Kanji Sin tattoo: This was Rise’s first tattoo. It’s supposed to be the kanji for sin. Rise is not sure if it is. Rise got it on their 18th birthday. Rise had picked it out a long time ago while hanging out at a tattoo parlor with friends. Rise’s friends were all a couple of years older. Every time Rise would go in and see this, Rise would geek out over it. Rise planned to that tattoo on their body somewhere. Rise woke up on this birthday, went to a shop, picked it out, and 30 mins later there it was. Nothing special. Rise thought it was funny at the time –mom said that tattoos were a sin and that god hated them. Rise thought this was hilarious.

Butterfly tattoo: This was Rise’s second tattoo. Rise got it at the end of their first year in college. Rise and one of their good friends had been hanging out at a tattoo parlor in their college town. An artist and Rise had been chatting on and off. They had been chatting about what tattoos they were getting. The artist said, “you like butterflies and I can do that one really quick.” Not much thought was involved. The artist needed some practice, and Rise had plenty of spare skin. No one can see this tattoo. The tattoo is almost on the back of their neck, and it’s easy to hide. When Rise was a kid, they were a dancer. Rise’s grandfather said Rise danced liked a butterfly. Rise was jumping and spinning all the time. That is where the interest of butterflies came about.

Butterflies tattoo: Rise already had a butterfly tattoo, and had a theme going. This is likely the only patch of color Rise is ever going to have. Rise got this one as a 21st birthday present to themself. Rise wanted something to make them happy. The butterflies were small and brightly colored. The butterflies reminded Rise of happy times.

Triforce and Calla Lily tattoo: Rise thinks 3 is a powerful number.  Focusing on the 3’s was very important. Calla Lily is Rise’s favorite flower, and also symbolize peace.  The triple knot is a symbol of protection. There is a song by Cradle of Filth called, “Born in a Burial Gown.” There is one lyric that has always stood out in Rise’s mind, talking about a blessed foot forward. This is Rise’s blessed foot. Rise blessed it with peace and protection. Rise got it on a whim in their hometown. It was the end of a chapter, and what Rise wanted to manifest going forward.

Till the end of the World tattoo: Rise and their best friend had been joking for a long time about getting friendship tattoos for her Bachelorette party. Rise pulled it out at the last minute. They got Buffy-themed tattoos. She has this awesome tattoo of a broken yellow crayon. That is reference to an episode. “Til the end of the World” is Rise’s favorite quote from the whole show, at the end of Buffy Season 5. Buffy is about to go off and sacrifice herself to save the world. She makes Spike promise take care of her little sister. Spike’s promise is, “Till the end of the World.” This is the pinnacle moment of the show. Getting these tattoos was their commemorative friendship moment.  Rise spent some time thinking about this tattoo. When Rise got to the shop Rise was surprised on how big this tattoo was going to be. Rise had expected it to be very small, so that you would have to look very hard to see it. The artist did not agree. Rise just went with it.

Chinese Hanzi for strength tattoo: In my family they are the glue that keeps their family together.

Green Lantern tattoo:  They got this tattoo because they have always had a love for the Green Lantern Core and what the Core stand for. The Green Lantern Core are the police of the universe. They have always thought of themselves as an upstanding citizen. They did 10 years in the military which helps with this thought.

Crescent Moon and Dark Star tattoo: They are a Pagan. This is their connection to the metaphysical. They want to get the same design on their other side, where the moon would be darkened and the star is not filled in. The new tattoo would be for balance to this tattoo.

Neck tattoo: They had seen the movie From Dusk till Dawn, and a character had a tattoo going up to his neck. For years and years they always wanted a tattoo like this. They are a big Quentin Tarantino fan. They woke up one morning and got the tattoo. They started to add more and more to it. When they are at work, bored, or on lunch break they add to the tattoo. They kind of do it just because they like the pain from the healing. They keep adding more to the tattoo.

Yin Yang Sun tattoo: They got this tattoo when they were drunk at Mardi Gras.

Sanaia tattoo with Chinese Character: The Chinese translates to, “daughter.” They found out Sanaia was not their daughter. They still take care of Sanaia even though she is not their daughter.