I cannot see the attraction in marking up your body with ugly markings. I have never seen a tattoo that is attractive. Well, ok, maybe like a small rose flower or something benign. But those entire arms, chest, torso covering tattoos are just plain ugly to me.

Opinions or explanations of why they are obtained would be interesting to me.

I’m getting another tattoo and I’m thinking about getting a little rose on my ankle. But I’m not sure because so many people have that. Are ankle rose tattoos old and unoriginal or are they classic?

I’m looking to get a tattoo but… I want a real nice design of a koi and tiger tattoo and I was wondering if anyone out there had any good sites? or would like to draw me a koi or white tiger tattoo design.

When thinking of religious tattoos, most people instinctively think of their own religion. If they are Christians this means a cross, bible or Christ tattoo, but many religions use tattoos to enhance their faith and always have.

In ancient Egypt, women would have their wrists tattooed with the symbol of their goddess of fertility.  Many Hindus get religious tattoos depicting their gods. Ganesh, Kali and Shiva are the most popular for this type of veneration. In Hawaii, some believe there is a god of tattooing.  This god will tell when you should have a tattoo done to protect yourself from evil.  Buddhists get tattoos of the Buddha or of lotus blossoms, which have many deep meanings in their faith. The tattoo drawing of an opened blossom, for instance, represents full enlightenment.

While the faith of some Christians prevents them having a religious tattoo, others use their own body to profess their faith. Some believe the bible has imagery making tattoos acceptable, but this is still hotly debated in some circles. Still, the majority of religious tattoos in American are Christian. There are many symbols of Christianity used other than those already mentioned such as angels, biblical animals such as the dove, crown of thorns and praying hands.  There are also larger backgrounds and pictorial tattoos, which are popular such as the last supper and the crucifixion.

You should be careful while researching what religious tattoo to get because people tend to take such matters very seriously. What might just seem to be ascetically pleasing to you artistically might have a very deep spiritual meaning to someone else. You should get the tattoo you really want, but be conscious of what might make others hostile to you. For example, in some parts of the world the feet are considered taboo.  In these parts of the world, the human foot is considered in some ways lewd so placing a religious tattoo on the feet would offend them. Ask around and check the internet for possible alternative symbolism or other issues before deciding on a tattoo.

Large tattoos will need to be placed where there is as much space as possible.  In the case of a large and detailed ink work such as the last supper, space will be needed or the image might not look as you intend.  The chest and back are really the only spaces that will work well for this sort of depiction.  Smaller tattoos can be placed on the wrist, hand, inside of the elbow, bicep, inner arm, chest, back or shoulder.  Many Buddhist religious tattoos and lettering tattoos look good at the nape of the neck.  Because of the subject matter, you might not want to place a religious tattoo at the base of the spine or lower back as some might find this offensive.  The upper shoulder can also be a good location for smaller, finer detailed work such as a lotus blossom or alpha and omega symbols.

Many people want to know why tattoos are so popular. There is obviously no single answer to this question, since body art in general is something that the world has always been fascinated with. Since the early days of human civilization, various cultures around the world have applied tattoos as well as other art onto their bodies. In most cultures, they were more than just art—they were also about religion, social status, and symbolism.

The ancient Aztecs, for instance, used body art as a way to honor the gods and to show social ranks. The early Europeans created beautiful Celtic designs that are still used today.  The Vikings and Nordic culture have also inspired art over the centuries. The Chinese popularized dragon designs and symbolism and the Japanese perfected Kanji’s. Various tribes throughout Africa have contributed many fascinating designs to the world of body art. In other words, all of our ancestors over the last few thousand years have contributed art, styles, and symbols that are still popular to this day.

Tattoos have evolved over the millenniums. Long ago, they were sometimes even used to mark slaves. Simple designs marked slaves, while intricate and sophisticated patterns were sometimes applied on the wealthy royals. Commoners would have everything in between. There would be religious ceremonies and rituals in which body art would be applied on everyone—including children. Fortunately, none of this is necessary these days, and people (adults) are free to get any type of tattoo design they want.

Some still choose to go with body art for spiritual purposes. There are many different symbols for every religion in the world. For each and every symbol, there are hundreds of different designs. There is obviously a lot to select from for those seeking a way to honor God in whatever way they choose. There are also those who prefer to honor their ancestors’ religions by getting tattoos symbolizing ancient deities.

Mythological images are also popular. To this day, dragons, fairies, mermaids, shamrocks, and many other creatures and plants that have symbolic meaning are very popular choices for tattoos. Some people also like to go with celestial art, and it’s quite common to see body art featuring stars, the sun, moon, and heavens. Modern pop culture icons, such as aliens and comic book characters, are commonly used as body art as well.

Still, the majority of people who get tattoos these days do so for the thrill of it. They also think body art looks cool on them. For some individuals, just one will suffice, while others turn their entire body into canvasses. Women enjoy getting them as much as men these days, although women usually just go with one or two while men are more likely to go for more.

So, why are tattoos so popular? Because they have been around for as long as humans have been around. Because they can be anything and mean anything. Because they are not only nice to look at, they oftentimes have deep symbolism behind them as well. When it comes down to it, they are popular because they can be so many things to so many people.

Tattoos are quite commonplace these days, with many people having at least one. Tattoos can be removed at a later date, but this can be expensive, painful and possibly leave significant scars. Therefore it is important that when you choose your tattoo it is one which you are not going to regret in a few years time. Here are some tips to make sure you get one which is right for you.

Do you really want a tattoo? Ask yourself why you are getting a tattoo in the first place. Tattoos are possibly painful, expensive and most importantly permanent – you are not buying a pair of pants. If you are only getting one because it seems like the fashionable thing to do at the moment then the simple answer is don’t get one.

Religion – do not take this option if you are fickle about your faith and think you might change your religion in future. If you are committed, a religious tattoo can be a good idea – you could get a portrait relevant to your faith or a religious symbol such as a cross or crescent.

Names – it might seem like a good idea to get your girlfriend’s name tattooed across your arm right now, but it may not in five years time, when you are dating someone different – it can be quite a put off, to possible new love interests. If you are set on getting a name it is safer to make it your parents or your kids – they generally do not change.

Symbols – Symbols are quite a safe bet for those new to tattoos as you can say a lot with only a small tattoo. Make sure you read up about the meaning of a symbol you like before you get it. Lots of people opt for Chinese or Greek lettering. This can be embarrassing if you do not realize what it says though and you end up with something undesirable written all over your body.

Ethnic Heritage – This could be a family crest or a rendering of your family name, or something related to your country of origin, for example a flag or prominent symbol. This can be a good way of getting a tattoo that really means something to you.

Political Influences – Another one to be careful of because your political affiliations may well change in the future. You could be a little craftier and opt for something not related to politics, but then get it colored in red or blue depending which way you swing politically.

National Pride – This could include your national flag or motto. You could also opt for a symbol, for example the statue of liberty.

Foreign Languages – As with symbols, make sure you know what it says first.

Zodiac Signs – If you are interested in astrology you could get either a pictorial representation of your star sign (e.g. twins) or the actual astrological symbol.

There are some tattoos which you are more than likely going to regret some years down the line and should definitely avoid:

Matching tattoos – not all relationships last, whether lovers or friends, so only get it if it truly means something to you individually

Trendy tattoos – they may be trendy now, but in barbed wire now just looks a bit 90s.

Anything which is in full view all the time – employers don’t like tattoos, so getting one on your face is a big no-no if you want to keep your job

If you are at all unsure about the design you want, you should try wearing a henna version of the one you like for a while, as this will help you decide whether you really like it or not.