Summary :The heart as a symbol is all-pervading. There are heart shaped cards, chocolates, balloons, cakes and so on. So, it comes as no surprise that there are heart tattoos too. The heart is the very basis of life; perhaps this is the reason why the heart shape is so popular since time immemorial.

In ancient cultures the heart tattoo signified intellect and life force. Different religions had different meanings for heart symbols; Christianity associated it with emotions while it was a symbol of spirituality in Islam. Whatever be the meaning given to it, one fact remains, that it is a symbol with unmatched popularity.

There are a variety of heart tattoo designs that can be used to express different feelings by men and women. Love and passion is the most common emotion associated with heart tattoos that are plain, simple and red in colour. Sailors could not do without their anchors and so it is seen along with the heart in tattoos that they sported. Celtic heart tattoos are intricate with knots and loops.

There is another side to love; broken love. To express an unsuccessful relationship or rejection in love, the broken heart tattoo is often used. A bleeding heart tattoo also expresses pain and grief. A tattoo showing Cupid striking an arrow into a heart signifies a person falling in love. Many people when in love like to have the name of their beloved etched along with a heart, as a celebration of their love. The heart tattoo also is an expression of the free soul which is shown by wings attached to the heart.

The heart tattoo allows flexibility and exploration of different ideas. Like, a small heart tattoo can be incorporated alongside other existing larger hearts. Sometimes the heart tattoo is used in conjunction with other images of flowers, stars or dragons to make it distinctive. A small heart tattoo is also a good idea for a first timer as it allows them to test the waters with an age old popular symbol.

While the red colour is the favourite when it comes to heart tattoos, there is no fixed rule that has to be followed. Sometimes the outline can be of a deeper shade of red while the inside is filled up with a different hue of the same colour. These days people are experimenting with other colours too so that the heart tattoo comes out bright and vivid.

There is no restriction to the placement of the heart tattoo on the body. However, it is mostly the upper parts of the body that are preferred for it. Perhaps the idea of having a heart tattoo at the ankles is a little strange. So, for women it is the lower back, arms and belly where heart tattoos are done. Men can sport large hearts on their chest, arms and shoulders.

While most tattoo designs can be interpreted in different ways by different people, the heart tattoo is one design that universally sends across a strong message of love, in its various shades.

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Summary :A very important part of getting a tattoo done is looking for a suitable tattoo design. There are thousands of tattoo designs available that you can choose from; however the huge numbers could also be a cause of confusion. It is always better to go about it in a systematic way, eliminating what you are sure that you would not like.

If you are not interested in tribal tattoos, these tattoos can be ruled out straight away thus narrowing down your search. There are several free tattoo design sources that you can go through in order to select a tattoo that best reflects your personality and beliefs.

The tattoo flash in tattoo studios is a good source of free tattoo designs. Here you will get to view all the tattoo designs that the tattoo studio offers to clients. Tattoo parlours also keep free tattoo design books for you to go through. You will have a choice of the most modern and abstract tattoo design to the most ancient tribal ones. All that it requires is time and patience to sift through the enormous collections that they have.

The library is another great source of free tattoo designs. At the library you can sit for hours going through tattoo design books, at your leisure. Latest magazines at the library also have hosts of tattoo designs which can be yours for free.

The internet tattoo galleries are the most preferred free tattoo design sources as they can be accessed at your own convenience and in the confines of your home. So, whenever you have some spare time, you can browse these galleries. These are virtual treasures of free tattoo designs which is why they are so popular. From among the thousands and thousands of tattoo designs that range from the beautiful flower to the powerful dragon, you can take your pick. Just be prepared to spend time online so that you can look over the designs that you find appealing. There are some online galleries that will allow only members access to their designs. Here, you will have to pay a membership fee after which all the innumerable tattoo designs are all yours to explore. A downside to free tattoo designs available online is that these designs will be more common and they will be used by a greater number of people looking for tattoo designs. Paid tattoo designs on certain websites are not only more exclusive but also allow the designs to be printed so that you may show these to the tattoo artist and get an exact replica of it.

Another source of free tattoo designs is your surroundings. Look around and you will see scores of people with tattoos on their bodies. Either make a mental note of these designs or talk to these strangers to find out where they got it from.

Perhaps the best source of free tattoo designs that we most often tend to ignore is our mind itself. Allow your creativity to flow and you will be surprised at the kind of ideas you will come up with. These free tattoo designs not only come without any cost but also are unique with no one else in the world having a similar one.

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Summary :There are an abundance of tattoo designs, of which some are classified as meant for females though there is no strict division as such. The flower tattoo is a tattoo design that is favoured by females mostly. Flowers being a representation of beauty and tenderness, it is but expected that flower tattoos too would be considered more appropriate for women.

Flowers as a category of tattoo design are a world in themselves. With so many flowers present in the lap of Mother Nature, the opportunities are immense. Different flowers have been associated with different virtues and aspects of life so, it is important to first understand the symbolic meaning of a flower before you consider it for a tattoo.

The rose, an eternal symbol of love was however, not always considered so. A few centuries back a rose flower tattoo was done on criminals carrying death sentences. However, times have changed and the rose tattoo on the body expresses the romantic side of a person. In eastern cultures the lotus is a flower that is accorded great respect and it is said to indicate good fortune, beauty and purity. So, if you desire to convey these, you could opt for this flower tattoo. There are other flowers like tulips that symbolize passionate love or violets that are on the other extreme of emotions, indicating coyness, which can be used as flower tattoos.

Many people like to give a different meaning to their flower tattoos and choose flowers that have some personal sentiments associated. The flowers that you carried as a bride are close to the heart and can be commemorated for life through flower tattoos. Similarly, the favourite flower of a loved one who has passed away can be used as a tattoo design on the body to preserve the memory lifelong. A woman may decide to get a particular flower tattoo simply because it happens to be their favourite and they would like to make it a part of their bodies and carry it all their lives.

Along with the kind of flower that is to be used for tattoo, another consideration in this respect is the colours to be used. With flower tattoos the options are plenty. Select red for passion, pink for friendship and white to depict purity. For the sheer fun of it you can also have a flower tattoo in different colours so that it comes out bright and cheerful. With flower tattoos you can use your creativity and fashion your own design of a flower so that you have a customized tattoo. Often men assimilate contrasting ideas in flower tattoos like a rose encircled by barbed wires or thorns so that an air of mystery hangs around the person, with interpretations left to the imagination.

A flower tattoo can impart the same elegance and attraction to any part of the body, like the arms or lower back and not much thought has to be given to this aspect. The flower tattoo is a design that has weathered time and is sure to retain its freshness even in the years to come. For can symbols of beauty and elegance ever go out of fashion?

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Summary :Maybe you are considering getting a tattoo done on your body after having seen how attractive they look on other people. However, you should pause and ask yourself whether you really want to have a tattoo because this is one body adornment that you will be carrying on your body all your life. If you are absolutely convinced and are prepared to bear all the troubles with fortitude, go ahead and get it done.

In your quest for a quality tattoo you will have to do a lot of research. First and foremost you have to find tattoo designs that you think reflect your personality and are to your liking. To find tattoo designs you will have to look at tattoo galleries that have thousands of designs on display for you to choose from. These tattoo galleries could be on the internet, or in tattoo studios or you could even look through books to find tattoo designs that you are looking for. Finding a tattoo design would have to include considerations about the size of the tattoo and the body part where you want it done. Also would you like coloured tattoos or the stark black ones?

Once you have found a tattoo of your liking you can move on to the next step, which is to find a tattoo studio. It is very important that you spare no effort in finding a high standard tattoo studio, because this is the single factor that could have serious repercussions on your health. When you are out to find a tattoo studio, look for high levels of hygiene and maintenance, which will indicate that the chance of infections and other similar problems are low. A tattoo studio must also adhere to recommended methods of sterilization of tools and disposable of needles and other items.

After you have been able to locate a good tattoo studio, you will have to find a tattoo artist who is able to give you a tattoo as desired. It is absolutely necessary that you find a tattoo artist with whom you are able to share a comfortable working equation. If you are able to find a tattoo artist who shares your enthusiasm and is open to your suggestions regarding your own thought out designs, what could be better?

Finding a tattoo artist and studio is not all that easy because though there are countless numbers of these all around, you can never be sure about their quality. The best way to go about your search is through word of mouth. If you know of a person who has got a tattoo job done, look him up and make enquiries about all issues. After you have picked out a name, do not just walk in and get the tattoo done. First visit the place and check it out for yourself. Similarly, watch a tattoo artist at work. This will give you a fair idea about the studio and the artist.

How well your tattoo experience is and how the tattoo itself comes out all depend to a large extent on you finding a suitable tattoo design, artist and studio.

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Summary :There are some tattoo designs that appeal to both men and women alike. The dragon is one such tattoo that on account of being steeped in mythology offers great varieties to be explored. Dragon tattoos have been popular since times gone by and the tradition has not dimmed even in modern times.

There are different legends associated with the dragon. While in the western world, the dragon is a symbol of the evil that has to be subdued, in the eastern cultures they are symbols of goodness. One thing is common to both these interpretations, that of power. And giving a pass to the associated evil or good attributed to the dragon, people prefer to consider the dragon a symbol of strength and power and get these dragon tattoos on their bodies to convey this message.

There are other interpretations of the dragon tattoo. People wishing to express the wise and sensible side of their personalities should go along with the Chinese dragon tattoo. Dragons have been associated with fights, either they are battling the evil forces or they are challenging those representing goodness, for whom a fight with a dragon is the ultimate test of their prowess. This imagery is drawn upon by martial art practitioners and similar others, who like to be seen with dragon tattoos, an apt reflection of their physical strength and fighting skills. A person, who fights his battles alone and struggles in life without any help, can use a similar theme for inspiration and get a dragon tattoo. When women look to get a dragon tattoo on themselves they try to express their strong personality with an independent and intelligent outlook. Dragons are mythical creatures with a mysterious quality and aura, which is a good enough reason for some people who are deep into romanticism, to get a dragon tattoo.

There are different kinds of dragon images that can be used for tattoos. The fire spitting dragon is the most common image that one associates with dragons and are preferred by men mostly. The water dragon is another tattoo design that is used. Tribal tattoos have become very popular lately and here too the dragon tattoo is a favourite.

There are many colours that can be used in dragon tattoos. For the tribal dragon tattoo the colour is solid black, which makes a strong powerful statement. However, for other designs, different colours can be utilized, with blues and reds being the dominant ones. For fire breathing dragons, flames in bright shades of red make a dramatic impact.

Most dragon tattoos are large and so are preferred on the chest and broad shoulders of men. The more adventurous of people even choose dragon tattoos that begin at the foot and coil their way up the body. For women the belly and the lower back are suitable for dragon tattoos.

This creature from the fairyland has taken the tattoo world by storm. If you are interested in making a strong and powerful statement with a tattoo, look no further and get a dragon tattoo on your body.

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Summary :Tattoo designs borrow from all spheres of our life. A tattoo design that has religious bearings is the cross tattoo. While the cross tattoo did emerge as a religious symbol, in today’s world it has gone on to acquire more universal meanings.

It is a common notion that the cross has originated from and is strongly associated with Christianity. However, it has been shown that even in ancient times the cross was used by many pagan cultures.

The cross tattoo is a hugely popular design and while the basic structure remains the same there are various ways in which it can be changed to give a different meaning to it. Many people get the cross tattoo done on their bodies because they believe in its religious significance. However, the cross tattoo also symbolizes freedom and individuality, which is mostly why the youth prefer it. So, while a cross tattoo helps a person bond with his spiritual side it also allows him to express his uniqueness as a being.

With many options being available in cross tattoos it is important to understand the meaning and relevance of each before you select one as an adornment for your body. There are Latin cross tattoos that also show Christ nailed to it, or there are the simple and bare cross tattoos. Some Christian cross tattoos include the Sacred Heart. Others may have a crown of thorns along with the cross.

A popular cross tattoo these days is the Celtic cross. These are more elaborate and intricate with images of loops and knots. The Celtic form of Christianity beholds a strong link between the natural and supernatural and these designs mirror the same. The loops in the Celtic cross tattoo reflect the everlasting circle of life and the knots are an indication of the connection between the spiritual and physical worlds.

There is another form of cross, the Egyptian cross used for tattoos. Again the belief associated with this cross is about the essence of life. Tribal cross tattoos have flowing lines in black ink that are unique to tribal tattoos. The Gothic cross symbolizes the dark side of emotions and is a reflection of anger and pain. Based on this belief the Gothic cross tattoo will have thorns, barbed wire or a dagger passing through or encircling the cross.

The cross tattoo is versatile so that the young and old alike are able to see meaning in it according to their personal beliefs. Those who are new to the tattoo culture often opt for the cross tattoo owing to its simplicity of design. There are other people who use the cross in association with other images like, heart, names and so on, to give a different meaning to it. The cross is a symbol of hope most of the time but if used in a different manner can conjure up dark imagery.

The cross tattoo may owe its origin to ancient traditions but in the modern world it is widely accepted by all and considered a means to express their personal sentiments.

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Summary :When getting a tattoo done you have a huge collection of tattoo designs to choose from. This could range from the abstract tribal design to the most beautiful flowers. One very popular idea is the butterfly tattoo. Many women like to have these dainty creatures as tattoos on their bodies.

The sight of a colourful butterfly flitting around is very enchanting; perhaps it is this image that women want to capture and preserve on their body in the form of a butterfly tattoo. Butterflies are symbols of beauty and are associated with a carefree spirit. Many women associate these characteristics with themselves, which is why they get butterfly tattoos. While these are the meanings that are easy to bring out of a butterfly tattoo, a person with a deeper and reflective frame of mind could be drawn towards it because of its evolution process. The butterfly goes through radically different forms that are crude and ugly to ultimately emerge as a beautiful winged creature. The profound meaning underlying this process often appeals to a person and she may identify with it and would like to keep it as a reminder of the varying phases in life, thus the butterfly tattoo.

When it comes to the design itself, the butterfly tattoo has great potential. It looks beautiful on the body irrespective of the size of the tattoo. There are many colours that can be used for a butterfly tattoo making it one of the most colourfully attractive tattoos. There are thousands of recorded species of butterflies, which provides an abundance of choice if the butterfly tattoo is to be based on real creatures. And then there is the tribal butterfly tattoo. These are black and stark with the edges that are frayed and are sure to catch the eye. For the fun loving person, a cute, cartoon image as a butterfly tattoo will be sheer delight.

The butterfly tattoo looks great on all parts of the body. Many women prefer to have it done on their lower back or the shoulders, where they look truly amazing and alluring. The ankle is another area of the body that is a hot favourite for butterfly tattoos. In this case, the delicate ankles get a prettier look if a butterfly tattoo were to adorn it. The butterfly tattoo makes a woman look charming and exciting. Even a tattoo artist enjoys doing a butterfly tattoo job as it gives them ample opportunity to play with colours.

Perhaps the toughest part of getting a butterfly tattoo is deciding upon a design. The numerous designs add to the confusion and also the fact the there are countless numbers of women opting for this tattoo. So, it is important to select a design that you know has the least chance of being on the bodies of numerous other women. To ensure this, it is best to give a little individual touch to the tattoo design so that it will be distinctive and unique to you.

Butterfly tattoos are a beautiful expression of the self and even if you are not looking for deep meanings in a tattoo, the charm of this tattoo is sure to get you.

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Summary :With tattoos becoming very popular of late, there has been an explosion of ideas with regard to tattoo designs that have been derived from all spheres of life. There are numerous tattoo designs that a person can choose from. Some tattoo designs cater to the male taste while there are others that are more feminine in nature. Dragon, skull, rose, Celtic, tribal, butterfly and star are some of the most popular tattoo designs. The angel tattoo is also a very well-liked design that is sported mostly by women although there are some men too who like to have it displayed on their bodies.

Angel means messenger and they are considered to be messengers of God. Every religion of the world has reference to some or the other angel and they are thought of as a link between God and humans.

Angel tattoos have a wide range of meanings and a person can have his own interpretation of this tattoo. Guardian angel tattoos are an extension of the Christian belief that holds that there are guardian angels for every person. Many people may feel secure in the knowledge that they have this kind of an angel tattoo on their body. Some people simply employ the angel tattoo to express their connection with their spiritual side.

When men use angel tattoos to adorn their bodies, it is generally a reflection of the fact that they have lost a loved one. A person may even display vengeance and retribution through a fallen angel tattoo.

With women the favourite angel tattoos are those that are gentle and have a calming effect. These include tattoos depicting an angel sitting on a cloud or playing the harp or just watching over the person. There are winged angel tattoos and also those wielding swords or daggers as symbolized by the archangels. Who can forget Cupid, the angel of love? This angel tattoo showing Cupid shooting his love through hearts is another much loved tattoo.

There are as many meanings of angel tattoos as one wishes to look for. The religious connotation that angels have, means that people are forever trying to find some similar sense in it. The angel tattoo is also fully exploited to serve as a reminder of the struggle between the good and the evil and the ultimate triumph of the former. While it is not entirely possible to overlook the religious significance of angel tattoos, there are people who may select it for the simple reason that they find the design attractive. So, depending on your own interpretation, you can have the angel tattoo modified as you wish to so that it reflects your own thoughts and beliefs.

The angel tattoo offers great versatility and flexibility in both thought and design and it has the added advantage of being selected by both men and women. Whatever be the thought behind the choice of an angel tattoo, one thing is certain that this is one tattoo design that is very appealing and eye-catching and one that will mesmerize you all your life.

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