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Chinese Tattoos have always been hugely popular. At one stage they
were the realm of criminals and the mafia. Now it seems even Hollywood
celebrities seem to have caught on to the mystery and allure of the
Far East. While it is undeniable that classic Chinese tattoos have an
attraction which can easily be appreciated regardless of whether one
can understand the often subtle meanings or not.
Aesthetics should be the primary consideration when getting
tattooed, and Chinese characters are very well suited to this purpose.
While tattoos have always been conversation pieces, Chinese tattoos
add another element, since the typical viewer will probably ask you
the meaning, which allows the wearer to not only translate the
characters, but to explain the story behind the decision to make such
a lasting statement.
Meaning is an important question however and for this reason can
make Chinese tattoos date very quickly. Often it is not quite what the
wearer was told by the tattooist at the tattoo shop or the meaning can
become irrelevant after a few years.
Hopefully the person being tattooed has done his or her research
and consulted with a native Chinese speaker about the meaning before
being inked. Some non Chinese speakers have unwittingly tattooed their
bodies with Chinese symbols which when translated become meaningless.
The most common Chinese tattoos are ones that are supposed to
represent ideas and qualities like love or strength. Keep in mind that
the concepts are aimed at English speakers, and on that level "peace,
love and happiness" are easily understandable.
But before you run off to the studio to get one done you should do
your research. Selecting a Chinese tattoos deserves careful study and
attention. It should have less to do with style and more to do with
your character, work, and values. It's permanent, so it's a pretty
important decision in your life. In the end, it is important to choose
something of lasting appeal not something faddish.
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