tattoos...

[michael]

I bet that hurt like buggery. I am not that much of a fan of pain.

[Luci]

KOI TATTOO - Probably surprising to many westerners is the large of amount of ancient myth that surrounds these beautiful fish in the Orient and their elevated status there.   Generally known here as the brightly colored fish that are common in public ponds and fountains, carp (koi is Japanese for carp) can be found in colors that include white, yellow, gold, a deep orange, and some are even calico-colored.  Particularly beautiful specimens have been known to fetch prices in excess of half-a-million dollars from private collectors who specialize in their breeding and showing.  However, the koi is more than just a colorful and collectible fish.  It is also one of the most popular and beautiful of Japanese tattoo symbols – a beauty which belies its symbolic meaning.  Although Chinese in origin, the carp is now widely celebrated in Japan, particularly for its manly qualities.  It is said to climb waterfalls bravely, and, if caught, it lies upon the cutting board awaiting the knife without a quiver, not unlike a samurai (warrior) facing a sword.  This theme dates back to ancient China, where a legend tells of how any koi that succeeded in climbing the falls at a point called Dragon Gate (on the Yellow River) would be transformed into a dragon.  Based on that legend, it became a symbol of worldly aspiration and advancement.  Eventually, the stoic fish came to be associated with so many masculine and positive qualities that it was appropriated for the annual Boys' Day Festival in Japan where even today colorful, streaming koi flags are traditionally displayed for each son in the family.  In tattoo imagery, especially in combination with flowing water, it symbolizes much the same:  courage, the ability to attain high goals, and overcoming life's difficulties.

Its apparently also meant to bring good luck (so a friend told me a while back)

[Compo]

Been lucky for me..............

[Chubbs]

Well i had 3 hours done allready, another 4 sat and i think about another 3 more on top, so i think all in all about 600/700 quid

[Chubbs]

I bet that hurt like buggery. I am not that much of a fan of pain.

umm yes and no, the tatooing its self wasnt that bad, but where its on my calf i kept getting terrible cramp for a couple of days, which wasnt pleasant.

[magicroundabout]

umm yes and no, the tatooing its self wasnt that bad, but where its on my calf i kept getting terrible cramp for a couple of days, which wasnt pleasant.

people have asked me if my tattoo hurt. i couldn't say yes or no. it's a strange feeling and sometimes it's quite pleasurable. The only bit which hurt on mine was when it went near the collar bone. Skin is very very this there so made me jump a bit.

[magicroundabout]

goes down over my shoulder blade too.

[url width=402 height=694]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/magicroundabout/tattoo.jpg[/url]

[sonic youth]

the other thing that bothers me is the aftercare - i know that the tattooist will give me plenty of advice, but what can go wrong? how tender will the skin be? if i have it done on my wrist/forearm then it's obviously in a place where i'm bound to knock it on stuff...

[Chubbs]

goes down over my shoulder blade too.

ye im not looking forward when it gets to my shin, some places hurt some dont, and it depends on your pain threshold, but i tell you wat, stay away form tatooing anywhere near the arm pit, fucking hurts like a mother.

[Chubbs]

the other thing that bothers me is the aftercare - i know that the tattooist will give me plenty of advice, but what can go wrong? how tender will the skin be? if i have it done on my wrist/forearm then it's obviously in a place where i'm bound to knock it on stuff...

Dont get tattoo'd on the wrist, it wont take properly. as long as you lookafter it it will be fine, use something called bepanphen (sp) its nappy rash cream but heals the tattoo very well, try and stay away from tattooists own brands "natural" tatto healers as they can fade the tattoo.
if its something small it shuoldnt take too long to heal, wash it with warn soapy water dab it dry, apply a thin layer of cream and repeat 2 times a day untilll healed.

[sonic youth]

i'm less bothered about the pain than it being irritating afterwards

noted about the wrist. although i can't get it done on my right wrist cos of scars and my left wrist cos that's where i wear a watch anyway...i guess it'll be the forearm.

[Chubbs]

what are you getting? get it on the guns

[flammableBen]

You getting a dolphin or a butterfly?

[sonic youth]

'there is a light that never goes out'

i don't want it on the upper arm in case i want something done on it later.

[flammableBen]

Not a sad crocodile then?