Vintage in style, today's rockabilly tattoos are a combination of sailor tattoos and key elements of '50s fashion. From the sailors came the anchors, sparrows, stars and pin-up girls, from the prime time of rockabilly music came the '50s iconic cars, music symbols and ironic red hearts.
While cultures across the world had been decorating their bodies with ink for centuries, in America during the '50s, having a tattoo was looked down upon. For the rebellious rockabillies of the time though, having a tattoo became a defiant fashion statement that soon turned into a phenomenon.
Girls, cars, and musical symbols and instruments tended to dominate. Women, who were less likely to get tattoos, would wear necklaces with pendants with the same kind of artwork, along with sayings like 'faith' or 'rock', known as rockabilly tattoo necklaces.
The resurgence of today's rockabilly tattoos is in no small part to the work of one of the most popular artists of the '50s - Norman "Sailor Jerry" Collins (1911-1973)
Sailor Jerry joined the navy when he was 19 and traveled around the world getting his first tattoos and gaining exposure to tattoo art in Southeast Asia. He opened his first tattoo parlor in Honolulu's Chinatown, a place where sailors gathered to drink, pay for women and get tattoos.
As sailors were very superstitious, they would look to anything that would indicate that they would come home alive. Over the years signs turned into symbols for luck, safe travel and returning home.
One of the most popular tattoos at the time was the swallow. For sailors it was a potent symbol of returning home safely. As the swallow can't fly far from land, when a sailor spots one he knows land is close by and therefore home. Not only that but swallows also return home every year, no matter where they are. It's also a bird that chooses a mate for life and therefore is a symbol of love and loyalty to the family.
Sailor Jerry's art work rose to popularity almost immediately. Many of his customers were Navy men on short breaks from their difficult life on ship. This meant many of them were rabid drinkers, not looking for fine line work, but wanting something that would get attention and something they could show off to their buddies.
The popularity of Sailor Jerry's work has continued long after his death and has seen an influx in recent years. The West Coast tattoo style took a lot of these older designs and recolored them with new vibrant inks. Not only that, but after Jerry's death the royalties of his art went to two of his students, Ed Hardy and Mike Malone. In 1999 they formed the company Sailor Jerry Ltd and used his artwork on just about everything, from clothing to playing cards, purses, even shoes. They also produce Sailor Jerry rum, based on the rum that sailors used to make on board their ships. From retro tattoo work to material goods; Sailor Jerry is everywhere.
http://www.rockabillyrevival.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jacqui_Munn
Dienstag, 4. Mai 2010
Everything You Need to Know About Butterfly Tattoo Designs
The history behind Butterfly tattoo designs is rich and full of mythology and spiritualism. It is easily one of most requested tattoo designs. There are several reasons throughout history that contribute to this idea. Traditionally, the butterfly is a symbol of everlasting renewal of life, and some suspect this is the reason so many women choose a design that involves a butterfly. Whether looking at the ink of a novice - or someone who has gotten several tattoos, chances are good that if that person is a female, you'll find a butterfly tattoo among them.
However, even from a purely scientific point of view, the butterfly is a magical creature. Here is an insect, born from an egg, which crawls around on many tiny legs. During its time as a caterpillar, the insect feeds constantly until it is grown. Then, this insect builds a cocoon around itself and hibernates. One day, the entire butterfly starts to emerge. It is a very long and difficult process for a caterpillar to be reborn as a butterfly or moth. At this time, the butterfly takes flight and enjoys the rest of its life. There are very few species, insect or otherwise, that go through such a metamorphosis in their lifetime.
As to actual butterfly tattoo designs, they are as endless as the species of butterflies and colors in the rainbow. There isn't any design that doesn't work. There are so many things you can do with even the most simple of butterfly designs. A butterfly sitting on the foam from a waterfall, or perhaps you would prefer a butterfly surrounded by fire. They can be as simple as an arm band comprised of vines and tiny butterflies. Or even be as elaborate as an entire garden of lilies with butterflies flitting from flower to flower. They can come in every shade from black to fuchsia, be spotted, striped, or plain. Shaded profile view or full on from front, or behind if your artist is skilled enough. As mentioned previously, there is truly no limit to the design capabilities that involve a butterfly tattoo design. Some artists even believe that what and where you have your butterfly tattooed can give insight into your personality. That being said, the women who get butterfly tattoos come from all walks of life.
A butterfly tattoo design is always a wise choice. There are so many ways to customize one that you could probably see a thousand of them and never see two that look exactly alike. Visit Tattoo Design Hub for free samples and more information about butterfly tattoo designs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Lucas_Scott
However, even from a purely scientific point of view, the butterfly is a magical creature. Here is an insect, born from an egg, which crawls around on many tiny legs. During its time as a caterpillar, the insect feeds constantly until it is grown. Then, this insect builds a cocoon around itself and hibernates. One day, the entire butterfly starts to emerge. It is a very long and difficult process for a caterpillar to be reborn as a butterfly or moth. At this time, the butterfly takes flight and enjoys the rest of its life. There are very few species, insect or otherwise, that go through such a metamorphosis in their lifetime.
As to actual butterfly tattoo designs, they are as endless as the species of butterflies and colors in the rainbow. There isn't any design that doesn't work. There are so many things you can do with even the most simple of butterfly designs. A butterfly sitting on the foam from a waterfall, or perhaps you would prefer a butterfly surrounded by fire. They can be as simple as an arm band comprised of vines and tiny butterflies. Or even be as elaborate as an entire garden of lilies with butterflies flitting from flower to flower. They can come in every shade from black to fuchsia, be spotted, striped, or plain. Shaded profile view or full on from front, or behind if your artist is skilled enough. As mentioned previously, there is truly no limit to the design capabilities that involve a butterfly tattoo design. Some artists even believe that what and where you have your butterfly tattooed can give insight into your personality. That being said, the women who get butterfly tattoos come from all walks of life.
A butterfly tattoo design is always a wise choice. There are so many ways to customize one that you could probably see a thousand of them and never see two that look exactly alike. Visit Tattoo Design Hub for free samples and more information about butterfly tattoo designs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Lucas_Scott
Everything You Need to Know About Dragon Tattoo Designs
Dragons are an incredibly popular choice in tattoo designs these days. Just about everyone you see with tattoos has some form of dragon somewhere on their body it seems. When did this start? Why do they choose the dragon? What does it mean?
The myth of the dragon is said to have begun in the Far East, mainly in China and Japan. However, there are many ancient cultures that use the symbol of the dragon to represent different ideas. For instance, the Vikings used to etch a dragon onto their ships hoping that it would give their warriors a keen sense of sight and a crafty nature to defeat their foes.
There are many meanings that can be attributed to the dragon tattoo, which may be one of the reasons that they are such a popular choice. In the Far East, Dragons are a symbol of the four elements, earth, fire, water and air or the four directions: North, South, East and West. Others see them as a symbol of ancient wisdom and still others believe that they represent a fierce determination toward a particular goal. They are also known to be magical, mythical, wild and free. They transcend time and social boundaries.
There are probably even more styles of dragon tattoo designs than there are meanings to be found among the people who have them. The eastern style of dragon is usually depicted as a colorful serpent with no wings and large teeth, sometimes breathing fire and winding itself around something that it is protecting, such as the Buddha. Western dragons are often seen in a more evil light, since early Christians believed the dragon was the Serpent who tricked Eve into eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. These can be colorful dragons, but also work well in black and white if that is the person's choice. They also have long serpentine bodies and are generally seen with large bat-like wings, sharp claws and fire flowing past their huge teeth. The tribal dragon tattoo is also another popular style; these are done more as flat black images denoting the idea of the dragon as a symbol, rather than a beautiful representation of the beast itself.
Visit Tattoo Design Hub for free samples and more information about dragon tattoo designs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Lucas_Scott
The myth of the dragon is said to have begun in the Far East, mainly in China and Japan. However, there are many ancient cultures that use the symbol of the dragon to represent different ideas. For instance, the Vikings used to etch a dragon onto their ships hoping that it would give their warriors a keen sense of sight and a crafty nature to defeat their foes.
There are many meanings that can be attributed to the dragon tattoo, which may be one of the reasons that they are such a popular choice. In the Far East, Dragons are a symbol of the four elements, earth, fire, water and air or the four directions: North, South, East and West. Others see them as a symbol of ancient wisdom and still others believe that they represent a fierce determination toward a particular goal. They are also known to be magical, mythical, wild and free. They transcend time and social boundaries.
There are probably even more styles of dragon tattoo designs than there are meanings to be found among the people who have them. The eastern style of dragon is usually depicted as a colorful serpent with no wings and large teeth, sometimes breathing fire and winding itself around something that it is protecting, such as the Buddha. Western dragons are often seen in a more evil light, since early Christians believed the dragon was the Serpent who tricked Eve into eating the apple in the Garden of Eden. These can be colorful dragons, but also work well in black and white if that is the person's choice. They also have long serpentine bodies and are generally seen with large bat-like wings, sharp claws and fire flowing past their huge teeth. The tribal dragon tattoo is also another popular style; these are done more as flat black images denoting the idea of the dragon as a symbol, rather than a beautiful representation of the beast itself.
Visit Tattoo Design Hub for free samples and more information about dragon tattoo designs.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Lucas_Scott
Egyptian God Tattoos
If you are wearing a tattoo of an Egyptian god then it is probably best to know what it represents as well as looking awesome. I have seen many different Anubis tattoo designs, which is interesting seeing as he represents the underworld but read below for some common Egyptian gods and their meanings.
Anubis
So lets start with the popular one Anubis; the Egyptians believed that he was the god of embalming and that he was the one who would weigh your heart to see whether it was light enough for you to enter the underworld (heaven). If your heart was light it meant "care free" but heavy meant "sad", which relates to the common day saying that we have today of "carrying a heavy heart". So it was Anubis responsibility to make sure that you would pass on to heaven and I guess it makes sense to have him as a tattoo because he is almost like a guardian angel. By putting trust in Anubis it would help your chances of eternal happiness.
Ra
Ra was the god of the sun, the king of kings and he would descend into the underworld every night and then resurrect 12 hours later on the dawn. He was one of the most powerful gods and was always in conflict during the day with his enemy Apep but was always given assistance by the other gods Seth and Bastet. Ra symbolises strength and a nobility of leading the leaders; so if you were considering him as a tattoo I would recommend that you take this meaning into consideration.
Seth
He was the god of the storm, desert and violence because these were all enemies of the valley of the Nile. He was actually an interesting character because he was very violent and killed Osiris, however he also helped Ra fight Apep so this would be your typical type of bad boy with a conscience. This would be a good tattoo for a fighter or someone who does not particularly play by the rules.
There are many different Egyptian gods but far to many to list in this article. For more information on Egyptian god tattoos Have a look at the website Egyptian Tattoos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wiwatowski
Anubis
So lets start with the popular one Anubis; the Egyptians believed that he was the god of embalming and that he was the one who would weigh your heart to see whether it was light enough for you to enter the underworld (heaven). If your heart was light it meant "care free" but heavy meant "sad", which relates to the common day saying that we have today of "carrying a heavy heart". So it was Anubis responsibility to make sure that you would pass on to heaven and I guess it makes sense to have him as a tattoo because he is almost like a guardian angel. By putting trust in Anubis it would help your chances of eternal happiness.
Ra
Ra was the god of the sun, the king of kings and he would descend into the underworld every night and then resurrect 12 hours later on the dawn. He was one of the most powerful gods and was always in conflict during the day with his enemy Apep but was always given assistance by the other gods Seth and Bastet. Ra symbolises strength and a nobility of leading the leaders; so if you were considering him as a tattoo I would recommend that you take this meaning into consideration.
Seth
He was the god of the storm, desert and violence because these were all enemies of the valley of the Nile. He was actually an interesting character because he was very violent and killed Osiris, however he also helped Ra fight Apep so this would be your typical type of bad boy with a conscience. This would be a good tattoo for a fighter or someone who does not particularly play by the rules.
There are many different Egyptian gods but far to many to list in this article. For more information on Egyptian god tattoos Have a look at the website Egyptian Tattoos.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wiwatowski
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