Japanese Tattoos And Their Meanings

History of Japanese Tattoos

The Japanese tattoos have a long and rich history. The first evidence of Japanese tattoos can be seen on 5000 year old figurines recovered from tombs. Also, texts from the 3rd century A.D. speak of Japanese men decorating their faces and bodies with tattoos. Centuries later, mainly due to the powerful cultural influence of China, tattooing became a taboo, and was largely reserved for outcasts and criminals. The integral part of traditional Japanese tattoo was an elaborate system of symbols that were used to tell a story through the use of specific images that were meant to reveal the character of the individual.

Masks Tattoo Japanese

Masks Tattoo is one of the most traditional Japanese tattoos. The meanings of Japanese tattoos often originate from kabuki plays, just like this tattoo. Hanya masks are demonic masks which come from the famous kabuki plays in Japan, and it depicts a woman who has been consumed with rage over her lover. These tattoos are believed to ward off evil spirits, and bring good luck to the person sporting them.

Cherry-Blossom-Tattoos

 One of the most popular designs for women, the cherry blossoms are used to represent life itself. They are also called Sakura. The beauty of the cherry blossom lies in the strength it has to survive in the harsh conditions that they bloom in, along with their fragile nature, as they only last a couple of days. The Japanese view this as a direct representation of how life should be. They believe that everyday should be lived to the fullest and that the awareness of death should only make us want to seize each moment in our life. This is one of the Japanese tattoo meanings which clearly signifies power and beauty. However, one should remember to take adequate tattoo care after getting a cherry blossom tattoo.

Sparrow Tattoo's 2011

These Sparrow Tattoos are typically worn somewhere on the hands, wrists or arms, but they can really be placed pretty much anywhere on the body. Most sparrow tattoos are quite small, like the birds themselves.
Sailors traditionally would get a sparrow tattoo for every 5,000 nautical miles that they have traveled. You would get one after traveling 5,000 miles and the second after traveling another 5,000. The origins of the swallow tattoo go back to a ship named The Swallow; the crew of the ship had a mutiny. To recognize each other, the 7 mutineers who started the mutiny had a swallow tattooed on their chest.
Sailors earn the right to the wear “blue birds of happiness” tattoos on either side of their chest after having crossed the Equator. Also it has been said that they keep the sailors from drowning. The Sparrow has been said to symbolize a safe return home. When a sailor saw a swallow at sea, he knew he was very near land, and the swallows would lead them home. It is said that if the sailor does not survive his travels, and ends up drowning, the birds alight upon his soul and carry him from the murky waters, up to heaven.
Swallows can also symbolize renewal and fresh beginnings. With one swallow facing forward looking to the future.

love Heart Tattoo

For those who want to make use of the ultimate symbol for love, heart tattoo

SamantaTattoo art

The Most Creative Tattoo Fonts

Are you planning to have a tattoo that has characters and words such as name tattoo? Make sure you do the proper research in order to get the best suitable tattoo fonts. Tattoo designing is a serious art. Since tattoos are generally for a life time and are parts of your body, getting the best possible is the right approach.

You can choose from huge range of fonts available. You can generate and select various types of font by using your computer. Combining tattoo fonts with your tattoo design and check out the final design is very easy with computer. Print out your selected tattoo designs and show it to your tattoo artist for advice. This will help your artist to craft your favorite tattoo design on your body.

When it comes to tattoo fonts, Fiery and Icy styles are most sought after. If you want to have a cool personality these fonts are the best. Several popular designs utilized from Old English. Usually people prefer eye-catching tattoo fonts for obvious reasons.

But, do you really know the main reason these tattoo fonts are used? Usually, people use them in name tattoos. Most tattoo fans love this kind of tattoo design. These are also used to add the names of beloved ones such as parents, children, or person who has died. There numerous other reasons behind the use of tattoo fonts.

 Kanji Japanese calligraphy tattoo fonts are also very popular. Initially Kanji calligraphy was used to write on bones. Today, among Japanese who prefer to give old charm to their tattoos, the rounded and natural Japanese calligraphy is more popular.

However, Kanji has evolved along the time and has diverged into two diverse styles: SOSHO Kanji and MINCHO Kanji.

MINCHO Kanji in Japanese is just like Times New Roman in English. In Japan, it's the most frequently used font in print. It's is more formal and gradually becoming popular in other media's such as Billboards in Japan.

 On the other hand, SOSHO Kanji is relatively more modern, cursive Kanji style and used to create smoothly flowing lines. You can see SOSHO Kanji fonts in the movie "The Last Samurai". You will find SOSHO Kanji style at martial arts training centers as well.

A perfect tattoo means perfect combination of design and tattoo fonts. Therefore, before you choose tattoo fonts, it's crucial to understand the right meaning. Research and pick carefully in order to get the most unique tattoo fonts you love the most. The style of use of tattoo fonts tells a lot about personality.

Alain Bernard Tattoo

Alain Bernard is an outstanding French swimmer who has won three Olympic medals.

Alain has a single tattoo designs on his body that we are aware of, which is a shark with tribal markings located on his left hip/abdomen area.

Shaquille O'Neal Tattoos

 

Shaquille O'Neal is a great all star caliber NBA player and 3 time finals MVP, commonly referred to as "Shaq" and the "Diesel". Not only is Shaq an accomplished basketball player, he is also well known for his impeccable acting skills and sensational singing voice, not to mention an official U.S. Deputy Marshal.

Shaquille O'Neal is also a man who enjoys his tattoos, which he has around a dozen. The tattoos on his left arm include, the famous shield of superman with the words "Man of Steel", he also has a large tattoo of his nickname "Diesel" just above the shield.

He has a rather large angel on the top of his left forearm, alongside a couple of script designs which are difficult to see clearly. On the inside of his left forearm is a bullseye with a silhouette of himself dunking.

The tattoos on his right arm include, a circular logo with the word "DOG" and the "O" being the head of a pitbull. He has the word "BIG" in bold lettering on his inner forearm, along with a very muscular man which is perhaps meant to be a small portrait of himself. Shaquille O'Neal is said to have a couple of new tattoos which read "The world is mine" and "Against the Law".

Marilyn Manson Tattoo

Marilyn Manson is the satanic goth rocker, who your parents have probably warned you about. Marilyn Manson has quite a few tattoo designs on his body, most of which are in relation to the occult, horror and underworld of society.

The tattoos on his right arm include, a smiling single horned green cyclops, a large green hornet/fly looking insect with a tiny skull drawn on its wing. On the backside of his right forearm is a tattoo of a large skull and spooky haunted tree which is rooted into the top of the skull.

The tattoos on his left arm include, a large smiling red devil in the center of a horseshoe with an eight ball on top and three dice below, all of which are placed on six, surrounded with flames. Just below that tattoo is the head of a black goat (Baphomet), which is a symbol commonly associated with satanism. He also has a ghoulish face on the backside of his left forearm, a comic book character titled "Uncle Creepy", plus a cobweb on his left wrist.

And finally, Marilyn has seemingly matching tattoos on his inner forearms of the mythical creature known as Cyaegha. A green eye enclosed by a mass of tentacles. Feast your eyes on these pictures of Marilyn Manson and his tattoo designs.

Tom Araya Tattoos

Tom Araya is an amazingly talented Chilean musician known for being the bass player and vocalist of the thrash metal band, Slayer. Tom Araya has many tattoos on his body, including two nearly complete sleeves, as well as several other designs on his upper arms and shoulders.

Some of the tattoos on his right arm include, a skull on his upper arm, along with two Kanji characters underneath. Plus many designs within his sleeve, including a star and bio-hazard symbol, plus a bracelet of sorts.

Contained within the sleeve on his left arm is the faces of three women, one of which resembles Jackie Onassis. Tom also has a handful of other tattoos on his upper left arm and shoulder area, however they are rather difficult to identify clearly.

Kim Maher Mask and Rose Tattoos

Kim Maher is a talented American softball player who is best known for winning an Olympic gold medal during the 1996 summer Olympics.

Kim Maher has a three piece tattoo design on her back, containing a mask, rose and a line of Kanji symbols.

Natalie Maines Back & Foot Tattoos

Natalie Maines is an American singer-songwriter and member of country group the Dixie Chicks.

Natalie Maines is known to have three tattoos, including a star with two banners and names, located on the back of her neck.

The singer also has a small design on her right ankle, accompanied by several tiny chick foot prints on the top of her right foot, which she shares with her two fellow bandmates.

Jessica Biel Tattoos

Celebrity actress Jessica Biel currently only has one visible tattoo that we know of, which is a cute small dove carrying a olive branch. The tattoo is a biblical reference to when Noah sent out a dove after 40 days of rain and the dove returned with an olive branch, confirming that the waters had begun subsided. Checkout these photos of Jessica Biel's dove tattoo on her right hip.

Angelina Jolie Tattoos

Angelina Jolie is perhaps the single most tattooed famous celebrity women in show business today, 13 at last count. Some of her tattoos include, the phrase "Know Your Rights" and “Strength of Will” (Arabic).

She also has the geographical coordinates indicating the birthplaces of her children tattooed on her left shoulder, amoung several other unique tattoo artworks.

Pamela Anderson Tattoos

Lets have a close look at the tattoos of model, actress, activist and blonde bombshell Pamela Anderson. Pamela Anderson has 3 visible tattoos, including a barbwire armband on her left arm, a small ring on her finger which was her wedding ring from Tommy Lee. Pam also has an interesting, rather large tribal tattoo on her lower back extending down to her butt. Checkout the photos of Pamela Anderson's tattoo designs.

Tommy Lee Tattoos

Tommy Lee is the great musician, drummer and founding member of the heavy metal group Mötley Crüe and Methods of Mayhem. He is also well known for being the former husband of Pamela Anderson and father of her two children.

Tommy Lee is perhaps the most tattooed celebrity out there, with well over forty tattoos, if you count all the designs within his two sleeves.

The tattoos on his right arm include, a large long leopard, a skull wearing a top hat, a dragon on his bicep, the cartoon character mighty mouse, along with several other designs.

The tattoos his left arm include, two rather large koi fish, a white daisy flower, among many other colorful tattoo designs.

Tommy Lee has two huge tribal lion heads on his chest, the word "Mayhem" on his upper abdomen, and a lotus flower along with the number 30 on his lower abdomen.

On his back, is a magnificently large tribal tattoo design which nearly covers his entire back. The design almost appears to be wings of some sort.

He has a colorful star on each hand, plus the names of his sons on both wrists "Brandon" and "Dylan".

Some of Tommy Lee's other tattoo designs include, a large crow on a withered branch on his right thigh, a band of interesting symbols on his left thigh, the lips of an ex girlfriend behind his left ear and flames on the right side of his neck.

Tommy Lee probably has even more tattoo designs, in hidden areas which we'll never see, or would ever want to see, for that matter.

Checkout these pictures of rocker Tommy Lee and his tattoo artwork.