Henna Tattoos

Henna Tattoos - Henna, which is also known as mendhi, is a tall plant that prospers in hot, dry climates; it is most commonly found in India, Egypt, Sudan, and other countries located in either North Africa or the Middle East. The leaves of this shrub-like plant are ground into powder, which is then made into a paste. This paste is used to make henna tattoos.

The henna paste leaves an orange-brown stain when it is applied to the skin, thus resulting in the tattoo-like effect. The tattoos are not permanent; they fade in about six weeks, or perhaps less. Also, the process is pain free—no needles!

Henna History
Indian women used to apply henna to their skin every day, except for widows, who would not wear the body art as a sign of mourning. Special henna designs would adorn the body on certain holidays and celebrations. For example, brides commonly wore henna because it was seen as a symbol of joy and life.

Today, many Indian and Middle Eastern cultures still use henna tattoos in their celebrations. However, henna has spread to Europe and the United States as an alternative to tattoos. Most commonly seen along beach boardwalks, there are now shops that will do the body art, for a price.

The alternative to having a henna tattoo professionally done is doing one yourself. You can obtain the materials to make henna paste and draw the design from an Indian Market or Indian Warehouse. You can even purchase a book full of traditional henna designs.[ad#ads-good]

However, if you prefer to design your own henna tattoo, feel free to do so. It is common now to see small roses or butterflies in the form of henna art. The options when it comes to henna tattoos are unlimited, because it is gone in six weeks!

A Longstanding Tradition
Henna is an ancient art that has withstood the test of time and spread among many different cultures. Perhaps it is the history behind it that makes it so appealing; or, maybe people simply don’t like to consider the alternative option.

Tattoo Kits

Do you have the intention of becoming a professional tattoo artist? Do you like to create/apply tattoos? Are you planning to purchase a tattoo kit? If yes, just make sure that you go through this article before you place your order for it.

There are certain things about which you will have to be careful when you opt to purchase a kit. Get to know the intricacies so that you get the best kit available in the market.

• Look out for kits that have different color inks of high quality.
• Make sure that the kit that you purchase has ink cap that can hold the ink while you apply the tattoo designs.
• You should definitely get to know about the possibilities of refilling the different color ink in case you run out of them.
• It would be good if you have an ink cap holder as a part of the kit.
• You would be discarding the tattoo needles after using them. You might not be able to discard the used needles in the bin that you have at home for that may injure anyone and can cause unwanted consequences. So make sure that the kit includes a trash container which you can make use of to discard the risky needles.
• Yet another thing that you should consider is the type of needle that you are planning to use. If you are a professional tattoo artist, you can plan to reuse the needles by making use of a sterilizer. But if you do not have a sterilizer, then you should make sure that the needles present in the kit that you buy are disposable ones.
• Get to know where you can find the refill pack for the disposable needles that come with the kit. Make sure that the cost of the disposable needles is affordable too.
• If you do not have a sterilizer, a tattoo kit which has single use tubes would really be useful for you. Make sure that the number of disposable needles would suffice. Make sure you get extra needles depending on your requirement.
• Another critical thing that you should consider is the material using which the tattoo machine is made of. Make sure that the material is not prone to corrosive action.
• Ensure that you would be able to clean the machine with ease. Get to know where and which cleaner type you should buy to maintain the machine properly.

Click here for more info

Celtic tattoo designs

Celtic tattoo designs that many people get nowadays have very little in to do with Druidic beliefs of the past and a great deal of their symbolism has been lost or confused over time. This has left behind very complex and beautiful tattoo designs that may have some religious significance, however, a great deal of the original intent is left veiled by time.
The Celtic Knot

Most Celtic artwork starts with a common knot design. These are attractive knots of interlaced lines that cross over one another repeatedly to produce an exquisite design. These knots don’t have a start or an end they are simply a perpetual knot that goes on eternally. These interwoven lines are thought to symbolize the spiritual and the physical realms of life, which become entangled with each other.
Celtic Tree Of Life Tattoo

Among the favorite themes of Celtic tattoo designs is the Tree Of Life. This in all likelihood goes back as a symbol to the Druidic religion, which was a nature, based religion. Trees frequently symbolize life, growing from a seed into a tree much like a person grows from a child into an adult. Trees are often seen as a life giving plant and are venerated in many naturalistic faiths. There is also an association with Christianity in the Adam and Eve story in which Eve eats the fruit from a tree.
The Celtic Cross Tattoo

Among the most popular and most lasting Celtic designs is the Celtic Cross. The symbolism here is obviously Christian and comes from Jesus on the cross. These are beautiful crosses done with interlacing lines of Celtic knots.
Celtic Heart Tattoos

Another favorite Celtic design theme is a heart. Celtic heart tattoos are once again intertwined knot work in the shape of a heart. Generally done in black color only but can also be done in color. These are exquisite designs and make great tattoos. These are particularly popular among women.

More Symbols Include:

• Anchor: Steadfastness
• Bell: Weddings, Anniversaries.
• Chain Links: Linking of Lives, No. Of children, Years together.
• Comma Shapes: Soul Signs.
• Cross: Faith, Marriage.
• Diamond: Wealth, Good Fortune.
• Dragon: Symbol of Wales, Protection.
• Flowers: Affection or Courtship, Friendship.
• Heart: Love.
• Horseshoe: Good Luck and Happiness.
• Key: Home
• Knot: Everlasting, together forever.
• Leaves: Love Grows.
• Ship: Smooth passage through life.
• Vine: Love Grows.
• Wheel: Willingness to work for a loved one.
• Double Spoons: The Couple Together Forever.

skull tattoos

Skull Tattoos were typically only gotten by "those people" you know the ones I am talking about right! Those tough looking gangster guys that have spent time in prison. Or maybe those Gothic guys that have some kind of strange and morbid obsession with death right? Well, the world is changing and what was once shocking, unknowing and scary has today become more and more mainstream. Skull tattoos, Gothic culture and other things that were once very menacing and scary are today very normal and part of our daily life.

Today Skulls as a design motif are becoming more and more popular everywhere. You now see skulls on the latest fashion trends of kids, in skateboards, on surfboards and just about everything else you could think of. Skulls have become part of our mainstream culture and are part of the art of today. However, this does not mean that the world is all at one time becoming more morbidly fascinated with death or dying. There are many other associations with skull other then just death. For example think about the symbols of skulls and sugar skeletons from Mexico as they celebrate the “Day Of The Dead”. Today skulls are starting to also be associated with life in a way. If a skull represents death then it can also be a reminder to us that life is short and to live each day to it’s fullest a sort of symbolic “Carpe Diem”.
[ad#ads-cool]

Now there are still those of course that get skull tattoo just to look tough and menacing but the number has definitely changed in the last few years. Those that want to look thought and menacing get tattoos like the Grim Reaper. The Grim Reaper is an depiction or a figure of death the one who comes and gets you at the end of your time. He wears black robes and has no face but carries a big farming sickle.

What Are Sugar Skull Tattoos

In Mexico when they celebrate the Day Of The Dead they will often make a ton of beautiful pieces of art and sculpture all features skulls and skeletons. Some of these sculptures are edible like the Sugar Skulls. These are skulls made from sugar and then they are painting with food coloring in bright and beautiful colors. They will often have flowers for eyes and some other beautifully colored designs about them. These are seen as a way to morn the dead that have past but also celebrate life and the beauty of their own life and the beauty of the life of the person who has passed on.

So you might want to give that skull tattoo a second look. Sure it might be menacing or scary at first but it is becoming more and more common and it seems people are starting to embrace the idea of skulls in the popular media, fashion and tattooing trends.

Butterfly Tattoo

Butterfly tattoos are one of the more common tattoos among women. Butterflies can represent something pretty or something more meaningful.

Source from : jaymz

Butterflies can symbolize various things depending on which culture you look at it. In the Japanese culture, butterflies are seen as the personification of one’s soul, whether it be living, dying, or dead. It is, also, thought that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and sits behind the bamboo screen, a person whom you love is coming to see you. But, at the same time, butterflies in large numbers are bad omens.

In the Russian culture, butterflies can represent a woman or grandmother. In Greek, butterfly means ‘soul.’ In China, 2 butterflies flying together is a symbol of love.

Butterflies can, also, symbolize:

• * Rebirth
• * Change in one’s life
• * Luck
• * Freedom
• * Nervousness

Next Page »