Completed Tattoo

Here is a finished picture of my new tattoo next to the one without color--I couldn't find a complete before shot. As I said yesterday, all of the four that came together so nicely to make up the ONE have special meaning. These were all carefully thought out and designed special. They were brought as concepts and drawings to Frank and because they are hand drawn, I hope that I never see a duplicate as long as I live.

Left Shoulder Butterfly: seen as the personification of a person's soul; whether they be living, dying, or already dead. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches behind the bamboo screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth into a new life after being inside a cocoon for a long period of time. grace, beauty, serenity.

Right Shoulder Hummingbird: Messenger, stopper of time. Hummingbird represents optimism and sweetness. Being able to roll with the punches is an attribute of Hummingbird. It is also a symbol of love, joy, and beauty. The hummingbird is also able to fly backwards, teaching us that we can look back on our past. But, this bird also teaches that we must not dwell on our past; we need to move forward. When the hummingbird hovers over flowers while drinking nectar, we learn that we should savor each moment, and appreciate the things we love. Also, my Pop had hummingbird feeders all over his porch before he left us, and he loved to watch those little guys fly all the time. They were special to him and he was special to me so I used it in a tattoo in honor of him. Finally, one of the things that I have read is that hummingbirds are small, surprisingly strong, intelligent, diligent, fiercely territorial and loyal.

The English Words:
Love--

A deep, tender, ineffable feeling of affection and solicitude toward a person, such as that arising from kinship, recognition of attractive qualities, or a sense of underlying oneness. A feeling of intense desire and attraction toward a person with whom one is disposed to make a pair; the emotion of sex and romance.
Faith--
Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence.

Large Chinese Writing/Middle:
Wisdom--

the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.
Intellect--

the power or faculty of the mind by which one knows or understands, as distinguished from that by which one feels and that by which one wills; the understanding; the faculty of thinking and acquiring knowledge. The capacity for thinking and acquiring knowledge, esp. of a high or complex order; mental capacity.

This tattoo was carefully placed directly between the two on my shoulders because of the fact that whom a person (ME) chooses to love and put faith in should be carefully balanced by wisdom and intellect. Some of you know that I have failed in the past and the pain it has caused me. I will try much harder and be much more careful in the future.

Koi Fish: 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. 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. 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. Also, a koi swimming upstream represents the ability to face adversity, while the koi swimming downstream represents having the ability to conquer adversity.

Chinese Writing in Koi:
Left=Joy--

the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation. A source or cause of keen pleasure or delight; something or someone greatly valued or appreciated. The expression or display of glad feeling; festive gaiety. A state of happiness or felicity

Right=sorrow--

distress caused by loss, affliction, disappointment, etc.; grief, sadness, or regret. A cause or occasion of grief or regret, as an affliction, a misfortune, or trouble. The expression of grief, sadness, disappointment, or the like.

The meaning of those with regard to JennyBean is self explanatory to those who know me.

NOTE:
I personally love tattoos and think they are beautiful. I think they should have meaning to the person on whose body they are placed, but know that is not always the case. I am a bit of a tattoo snob now and hate the one on my ankle as it is "flash/wall art" that has no special meaning other than I got in while I was in MP school. I will never get another piece that has no personal meaning again. I love the new one so much not just because I think it is pretty, but also because the whole thing is an artistic representation of what I have come through in my life (some things with scars both emotional and physical) and what I will most likely have to go through in my future. It is a symbol of both what I was, what I am, and what I hope to become. I think that I am finished getting tattoos now...ONE NEVER KNOWS :) I mean really, there is still space on my back you know. Yes mom...it's pretty and it's beautiful artwork and I know you wish it wasn't a permanent part of my body. You aren't the only mom who hates tattoos :)