Vic. Vic started joking around saying he'd love to have words with Frode for introducing us and how miserable his life has been since I'd been around. I gave him the look of death and said "Vic, you're a cunt". Vic stopped laughing and looked at me. I couldn't understand what was going on; maybe I'd really insulted him, until Vic said "that's it, that's what your tattoo can say!" It was a done deal.

We stepped out of the bar at 8am after 2 more buckets of beer. I was due to start class at 1:30pm, plenty of time to sober up. We walked along Chapultepec and I spotted a tattoo shop. Living in a new country I had no idea about the reputation of any tattooists in the area. Vic isn't from Guadalajara originally and so he didn't know either. We decided to go have some breakfast to give me a chance to think about things.

11am arrives and after a lot coffee and too many cigarettes I decide to go check out the tattooist. I warn Vic that if I'm not happy I'll walk out and he'll have a long day trawling the tattoo shops with me. We go into Modificarte and Juan greats us. He notices my 'sleeve' and starts talking to me in Spanish. I think the look on my face lets him know I don't understand a word; he starts chatting to me in excellent English and shows me his portfolio. I show him the tattoos I have and tell him what I'd like. We sit talking for about an hour and when I'm totally relaxed with him I give him the go ahead to start drawing up the design and asks me to write out the words. I feel embarrassed about the word cunt staring at me from the page and when Juan asks what the word means I want to die as I try and explain that it's a really, really bad word. I turn to Vic with a look that says 'do I have to do this?' He looks at me, nods and says "You won't regret it kiddo". I know he's right.

Juan finishes up the design and takes me through to the studio. We discuss the placement and I remove my bra and vest. He gives me a tiny towel to cover my modesty and attaches the transfer. I take a look in the mirror and it's perfect. I lie down and Juan shows me all the sterile packages. He explains to me that the arrows on the package change colour when they are opened and that if at anytime I'm not happy with something to let him know. I'm impressed, really impressed. I lie back and try to relax. My *Frode* tattoo was really painful and this one was going to be bigger. Juan asks if I'm ready, I nod and he starts to do his work. The pain was totally bearable, I was amazed. It hurt as he neared my side and when he actually tattooed my breast but other than that I was fine. It seemed to be taking ages, at one point Vic popped his head through the window and told me he was going for a coffee but I could tell Juan was just taking his time to do a job well done. After that, all I could think about was if Vic seen my bare breasts!

After about 45 minutes the needle stopped, I was relieved, none of my tattoos had taken so long and it was starting to wear me out a little. I also had to get to class. Then Juan asked what colour I wanted my stars. It wasn't over just yet. I told him black and pink in reverse of my other one. We had to check which way round the colours are as I couldn't remember then he set off again. 10 minutes later he stopped, for good this time. I got up and looked in the mirror and as always I was totally in love. Juan had done such a beautiful job. This guy never failed to impress me; he had made my first tattoo experience in Mexico an awesome one. I asked him to get Vic so I could show him before I was taped up, the piercer joined us too and everyone stood nodding their approval. I was taped up and headed out into the shop to pay. I thanked Juan for his excellent work and he advised me on aftercare, reminding me not to use tap water - it's not even safe to drink it here in Guadalajara). Then I headed off to school. I arrived to class late but my teacher was fine when I explained I'd been getting tattooed. He thought I was totally crazy but I think he'd already been debating on the idea that I was anyway!

7 months on I don't regret my tattoo at all and love any opportunity to show it off. Some people think I'm crazy for having such a harsh word permanently inked on my body but I'm happy with it. It all comes down to personal taste at the end of the day. When I went home at Christmas my mom asked to see it. I had mailed her telling her I'd got a new tattoo but I didn't think she'd approve. She took one look, shook her head in disbelief and hugged me with a little sigh of "Oh Gem, you're just like your dad!" One of the greatest compliments I've ever received.

Source : http://www.bmeink.com/A50507/tatmyfir.html

Mexican Tattoos Designs

Mexican tattoos have come a long way from the stereotype gang tattoos that most people wrongly associate with Hispanics and their culture. Although gang tattoos are quite extensive they have even made it into mainstream street culture with sexy Latinas, chicas and wannabe homeboys adopting this gangbanger style.

Many Mexican tattoos such as these will have gang or criminal affiliations such as the number 13 which signifies the 13th letter of the alphabet, the letter M, meaning La Eme or The M; the Mexican Mafia. Or the three dots usually found on the hand beween the thumb and forefinger which has come to mean Mi Vida Loca or My Crazy Life. But Mexican tattoos aren't all about gangs or prison time.

'Mexican Day of the Dead' inspired design © Anna at Annagram

Mexico is predominantly a Catholic country and this has had a major influence in the style of tattoos worn by many Mexicans. Images of the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ are quite popular. There are many variations of the Virgin Mary depicted as an apparition or protective mother. Similarly Jesus is often depicted in the classic Sacred Heart tattoo or depicted on a cross.

Cross tattoos are hugely popular amongst Mexican males in particular. The usual place to have them done in on the chest or covering the entire back. For females the depiction of the Sacred Heart on the chest is another popular style.

With such a rich history in Mexico you would expect that Aztec or Mayan tattoo designs would be quite prominent. The Mayans and Aztecs were renowned for their body art yet this is not really the case in Mexico. As you would expect the majority of people who request these types of designs are not of Hispanic origin. Go figure


Source : http://www.tao-of-tattoos.com/mexican-tattoos.html

Aztec And Mexican Tattoo Designs

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Mexican tattoos are some of the most striking new patterns around. They take their themes from those of ancient Mayan, Inca and Aztec art, a very distinctive look that’s different from most other types of tattoo designs, yet instantly recognizable.The bold, geometric patterns of Mexican tattoos make them very well suited to tattoo art.

Ancient Aztec Tattoos

Mexican Tattoo

The Aztecs were a tribe that lived from the 13th to the 16th century in and around the area that is now called Mexico. Religion and the many gods were very important in the Aztec culture, a lot of the daily life of the Aztecs was meant to honor and please the gods.

Tattooing played an important role in the Aztec culture though, even children were tattooed.

The ancient Aztec tattoo designs were rather rudimentary, and were not only designed to decorate the body, but for a variety of reasons:

• Aztec tribal tattoos were done during rituals and always in honor of a specific god.
• Tattoo designs were used to differentiate between the different tribes.
• Aztec tattoo designs were used to mark a person’s status, to show a warrior's rank and accomplishments.

There are several tattoo designs that we commonly see with regard to Aztec and Mexican tattoos:

• Many Aztec tattoo designs involve the sun in one way or another. Sun tattoos were in honor of Huitzilopochtili, the Aztec sun god. The sun was very important to the Aztec people, it was the guardian of the heavens. That's why today, an Aztec sun tattoo symbolizes belief in an afterlife.
• Quetzalcoatl – the feathered serpent god of ancient Mexico – has also been adapted to Mexican tattooing. Quetzalcoatl, the god of weather, creativity and fertility, was the most powerful of all Aztec gods.
  
  
  
  
• Tezcatlipoca, the god of warriors.
• The Aztec calendar is a nice design for a tribal tattoo. Here's a video of an Aztec calendar tattoo in the works:

• Eagle: Aztec warriors drew strength from the eagle.
• Other Aztec tattoos that are popular today are cross tattoos and sun & moon tattoos.

Nowadays people are interested in Aztec tribal tattoos because of their symbolic meaning, to honor their heritage or because they feel a connection with the ancient and powerful culture of the Aztecs.

Mexican Prison and Gang Tattoos

On the other hand, one type of Mexican or Hispanic tattoo has been current for some time, and that is the gang or prison related tattoo. These tattoo designs often feature:

• Ornate tattoo lettering.
• Christian (specifically Catholic) images. These include images of certain saints, the Virgin Mary, as well as cross or Christ imagery.

Examples of Mexican mafia tattoos include:

• An eagle with a snake in its mouth, standing on the initials EME.
• A black hand.
• MM: Mafia Mexicana.

Other Mexican Tattoo Designs

Nowadays, there’s much more to Mexican tattoos than a prison or gang related design. Mexican style tattoos are among the most beautiful and original new tattoos designs today.

• Mexican skull tattoos: inspired by the Mexican Day of the Dead, a holiday in which the Mexican people remember those who have died.
  
  
  
  
• Mexican pride tattoos: a lot of Mexicans work in the United States, away from their origins. To honor their heritage and show their Mexican pride, some adorn themselves with for example a Mexican flag tattoo.

Before you decide on a Mexican tattoo design, do a bit of research about the mythology that engendered it, and the precise meaning of the image you are choosing. After all, you will be living with this image for the rest of your life (at least until the cost of tattoo removal comes down a bit), so you want to make sure that it resonates with you – in more ways than just appearance.

Some of Aztec, Maya and Inca mythology is inspiring, but some of it tends to be a bit dark, so you need to make sure that you don't end up with an image whose meaning you aren't completely comfortable with!


Source : http://www.freetattoodesigns.org/mexican-tattoos.html

The Tattoos (Ta Moko)

The word "tattoo" comes from the Tahitian word "tatau". Captain James Cook used the word "tattow" when he witnessed tattooing for the first time in Tahiti, in 1769.

According to Māori mythology, tattooing commenced with a love affair between a young man by the name of Mataora (which means "Face of Vitality") and a young princess of the underworld by the name of Niwareka.

One day however, Mataora beat Niwareka, and she left Mataroa, running back to her father's realm which was named "Uetonga".

Mataora, filled with guilt and heartbreak followed after his princess Niwareka. After many trials, and after overcoming numerous obstacles, Mataora eventually arrived at the realm of "Uetonga", but with his face paint messed and dirty after his voyage. Niwareka's family taunted and mocked Mataora for his bedraggled appearance. In his very humbled state, Mataora begged Niwareka for forgiveness, which she eventually accepted. Niwareka's father then offered to teach Mataora the art of tattooing, and at the same time Mataora also leant the art of Taniko - the plaiting of cloak borders in many colours.

Mataora and Niwareka thus returned together to the human world, bringing with them the arts of ta moko and taniko.

Ta Moko, the process. Moko, the product

According to archaeological evidence, tattooing came to New Zealand from Eastern Polynesian culture. The bone chisels used for tattooing can be found in archaeological sites of various ages in New Zealand, as well as in some early Eastern Polynesian sites. Although the Māori practiced tattooing, there is no evidence that the Moriori people did. In New Zealand, It is in the early sites that the widest chisel blades are found, and this lends evidence to the theory that there was possibly a preference towards rectilinear tattoo patterns in earlier times. The head was considered the most sacred part of the body, and because tattooing caused blood to run the tattoo craftsmen, or "tohunga-ta-oko", were very tapu persons. All high-ranking Māori were tattooed, and those who went without tattoos were seen as persons of no social status. Tattooing commenced at puberty, accompanied by many rites and rituals. In addition to making a warrior attractive to women, the tattoo practice marked both rites of passage and important events in a person's life. There were certain prohibitions during the tattooing process, and for the facial tattoo in particular sexual intimacy and the eating of solid foods were prohibited. In order to overcome this, liquid food and water was drained into a wooden funnel, to ensure that no contaminating product came into contact with the swollen skin. This was also the only way the tattooed person could eat until his or her wounds healed. The full faced tattoo was very time consuming, and a good tattoo craftsman would carefully study a person's bone structure before commencing his art.

	Left : "Anehana, with full facial moko", circa 1900. Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand Te Puna Mätaurangao Aotearoa, must be obtained before any reuse of this image.
	The tattoo instrument was a bone chisel, either with a serrated or an extremely sharp straight edge. The first stage of the tattoo commenced with the graving of deep cuts into the skin. Next, a chisel was dipped into a sooty type pigment such as burnt Kauri gum or burnt vegetable caterpillars, and then tapped into the skin.

It was an extremely painful and long process, and often leaves from the native Karaka tree were placed over the swollen tattoo cuts to hasten the healing process. Wars were frequent, and the warriors had little time for recuperation. During the tattooing process, flute music and chant poems were performed to help soothe the pain. Although the tattoos were mainly facial, the North Auckland warriors included swirling double spirals on both buttocks, often leading down their legs until the knee.

The women were not as extensively tattooed as the men. Their upper lips were outlined, usually in dark blue. The nostrils were also very finely incised. The chin moko was always the most popular, and continued to be practiced even into the 1970s.

Source : http://history-nz.org/maori3.html