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Body Art (Tattoos & Piercings.. Got them? Not got them? Love them? Hate them?)
Kelda:
So, since I'm on a roll with all these posts lately, i thought I'd start a new thread. About body-art.
What body-art do you have? Or would like? or have always fancied if you could pluck up the courage? Or do you hate the stuff with a passion!?!
I have my ears pierced one in each lobe as normal which I got done when I was 12, plus I have a hoop in my left ear up the top at the cartilage - like this photo here.
I got this done when I was 15 or 16. (This is not me by the way).
I also have my belly button pierced - I got this in my first year at uni - just before my 17th birthday. I keep a bar in it at all times.
Three years ago - I got my first tattoo, which I love!!!
I wanted something that meant strong woman (not physically but mentally) or something along those lines - and wanted it to be not a chinese symbol as I wanted something a bit different from the norm. I also knew that I wanted it in a bit of a different place than the norm too. Lots of girls seem to get things on the small of their backs. I didn't want to have at tat done there first. You know me, I like to be a bit different!
So I did a bit of research, (I didn't want 'chicken fried rice' on my body forever!!) and found a guy who runs a website to specifically design arabic tattoos.
I told him what I was looking for in terms of meaning and that I wanted something simple simple. And this was the result.
--- Quote ---assaabirah - assaabirah is "patient, enduring, perseverant, steadfast woman".
It's strange, "patient" doesn't sound like a very positive trait of character in English, but "a.s.sabr" is positive for an Arab. This virtue
is mentioned sixty-two times in the Holy Qur'aan.
Tons of ink have been written about that virtue, it's central to the Arab culture (and to islam as well). A saying goes "assabr miftaah alfaraj",
which means "sabr is the key to peace of mind".
Because it is in roqah this means that most arab speakers will understand it. It is very clear. All literate Arab speakers should understand it.
In print, Roqah is like Helvetica and Naskh is like Times Roman. In handwritting, the most common Western handwritten styles (Morocco, Algeria... ) look more like Naskh and the Eastern (Iran, Iraq, Siria...) styles look more like Roqah. Everybody knowing can read both, anyway.
--- End quote ---
I actually drew this on my right foot (first the outside and then I decided I preferred it on the inside - easier to hide if I wish & IMO classier looking) and wore it round the house for a week before i got it done - just in case, so I could change my mind!
I can see why people get addicted to tattoos. In a few years I may get another on the small of my back - iI was thinking a few little music notes. We'll see!
The picture of my tat was taken not long after it was done - so its a lighter black now.
moremojo:
I think tattoos can be sexy if they're not overdone (as in covering fifty percent or more of the body). Don't have any of my own, though, and don't imagine ever getting one. Never been into ear-rings, and seeing a guy with one really doesn't do anything for me (but not a turn-off either).
I positively dislike extended earspools/earlobes (though I think they look great on the Buddha), nose-rings, lip and tongue piercings, genital piercings, and split tongues-- I don't mean to dissuade anyone from pursuing these markings, but I do not find these attractive (but in most cases tolerable, except for split tongues, which I find repellent). One other body modification that I find distasteful is needless cosmetic surgery--it saddens me to see people not learning to love their bodies as they are. But I do think such a procedure is the individual's prerogative.
I have seen some beautiful temporary body art created with henna and indigo, which I find aesthetically pleasing and memorable, and potentially even sexy, just as tattoos can sometimes be sexy.
Kelda:
My flaatmate during my first year at uni is a great girl - thoughtful, funny - but when I first told my Mum about her my Mum was worried - as she has lots of tats and piercings & is def a goth - but my Mum loves her now.
Her latest tattoo covers the whole of her back.. far too much IMO - but she loves it... this is it, her dragons wings - it took about 4 months as it had to be done in parts and she couldn't wear a bra for that whole time!
moremojo:
These kinds of large-scale tattoos can be magnificent to look at, but their artistry comes at the expense of the body's own natural and artless beauty.
Kelda:
I think the tattoist that did this can definitely be called an artist - no dount - but personally its not to my taste both in look at size. And as you say, it does take away from the natural beauty - I think the back is one of sexiest part of a women's body.
Jill and her husband love it so I guess thats all that matters.