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.
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.
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.