My younger brother Joel, a junior in college, came home for summer break with three tattoos. He had none when he drove away from our house and off to school last fall. These aren’t your wimpy little markings, either: One covers his forearm, another the entire left side of his torso, and another the center of his chest. To my mother’s dismay, Joel reports that he’s always scheming about the next one he’ll get printed on his skin, which has generated some interesting conversations about his ideas and the significances behind them.
I’ve always liked the idea of a tattoo—that something could mean so much to a person that one would want it printed on his/her body forever. I like to think we find things in life that matter that much. And, I mean, I’m a student of religion: of course I’m fascinating by a popular medium for displaying words and images that convey deeper meanings in people’s lives. I love art too, and many tattoos are beautiful.
I have never been even close to getting one for vanity’s sake. I adore many of my friend’s tattoos, but when it comes down to it I’ve just never seen a 60 year old with a tattoo and said, “WOW, that’s awesome.” I usually think something more like, “hmmm, that looks out of place.” Thus, I assume that come 60 (…or 35) I will regret the permanent marking, even if it represents something incredibly significant.
I continue to possess a great affinity for the idea of a tattoo though. Subsequently, I have generated some decent tattoo options. Just for fun.
Things I would consider permanently writing on my body if I could actually fathom getting a tattoo (ideas in no particular order):
Strength to Love (The title of a famous sermon by Martin Luther King Jr., the phrase really captures what I strive for in my life)
IHS (the first three letters of “Jesus” in ancient Greek; it’s my God’s name, it’s a fascinating language I’ve studied, and it’s a symbol used by the Jesuits, an incredibly significant order in my life).
Thou Mayest (My good friend Casey has considered getting some tattoo version of this phrase for quite some time, and I like it too. It is a central theme in Steinbeck’s East of Eden, a book Case and I read aloud during our trip to Europe last fall. Borrowed from a Hebrew word in the story of Cain and Abel, the phrase refers to the gift of human freedom, and humankind’s responsibility to be good stewards of that freedom).
Since I don’t imagine I’ll be getting one of these anytime soon, enjoy my brother’s tattoo in the meantime. It’s the entry pic.
I'm pretty sure I would tattoo I heart Jessica Coblentz on my arm
Are you sure you wouldn't want to tattoo the Molly Moon logo on you?
A while back, I was thinking about getting a tattoo (http://andrewferguson.net/2008/02/15/tattoo/). I wanted something that represented who I am, something Star Trek or engineering related. I saw a couple of pretty neat looking cross tattoos from people at church this last school year that I liked. But, like you, I'm mostly just thinking out loud.
Also, IHS isn't strictly Jesuit, it's used in the Presbytery as well: http://andrewferguson.net/2006/06/25/ihs/
Thanks for the great info, I will definitely be back!
I love tattoos and finding new and exciting articles, thanks for your post.
Great post. I really wish more people thought like you. This is a post I would like to pass along to a few people in the tattoo industry to have them recommend to people who are unsure of what they want to get permanently placed on their bodies.