Ink

For about the last year, I've been exploring the possibility of getting a tattoo.

I've got friends who have them - some who just get random things, others who have beautiful pieces of art that truly mean something to them.

I fall into the same school of thought as the latter, as in if I'm getting a tattoo it needs to mean something to me.  Unfortunately because I'm a fairly direction-less sort, finding a design that meant something was tough.  I'd considered getting two magpies on my lower back (a magpie is a clever bird that likes shiny things - I consider myself to be the same.) but realised that to get the beautiful shimmer they have on their plumage theyd have to be fairly sizeable.  I didn't want to be crazy magpie lady, I have plent of other crazy without having it permanently displayed on my body.

I started thinking about butteflies.  I've always liked them and although they're a pretty common thing to have tattooed, I knew I could put my own spin on it.

I finally took the plunge on Tuesday and had the tattoo done.  The people at the shop were awesome, but I'm never having another one done ever again ever.  For me, that pain is more than I'd want to tolerate again.  I do love the finished product though, I think its really pretty and feminine (but I'm biased of course).

I'm still in the healing stages, but this is what it looked like a couple of hours after being done, its placed on the right hand side of my lower back because the tattooist said it'd flow better with the shape of my body there than if it was slap bang in the middle.  He put the stencil on and he was right - it would have looked strange in the middle of my back because its concave.

The colours and location of the colours were chosen specifically to represent the things I want more of in my life:

• The blue butterfly represents calmness and serenity.
• The yellow butterfly represents happiness and positivity.
• The pink butterfly represents love and passion.

The yellow butterfly is intentionally separate because I want my happiness and positivity to be independent of a relationship (ie the pink butterfly) - too many people think you have to have a partner to be happy and I disagree.  The blue and pink butterflies are on the same side because when I am involved I can be a little neurotic and I want to use it to remind me to stay calm.

I'm on day 3 now and it feels a lot like having sunburn.  Hopefully it'll heal quickly and I'll be able to lay on my right side again soon!

Comments

[Leah Vanessa]

Good work. I've been considering a tattoo for a while now too. But I'm not ready yet! I like your symbolism.

[Beth]

LV - Thank you! I hope you're well! I'm so pleased with it, but my pain threshold isn't as high as I thought and it was so uncomfortable getting it!

[Roses]

I love the tattoo, it looks amazing. I like your reasoning behind it - it will stand you in good stead.

I must admit, I'm with you on the 'never again'. After I had my nose pierced I did think about another earring - but no more.

[Clare]

Great tattoo Beth. It looks like it will really suit you and I'm glad you like it.

[Beth]

Roses - I'm not sure if you read my post below about piercings? They're not that bad and I'd consider myself pretty well qualified in that arena! ;0) Thank you for the compliment too hun, its killing me not to be able to have a bath but it'll definitely be worth it in the end! x

Clare - Thank you so much! I think it suits me because I put a bit of my personality and thought into it. I think its too easy to just pick one off the sheet and have the same as everyone else. I'm really pleased that mine is unique!

[Roses]

Yes I did read it and am able to cross my legs without worry!

:-)

[clarissa]

iloveyourtattoo

i have a turtle. i designed it myself, in primary colours, because i am a very basic person.

:)

[karen]

Hi Beth,

Your tat looks really cute! Very dainty and feminine. :)

[Deb]

I think it is so pretty and I like the color hues very much. Congrats and enjoy the art of it all!

[Gany]

I would go for a dragonfly, If I were a woman. Butterflies are rather common, even though yours have a different signification.

[Bob]

Very lovely and great symbolism. I think that's the trick there - combine an iconic image that symbolizes something fundamental to you and customize it to fit your personality.

Guys who do barbed wire strands around their biceps just don't get that. I'm at a place where I'd love to get a tat, but at 50 and even though I'm still wicked hot, the half life on my tattoo, in terms of it not appearing to melt on my aging flabbitude, would be quite short. Sigh. And although an aircraft destroyer penis tattoo would be cool and not seem out of scale on me, I just don't think I could stand the pain and always being late for work because I was reenacting Pearl Harbor in the bathtub each morning.

[Bob]

I meant "aircraft carrier." God, it sucks when you blow the punchline!

[Beth]

Clarissa - Thank you! Basic isnt a bad thing, I think the best things in life are uncomplicated.

Karen - Thank you! Its almost healed now so I can get back to my usual regime of a nightly bubble bath!

Deb - Thank you! I hadn't really thought about it as art, but I guess it actually is!

Gany - Erm...thanks, I think!

Bob - Thank you. I don't know whether someone blowing that particular punchline is a bad thing? I guess it depends whose aircraft carrier it is...

[Eru]

Hi beth!
What a beautiful job! Love the design and the meaning of it. :D
I'm getting my tattoo done in some weeks, so your experience is really helpful! I drawed my own design and it means a lot for me, so I hope I'll be as happy as you with the finished product.

[Beth]

Eru - Hi there, welcome to the blog! I'm sure you'll be really pleased with your tattoo. If its something that has meaning it'll be great and definitely worth any pain that you might feel. I'm going to add you into my google reader and I'll be looking out for a picture when you've had it done!

[Mia]

wow, it's gorgeous sweetpea. i <3 the symbolism and the pretty colours.
x

[Beth]

Mia - Thanks hun, me too! xx