"Security is mostly a superstition. It does not exist in nature, nor do the children of men as a whole experience it. Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing. " -Helen Keller

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

SHOW AND TELL: Here Be Dragons

"Here be dragons" is a phrase used to denote dangerous or unexplored territories on old maps. The phrase is inspired by ancient mapmakers tradition of putting mythological creatures in the blank parts of maps. For the purpose of my post, here be dragons describes my tattoos. The first tattoo I got was this dragon...
I got this dragon about 17 years ago. The tattoo is almost as old as my relationship with my husband ;) I went in looking for a small dragon but I fell in love with this one. A dragon it is. Small it isn't. She measures about 4" x 7" and the stars add about an inch in height and 1/2 an inch in width. She reminds me of the dragons from Anne McCaffrey's books and I had her done in gold just like the female dragons in the books. I had the stars added about 5 years ago and each star represents one of my losses. Since I only know the sex of one of the babies I lost, I told the tattoo artist I wanted one pink star and to pick whatever colors he liked for the rest of them (I still need to add one star). When I get the final star added, I want to add a dragonlet for each of my kids.

My second tattoo is a dragon/dolphin yin yang symbol. I got it at the same time I had the stars added to the dragon tattoo.
I designed this tattoo. It represents the relationship I have with two of my dearest friends. The 3 of us have been to hell and back together and I wanted something that would show that to everyone. I have one more name and symbol I want to incorporate into that tattoo but I haven't figured out exactly how yet.

My tats may not appeal to everyone but I think they are beautiful and I love the wealth of meaning behind them.

****************************************

To see what everyone else in class is bringing to SHOW AND TELL, take a trip to visit the Miss Mel, Goddess of the Infertility Blogosphere.

28 comments:

Big Mama T said...

I love how meaningful your ink is to you. I think tattooing (when the design is thought out) is one of the most beautiful art forms there is (I have 6 myself).

Delenn said...

I love those tattoos and the story with them.

Sandy said...

I love dragons. Darin is a comic book artist who draws a lot of fantasy and we also read fantasy and are gamer geeks.

I am reading The Mists of Avalon, and I love that the priestess of Avalon have a blue crescent tattoo.

Thanks for sharing! Very cool.

battynurse said...

Like the tattoos! I have several and am working on planning my next one. Trying to decide what I want. I had a pretty concrete idea of what I wanted but now I'm not sure.

Shelly- Mom Files said...

I love your tatts and the meaning behind them!

JB - A.K.A. Jenn said...

Beautiful tattoos.....and I so love the meaning that goes with each of them. I have a few myself and love them very much! Thank you for sharing!!!

calliope said...

wow. those are beautiful!
We should totally do some sort of internet ink tour so everyone can show off their art.
but yours is lovely!!

..al said...

I appreciate the meaning that lies behind those tattoos. And they are magnifique really!

All ready to see your dragonlets added to the tattoo.

roslynholcomb said...

I don't have any ink, but I've thought of getting a tattoo to represent my losses as well. I was fortunate enough to have footprints of the last one, and I want to have them made into a tattoo, but I don't want to deal with any questions about it. I love the idea of the stars, and it would be less likely to cause any questions. It bothers me that my babies are gone, and except for the last one I have no physical manifestation of them at all.

Anonymous said...

Kristin,
I love your tattoos. I like they way they represent something in your life that is meaningful to you.

Katie said...

I think they look great! And the meaning is even more special

Minta said...

I love how you've incorporated your losses into your body art. Too often it feels like the whole world forgets them, except you, so it helps to have a permanant tribute.

Barb said...

That's what they're for.. how YOU feel about them. Anyone who gets them strictly to show off is silly.

Anonymous said...

Oooh, I love 'em.

I love hearing about the meaning behind people's body art.

I wrote you an email...if you could read it soon, that would be wonderful. Love ya!

Billy said...

Your tattoos are beautiful, and the story behind them makes them ever so more beautiful! [can't wait to see those two dragonettes].

MrsSpock said...

Cool tats! I'm a big lame-o wuss and will never get a tattoo, but I love to hear about the thought and meaning that gets put into someone else's body art.

HC said...

Love the tattoos. They are even more beautiful because you designed them knowing what it represents to you.

Cara said...

I can't believe you have never showed these before!!

They are gorgeous - like you.

Once A Mother said...

i love that there is so much meaning behind your tats, that is what sets them apart from anyone else's. thanks for sharing

AnotherDreamer said...

They are absolutely lovely! Thank you for sharing them :)

Beautiful Mess said...

Oooohhhh I love em! They are beautiful! Not only the look of them but what they symbolize.
*HUGS*

Caz said...

I really love both your tat's and the meaning behind them.
I have a large portrait of my mum on my leg, it hurt like hell but it was so worth it.

Thanks for the comment on my blog.

Caragh
ICLW

Anonymous said...

I have been thinking of getting a tattoo for a few years. DH has 2. I think I have finally worked up the guts. Also, I couldn't decide where to put it. It will have MinMan's initials and another picture that is a symbol of his coming home.

Carrie27 said...

Love your dragon tattoo and all that it represents. I want to get a tattoo, three stars to represent the three kiddos I have.

Chelle said...

Your tatts are beautiful. I love the meaning behind the stars. What a wonderful way and idea to immortalize the babies who never came to be.

Lori Lavender Luz said...

They are both fantastic, but I am really drawn to the dolphin/dragon. I love that it also binds you to your friends and symbolizes your bond.

Alana said...

How neat! I especially like the yin yang you created----love the way you incorported a dragon and dolphin together, it's lovely. :)

Aunt Becky said...

Your tattoos are GORGEOUS! WOW.