Category Archives: Tattoos - Page 18

Experiencing Memories and Friendships

Dragon Tattoo

Dragon tattoo. This was Usus’s first tattoo that their mother bought it for them on their 18th birthday, in Long Island, NY.

Greek Change Tattoo

Greek Change tattoo. This is the Greek symbol for change.  Usus bought this with their friend Brenda Roberts in Arlington Virginia. They got drink one night and figured they would get the “best tattoos in the world!” Usus got this tattoo. They were both making changes in their lives, and they wanted to celebrate it with tattoos.

Hindi Tattoo

Hindi Tattoo. This is Usus’s last name in Hindi spelled wrong. Hoffie is the Hindi of their last name Hoppie. Usus was drinking one day in Greenville, NC, at Sup Dogs. They were talking with an Indian guy, and asked what their last name was in Hindi. The Hindi guy said this is what it would look like. Usus went across the street, and for $20 got that scribbled on their wrist about 20 years ago.

LYYFF tattoo

LYYFF tattoo. Usus was dating a guy at the time and they got matching tattoos. They used to say to each other, “Love You, You Fucking Fucker.” Since they are not together any more, the tattoo is now means, “Loath You, You Fucking Fuckface.”

Ruined Chinese Kangi Tattoo Haughty Chinese Kangi Tattoo

Ruined and Haughty Chinese Kanji tattoo. This was from a drunken stupor in Myrtle Beach about 18 years ago. The one of the left is Ruined and the one on the right in the middle of a cover up is Haughty. Haughty like snob. The reason why they are faded is when Usus got them, Usus fell a sleep and got the sheets stuck to them. When Usus woke they snatched the sheet and pulled up the scab. Most of the ink came with it. The tattoo represents the emotions Usus was going through. Usus was in a bad place in their life. Usus said, “When you grow up, you figure stuff out.” Usus made sure all of their tattoos were easily covered with a long sleeve shirt.

initials tattoo

BMK Tattoo. Usus’s best friend is Barbara Marie Kruger. She was doing travel nursing in Spokane Washington. Usus flew up there for about 6 months. One night Usus decided to get a tattoo of their best friend. Usus put her initials on the back of their arm.

Date tattoo

Six months after the BMK tattoo, Usus got their mothers birthday, 2-15-45, tattooed on their other arm.

Dragon tattoo

Dragon tattoo. Usus got that while they were living in Rocky Mount, NC, in 1997. Usus’s mother got that for them for their 23rd or 24th birthday. There was a lot of orange in that tattoo that has since faded over time.

Tribal tattoo

“Basic white guy tribal tattoo.” Usus does not regret this tattoo. It is just a tribal tattoo that means nothing. It was on sale for $40, and Usus decided to get it.

Perry the Platypus Tattoo

Perry the Platypus tattoo. Phineas and Ferb the cartoon on Cartoon Network. About 6 months ago, a whole bunch of them went to New Orleans. Usus loves platypuses, and likes the cartoon. Usus went to a tattoo shop in the French Quarter, and said “I want a tattoo of Perry the Platypus.” This particular tattoo is on their butt.

Eye of Ri Tattoo

Eye of Ri Tattoo. Usus was in Egypt for about 3 months. It is illegal to have tattoos in Egypt. Usus had this tattoo illegally done in Cairo. Usus got it just say, “I got an illegal tattoo in Cairo!”

Buddhist Prayer Tattoo Buddhist Prayer Tattoo

Buddhist Prayer Tattoo.  this is a Buddhist prayer. Usus was living in Thailand for about 4 months. When you stay for a long time in Thailand you have to know a family. The family holds certain properties. This is basically like a tour guide. One of these people’s sons was a tattoo artist. Usus stated they wanted a tattoo. The son started doing the tattoo with the original bamboo in Usus’s hotel room. This was too much pain. The son finally got out the tattoo gun and finished it off. The symbol is Buddhist prayers. The reason they are up high is they have to be above your heart to praise Buddha. The tattoo is a protections spell. It is kind of like the Jewish Mezuzah. When you go into a dwelling, the symbols protects you in that dwelling.

Phra Phrom Tattoo

Phra Phrom Tattoo. Usus got this done in Meeting Street in right outside Jump 10 Beach. It is the street were all the tourist go. The tattoo artist had just won the award for Thailand’s best tattoo artist. He drew this tattoo freehand. Usus said they maybe paid $12 USD for this. Usus did the tattoo just to do it. Usus was experiencing the culture and the memory. Usus was getting things tattooed on their body to remind themselves of these memories.

Koi Fish tattoo Koi Fish tattoo Koi Fish tattoo

Koi Fish tattoo. Usus recently lost 227 pounds. Usus is very proud of this. Usus said, “I feel good. I look good. I am very happy. I love orange. I love Koi Fish. I love the Japanese design.” Usus said they will be making their whole arm a sleeve. It will be a fishing village. The green dragon will be covered up with a mountain scene, junkets, with a village in the back as a theme.

Kitties and Sun

Little Slice of Sunshine Tattoo

Little Slice of Sunshine tattoo. This was so they could have a little sun while they lived in Seattle. There’s not much sun in Seattle — it’s know for being rainy. They got this tattoo at age 40.

Cat Paws Heart Tattoo

Cat Paws Heart Tattoo. The pink paw is for their girl cat and the blue is for their boy cat. The heart partly around the pink is in remembrance of the girl cat that passed away. When the boy cat passes away they will do the other side of the heart.

Ohana Tattoo

Ohana Tattoo. Ohana stands for “family” in Hawaiian. Family is important and they like Hawaii.

Mantras of Fighting Cancer

God is Greater then Highs and Lows Tattoo

God is Greater than Highs and Lows Tattoo. They are a breast cancer survivor.

"I loved you at your darkest" tattoo Romans 5:8

“I loved you at your darkest” tattoo, Romans 5:8. Another cancer tattoo. They got this when they were going through chemo.

Choose to Fight Choose to Live Tattoo

Choose to Fight/Choose to Live tattoo. Stuart Scott on ESPN said that this was his mantra. It also covers a chemo port scar. This was their first tattoo.
*Side Note: I also noticed later there was 7-14 on the tattoo. They did not give me the story about this.

Pebbles in the Water

Pebbles Tattoo

Pebbles Tattoo. This is a friendship tattoo with their best friend, who has Bambam. When they were little they went by Pebbles and Bambam from the Flintstones. One spring break, they got the tattoos. They believe that their friendship was meant to be, due to this congruence.

Perseverance and Strength tattoos

Perseverance and Strength tattoos. They symbolize life in general. You need these two traits together to move on. The tattoo is especially about mental strength and perseverance.

Hidden in the Stars

Clover Star Sleeve Tattoo / Lacie Frain Phoenix Tattoo Clover Star Sleeve Tattoo / Lacie Frain Phoenix Tattoo

Clover Star sleeve tattoo. Eon had the clover tattoo for 3 to 5 years. It was just one small tattoo inside their arm. Eon went to a woman who fixed their other tattoo — Lacie Frain at Phoenix Tattoo, on Hillsborough St. in Raleigh, NC. Lasie had done a good job with the other tattoo. Eon told her to to fill out the clover with a sleeve. Eon did not have any ideas, and Lacie did not have any preconceived ideas. Lacie asked Eon to think about it. Eon said, “Let’s do it now!” Lacie came up with the surrounding. The only thing Eon knew they wanted was the star. Eon’s other tattoo has stars, and they wanted a star in this one as well. Lacie improvised and was creative with it. The clover is because Eon is Irish, though Eon is a lot of other things as well.

Bursting Sun Tattoo / Lacie Frain Phoenix Tattoo Bursting Sun Tattoo / Lacie Frain Phoenix Tattoo

Bursting Sun tattoo. This was the first tattoo Eon got. At first it was just the sun one star. Eon wanted more added to it. Eon showed Lacie the tattoo and ask if she could elaborate on it. Lacie added the burst of stars. She made it more of what Eon wanted it to be. Eon had originally dreamed up the tattoo, and knew it was going to come across their shoulder, and have a sun and stars.

Music for Life

Tree of Life Tattoo DJ Bassnectar symbol Tree of Life Tattoo DJ Bassnectar symbol Tree of Life Tattoo DJ Bassnectar symbol

Tree of Life tattoo, and DJ Bassnectar symbol. It’s the Buddhist tree of life. The DJ Bassnectar has been very influential and always talks about spreading love and about being good to others. Currently, this is Dupstep’s first and only tattoo, but Dupstep plans on getting more later.

Dupstep got this tattoo when they were having a bad time in life. Getting the tree of life symbolizes looking toward more love in life. It is also a symbol of being happy toward the rest of the world. Dupstep got the tattoo at “Ink In the Clink” in Mansfield, OH, at the Shawshank Redemption Jail Tattoo Convention. Dupstep met the artist. They drew it up, and did it.

Strength is Needed to Change

Heart Tattoo

This is a Heart tattoo. Knossos was in a 5-year-relationship where they lost themselves. Knossos promised themselves that upon leaving, they would find real love. Knossos did this tattoo. Knossos did this not because of feeling suicidal, but because they were lost in life. Knossos had lived 5 years for a person. The tattoo was a promise that love was still there. Their heart was empty, but eventually it will be full. When Knossos does find love, they will refill it with color.

Memento Vita tattoo

Memento Vita tattoo. This tattoo means life and death. Live in the moment, because you never know when it will end. Find beauty in all things, even death. People should learn to accept death and not be afraid of it. Live well, because death is not so bad. Appreciate everything, because you never know when it’s going to end. Death happens. Knossos had been in a place where they felt like life was shitty. Knossos saw beautiful things in life. Knossos had to learn how to appreciate the beautiful things and not bring themselves to a dark place.

Cherry Blossom Tattoo

Cherry Blossom Tattoo. It was supposed to be a cherry blossom tree. A lot of Knossos’s tattoos are about change. This tattoo represents growth. It ended up getting messed up because the artist relapsed when they did it. The tattoo took an excruciating 8 hours. Knossos likes the branch on it.

Swirl Tattoo

Swirl Tattoo. This tattoo is a symbol of change. Knossos got this when they were 18 or 19 years old, when life was crazy. Knossos needed change. Every time Knossos looked at the tattoo, the tattoo reminded them, “You can never stop growing and you can always change.”

Skull with Scissors and Comb tattoo Skull with Scissors and Comb tattoo

Skull with Scissors and Comb tattoo. This represents Knossos’s craft. Knossos is a hair stylist. The mouth is a comb, but it came out a little more evil-looking than Knossos wanted. This tattoo is full of things that Knossos loves. It says Mom and Dad. Also, Knossos always liked nautical stars, and wanted a nautical star on a tattoo.

Starry Night tattoo

Starry Night tattoo. In high school, Knossos was an oil painter. This reminded Knossos of Starry Night by Van Gogh. It will eventually go up their arm — it is not completed yet.

Chinese Kanji for Strength tattoo

Chinese Kanji for Strength. This is Knossos’s very first tattoo. It was done at a neighbor’s house. “I am a strong person and I don’t give up.”

Stick and Poke Skate Punk

mi vida loca tattoo

This tattoo means “Mi Vida Loca,” which is Spanish for, “My Crazy Life.” Permutation got it for their girlfriend. There is a movie called “Mi Vida Loca,” where everybody had the three dots tattoo. Permutation thinks Ice Cube has this tattoo. Permutation said their life is crazy.

Big Booty Judy Tattoo

This tattoo is a spooky lady that looks like Elvira. Permutation has always had a thing for eyeballs, and has multiple tattoos with eyeballs. Permutation cuts the tattoo artist’s son’s hair. Permutation told her, “I have the perfect idea for a tattoo. I want a spooky lady with big jugs and one eye.” She even put a little spider on the shoulder. The lady named the spider, “Big Booty Judy.”

Blank Blackout Vacant Tattoo

Blank Blackout Vacant Tattoo. This is the name of an album by a band called, “Poison Idea.” It’s Permutation’s favorite album by them. Permutation got it at a time where they felt those things. Permutation had just split up with a girlfriend who moved back to San Diego. Permutation got this tattoo at the same time as getting the Butthead tattoo.

Butthead GWAR tattoo

Butthead GWAR tattoo. Permutation got the Butthead tattoo because they thought that it would look funny. Typically in the old cartoons, Butthead has an AC/DC shirt on. In this one, Butthead is wearing a GWAR shirt. Coincidentally it was about the same time that the lead singer of GWAR passed away.

Seven Layer Burrito from Taco Bell Tattoo Seven Layer Burrito from Taco Bell Tattoo

Seven Layer Burrito from Taco Bell Tattoo. Just because Permutation likes seven layer burritos from Taco Bell.

Burger Tattoo

Burger Tattoo. This is a Friday the thirteenth tattoo because there are thirteen seeds on it. This is Permutation’s second food tattoo.

Pizza with Eye and Two Hockey Sticks Tattoo Pizza with Eye and Two Hockey Sticks Tattoo Pizza with Eye and Two Hockey Sticks Tattoo

Pizza with Eye and Two Hockey Sticks Tattoo. This was Permutation’s first food tattoo. Permutation’s dad used to take them to a lot of Hockey games when they were a kid. They used to always stop at Papa Gino’s before each game. The eyeball is supposed to be the All Seeing Slice, similar to the All Seeing Eye from the Illuminati.

#Bomb Tattoo

#Bomb Tattoo. This is a cover up tattoo. It was going to be Black Flag bars. The band’s logo is 4 black rectangles. The girl that was doing it did one rectangle. Permutation had to bring her home because her parents were going to get pissed. Permutation had a weird rectangle on their wrist for a few months, and then got the bomb to cover it up.

RAD! Tattoo

RAD! Tattoo. This was their second “stick and poke” tattoo. Permutation’s friend wanted to do a stick and poke on someone. Permutation said, “if you give me a stick and poke you have to buy me a 40 ounce beer.” He bought Permutation the 40-ounce beer and gave them the tattoo. He asked “what do you want tattooed?” Permutation wanted something simple that couldn’t get messed up. Permutation said just do “RAD,” cause it’s not gonna look too rad.

D.I. Tattoo

D.I. Tattoo. This was Permutation first tattoo. Permutation has always been into music. The original design was white, but D.I. had an album called “Tragedy Again” where the dog was blue. Permutation wanted to get it blue. Permutation thought it would look cool as a tattoo. It is one of their favorite bands. Permutation got it at age 18.

Black Panther Tattoo

Black Panther Tattoo. The was another cover up tattoo. Permutation had a tattoo of a “P and D,” which is the symbol for an old skateboarding crew called Piss Drunx. It looked terrible. Permutation got the panther to cover it up because it was heavy, black, and Permutation likes panthers.

Drunk Clown Tattoo

Drunk Clown Tattoo. The clown was a Halloween tattoo from the same artist who did the burrito and pizza slice. The artist drew up a whole sheet of tattoo flash. Permutation wanted an obnoxious tattoo that no one else would get. The artist said, “let’s do this drunk clown tattoo!”

Girl Smoking a cigarette and drinking a cocktail tattoo Girl Smoking a cigarette and drinking a cocktail tattoo

Girl smoking a cigarette and drinking a cocktail tattoo. It’s based on the punk band, Social Distortion. Their logo is a skeleton wearing a fedora, smoking a cigarette, with a martini. Permutation wanted to translate that into a tattoo. The artist drew this up. Permutation liked it and went with it. This was the quickest tattoo Permutation ever got: it only took 45 minutes.

Big-Boys tattoo

Big-Boys tattoo. Permutation had a tattoo gun for a short while. That was the only tattoo Permutation did while they had it. Big-Boys is a punk band from Texas. Right under the Big-Boys is a skate board. That was the only thing Permutation could think of that would fit there.

Felix tattoo

Felix tattoo. Son’s name and date of birth, 04.02.13. Permutation’s most meaningful tattoo.

Smile Tattoo

Smile Tattoo. This was Permutation’s first stick and poke tattoo (but second actual tattoo). One of their old friends did it. Permutation was messed up and wanted a tattoo. She asked what Permutation wanted. Permutation said, “I wanted a dead smiley face.”

Eye of Horus tattoo

Eye of Horus tattoo. Started out as stick and poke. It was just a triangle. Permutation did the triangle.  Permutation’s friend went in and fixed it up, while working on another filler tattoo. This was the only thing that would translate well.

Cross Tattoo

Cross Tattoo. Upside down because Permutation is kind of unsure about their faith.

Powell Ripper Skull tattoo

Powell Ripper Skull tattoo. Permutation paid their buddy $20 and a Monster drink to do it. He did it in Permutation’s living room. He didn’t put the hands on it ripping out of anything. So it just this weird green skull. Permutation wanted to get the ripper skull because they really like skateboarding.

Dead Fish Tattoo

Dead Fish Tattoo. Permutation’s best friend did this stick and poke. It was the longest Permutation ever sat for a tattoo. Best friend and Permutation met when they were 13. Permutation had always wanted a tattoo from him. He would say, “No I am not going to do that you shouldn’t trust me with that.” One day when they were 22, Permutation finally convinced him.

Bones Brigade Rat Skull tattoo

Bones Brigade Rat Skull tattoo. It has a 13 for the ears because it’s a “Friday the Thirteenth” tattoo. Bones Brigade was an early skate crew that had people like Tony Hawk and Steve Caballero in it. Permutation thought, “I can get this tattoo for $31.”

HOLA Nacho tattoo

HOLA Nacho tattoo. The Hola was a stick and poke. Permutation didn’t really know what they were doing so they did a heart. Permutation was drunk so did the H,L and A. The same guy that did the green skull asked if Permutation had any tattoos they wanted fixed. Permutation was like, “Yeah, I got this crappy tattoo.” He went over the letters. Then he started doing something above it. He tattooed a nacho wearing a sombrero. It was just a surprise tattoo, with the spectacular food theme that Pemutation loves.

Surviving with a Butterfly

Butterfly Tattoo

Butterfly Tattoo. This was Polygonia‘s first tattoo. Polygonia used to collect dead butterflies. Polygonia has always loved butterflies.

Irish Clover and Breast Cancer Awareness tattoo

Irish Clover and Breast Cancer Awareness tattoo. Polygonia is a breast cancer survivor. Polygonia had the tattoo made custom when they were finished with all their radiation. They had the tattoo done about a month later. The clover is connected to the band, My Three Kilts, which their husband was in. Also, Polygonia said, “I have all the luck of the Irish.”

Shinshoku Tattoos

water dragon tattoo water dragon tattoo

These are mirror image tattoos. The tattoos line up with the Oni Gate. They were assigned to Professor in 1985. In 1985, Professor moved to NC. Professor was always meeting with instructors that trained in the Kroi (Ancient Style). Professor was always asking questions about the Shinto.

Professor’s second dojo was for training in traditional koru dojo. When you do this you are given the title of Shinshoku.

On July 7, 1985, Professor had progressed to the point where the Hagakaru said, “you think like us.” Professor said, “the Haga gave me the ritual and made me a Shinto Shinshoku (a shrine care taker). This from a dojo aspect, not from a public aspect. I was given a few artifacts that made the dojo koru.”

They picked this symbol because it stands for water dragon in Chinese. “I was a water fighter — very fluid, but I fought like a dragon.” Professor is not sure on why, but thought it looked cool. It is Professor’s personal Kamon, which is very much like a signature.

Professor originally had it tattooed in white, but it looked like a scar. “I did this because you could not have a tattoo as a police officer. If you look at the right one, some of it is still white.”