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

[aome.livejournal.com]

As long as you're sure you'd still like to be wearing that design (possibly faded) when you're a grandmother, then I say you should do what moves you. (I've often considered a tattoo, but I'm afraid of that "permanent" thing. Instead, I've drawn on myself with marker from time to time. :P) It's certainly a beautiful design. Perhaps center it over your abdomen, with your belly button at the center of the design? How big would it be?

One thought - might you consider getting it henna'd on you, as a trial? Henna will last a week or so, I believe, so you'd get to try out the feeling of having the design ON you, all the time, but it wouldn't be permanent in case you change your mind.

By the way, completely off topic, but I just discovered a recipe I think you would like. It's not dirt-cheap, but not particularly pricey, either. Alas, I think only you will like it, but if you want a fairly quick, warming, low-fat (though not low-carb) soup: Ginger Carrot Soup. I just made it for the first time and YUM. Add a hard boiled egg or a little shredded cheese for protein, and you've got a meal.

[pariyal.livejournal.com]

I'll probably like it too. And at least two of my three daughters. Thanks, filed in recipe bookmarks!