I have always wanted to get a tattoo, but never could decide on something that I would look at when I was 80 and be glad I got. Well, I am thinking of getting my children's initials on my leg, but want it done in a cool font. I was thinking Old English, but if you have some suggesstions let me know.

Thanks,
It's a new year, these are new times
MIF

I have Dealan-de (Gaelic for butterfly and God's Fire) tatooed above my hibiscus' and butterfly. It's in Harrington (I think). Very nice font.

Edited to add:

Old English has been done to death, imo. Everyone has it...I liked Harrington font because it's flowy and nice, but not common, kwim?

<small>[ December 28, 2004, 01:35 PM: Message edited by: Dealan-de ]</small>

Thanks, I'll check those out. Yeah, Old English is done to death.

MIF

Just, oh please don't do it in chinese characters.

If I was a chinese tattooist, there would be a thousand westerners running around with the word 'idiot' tattooed on them, and they'd think it was like 'strength' or 'wisdom' or something... lol...

As for the font, take your time. This ink will be on you pretty much forever so really, there's no rush. You may even want to consider designing your own 'font'... maybe a tribal design that incorporates their initials.

Many people don't realize that designing the tat is more crucial a step than getting the tat.

Also, one little tip from a fella who's had over 20 tattoos (the biggest being a little over 3 feet in legnth) get your tattoo done about 10-15% bigger than you think you want it. Somehow they look smaller when they are done.

The other thing you can try is this...

Trace your design onto paper with a ball point pen in a reverse image. Apply a healthy layer of anti-perspirant (they don't all work) and then press the paper against the area for a minute or so. The design will transfer and you will be able to wear this temporary tattoo for a few days and 'try it on for size'.

This method works particularily well in the armpit, though I sure wouldn't recommend a tattoo there as it really really really hurts. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

dewt

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> Many people don't realize that designing the tat is more crucial a step than getting the tat.
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Here, here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Make it your own....you will wear your art forever and you must absolutely love it from the get go.

Pep had an amusing story about a guy coming into the er with a tattoo typo on him. Poor guy. (snort)

- Kimmy, who's already designing the next addition in her head.

No, no Chinese lettering. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

dewt, the problem is I am not the least bit artistic so I could not design anything that would look any better than my 9 year olds could come up with. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Embarrassed]" src="images/icons/blush.gif" />

It would be cool to have some sort of design to have the names written into though. Are you artistic? Maybe you could design something for me. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" />

I designed all 3 of my tattoos myself.

I actually let my girls pick out the design of the one with their names around it.

I'm not artistic at all on paper......but I have several graphics programs on my computer that I used to come up with the designs for mine.

Here's another idea. You can buy Henna Tattoo kits anywhere it seems. You can get one of those.....make your design....and do your tattoo in Henna to try it out...see how you like it.....and if you don't....no biggie....it comes off in about 2 weeks. It's really easy to do as long as you can follow lines...lol

I agree that Chinese symbols and Old English lettering are way over done....but I think that Tribal tattoos are too.

I agree, tribal is overdone too.

Like you, I had considered getting a tattoo at one time until I came across this:

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> Lev 19:28 Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD. KJV</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Now, I am a Christian, not a Jew, so I fully realize that all things are permissible for me, but I know that not everything is beneficial for me as well.

I don't believe God would've condemned me to hell for a tat, but I felt that it would not be something He'd be pleased to see on me. What I believe He thinks about my actions has become more important to me in recent days, so I decided that a tattoo wasn't for me.

There are lots of different arguments about the meaning of Lev 19.28, but I had to follow what I believed God wanted me to do (or not do) with it.

I don't know if you are a man of faith or not, but have you thought about it from this angle?

For those of you who have tattoos, please don't think I'm bashing your decision to get one. This was a very personal decision for me and I would expect it to be so for anyone. If your conviction is different than mine, that's cool and I respect that.

Low

Hey low -

what does the first part of that statement mean? The part about no cuttings in your flesh FOR THE DEAD.

That part escapes me.

I decided a few months ago that a tattoo just wasn't me, but I am going to get my belly button pierced. Just working on getting up the courage, as I don't like pain. Love the look of a really nice belly button dangle. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial"> please don't think I'm bashing your decision to get one. </font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">I don't. To quote my favorite t-shirt:

"Jesus loves me AND my tattoos."

Weaver, I have my navel pierced. It was really no big. The healing time is longer than an ear piercing - and you have to be specially careful at first not to go swimming or have it catch clothing....but it was a piece of cake. I get lovely navel bling for b-days and Christmases now, too! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Weaver,

Not LO..but I'll clear some of this up for you <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Making cuttings in the flesh *for the dead* is a cultural practice..it has religious significance..as does making markings on your flesh [or it did]. When a person had a tattoo it was not merely a decoration. A lot of the symbols used in tattoos have religious significance..they have meaning.

Jews were not to participate in the religious practices of the surrounding cultures.

It is unclear whether or not this practice is part of what would be considerred ritual law or moral law..so basically it in not certain whether God condemned it only because of the religious significance of the practice..or the practice itself.

It is left to Christians to suss out their own convictions on the matter.

Noodle

Thanks Kimmy and Noodle.

Both for the clarification of the statement, and to let me know that it won't hurt too terribly much.

Just wanted to add...

I thought about the unique nature of my spirit, soul, and body. I thought about the unique nature of my DNA code and how God knows me right down to the proteins He put me together with...

I'm pretty unique and special...He knows this. I don't have to do anything else to be any more "unique and special".

Low

Ok, I donwloaded some fonts to try out. What do you all think?

http://img136.exs.cx/my.php?loc=img136&image=tats1yv.jpg

I thought chinese lettering was perfect. I gave myself a 41st birthday gift 6 years ago. I had the chinese symbol for "energy" tattooed at the base of my back/spine. Lavendar ink was used to fill it in which means "healing".
Whatever you decide, really think about it. It will be with you through the rest of your life. And IMO, I don not recommend tattooing or plastic surgery for anyone under 40. Really, really think about it.