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Choosing the Right Chinese Tattoo Lettering - How to Avoid Mistakes
Tattoos are called "wen shen" or "chi shen" in Chinese, and literally means "to puncture the body." While tattooing has been practiced in China for hundreds of years, it has never been quite elevated to an art. Neither has it reached the same prestige it enjoys in other parts of the globe. Chinese culture deems the human body a perfect creation on its own, and tattooing the skin is a grave mutilation. Regardless of how they view the practice, Chinese tattoo lettering is being used now more than before and has steadily grown in demand across the globe.
The first consideration for most people when choosing a tattoo is the design's aesthetic appeal. Consequently, the elusive beauty of Chinese calligraphy and the deep spiritual symbolism of its characters render Chinese designs one of the most popular choices for tattoos today. However, the most common error that people make is overlooking the translation compatibility of words between two languages. Using free online or offline translation programs may formulate direct literary interpretation of the words you wish to use but fail to phrase them in their proper context. For instance Anne had the Chinese character "Freedom" tattooed on her arm. But the tattoo artist had it translated into "Free Love." She now bears a tattoo whose meaning is totally different from what she wanted. It's the classic example of a tattoo translation horror story.
Another potential pitfall is that Chinese symbols have individual meanings; their connotations rely on the milieu of present times. As a result, Chinese tattoos get outdated quickly. What's more, Chinese characters are meticulous to tattoo. Mistakes such as forgetting a tiny single brush stroke or tattooing lines backwards result in a pretty but senseless character etched on your skin.
To avoid the embarrassment of wearing a Chinese character tattoo incorrectly, you might want to do the following before having anything done to your skin:
- Choose concepts that are universal and easily understandable across cultural barriers. The most commonly-used Chinese tattoos represent ideas and qualities like love, peace or strength. If you are adamant to use phrases and other more complex words, check first if their meanings can be translated correctly into Chinese.
- Familiarize yourself with the various styles of Chinese calligraphy. There are many to choose from. The most popular is the grass style, which executes characters swiftly with strokes running together.
- Always ensure that your tattoo translation has been carried out by fully qualified translators, be it by actual persons or online programs. If the translation is literally correct, it is best to be on the safe side and still check its context with a friend or resource person who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
- Be careful in choosing your tattoo artist. Be sure that he or she understands what you exactly want and is capable of inking the character correctly. Many Chinese tattoos end up defaced, tattooed backwards, or missing strokes because of the artist's ignorance.
6 Ways to Personalize Your Chinese Symbol Tattoos
In the last ten years, Chinese symbol tattoos have swept the world like a whirlwind. Many people show their fashion sense through Chinese writing. 35% of NBA players have some Chinese motifs inked to their skin. In showbiz, celebrities share a similar affection for Asian characters (words). Why are these exotic words so popular? The most apparent reason is their artistic appeal. Chinese text is like fine art. However, I notice that many Chinese tattoos look rather ordinary and bland.
6 Tips for Adding Style and Glamor to Your Chinese Symbols Tattoo
- Color of Chinese Symbols - Chinese symbol tattoos are often done in pitch-black ink. This is the traditional style. Dark ink (e.g. navy blue, brown, grey) and subdued colors are classic, exquisite and impressive. On the other hand, why not spice it up with other colors. If you want a funky modern look, try lighter ink. If you are daring enough, go with bright colors (e.g. sky blue, pink). There is no rule on what is the best color. Choose something to that is compatible with your personality.
- Number of Chinese Words - The number of Chinese symbols determines how much space is needed. If your tattoo designs consist of several characters (5 or more), more space is required to accommodate the text. In contrast, if there are just a few characters (1-3), a small space will do. Personally speaking, I know that tattoos with several symbols look enchanting. They tend to convey deep meanings or truth. Some people like that very much because they resemble a mysterious script. Think of an ancient Chinese scroll. So, if you want mystery and deep meanings, go with several symbols.
- Chinese Word Size - Think about how big your Chinese characters should be. Large size symbols give the impression of boldness and confidence. In addition, they allow for details. You can see the writing strokes including the turns or dots easily. Small size symbols render discreteness and modesty. Of course, details will be reduced. Nevertheless, do not underestimate the power of smaller writing. They look cool and sexy, attracting the eyes of many tattoo lovers.
- Tattoo Placement and Body Parts - The nagging question for ink enthusiasts is where to place their Chinese symbols. The most common spots include the back, arm, chest and leg. However, I urge you to consider the issue of aging. As we age, our tattoos age too. Certain body parts are especially prone to developing wrinkles. Because of that, you should place your Chinese words in an area of your body where they can hold their grace for a long time. Hence, you will look as graceful and youthful as your writing tattoo.
- Chinese Text Alignment - Your Chinese symbols tattoo is like a text. To add variety to your ink, think about how the text should flow. In other words, you can adjust the text alignment to achieve a desired look. The conventional way is to flow your Chinese symbols vertically, from top to bottom (like Beckham did with his calligraphy tattoo). The other way is horizontal alignment. In this case, you have two choices. The writing can go from left to right, or right to left. You decide the text flow for your ink. My advice is to go with vertical alignment. This gives you a classic and distinctly Asian look.
- Calligraphy and Writing Styles - The best way to glam up your symbol tattoos is to use Chinese calligraphy. Calligraphy is aesthetic writing in handwritten styles. It is highly respected art in China. There are five writing styles (scripts) for tattoo designs. They include seal script, running script, cursive script, regular script, and running script. For instance, you can get your Chinese characters written in cursive style (like David Beckham did). The result is truly stunning. More people are turning to calligraphy style designs because they are timeless. They give a sophisticated and personalized look. You must see them. Calligraphy symbols are the perfect fusion of tradition and cosmopolitanism.
Your Chinese Symbols, Your Tattoo Expression
Here I have suggested six ways to personalize your Chinese words tattoos. Rather than following celebrity trends, focus on what you like and suits you. Follow your heart makes more sense than blindly jumping into the hottest style. This is important for permanent body decoration. You should spend time researching and planning for your Chinese ink. There are no rules on what is proper and what isn't. Tattoo is personal expressions, free and creative. Try to find something that compliments your uniqueness.
Chinese Symbols Experts for Practical Tattoo Ideas
You should seek professionals for Chinese symbol designs. In addition, these professionals must be proficient in Chinese translation. Online resources like tattoo fonts merely give you pixel dots. In fact, fonts are meant for computer applications, not body art. Likewise, Chinese dictionary does not provide accurate translation. Talk to a Chinese symbol expert, not an automatic word generator. An expert gives you practical tattoo ideas. Word generator offers a string of terms with loose explanations, or meanings that lack clarity.
Ngan Siu-Mui is an internationally renowned artist in Montreal, Canada. She has 30 years of experience in traditional Chinese arts, calligraphy and painting. Through the fusion of western culture, her works have evolved into a modern distinctive style. Ngan's Chinese symbols appeared in Hollywood movie "The Red Violin". Her calligraphy symbols have been engraved in the stone forests in China. The engraved stones are mounted in public areas as cultural displays. Through the internet, Ngan spreads her passion for Chinese symbols to the world. She designs beautiful calligraphy symbols for tattoo lovers. Visit her gallery of Chinese Symbols Tattoos, Calligraphy Writing.
Connie Ho specializes in online marketing and copywriting. She does business writing, web content, blogging, and article marketing. Her clients include gift retailers, tattoo business, art vendors, consulting firms, and more. Her writing appeals to a wide audience. Informative content, helpful advice and choice are the key to online marketing. Blogs and articles are great to jumpstart your internet business. Visit Connie Ho Copywriting and Marketing.
Best Women Tattoo Designs - Information and Popular Designs
Women's tattoo designs have grown enormously at a fast rate. Even just twenty years ago you were just starting to see women with tattoos, and most of these women kept them in discrete places so they could cover them up.
One of the very first women to sport tattoos was Betty Broadbent in 1927. She became known as the first tattooed lady; displaying her body art with Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey Circus. Not only was Betty the first to have a full body tattoo, but she was also the first to have her self tattooed by the electric tattoo machine.
Now in 2010, you can pretty much find a tattoo parlor in every city, as well as women sporting some pretty great tattoo designs all over the world.
Tattoos in general are now available in more colors and with pretty much any kind of design you like. If you are going to an exceptional tattoo artist, they can pretty much duplicate anything you like.
Women's tattoo designs over the years have pretty much evolved from simple 'names' and 'roses' to outrageous designs like 'flowers down the back', 'the tramp stamps' and 'angel wings'.
Also, women are no longer getting tattoos that they keep hidden. Tattoos are shown in more visible places, and are considered 'sexy' in modern day society.
Some of the more popular tattoo designs for women are:
• Shooting stars
• Butterflies
• Angels
• Fairies
• Flowers
• Chinese Symbols
• Hearts
Some of the more popular places on the body for a tattoo include:
• Lower Back (Tramp Stamp)
• Side of Torso
• Ankle and Top of Foot
• Wrist
• Front Side of Hips
• Belly Button Area
Chinese Tattoos Tips
I just saw a Caucasian woman with a Chinese tattoo that says, 'love birds' in Chinese. But that's what she thinks. When read in the Chinese context, it means either you love birds or and you are a bird lover! On the naughty side, it can also mean you love the male organ, you know, the reproductive one. If you don't believe me, trying showing it to anyone in China or Taiwan.
So it is really crucial for Westerners who want to tattoo Chinese characters on their body to really know what it means and symbolize. The Chinese calligraphy may look impressive, especially when combined with a Chinese dragon tattoo, but get it wrong and you may be looking like a clown with a puzzle tattoo instead. And by the way, Chinese tattoos are not Japanese tattoos. Some characters may be the same, but most of them have different meanings in the different cultural context.
For those thinking of inking the Chinese characters tattoos, I would suggest consulting a Chinese speaking tattoo artist before the procedure. Unless you want to look like a victim of a practical joke, it's better to get it right the first time because tattoos are permanent and removal can be painful. Chinese tattoos with just the characters or writing alone can look quite boring unless the calligraphy is done tastefully, which is rare unless the tattoo artist is trained to write and have practiced Chinese calligraphy for a period of time.
I would suggest combining it with Chinese symbols to give a better impact. The Chinese phoenix tattoo is a very powerful symbol for women and the Chinese dragon is a good one for men. Both are mystical creatures from Heaven and symbolize power and luck. If you are more ambitious, you can put all the twelve Zodiac tattoo signs on your back. But you better be tall for this project.
If you want a list of Chinese characters and their meanings, you can visit and download the Chinese Tattoos for free at our website listed below.
Different Butterfly Tattoo Methods
In the world of tattoos, butterflies are beautiful and some of the best tattoo butterfly design research information is right here. The popularity of tattoos that are enjoyed by both men and women of all ages have reached epidemic proportions, the world over. The tattoos are created and applied to many parts of the human body, with the arms and chest area being two of the most popular. Every part of the human anatomy that can support a tattoo seemingly has been covered in one form or the other. From a selection that includes almost everything in the human mind to the dainty and lovely butterfly tattoos, it is important to realize that most tattoos are permanent and this decision needs to be on a permanent basis.
There are two ways in which a tattoo artist can apply a butterfly tattoo to a human anatomy. One process ends with a permanent design and the other doesn't. Of course we all have at least some experience with temporary tattoos, so this is not a foreign entity to us. Henna art tattoos are some of the most impressive temporary forms of artistic-expression. Although this is a form of a temporary tattoo, this is not the type of highly creative artwork that is temporary that we are referring to these days. The Henna inking process uses an ink which is an extract from a plant found only in the Middle East region of the world. Commonly a Henna temporary tattoo will last approximately 2 weeks but this all depends upon the care and quality that the tattooed person gives the artwork.
The permanent processing of applying a tattoo has to do with a needle and a tattoo gun. The needle injects the permanent dye into the skin at the exact right depth so that the dye is not on the surface but directly underneath the skin. After the work has been done on the body then that is where it will stay until the person decides to utilize a laser-tattoo removal process or cover-up. Cover-ups have come a long way as well but they are still seen as sub par to the original production. This is why it is so extremely important to know exactly that you will be satisfied with what you're having applied to your body. The bottom line is that permanence is a reality and that should be kept in mind before you sit into that tattoo chair.
The butterfly is one of the most beautiful metaphors that can be symbolized as a tattoo on the human body. The butterfly symbolizes life and freedom. Many individuals like to have colorful butterflies applied to many differing parts of their body. The human conscience has been placed upon a skin easel. In the end butterflies are beautiful tattoo designs and are normally one of the most popular in any artist shop so do not fear about not having enough inspiration as they will be there, well-represented. You will have no worries in selecting from a great display of looking-alive butterflies!
Flower Tattoos and Tattoo Designs
The art of flower tattoos is just as old as the genesis of tattoo artwork itself. Even if these tattoos look trendy and fashionable across the world, they put across varying symbolism hence people picking a flower design. Designs simply aim to tell a tale worth telling within the individuality. For this reason, it might take a person a whole century to decide on which flower tattoo design meets his or her demands and the one that is able to attain cookie-cutter appeal to people.
The importance of flower tattoos and designs is regarded highly by those ladies dying for a real first body art. The shape and form of the flower tattoo redefines the very tender platitudes carried in the female person. Flower tattoos typically, have been known to represent the womanly nature. However, the meaning of a flower tattoo or design rests on flower genus and color indicated. As a matter of fact, every traditional flower employed brings out its symbolic and characteristic meaning. For instance, the iris leads the pack as it is most regarded after the rose ubiquitous.
When it comes to Christianity, the iris triple petals stood for Holy Trinity while the white and blue iris colors were associated to Virgin Mary. Taking a closer look at the picture of Archangel Gabriel, you spot a flower in one of the hands as he appears to Virgin Mary, which simply symbolizes purity. In England for that matter, women viewed iris to symbolize virtue and interestingly, they adored the iris' image designed into their individualized seal. Talk about the violet, Narcissus and Hyacinth makes the list of beautiful flowers and whose names were derived from mythology of the Greek. Looking at violet, Io nymph is where it got its name and was much adored by Zeus, the Greek god.
Flower tattoos and designs bring out real meaning that always comes to pass; that's to say, they are rich in reality and symbolism. Several designs are used on noble ladies and typically mean different things. The cherry blossom carries the beauty and sexuality of a woman. It defines fragility found in life. It tries to underline the fact that all that is born definitely dies which is clearly indicated in the beautifully designed pale petals. The ancient Samuraii in traditional Japan favored the design and with it, the idea of death walks with them on each passing day and in a split of a second, they will succumb to mortality.
When a butterfly design is integrated with a flower design it symbolizes natures fleeting beauty and its sexuality. It wholesomely defines divine magnificence held by the youth that ultimately comes to an uninvited end. It typically, reminiscent a spring that bursts ripe with scintillating color but fades slowly as seasons moves to the summer, to fall and ultimately dies in the winter.
Flower tattoos that start from the ankle of a lady and runs around and round the whole foot and includes a hummingbird tasting the joy of the flower drink (nectar), underlines the importance of a flower tattoo. Just a well performed piece of tattoo and a great piece of artwork. A tattoo of this nature informs us about the happiness the lady had when she first received the tattoo and looked at her future with a lot of great opportunities and possibilities. When you look on the face of a flower tattooed man or woman, you spot a great person floating in hope and optimism about the future and the good things lying in wait. No matter what other people might say about your tattoo, it is worth your effort and assurance.
Flower tattoos carrying a hummingbird enjoying nectar from the blooms are wonderful designs to have on your body. Designed in its bright and somewhat colored tattoos, you definitely look prettier and appealing. Flower tattoo designs that carry a complexion of colors is an explosion in itself and will ultimately present a noble feeling from the word go. Since flowers symbolize beauty, a flower tattoo defines the love and passion held in a person's inner self, only let loose in such things like flower tattoos and designs.
By cleverly looking at your own body formation, you are able to pick a flower design that suits you. The most sorted flower tattoo design is the hibiscus; it gives out a promise summery found in the Hawaiian message which is relaxed and laid backwards. This design provides an exotic and tropical island zest symbolizing fun filled and easy going lifestyle cherished by many tattoo enthusiasts.
The Lotus flower design offers another flavor in the wide selection of flower designs. It forms an irresistible choice; this flower grows from a bud glued on mud at river bed and steadily blossoms to rise up and out of the river taking the share of the sunlight. Within no time, you see a lovely and beautiful flower unfolding. As the Hindu and Buddhists have it, it defines the individual's soul journey to enlightenment. At great points, the Lotus tattoos may be used to define someone's spiritual and personality attributes resting within the person.
Other commonly used flower designs include oriental wildflowers and the orchids. For sure, flower tattoo designs are what define the great tattoo art people crave for whenever they want their bodies tattooed. They are just the timeless selection of the people and which they love and adored throughout their lives. Because of this, picking the best tattoo design will simply pass out information about what you are and cherish in life. It is the best and silent way you can express yourself without spending a calorie.
Since flower tattoo designs can be artfully painted (for a short time) and crafted or pierced for permanent stay, there are reasons why a permanent choice is the best. Looking at flowers, they are just awesomely beautiful and timeless, typically redefining the feminine nature and diversity of a woman. Their bright color provides the attractiveness a woman lovingly want hence making a permanent flower tattoo design the best of all.
Author: Jonathan Harris
Iris Tattoos - Sexy Flower Tattoo Design For Women
Iris tattoos are favored by women who have great admiration for the beauty of the flowers and have found connections to the symbolical meaning attached to it. Iris with its sleek stature and bright colors have artistic and stunning appeal as a body art, its no wonder that it has never fail to catch the attention of tat enthusiasts specifically the women.
Flower Tattoo Designs have always been a top favorite among women who are looking to get tattooed because its easy to express oneself through flowers not to mention the language and symbolism that they represent. It was believed that the flower was named after the Greek goddess Iris who personifies a rainbow that connects the heaven and earth. In France, it became the symbol of royalty while in Egypt, garland of irises were seen gracing the Sphinx's brow. In Christianity, the iris flowers signify the divine message and suffering as seen in the ancient paintings of the Virgin Mary and the archangel Gabriel . In Japan, the iris is called ayame and is considered the flower of May. Presently, the iris is the state flower of Tennessee, and the Fleur-de-lis is the emblem for the city of New Orleans.
In the tattoo imagery, the purple iris is the most commonly used kind and is said to symbolizes faith, hope, wisdom, courage, and admiration. It can be seen tattooed on the arm, shoulder blade, leg, thighs, rib and foot. However, iris tattoo is a very versatile and adaptable design and it would look gorgeous and sexy no matter which part of the body they are inked.