Dragon Tattoos

Dragon tattoos are a wildly popular choice of design, which isn't surprising when you consider the perfect combination of both beauty and beast these legendary mythological reptilian creatures possess.

Asian and European dragons are the most commonly portrayed tattoo designs we see today, images which are derived from various ancient folk traditions and mythologies dating as far back as 300 BC.

Enjoy this picture gallery of wonderful dragon tattoo ideas for you to ponder and contemplate before taking the next step.



Dragon tattoos are seen in a wide array of colors, including, red, blue, green, orange, purple and of course good ole black and grey is also quite common.



Dragon tattoos are often see alongside other designs such as swords, clouds, flames and animals such as big wild cats.



Popular locations for dragon artwork include the the chest and back area, these locations are great for very large and elaborate designs that may take multiple sessions to fully complete.

Did you know that the English word 'dragon' is derived from Greek, meaning 'serpent of huge size' and or 'water-snake'. Just consider that a little bonus fun fact for your mind.

Under One Small Star - Two Tattoos from Anna

I met Anna earlier this month in Penn Station. I felt compelled to stop her when she walked by and I caught a glimpse of this amazing tattoo:

I love seeing ink that is new and original, and I had never seen a line of anything run up the length of a leg like this.

Anna explained that this was a line of poetry that reads "My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second" that she heard on a trip to Cambodia. Her group leader, Jan, had shared the poem, "Under One Small Star" by Polish Nobel Laureate Wislawa Szymborska, and the verse meant a lot to her during her trip there. This one specific line really resounded with her, so she first "paid a Khmer translation site and then had a friend [she] made in Cambodia, Ponheary, check the translation just to make sure it was correct".

I love the international flavor of this tattoo - a poem originally in Polish, translated to English, then re-translated to Khmer, transcribed in flesh in America!

The line runs from top to bottom and was inked by Jason at Powerhouse Tattoo Company in Montclair, New Jersey.

The poem is reprinted in its entirety at the end of this post.

Since it is Tat-Tuesday, let's look at a second tattoo from Anna, this one on the back side of her right arm:

This is Joan of Arc, "a hero of mine," says Anna, who admires her from the feminist perspective and finds her an "unbelievably inspirational" historical figure.

This piece was tattooed by the wonderful Stephanie Tamez at New York Adorned. Stephanie's work has appeared previously on Tattoosday here.

Thanks again to Anna for sharing these two of her seven tattoos with us here on Tattoosday!

Under One Small Star

My apologies to chance for calling it necessity.
My apologies to necessity if I'm mistaken, after all.
Please, don't be angry, happiness, that I take you as my due.
May my dead be patient with the way my memories fade.
My apologies to time for all the world I overlook each second.
My apologies to past loves for thinking that the latest is the first.
Forgive me, distant wars, for bringing flowers home.
Forgive me, open wounds, for pricking my finger.
I apologize for my record of minuets to those who cry from the depths.
I apologize to those who wait in railway stations for being asleep
today at five a.m.
Pardon me, hounded hope, for laughing from time to time.
Pardon me, deserts, that I don't rush to you bearing a spoonful of water.
And you, falcon, unchanging year after year, always in the same cage,
your gaze always fixed on the same point in space,
forgive me, even if it turns out you were stuffed.
My apologies to the felled tree for the table's four legs.
My apologies to great questions for small answers.
Truth, please don't pay me much attention.
Dignity, please be magnanimous.
Bear with me, O mystery of existence, as I pluck the occasional thread
from your train.
Soul, don't take offense that I've only got you now and then.
My apologies to everything that I can't be everywhere at once.
My apologies to everyone that I can't be each woman and each man.
I know I won't be justified as long as I live,
since I myself stand in my own way.
Don't bear me ill will, speech, that I borrow weighty words,
then labor heavily so that they may seem light.

--Wislawa Szymborska

Dolphin Tattoos

Dolphin tattoos are magnificently beautiful creations, and much like the highly intelligent creature themselves, Dolphins are said to symbolize wisdom and freedom, along with joy and creativity among other positive notions.

Dolphin tattoos are a highly versatile choice of design, and can be portrayed in many variations, along with their naturally stunning color spectrum of dark and light shades of grey, light blue and areas of off-white on their belly.

Skim through this picture gallery of fabulous dolphin tattoos and discover some excellent artwork for you to gather ideas from.



Other designs that blend well include, stars, sea life and splashes of water, in fact leaping out of the water is one of the most common designs.



Try giving your dolphin tattoo a unique style by choosing a cartoon like design or perhaps a tribal, aztec or other form of ancient artwork.



Dolphins and other sea life such as sharks and whales are perfect tattoo ideas for anybody who has a passion for the ocean and a respect for the inhabitants that call it home.

We always like to stress the importance of finding a qualified artist to ink your design, so don't forget to check around internet for artist reviews before you take the plunge.

Caitlin's Pin-up with a Heart on the Sleeve

Earlier this month, I ran into Caitlin as I got off the A train at West 4th Street. She has twnety-three tattoos and, as customary, I asked if she could pick one to share with us here on Tattoosday.

She obliged, selecting this, her most recent tattoo:

This is based on the artwork of the pin-up stylings of Baron von Lind. I believe the piece that this is replicating is his work "Daphne":

I wish I could give proper credit to the artist, but it was a noisy train platform, and I scribbled down Willie Childress, Asheville, North Carolina. If anyone knows who this is, or what shop he belongs to, please let me know so I can give the artist his proper due.

Thanks to Caitlin for sharing her pin-up with us here on Tattoosday!

Be sure to head over to the Baron von Lind website to see more of his art.

Dog Tattoos

Dog tattoos aren't just beautiful works of art, they also represent the love and dedication we have for our furry four legged friends.

Whether you are paying tribute to a fallen pup or you wish to commend your best buddy, dog owners know how irreplaceable a pet dog can be, and that is why many people are seeking portrait tattoos of their favorite adorable dogs.

Browse through this picture gallery below and admire the stunning artwork.



There is no specific area where animal and dog tattoos are most common, but the chest and arm are always excellent locations for any tattoo design.



Most people prefer the simple dog head portrait, however inking your dogs entire body is something to consider as well. Perhaps a good back piece idea.



As you can see from the pictures above, not all dog tattoos are cute and sweet looking, in fact many folks prefer to portray their dog in a growling or striking motion. I suppose this would depend on the breed and temperament of the dog.