Considering My Next Tattoo’s design
For years now after getting my first tattoo, I have been searching for another tattoo design to satisfy my crazy passion for storytelling and being ever so sui generis. Does not make sense to you?
Other than having a meaning, I want my tattoos to be conversational pieces,
to be a piece to mark a transitory period of my life,
have an inter cultural historical meaning .
Currently, I am looking at getting a full back Japanese Cherry Blossom piece starting from the base of my spine.
This will be my only colour tattoo.
When I told V about it, his reaction was, “Expensive wei…â€
Typical V, but he is only getting his first tattoo after he gets his next cord. He has already gotten his design down.
As for mine, the design is still in its conception point. I am torn between having a full tree, that is positioned on the middle of my back or just have a branch that begins at the base and the branches up towards my left shoulder blade.
I asked my mom for her opinion.
 She was horrified, “Why would you want something so big on your body?â€
I just laughed. The design is not out yet, for all I know, it’ll probably be only a handful of Cherry Blossoms. Like my first, I’ll probably be designing the tattoo myself. Or at least get a draft design for the artist to work with. We’ll see. It took me 6 months to finally get my first tattoo design down and that piece was simple. God knows how these Cherry Blossoms will look like.
You might be wondering why I am choosing Cherry Blossoms since they are not exactly my favourite flowers.
In case you are wondering, I love Red Poppies.
In typical Otaku fashion, the Cherry Blossoms (Sakura) has played a very important part in Japanese culture. Almost every anime that I loved has a Sakura scene as well as theme songs related to Sakura. But more importantly, Sakura blooms in Spring, the time when life begins. Culturally, the flower is used to symbolize the transience of life (how Zen and Buddhist). Falling blossoms are representative of snow (the season that I closely compare myself to)
And according to legend they are a metaphor for a warrior killed early in life.
Morbid but very me.
And being Chinese, one cannot forget the image of the Cherry Blossom during the Lunar New Year. It represents the symbol of feminine dominance, female beauty and sexuality.
Yes, I am proud to be a woman though it can be hard at times.
Some people will applaud the fact that I am finally getting a feminine and pretty tattoo as compared to my first tattoo.
Since I’m getting the second one done, I’ll ask them to re-ink the first.
Initially, I had wanted my second tattoo to be done traditionally in Borneo. Most of my friends think I am either a pain junkie or have just lost my marbles.
I actually do not mind the pain because it is something I am ready to put up with. What I am actually worried about is the infection that might get. For me, if I am going to have another tattoo, it might as well be done traditionally.
But it looks like that will be my third piece then. And I have not decided on the design for that one either.
Perhaps I will come up with some drafts and you can give me feedback on them. Ta!