Few animals more perfectly capture the ideals of beauty and grace than peacocks. These regal birds have been associated with royalty and have been for centuries included in the paintings of kings and queens in kingdoms ranging from India all the way to Europe. The “thousand eyes” contained in their tail feathers reinforce their mystical nature and have inspired even...
For centuries we have been telling stories about the exotic and mysterious people known as gypsies (although this term is considered pejorative these days). Traditionally known for their musical talent, wayfaring lifestyle and often unscrupulous nature these romanticized vagabonds have been the subject of intrigue and ridicule around the world. While there are enough myths and stories about this unique travelling culture, it has its roots in reality. The...
The third eye refers to the spiritual gate leading to higher consciousness. The third eye often symbolizes a state of enlightenment that has deeply personal, spiritual and psychological significance to each practitioner. The third eye embodies your ability to see both the inner and outer worlds associated with reflection, clairvoyance, out-of-body experiences, visions, and precognition. Located in between the eyebrows, the third eye chakra...
Kingdoms Hearts is an amazingly popular series of video games incorporating a wide range of Disney, Pixar, and Square Enix titles into it's gameplay. The Kingdom Hearts series has proven to be a popular and enduring theme. Lovers of tattoo and the video game franchise combine the two elements for superb displays of body art in various styles and technical...
Out of all the different religions and belief systems, perhaps none have such strong associations with the exotic and mystical as Buddhism holds for those in the West. Images of ancient monasteries perched on Tibetan cliffs, hidden from the world and holding the keys to enlightenment are conjured. This, of course, is not the whole story. The Buddhist tradition arose...
Life is better with friends, there’s no two ways about it. Whether they are lifelong relationships, forged in childhood and spanning decades, or newer friends, finding common interests in sports and music, the bonds that we make are what bring joy into our lives. Given the importance of the roles that we play in each other’s shared experiences, it is...
Gain an insight into the meaning of megastar Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson’s pair of symbolic tattoos. Superstar actor, businessman, and occasional pro wrestler Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson is a collector of meaningful ink, and one of the most recognizable tattooed humans on planet Earth. Whether he’s on set, in the ring, or sweating it out in his “Iron Paradise” the...
Tattoos are a great way to assert individuality and, at the same time, decorate one’s body with interesting and beautiful designs. This form of permanent body art is an ancient tradition that has roots in cultures around the world and has become so popular in the West that almost everyone knows someone with at least one tattoo. The lioness is...
"Humor is just another defense against the universe." –Mel Brooks Images and words inked into skin need not be serious, symbolic, or sentimental all the time. As tattoo styles have developed during the past two decades, so has the use of humor to illustrate personality and enjoyment in body art. The time-honored stereotypes of rebellion, angst, and otherness have been...
"I believe in everything until it's disproved. So I believe in fairies, the myths, dragons. It all exists, even if it's in your mind. Who's to say that dreams and nightmares aren't as real as the here and now?" - John Lennon Fairies manifest magic and wonder, dreams, and sometimes even nightmares. Old wives' tales, the Brothers Grimm, and modern...
