Cross tattoo: This tattoo was Meliponini’s first. Meliponini got it on their dad’s birthday. Meliponini was afraid of needles. After this tattoo, they are no longer afraid of needles.

Meliponini thinks they did the cliche thing after a person gets raped. Meliponini got a lot of these tattoos after being raped. Meliponini stated that good stuff comes from even the bad stuff.

This tattoo did not hurt. Meliponini had always wanted a cross tattoo because they believe in and love Jesus.

Lorax Unless tattoo: The tattoo is of the Truffula tree from the Lorax. It says Unless, because “Unless we care a whole awful lot it’s not going to get better.” It’s a Dr Seuss quote. Meliponini loves the environment, and wants people to care about the environment. Meliponini also thought the tattoo was cute.

Bee tattoo: Meliponini studied bees in school. Like the Lorax, Meliponini likes to say “I speak for the bees.” Bees are declining so Meliponini got this tattoo.

“You are Loved” arrow tattoo: It is supposed to be an arrow but lots of people think it’s an acute angle. It’s an arrow pointing to somebody, but it’s not supposed to point to Meliponini. It’s supposed to point to everyone else. In the five most common languages, it reads, “You are loved.” The languages include: Arabic, Chinese Mandarin, English, Spanish, and Hindi. Meliponini read somewhere that people are more likely to commit suicide if they don’t feel loved. There was a story of a person who was going to kill themselves and someone smiled at them so they didn’t kill themselves. Meliponini thought that if somebody reads this tattoo, they might feel loved. Meliponini thinks love is the most important thing. That is why Meliponini got it in the five most common languages, so most people could read it.

Mushrooms tattoo: Meliponini got this tattoo because mushrooms are delicious. Meliponini works with mushrooms, because they can be bad as a pests. Meliponini had a beautiful experience on psychedelic mushrooms: they were praying and god answered Meliponini through the TV. It was not a hallucination it was the TV answering with words. I would ask my friends if the TV said that, they would say, “yes.” Meliponini said, “It was like seeing nature outside of yourself and not being so focused on yourself.”

Hot Air Balloon and the Wind tattoo: Meliponini got this because they love hot air balloons. Meliponini has this romantic idea that they will get married and then jump into a hot air balloon and float away. Meliponini said it’s hopes, dreams, positivity, and uplifting. Meliponini designed this tattoo.

Cross and Dove tattoo: Meliponini got this tattoo to accompany the small cross. Meliponini wanted to have a bigger cross. Meliponini designed this at age15. Meliponini’s father was going to get this tattoo but he said he got too old. His would have an eagle, but he decided not to. In Meliponini life, Jesus is important. The cross is for Jesus. Then there is a black line that connects the dove. In the bible it says the holy spirit will descend on the people like a dove. Meliponini’s life is this kind of the line in that some blackness can happen. The holy spirit is guiding Meliponini and turning the blackness into light. It really important to Meliponini that, “if you think of something greater then yourself you can be there for other people.” Meliponini designed this tattoo.

“Thank you for all that you are and all that you do” tattoo: This tattoo is a prayer Meliponini says to god everyday. The day after Meliponini was raped, they had to teach people about bees. In the morning Meliponini was at the arboretum in Raleigh. Meliponini heard wind chimes and looked up it said, “Thank you for all that you are and all that you do.” Meliponini thought that was god reaching out  saying it’s going to be ok. Even though it happened Meliponini feels that it changed their life in a good way. Meliponini feels blessed they had the opportunity to see the wind chimes. So Meliponini got this tattoo.

Sunflower tattoo: Meliponini thought the bee tattoo needed food. Now Meliponini can raise their arm and lower it. The bee can sit on the flower and then fly away. It is like an adult toy that Meliponini always have with them. Meliponini designed this tattoo.

Meliponini got all of their tattoos from Red Leaf in Cary by the artist, Lee.

Meliponini stated that all their tattoos are religious. Meliponini loves god and Jesus. Meliponini was reading the bible the other day and read the part that should not get tattoos. However, Meliponini believes the new testament washes away the old. Even though Meliponini thought they were doing something good, it might not necessarily be good. Meliponini questioned, “am I tattooing myself for me or for god?” Meliponini decided, “It was a reminder that god uses everything for good… all things work in unity for those who believe.”