Nowadays you don’t just have a tattoo. You carry the story of the respective tattoo artist as well as your own with you. But what if the motif brings its own symbolism with it? Today we want to introduce you to 5 tattoos that make it worth thinking twice before touching the skin and those that are simply brilliant. Let’s start!
Critical Motives – Please use them at your own risk
Probably the most prominent example of a tattoo to avoid is the swastika. Despite its original meaning for happiness, e.g. in Buddhism and in ancient Greece, Hitler’s use of the symbol in particular is anchored in the collective memory.
The Hells Angels skull can be extremely expensive for you. The winged skull looks good, but unfortunately it doesn’t let you flutter away in the face of a lawsuit from Hells Angels members. This has already happened to Toys R Us, MTV & Disney, among others. You never know who it will hit next!
But what about the world of numbers? We should all avoid certain combinations of numbers. Not convinced yet? Then think of the 666. The number 666 in combination with shamrocks is the identifying mark for the Aryan Brotherhood. Are you a loyal fan? Then let’s go. If not, then you’d better choose a different combination. Tears in the eye have very different meanings, so we don’t want to discourage you from doing so in general. For example, they can stand for a person who has been killed by the one wearing the tattoo, but exactly the same symbol means grief for lost family members or friends. Unlike the aforementioned, the face tattoo is not about a specific motive, but about the position. Many artists say that you have to “earn your hands, neck and face” by having the rest of your body tattooed beforehand.
Symbolic power without controversy
Over the years, the infinity symbol has steadily grown in popularity.
It often symbolizes unending love, which is why it makes the perfect partner or friendship tattoo. In relation to the tattooed person himself, it can also stand for the pursuit of balance and harmony. In addition, in some cultures it stands for rebirth and new beginnings.
Watches go in a completely different direction. These deal with the transience of life and inspire the wearer to make the most of their limited time. The motive is often supplemented with suitable quotes such as Carpe Diem (seize the day).
You can often find people with the combination of watches & roses. A pocket watch without hands with a rose represents everlasting love.
The rose as a single motif is also rich in meaning. The choice of color alone changes the meaning of the tattoo. For example, red roses stand for love, passion and romance, while black roses symbolize mourning and death. Pink roses represent femininity, grace and elegance.
More and more people are opting for the anchor. Its history, of course, goes back to the seafarers. So it is not surprising that one of the most well-known meanings is protection & security (safe haven). It also comes as no surprise that the anchor symbolizes love for the sea and water. In addition, the motif can also stand for eternal loyalty.
Finally, let’s talk briefly about the dragon. This mythical creature has its origins in Far Eastern cultures. Not only does it look exotic and majestic, its symbolism is also very powerful. So the dragon can stand for wisdom, strength, prosperity or spirituality & tranquility.
Were we able to inspire you? Which motif are you going to get tattooed next?
Thanks for reading and until next time,
your B&T 😎
Check out which tattoos with speacial meanings our community is wearing:
A big Thank You to @michelep_aka_pici, @maffia1970, @lassep_music, @benandonner_QuincunxTattoo and @avid4fame ! Thanks for sharing your tattoos and the meaning behind them with us.
Marc Fischer is a Songwriter of the German Post-Rock band Six Days of Calm from Würzburg. Besides having a passion for music, he also has a great passion for beards and tattoos. Of course, we didn’t hesitate to ask him for an interview.
We are very happy to announce that he accepted and gave us some insights.
Hello Marc, it’s nice, that you had the time to talk to us. Let’s start with “who is Marc Fischer”?
Thank you for the invitation.
My name is Marc Fischer, songwriter of the Post-Rock Band Six Days of Calm from Würzburg. The debut album, The Ocean’s Lullaby released November 2020. Follow me on Instagram to stay up to date. @marc_sixdaysofcalm
Another kind of art I am passionate about are tattoos and beards.
You got us a perfect introduction for an intersection. What was your first tattoo, and does it have an interesting story behind it?
My first Tattoo was a sun on my body. It had no significant meaning, I was just a teenager and saw a tattoo from a singer of the band Fear Factory and had to get it. Additionally, that particular spot was unique at the time, and just caused me to want it more. To be fair, from a pain level, one could take a better spot than the belly.
Do you draw your tattoos on your own?
I have absolutely no artistic potential, as a child I could draw an Ottifanten, but that was the best.
I personally believe that you have to be able to draw to create your own motif, after all, it has to look good on your skin.
After all, you search for a tattooist by his expertise, what he specializes in. Even if I could draw comics, I still believe a comic artist would be miles ahead of me, especially if it has to be on the skin.
I also believe that an artist can get more of my ideas than I could do on my own, I would just limit myself and this result would be on my skin.
How many tattoos do you have by now? Do you have any more tattoos planned?
It’s hard to count them. Many were made on their own, but as time went on, they got connected and so forth. So I can’t answer that question in that capacity, but I can tell you I have tattoos on my back, thighs, lower legs, feet, rips, belly, breast and arms.
Currently I have no tattoos planned, though that has always been this way, I do not plan for a tattoo, the idea just comes out of nowhere and then I try to make it into reality. This is why sometimes it’s a long timespan between tattoos, while sometimes it’s a shorter span.
Did some tattoos ever end up as a failure? Do you still think of them in that case?
There are actually tattoos on me that didn’t end up so good. There were different reasons back then, but at the end of the day I still value them as a special time. They are special things and they are mine alone. One thing that is bothersome is that I have no truly beautiful tattoo on my back. The tattoo itself isn’t the problem but the space it occupies, so I have less space to work with. If I make a cover up of the tattoo, I will have to put a lot of effort into it, which I currently avoid.
With what products do you treat your tattoos, and what do you recommend?
Taking care of my tattoos is very important to me, neglecting your tattoos can easily break things.
The basic fact is that everyone has their own skin, and it reacts differently, so you should take whatever suits your bill.
In the past, I used the classic method of putting the area in plastic wrap until I got home. After I got there, I removed it and for two weeks(my tissues regenerated rather slowly) I used the tattoo cream of Pegasus. I put a thin layer of cream on my skin three times a day(before that, I cleaned that area.)
Nowadays, I use the Second Skin “patch”(i.e. from Suprasorb). In my opinion, this is the most revolutionary development of tattoo technology.
You put the “patch” directly on the tattoo after getting inked. The patch stays there for seven days and after that I use moisturizing body lotion. That’s it.
Gone are the days of ruined clothes, bothering cleaning and using slippery creams, it’s so easy and delivers good results.
What is your favorite tattoo and why is it your favorite?
I like both of my sleeves very much, they are somewhat special to me. There isn’t anything like it, despite me having my sleeves for a long time. There are different pictures of those sleeves, each having a different meaning and great importance to my life, although some pictures are straight up bizarre, some are beautiful…and it’s all on my arm
Let’s get to your beard. From today’s standpoint, what’s the worst style?
Oh, that goes to the goatee, or rather a line on a chin, not even a combination of a mustache or anything.
This was rough, and it felt like I wore this half my life, definitely too long. Today I have no idea why I did this and I still get scared seeing a picture of it.
Are you a regular to some Barber, or do you try different Barbers?
I do indeed go to the same barber every time. For a long time, there hasn’t been a Barber and Joachim from “Groha Gentlemen” was one of the first which specialised in such offers. I am happy with them and I stay true to them. He is really fantastic and it feels incredible to be there.
Do you have a routine to take care of your beard? What products do you use?
I regularly wash my beard in the morning and evening with beard soap, after that, I trim it and blow dry it to form my beard. Then, I add some beard oil or beard cream(depending on what I wear, the oil could leave stains) and depending on my beard I add some beard balm into it, so it stands firmly. To top it off, I use my special beard brush and finish it.
I usually use products from Bart Royal, Proraso and/or Meißner for this all-round care.
Thank you very much Marc Fischer.
We are looking forward to the next interview and hope you have a pleasant day.
Day Vrban is a tattoo artist who not only inspires his customers every day, he also inspires the whole tattoo scene. In the Tattoo Studio “ Tattoo & Wood” in Hamburg, he brings his passion to the skin. We asked Day Vrban for an interview. With his openness, he gives us exclusive insights. Let’s dive deep: how did he come to tattooing? Where does he get his inspiration?
Hello Day Vrban, tell us: Name, Age, Instagram, Facebook, Homepage Address Studio:
Day Vrban Tattoo
33
Instagram: day.vrban.tattoo
www.dayvrbantattoo.com
Studio: Tattoo & Wood / Hamburg
How did you get into tattooing?
Already at the age of 16, I founded my own clothing label, for which I created my own designs and printed on textiles. After that I worked as a graphic designer and illustrator in different agencies, where I learned to work with different media and especially people. After a few years in the design industry, I realized I had to find my own creative path, which led me to the tattoo scene. So I started learning how to tattoo in Stuttgart in 2018. Then I lived and worked in Melbourne and Cairns, Australia. In 2020 I came back to Germany. Since 2021 I have been part of the team of “Tattoo & Wood” in Hamburg.
If you had to describe your tattoo style, what would you say?
Very fine style with lots of black. Best described as “Black Fineline. ”
How old were you when you got your first tattoo?
I got my first tattoo when I was 18.
Do you still remember the first tattoo you ever stabbed? What was it and who was the first one?
I had my first experience at the age of 16 when I “scratched” a completely screwed star on the ankle of my younger brother with a € 50 tattoo starter kit from Ebay in the nursery.
What inspires you for your tattoo designs?
I lived in Australia for 2 years, which I incorporate into my floral motifs. Hence my love for butterflies and palm leaves. My typography probably comes from my work as a graphic designer, where I had to deal with Typo every day.
Now with all your knowledge, what would you think about, when you would get your first tattoo tomorrow? What would you pay attention to?
Choose a good tattoo studio and pay attention to the style of the tattooists. Not every tattooist knows every style. If you have an idea, work it out with your tattooist and be sure to have a say. Of course, tattooists always enjoy creative freedom, but you should still be the one who decides whether it suits you or not.
Are there motives or trends which are really annoying?
Of course, there are many trends that quickly fade away and then “just bugs you. ” The art is to create something new and original even from motive, which already has many people. So even the ass antlers can get nice again. True story!
What was a client’s craziest motive idea?
Oddly enough, I can’t think of anything. . . probably because nothing’s too crazy for me.
What would you never tattoo?
Political statements that I do not support.
Wannado or customer request?
Unfortunately, too little time for wannados. But I try to make every customer request a motif that could be my Wannado.
Do you have regular guest spots?
I’m in Stuttgart every 2-3 months. Karlsruhe has been on the agenda for quite some time now. My wish would be to tattoo in Berlin or abroad again.
How long was your longest tattoo session?
The longest session was 8h and it was in a hostel room in Sydney.
Your greatest passion besides tattooing?
Besides tattooing, my biggest passion is analog photography.
Thanks to this informative interview, we want to give you a few general tips: Not every tattoo artist is a master of every style, so find one who is a master of your desired style. It’s up to you to decide if the tattoo design you want really suits you, but it doesn’t hurt to get inspiration from your tattoo artist. Also, there are NO ideas that are too crazy! So we hope you were able to take away a few things for yourself.
Thank you Day Vrban Tattoo, see you next interview!
Tattooists protest their way!
Under the hashtag #ihrmachtunsnackt (#youmakeusnaked), German tattooists and other self-employed are currently drawing attention to the threatening situation of the corona measures.
“It is time to protest against the November and December aid that has not yet been paid out. Existences that have been built up with passion over the years will be destroyed. “
In very emotional words under the hashtag #ihrmachtunsnackt (#youmakeusnaked), it is described how serious the body cult is.
So it is time to protest, when art is on the verge of extinction while others will soon be able to go back to their craft!
No Click & Collect, No to go, possible to have at least something!
A hygiene concept already existed in the tattoo studios before the newly requested ones. All too large, time-consuming changes are therefore not necessary.
Far too many small businesses are currently falling through the emergency aid grid and the applications are often far too complicated.
For many, the only option left is Hartz IV (unemployment benefit in Germany).
It is a silent protest that will hopefully be loud through all of you!
Help spread the word with the hashtag #ihrmachtunsnackt (#youmakeusnaked).
Credits: @alfred_jodokus_quack-photo | @scalpturabeauty | @tattohuwaboohu | @dawidhilgers
Can that really be true ?! That tattoos are banned in countries?
Tattoos are part of our everyday life, almost all over the world. But there are actually countries where the exception proves the rule.
Tattoos are emblazoned on almost every body, body part and every imaginable place. Something absolutely normal in the world. At least for us.
But not in South Korea!
Having a tattoo is allowed, but tattooing itself is prohibited by law.
Officially one has only been allowed to tattoo since 1992 and then only if one has completed medical training or a degree! Anyone who does not meet these requirements is liable to prosecution with every stitch.
Still, tattooing is done. There are fully equipped tattoo studios in small backyards or hidden cellars.
In addition, the artists take on a lot: fines, closure of the studio and even prison as punishment are not uncommon!
The underground artists fight to this day in vain for the legalization of the studios.
South Korea is the only country in the United Nations that continues to ban body art.
Hence, the body art is not as obvious as in other countries.
Even doctors hope for the legalization of tattoo studios, as they had to find out for themselves that this is art that cannot be acquired with a degree.
In many Asian countries, tattoos are not completely prohibited, but in public swimming pools not allowed like in Japan.
