To roughly paraphrase the blood-scrawled church wall at the beginning of 28 Days Later, the time for a new tat is extremely effing well nigh... As for now, however, here's a wee recap of my Babies thus far:
My maiden name. Also means "yellow" in Chinese.Paternal ancestor: Huang-di (The Yellow Emperor), who apparently lived from 2497 BCE to 2398 BCE.
(Maternal ancestor: Confucius.)
This piece was scripted unwittingly by my father ~ a talented calligrapher ~ at the request of my younger brother, using an ink set I bought for him in Québec City. Then, much to my parents' horror, my brother took it to his tattoo artist and had it inscribed on his upper bicep. Things were not pretty around the house for a while, as the parents got into the habit of quoting Leviticus 19:29 ad nauseum. ("Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you.") However, there always seemed to be a little bit of a quirk to my Dad's mouth whenever he noticed the thing.
Years later, just weeks after I got married, we had the same tattoo artist copy it off my brother and place it above my right breast ~ a stamp of my ethnic and familial identity, as well as a symbol of familiar comfort and cultural heritage for my future breastfeeding children. Even more special, my brother paid for it as my 23rd birthday present.
Oh, our poor, beleaguered folks. They've long since given up on us, which is just as well: My brother has scarcely a square inch of uninked flesh remaining on his torso and arms, and his bodywork is absolutely breathtaking. (It doesn't hurt that his underlying musculature is also beautifully wrought, which makes any tattoo look that much better.)
It was the first piece of bodywork for each of us, and done in our hometown of Vancouver.
official symbol of Ireland, instrument of the Bards.
For some inexplicable reason, I've always had an overwhelming affinity for Ireland; glimmering strands of my inherent connection to the place reveal themselves slowly and brilliantly over the span of my waking and dreaming life. As English author Pete McCarthy once wildly proclaimed while drunkenly clutching onto the lapels of his long-suffering Irish barman in Budapest, "I... inside I feel Irish. I know where I belong!"
As well as my love for Ireland and its incredible history, culture, landscape, music, and people, the Harp also symbolizes the Celtic reverence for storytelling, poetry, history, and the bardic tradition. Even today, artists, musicians, playwrights, writers, and actors recognized by the Irish government for their work are actually granted tax-free status for their invaluable contribution to society.
While the members of U2 are technically not required to do so, they still proudly pay their taxes as a means of supporting the people and social programmes which first supported them, and they urge their fellow citizens to do the same. It's pretty hard not to admire a country with such a high regard for its cultural community, as well as one that has already elected two well-respected female presidents.
As for the tattoo, this piece was free-drawn by Ciarán at what was then Planet X, now Irish Ink in Galway ~ mere blocks from the infamous Róisín Dubh. If you find yourself in Ireland and need some stellar work done, go and ask for Ronan, who crafted my Celtic LoveGod's stunning bicep band. He'll see you right.
Interesting fact: This tat is a sideways~flipped replica of the harp found on all pre-Euro Irish currency. However, if you flip it back, you'll end up with the Guinness Harp. It is very likely for this reason why a few odd men ~ spanning two continents ~ have thought it cute to buy a Pint of Black Stuff for The Girl with The Harp above her ass. To add to the tragedy, Tits'n'Gritts enjoys referring to it as my "tramp~stamp."
Poor Harp.
Athena is the archetype of independence, discernment, feminism, logic, self-sufficiency, activism, autonomy, and personal freedom. The Owl symbolizes Athena's wisdom, the moon represents woman, and the olive branch, peace and cultural flourishment.
Ever since I first discovered Greek and Roman mythology as a seven~year-old child, I always identified most strongly with Athena of all the Pantheon; I fully believed I would grow up to inhabit a joyfully celibate, solitary, and adventurous adult life of intense creativity, world travel, and personal crusades to help the downtrodden and oppressed. As I always maintain, life is such a funny thing when you watch how your personal tapestry unfolds before you.
Rendered beautifully and lovingly by wonderful Clark at Seattle's Slave to the Needle, this image was taken from the tetradrachm, and is believed to be the image longest utilized in international currency. Astoundingly, it is still featured prominently on Greek and Austrian Euros. Amazing what this little owl must've seen over the millenia.
The tetradrachm (Greek: τετράδραχμον) was an Ancient Greek silver coin equivalent to four drachms. It was in wide circulation from 510 to 38 BC.
Most tetradrachms were minted around the middle of the 5th century BC, when they were used in transactions. To separate their currency from that of Aegina, Athens began minting the tetradrachm to a different weight standard, the "Attic" standard of 4.3 grams. The currency's use was especially popular in Greek-influenced areas of present-day Iran and India. (Wikipedia)
It's been almost eight months since I got Ma Chouette, and it's most definitely time for another. Unfortunately, this takes me past the Fabled Three and into the realm of the Sacred Seven, so now I have four more to plan. Mythic ideas composed of pointellated bones and ancient knots are in the works, though it's hard to say where in the world ~ and on my body ~ I'll have my next Baby done.
Watch this space for more...
Photo credit: Both my Harp and Owl were taken by Coyote Girl earlier this afternoon.
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