What would you think of this as a tattoo?

[pegkerr]

It's something I've been thinking about for awhile. For years, I thought, "No way." Then, I thought, "Well, maybe. If I found the right design, something that summons up a powerful idea for me, and if it was something I could see living with for the rest of my life." Lately, I've been thinking that it would be the Tree of Life, the Holy Tree. This would evoke Yeat's poem, "The Two Trees," and of course Tolkien's tree mythology. This, of course, also all ties in to the hearts of stone and flesh, too. See my entry here.

Yesterday, I finally found a design that made me think, "Wow. Maybe."



I'm not sure I'm going to do it yet, but for the first time, I'm really seriously thinking about it. What do you think?

Edited to add: Of course, friends list, you must accept that I may still like the idea, and you may all think it's beautiful, but I may still NOT get it. As kijjohnson and I say all the time, "You can make different decisions than I do." This would be a huge thing for me, and I'm not quite sure I have the courage to do it.

But I must admit, the idea is looking more and more attractive. For the first time, I can actually imagine myself doing it.

As for WHERE I would put it, well, that is a problem that requires some thinking. How big do you think it should be? I think I would really like it centered. The back is one option, except I would like to be able to SEE it. I think I would like it to be covered much of the time, making it private for me, but somewhere I could also show it if I like.

The poem speaks of the holy tree growing within the heart, so over the heart makes sense, and it feels like the most right position to me. Kij tells me, however, that since there is little fat over the breastbone, it can be a very painful location. I think if I did it, I would do it right, getting it with colors instead of black and white.

Here is an article about the artist. I like the fact that his art has a Christian emphasis. I found the design on a cover of a quarterly devotions guide handed out by our church.

Rob, by the way, is rather appalled at the whole idea.

Edited to add again: rarelytame, who should know, tells me that the flowers are a bit too small and fiddly and would have to be adapted to something else that is simpler, which doesn't surprise me. I would be willing to see what an artist could do to simplify it but still keep it lovely. redbird warns me that perhaps these specific colors wouldn't be best; paler ones don't show up as well. I would be willing to consider other colors.

Comments

[unanon.livejournal.com]

Oh! That's a lovely design. :) Are you thinking of getting a full-color tattoo or a grayscale or black ink version?

Honestly, I'd say go for it. You've obviously found a design that has many layers of personal meaning for you, is pleasing to the eye, and will make you happy. Tattoos are only tacky if there is no depth of meaning attached to them or if they're taken on lightly.

This is a deliberate choice to transform the landscape of your body; it is one of the most personal and potentially satisfying choices you can make. I'm glad you're putting so much thought into it.

Good luck, hun, and best wishes no matter what you decide.

[pegkerr.livejournal.com]

If I am going to do it, I would do it right, with color.

I may decide it is right for me, but still lack courage to follow through. The pain involved scares me. And Rob always teases me about my tendency toward buyer's remorse. What if I got it but decided I didn't like it? However, I must admit, I really adore this design.

[unanon.livejournal.com]

*nods* The design is lovely and probably would make a gorgeous tattoo, given the right artist.

I like the suggestion another commenter made about taping the image to your bathroom mirror for six months. :) I'm probably going to implement that if I ever settle on a design for myself!