# I'm getting a tattoo in three weeks - please give me some ideas! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 3, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172 "2001-01-03T01:41:09Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/1 "2001-01-03T01:41:09Z")
I finally bit the bullet and made the appointment to get it done. I’m terrified of pain but I really want something permanent that will always remind me of where I am right now in life, so… I wanted words to be a part of it, since they are so important to me (reading, writing and the like). I decided on a line from “Emptiness,” one of my favorite Stephen Dunn poems: “some coiled and luminous god.” The whole stanza goes: > [@](#): > > I’ve heard yogis talk of a divine > emptiness > the body free of its base desires, > > some coiled and luminous god > in all of us > waiting to be discovered… The words are going to be in a circle, in my own handwriting, and where “some” and “god” meet at the top, there will be a little star. I’ve talked to the tattoo artist (he has a very good reputation) and faxed him my drawing of the tattoo, which he said he will transfer for me. He also said it was a unique idea, which rocks because I wanted something very different that represented me. Now the question is, where do I put it? I was thinking in the middle of my upper back, or the middle of my lower back, but that’s about it. Where does it hurt most? Where’s a good spot to get one? I don’t want it to be obvious, but not impossible to find either. Any ideas, critiques, etc. are welcome. I haven’t committed to the idea yet, so I’m open to everyone’s ideas. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/2 "2001-01-03T01:46:22Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Nacho4Sara \* > **Now the question is, where do I put it? I was thinking in the middle of my upper back, or the middle of my lower back, but that’s about it. Where does it hurt most? Where’s a good spot to get one? I don’t want it to be obvious, but not impossible to find either.** **Sara** , let me start by saying, great choice for a tattoo. I have 6 tattoos, 3 of which I would remove if I could because they mean nothing to me personally, I got them because I thought they looked good. Getting something that means something to you was a very good decision IMO. As for location? It’ll hurt worse on bone. I have a bad feeling it’ll hurt on your spine too. Regardless, my tattoos (with the exception of the one around my wrist) never really hurt that badly, about like a cat scratch or when you skin your knee. Of course pain is different for everyone, so I’ll just let you know, in my case, it hurt worse on bone. ---
**Author:** ![Totoro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/65b543/32.png) [@Totoro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Totoro)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/3 "2001-01-03T01:48:58Z")
I had an IMHO thread on your dream tattoo a little while back, you might want to go looking there for some ideas. I love the poem too, very original. ---
**Author:** ![Silly\_Rabbit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47774/32.png) [@Silly\_Rabbit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silly_Rabbit)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/4 "2001-01-03T01:51:03Z")
I LOVE tattoos! My only word of advice is this: think ahead. If you were to go to an elegant evening party wearing something sexy, would whatever tattoo(s) you have look acceptable and would you feel comfortable if it is showing? Have fun with it all!!! 🙂 …SR ---
**Author:** ![Rysdad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/7cd45c/32.png) [@Rysdad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rysdad)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/5 "2001-01-03T01:51:36Z")
Tattoos hurt most on the thin skin that’s right over bone. They hurt least on the fleshy parts of your back. Ankles, for example, hurt alot more than, say, shoulders or forearms. I don’t know how it would feel directly over your spine…probably sting a bit. I’ve described mine (I have 3) as no more uncomfortable than having someone with fingernails scratching at a sunburn. Not exactly a joyous feeling, but not agony either. IMHO, I’d want my first tat somewhere I could see it, but whatever floats your boat. ---
**Author:** ![SpinneZiege](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9e8a1a/32.png) [@SpinneZiege](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpinneZiege)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/6 "2001-01-03T01:53:25Z")
[hijack]A giant squid. You can’t go wrong with a giant squid.[/hijack] ---
**Author:** ![ShamaFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@ShamaFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShamaFrog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 1:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/7 "2001-01-03T01:58:37Z")
I got my first tattoo on my tailbone, and it didn’t hurt that bad, though the part where there was less flesh did hurt more. actually, it didn’t really hurt more as feel different. I could feel the vibration of the tatoo gun in my bones. more of a weird feeling, I guess. I think the most painful part of the process was putting up with half an hour’s worth of “crack” jokes from the tattoo artist. \ ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/8 "2001-01-03T02:00:35Z")
Here is what NOT to get 🙂 > **[Tattoos](https://www.livejournal.com/talkread.bml?itemid=1184261)** > > I had a dream that I got several tattoos. On a whim. And I hated them. I got a black line drawn around the base of each finger on both hands, and a really dorky flower on the part of my hand below the webbing of my index finger and thumb on my right... 2001-01-02 09:02:00 Tattoos I had a dream that I got several tattoos. On a whim. And I hated them. I got a black line drawn around the base of each finger on both hands, and a really dorky flower on the part of my hand below the webbing of my index finger and thumb on my right hand. It was basically a circle the size of a Kennedy half-dollar with little half-circle petals all the way around. And a big cartoony ladybug just above it, closer to my thumb. They were all just done in black lines, and looked like a coloring book before anyone colors it. Even as they were doing it, I was wondering how much it would cost to have them removed, but I didn’t want to hurt their feelings by telling them to stop. I was so depressed. Man was I glad when I woke up and it was just a dream! ---
**Author:** ![ShamaFrog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cab0a1/32.png) [@ShamaFrog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShamaFrog)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/9 "2001-01-03T02:01:56Z")
Also - I agree with both Silly Rabbit and Rhysdad…I like the fact that my tattoo is somewhere discreet and is only seen by those that i show it to, but I would have also liked to have it somewhere I could appreciate it more. it’s a tough call. I can’t think of anywhere that meets both criteria except maybe your lower-belly area. ---
**Author:** ![Silo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@Silo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silo)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/10 "2001-01-03T02:01:59Z")
How about upper back on the right or left shoulder blade? I’ve known a few girls who’ve had’em there and love the location. ---
**Author:** ![Fletch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/919ad9/32.png) [@Fletch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fletch)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/11 "2001-01-03T02:25:54Z")
How about the circle your tattoo makes is around your belly button? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/12 "2001-01-03T02:55:22Z")
Somewhere near your ass, maybe? I’m not going to go the route of perversion and suggest another place with a circular bit. ---
**Author:** ![Falcon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/49beb7/32.png) [@Falcon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Falcon)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/13 "2001-01-03T03:02:23Z")
Shoulder blade is nice, but hurts like a BITCH. Anything over bone will. My suggestion is to have a backup area…I wanted mine at the base of my spine, and the artist wouldn’t do it there because it wouldn’t have set right. ---
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/14 "2001-01-03T03:14:16Z")
Well, if you ever decide to get a _second_ tattoo, I always thought it would be cool to get a portrait of Herve Villachez. Think about it. ---
**Author:** ![Nacho4Sara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Nacho4Sara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nacho4Sara)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/15 "2001-01-03T03:25:11Z")
> [@](#): > > Well, if you ever decide to get a second tattoo, I always thought it would be cool to get a portrait of Herve Villachez. Think about it. The midget from Fantasy Island? “Tattoo, tattoo. Ze planes! Ze planes!” Well hell, if _that’s_ who you’re talking about, sign me up! 😛 Thanks for the advice, everyone. I don’t want anything on my belly as it will surely look like shit if I ever have children (I’ve seen it happen…scary!). Another question…I’m thinking of getting a design in the middle of the circle. Too tacky? Any suggestions? Keep 'em coming! 🙂 Crunchy Frog - do you have any pics of your tattoos online? I seem to remember someone putting a tattoo page together a while ago…anyone have a link? ---
**Author:** ![Mauvaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mauvaise/32/11084_2.png) [@Mauvaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mauvaise)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/16 "2001-01-03T03:29:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by woodstockbirdybird \* > \*\*Well, if you ever decide to get a _second_ tattoo, I always thought it would be cool to get a portrait of Herve Villachez. Think about it. \*\* _If_ she ever decides to get a second? You mean _when_; there a quite addicting. I got my first one almost a year ago and have the next four planned out (just have to talk Mr. Mauv into it, he’s not too keen on my body being a canvas). As far as pain goes, it’s not that bad. I say this as someone who is a big baby when it comes to pain. I got mine on my ankle, which is supposed to be one of the more painful places (due to the lack of flesh) and it was bad, but not unbearable. For me, the colouring hurt worse than the outline. I like your idea for a tattoo, that it means something to you. That is very important. I hate when people just pick some random flash off the wall. Oh! Almost forgot to share what mine is: It’s a wee frog (not a kermit or anything) on the inside of my right ankle. When my mother passed away last year, I decided to get a tattoo in her memory. I picked a frog because she was a collector of frog stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Crack\_dOff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a4c791/32.png) [@Crack\_dOff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crack_dOff)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/17 "2001-01-03T05:05:59Z")
Well, this may not actually work for you, but I’m going to get this tatoo’ed on my ankle: LP-A405 Any guesses as to it’s meaning? ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/18 "2001-01-03T06:00:40Z")
Nacho4Sara, When I saw the title of this thread, I already had an idea in mind, because it’s something I always thought would make a wonderful tattoo. When I saw the lines of the poem you quoted, they seemed to fit particularly well with the image, and the circle motif is absolutely perfect. So, here’s the idea. Inside the circle of the words, get a tattoo of the Worm (Dragon) Ouroboros. You might recognize it as the dragon eating its own tail, and the symbolism has a rich meaning. This is what [this site](http://www.dragon.org/chris/ouroboros.html) has to say about the meaning: > [@](#): > > **Origins of the Ouroboros** > The Serpent biting its own tail is first seen as early as 1600 years BC in Egypt. From there it moved to the Phonecians and then to the Greeks, who called it the Ouroboros, which means devouring its tail. > The serpent biting its tail is found in other mythoi as well, including Norse myth, where the serpent’s name is Jörmungandr, and in Hindu, where the dragon circles the tortoise which supports the four elephants that carry the world. > Alternate spellings include: oroborus, uroboros, and oureboros. > > **Symbology behind the Ouroboros** > The ouroboros has several meanings interwoven into it. Foremost is the symbolism of the serpent biting, devouring, eating its own tail. This symbolises the cyclic Nature of the Universe: creation out of destruction, Life out of Death. The ouroboros eats its own tail to sustain its life, in an eternal cycle of renewal. Many good ideas for graphics can be found at [http://shell4.ba.best.com/~abacus/oro/ouroboros.html](http://shell4.ba.best.com/~abacus/oro/ouroboros.html) . This site includes some tattoos that others have of Ouroboros, but none of them have any words associated with them. Check it out, and see what you think. ---
**Author:** ![wyldelf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/4491bb/32.png) [@wyldelf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wyldelf)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/19 "2001-01-03T07:28:33Z")
A big decision to make Nacho4Sara. Ummm well to add my 2 cents worth. To reiterate previous posts - it will hurt more to get a tatt over a bony area eg ankle/backbone etc but on the other hand neither of the tatts I have had done hurt too much - uncomfortable but nowhere near unbearable. I also wanted to have them in a place that was able to be hidden (as I was a teacher at the time) but also able to be displayed if I wished. My first tatt is on my stomach/hip sort of area and that is pretty much just for me and whoever I chose to share it with 😉 but the other one I got done on the top of my foot (a strange place - but suits it well). As for the design - it sounds wonderful!! And yes they are addictive but make sure you get something that means alot to you. ---
**Author:** ![TwistofFate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/cdc98d/32.png) [@TwistofFate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TwistofFate)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2001, 8:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172/20 "2001-01-03T08:47:04Z")
How about a tatoo of Fidel Castro on your stomach?? 😉 (much in line withg the Herve Villachez idea… ) What you could get in the center is a Celtic spiral design… [http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/celtic/spirals.shtml](http://www.gandolf.com/graphics/celtic/spirals.shtml) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-getting-a-tattoo-in-three-weeks-please-give-me-some-ideas/48172.md?page=2)