Since Deaf Pagan Crossroads is a public blog site, it is listed with such search browsers as Google and Sphere, and on public listings around WordPress.com and other such listing sites.
As a result, some people do find my blog through such searchings and/or listings.
So guess which post here at the Crossroads appears to be the most popular based on that search browser?
Nope…it’s not one related to Deafhood. Nor for that matter is it one specifically related to Pagan Spirituality.
The most popular Googled post here at Deaf Pagan Crossroads is…
Obviously, judging from the number of hits this post receives, so does everyone else.
Seriously, there has never been a day since it was published back in February that this post hasn’t gotten at least one or two hits, and often more than that. Just looking at the statistics, this post has gotten eleven hits today, fifteen yesterday, and a total of 46 for the past week. It’s gotten over a hundred for the past month.
So why is this post so darn popular?
I suppose it only goes to prove what I wrote:
Certainly, you will find tattoos to be fairly prevalent in the Pagan Community. Go to a Pagan Gathering, and I can almost guarantee that at least half the people there will be sporting a tattoo somewhere on their body. And the odds are, those tats will in some way be reflecting their spirituality – whether it be pentacles or moons or celtic knotwork or the Goddess/Green Man.
And it seems that at least half of my readership sports a tattoo – besides the comments left, I received a number of emails from people sharing pictures of their own tats.
Yup…tattoos are definitely popular, and it seems like everyone wants one – and they all come to my blog to learn more about getting one.
Paganism is on the rise, especially amongst our younger generation…and one way that younger generation likes to express itself is by such acts as wearing interesting apparel and accessories; dying one’s hair every shade of the rainbow; piercing practically every body part; and getting a tattoo.
Not that there’s anything wrong with tattoos, mind you. If I thought such body art was objectionable, I wouldn’t be sporting one on my upper breast, or contemplating getting a second one. One thing about tattoos – they do seem to be addictive. Much like potato chips, it becomes mighty hard to stop at just one.
However, I do feel obligated to pass on a few words of wisdom to those of the younger generation considering getting that pentacle, moon, or green man forever etched on their ankle, arm, shoulder, or wherever…
A tattoo can indeed be a powerful and personal expression of your own spirituality. However, contrary to popular belief, it is not a mandatory requirement for initiation into the practice of Paganism. There is no rule in any Book of Shadows that states one must get a tattoo to be considered a “true witch.”
I don’t have a problem with your wanting to get a tattoo to represent your religious beliefs… but I do have a problem with the person who says that the reason s/he got a tattoo is because of “the Wicca/Druid/Heathen/younameit religion.”
Let’s make sure we are making a distinction here. If you want to get a tattoo that reflects your spirituality, by all means go for it! But remember that this tattoo is going to be personal to YOU, not to Paganism.
And if you get in trouble for it – whether it be from your parents, your school, your employer, or whatever…don’t go screaming about “religious freedom.” Sorry, but that one is not going to work with this High Priestess. You didn’t get that tattoo because your religion mandates it…you got it because you wanted it. Unfortunately, not everyone may think the same way as yourself in regards to them. If your employer requests that you not expose your tattoo in the workplace, your best bet if you want to keep the job is to shut up and cover up.
But all preaching aside – tattoos are pretty cool. The fact that lots of people are researching on the net about getting one is pretty interesting. And that they are ending up here at the Crossroads reading my post on the subject is pretty flattering.
Granted…there are other posts here that I might consider more “intellectual” than learning the least painful places to paint that pentacle. But hey – whatever floats your boat.
So to those of you contemplating a tattoo…I wish you all the best, and if you do make that decision, be sure to sport your new artwork with pride!
some examples of the tattoos sent by Crossroads readership
dolphin tattoo on leg
pagan pentacle tattoo on lower back
kaballah tattoo on upper arm
triple moon tattoo on shoulder immediately after being done
(that’s why it still looks so red, but that goes away within a day)
This sculpture shows the sign for "connect"...and that is what Deaf Pagan Crossroads is all about - making connections. Connections between Deafhood and Paganism, connections between the Deaf Community and the Hearing Community, connections between myself as the writer and you as the reader. I hope you will take the time to read my various posts, some of which are listed below. Welcome to the Crossroads, and I hope you make some connections here!
[…] Tattoos, Paganism, and This Blog […]
Oh tattoos! I just love them. I’ve had two. The second one was a mistake, and I am in the process of getting it removed. I have learned my lesson, however, and I have two more in the works, but I will not get a tattoo again UNTIL I’ve had one professionally designed to my exact specifications. I’ve thought about it long and hard, and i know what I want now. The next step is only to find a tattoo artist I am comfortable with and start saving up.
I am excited about it!~ 🙂
i have 7 a unicorn, chinese water symbol, protection charm outta cunninghams books, betty boop, a fae, rainbow dragon and a wolf with the name turrean under it. ( goddess of wolfs ). yes i love my tats um and they are on my shoulders ,arms and legs lol
I’ve often thought about getting a tattoo, but have never yet found a symbol that I want on my body permanently. I actually got as far as going into a tattoo place to discuss it last year, but the price put me off. 60 pounds for a tiny swirly thing!
I’ve seen some wonderful tattoos over the years, though. If I do ever get one, it will be something very personal to me, not a design out of the pattern book. And it will have to be for a spiritual reason.
I think your comments about this are very sensible – it would be sad if people just got a tattoo because they thought it was obligatory in some way.
Yup, Yvonne…
Tattoos ain’t cheap on this side of the big pond either! That’s why I have to set up a “tattoo fund” in order to pay for the one that I want to get – have the symbol all ready, but it’s a somewhat complicated Celtic-Tribal design, so I want a really good artist to do it. I’ve done some research and one of the best for doing such work is actually located in Rhode Island, so I was thinking of a vacation with Crystal (who lives just an hour or so away in Massachusetts) to go and get myself painted.
This brings up another good point – not only are tattoos expensive, but they also ARE permanent, so if you’re gonna get one, be sure you really, Really, REALLY want it, and that you’re certain this is the design you want and you’re confident the tattoo artist can truly do it justice. If possible, make arrangements to go and discuss your tattoo with the artist in advance, check out the premises, watch him/her work, take a look at examples if his/her art, etc.
Certainly mistakes can and do happen, as Wild Starry Skies indicates. Chalk it up as a lesson learned, but as she also indicates, the smart thing to do is wait until you really know what you want and then proceed carefully.
Forget about the jokes about “getting drunk one night and waking up the next morning with a heart and someone’s name painted on your arse.” Tattoos are no laughing matter, so do your homework and get one you can be proud of!
I have a sunflower on my ankle… favorite flower.. thinking of getting a stem so people will stop thinking is the sun..
Also thinking of a celtic symbol, thought not sure what, and not sure where. You are right, it’s something that should be thought about and planned, and they aren’t cheap, and I wouldn’t want a cheap one. Another thing to consider is to ask if the health department inspects their shops. That can go a long way toward making sure they are very professional and use new needles, etc.
I pah wear a small 3-D bubble red heart on my cleavage. I always wanted one for years. It was worth it if you are obsessive after one thing then it may be worth to obtain one.
The reason I had the heart is to remind me that I truly have soft heart for every one and believing everyone deserve another chance and everyone are worth to be loved and respected.
My son once wanted to sport a barbed intertwined around his bicep. I told him to wait at least 6 month to a year to see if he still dwell on getting that one. He obliged. Near a year passed, he told me he was very glad to take my advice on hold it back awhile. Now he doesn’t want a tattoo at all.
Whew… 😉
Another lesson… my brother had a friend who was murdered, but the cops deemed it suicide (long story). Anyway, he decided to get a gothic tattoo that says RIP JWF (his friends initials). Well, it takes up HALF of his upper arm. His shirt sleeves will barely cover it, and he works in an office where dress and looks are important. He finally admitted it turned out bigger than he expected. I never thought my brother would get a tattoo, much less one that huge! It still shocks me when I do see it (if he has his shirt off). Make sure the artist is totally understanding of what you want! LOL
I just got my tattoo few weeks ago. I am happy with my decision. This tattoo is unique… tell me what you think 🙂
To view my tattoo thru video or picture, go to my site.
http://grantlairdjr.com/wp/2007/05/15/my-first-tattoo/
My neice is very glad I talked her out of a chain around her bicep when she was 18 or 19. She works in an office now and she would have had to cover it.
very interesting, but I don’t agree with you
Idetrorce
To Idetrorce ~
Nobody here is required to agree with what is written or said here – in fact, differences of opinion are encouraged.
HOWEVER…
If you are going to post a comment, particularly one expressing dissent, it would be much appreciated if such comment was well-thought-out, well-worded, and well-expressed, and makes an effort at encouraging some “intelligent discourse” on this blog.
You’re free to disagree with me, but with all due respect… just posting a one-line statement saying “I don’t agree with you” simply leaves me scratching my head and thinking “HUH??? So what’s your point?”
🙂 (I think Idetrorce is spam…saw similiar one liners on my own blog and a few others!)
ANYWAY, I got my first tatoo almost 2 years ago – after my 49th birthday. Across my lower back is The Butterfly Maiden, from Hopi mythology – a large butterfly that spans about 7″ across. She represents all that my own personal journey has been about: Birth, Death, and Rebirth…be it through a butterfly, the story of Persephone (from which my own blog is named) or the Phoenix….she is a constant companion and reminder that as eternal spirit, The Wheel always turns – providing us new opportunities for growth and awareness.
Thank you for sharing this piece.
[…] Tattoos, Paganism, and This Blog […]
[…] as well as emailing me pictures of their own body art. This prompted me to write another post – “Tattoos, Paganism, and This Blog,” where I shared some of my thoughts about getting a tattoo, as well as posting some pictures sent in […]
im not pagan, but my deceased sister might have been. i recently was going through some of her stuff and found these clay round discs with the ” triple moon” emblem on them…i was wanting to get that tattooed in memory of her. what exactly does the triple moon stand for?
The Triple Moon is a symbol of the Goddess – as the moon is shown in its three phases (waxing, full, and waning), they represent the three phases of the Goddess – the maiden… who is the waxing moon, developing her skills and coming into her own identity; the mother – her womb full with the promise of new life; and the Crone – whose years may indeed be waning, but whose life is filled with wisdom that comes with having gone thru these phases.
The Triple Moon is a common symbol for the Goddess, whose planetary connection is the Moon (likewise, the Sun represents the God). It is commonly used by Pagans, although it does not strictly define Paganism. There are individuals who are in fact of other spiritual paths (including Christianity) who still study and honor the Goddess.
Getting a tattoo in memory of your sister seems like a nice idea. My condolescences on her passing, but may you take solace in remembering her.
Moon Tattoo
The moon is universally a symbol of change and growth, as well as of night and the passing of time, and it is a popular image in tattoo. Because of its cycle of renewal and regular phases, it is also linked with feminine aspects such as receptivity, nurturing, and life rhythms. In tattoo artwork it is sometimes shown realistically, in, for instance, a CRESCENT form, while other times it has a face and a night cap. Sometimes it is the color of cheese and other times a combination of deep, cold blues. People can be born under the influence of the moon while others are said to be driven to madness by it.
tattoobody.org
The HEART, in one form or another, may be the most used symbol in all of tattoo imagery. Its most obvious symbolic meaning is one of love and affection. However, many different variations on this theme can be found. Frequently the heart is shown in combination with other types of symbols,some of which are specific, as in the SACRED HEART or the PIERCED HEART. Many times, though, the heart can be seen with a banner across it, or underneath it, that spells out the meaning of the heart for the bearer, usually the name of a beloved person. Sometimes hearts are portrayed as if jaggedly cut down the middle, representing a broken heart and sometimes representing two people who “share” one heart when half the tattoo is on one person and half on the other. tattoobody.org
Rose Tattoo by tattoobody.org
Like the Lotus in Asia, the rose is the preeminent floral symbol of the West. With their deep red color, they have historically been associated with BLOOD and hence Christ in Christian iconography. Roses have been used in heraldry, FREEMASONRY, alchemy, and in festivals of ancient Rome and Greece. In modern iconography, they are part of love symbolism and are synonymous with that which is beautiful. In tattoo art, roses are likely the most frequently appearing FLOWER. sometimes complete with stem and thorns. As in other symbolism, their meanings in tattoo vary widely with each use, though most uses are based on the beauty and romantic symbolism for which they are so well known. tattoobody.org
I just loved your triple moon tattoo,I am trying to draw one my self to tattoo it latter. I want my left arm tattued with fairies,ivy,a kee and soon and moon as well as the triple moon.
That tattoo of the triple moon is absolutely beautiful. I would love to have one like that but maybe add a pentacle as well.
I Have two tattoos on my arm. on the right hand i have a Pentacle and on the left arm i have the thorns running accross my biceps. I love both the tattoos, i am gald i pickd the rite one.. people ask me am if i am a devil worshiper, i voice them down by showing the other arm of Jesus’s thorn crown running accross my biceps.. Pentacle has much more deeper meaning than what has been wrongly framed about it.. Lot many people are ignorant about the genuiness and importance of the symbol.. No matter wat people think about my tattoos.. I sport them with pride…
Cheers to all people who sport a tattoo…
Though I don’t have any yet I have three that I want. I would like a Phoenix, because it symbolize alot that I have gone through. The triple moon with a pentacle and finally a heart with a cats pawprint. Each of these have special meaning to me.
bravewave0:
I have to agree with the your thoughts about the pentacle. I have had some look at me very strangly when I where my necklace that has one along with some of the gemstones I have.