Chinese Tattoos

The allure and fascination with Chinese tattoos is just an extension of the appeal that various religions, beliefs, and cultures have on the rest of the world.

While some people choose this sort of design because of the subtle symbolism, others are attracted to the centuries of history attached to the culture.

There are some who also choose a Chinese design simply because they enjoy explaining the meaning of the design and the possible story that inspired such a choice.

A wide range of designs for tattoos of Chinese symbols is available for those who wish to decorate their arms, backs, and ankles (the most common locations for this design).

However, there is something very important to consider when choosing this type of tattoo.

Since Chinese writing is rather complicated, where one character can signify a multitude of meanings, taking precautions is highly recommended.

A tattoo artist must execute a design with precision or the meaning will become lost.

Chinese writing is so complex that overlooking a stroke or slightly altering an angle can result in inking something completely different from the intended meaning of the design.

While words are a common selection in Chinese tattooing, there are other designs that depict the culture, such as elaborate dragons and tigers that impress onlookers with bright and bold colors.

Tattooing in China has been a popular practice for many years, despite the fact that it wasn't always considered an artistic or acceptable expression.

There was a common belief that the body is a gift and should not become decorated or tainted by tattoo. In the past, the tattoo was actually used to mark a criminal, as this type of punishment was placed on the face.

It is important to locate a tattoo artist who is knowledgeable in Chinese, as there are far too many inexperienced artists who try to add their own style to the Chinese characters. The result is often creating a meaningless design.

To make sure you are approaching this kind of tattoo in the proper manner, getting advice from someone of Chinese descent or who fluently speaks and writes Chinese is suggested. They can help pinpoint the symbols and characters that will result in the meaning you seek for your Chinese tattoos.