since im procrastinating in an extreme way, i thought id try and explain my tattoo design. This will not explain it all, as in many respects its a full reflection of my character, and each part makes several referances to things important to me...
i worked on it for about 6 months, from developing concepts through sketching, ink designs, development and abstracting, then finally getting it inked on for my 19th. my father is the only other to have this tattoo, on his upper arm.

the initial concept was that of a dream catcher. i find illusions, and delusion very interesting. through buddhist beliefs, we all are delluded to some extent. we have 'self grasping desires' (or something like that) which prevent us from having a balanced perspective. the final two words, and integrity, being the 3 pillars of my character in a way. and key behind the design.
so the dream catcher, being within an abstracted eye, is about seeing through dillusion, not getting caught up in dreams and nightmares too much. not letting jealousy and selfish motives influence my interpretation of events, and thus my actions and feelings too much.

It is to balance cynism and idealism, optomism and pessemism, depression with euphoria. since balance is a constant struggle, i do not seek a flat life, but to experience each, remaining objective as i feel each, to whatever extent i feel ready, or am subject to.

the eye is also said to be the window to the soul, and i love eyes, they reveal so much about a person.

the spirals also represent galaxies (also vague referance to yin and yang), and thus astrology/astronomy (as does the crescent moon). i am fascinated by these studies, and think they do have a great influence on our mood. the moon in particular, governing the tides (waves along edges of eye to refer to the sea)
full moons are stunning as well, and in classical literature, all below the moon, sublunar, is said to be mortal, all above it, immortal (stars, sun, gods...)

i love the sea, and am fascinated also by water,and the 4 elements and the ideal of being quintessential. i always seek self improvement, to reach this ideal, or enlightenment of some kind. however i feel most drawn to water and fire as elements.
the sea just hyponotises me, its colours, motion, sounds, smells, feel... each passage of water has its own character.
water is also fundamental to our existance, and has a peculiar structure, in that it is polar...

there is a tear, of blood or water within the eye. a referance to sorrow, and my experience with depression. it bring balance tho, as for every joy there is an accompanying sorrow. to love someone, u may lose them. to enjoy some time, u will pass it and miss it.. etc. this is also refering to self grasping dillusion; as removing *desirous attachment* to things in life brings contentment within buddhism. yet this is a struggle for me, as tho im not materialistic, i grow attached thru love, to friends, family, partners. and tho i am stronger now, i have always been very sensitive, both to my own emotions and that of anyone i care for. If one i care for is down, i literally feel as they do, maybe to a lesser extent, but theres a resonance...
i also pursue compassion to all, regardless of any prejudice i may have, or how disillusioned with life, and human anture i may feel.this is by no means easy at times.

there is a simplified heart above the tear, inverted. the tattoo is a little above my heart, and i prioritise emotions greatly in my life. i also think its essential to understand them within yourself through introspection, such that it allows one to be outrospective more, and have greater empathy.
tho it may never be possible to fully contemplate anothers mind, as you would have to lead their life, and more, we are all akin in our hearts. we have a different balance of drives, and react differently, make different choices- this is what makes us individuals- but regardless of age, race, gender... there are distinct patterns to our nature..
which in my view, are related to our drives, emotions, they have power over our mind greater than many acknowledge.

the circle is important. its a referance to cycles, and balance. balance is essential, and harmony, IMO.
call is causality, karma, referance one of newtons laws..
in life, there is always need fr it. the moon being a crescent is also a referance to this, cycles. 13 lunar cycles, signs of zodiac. tides being cycles, everything...
the infinity sign would have been harder to encorporate, but the circle is a powerful and simple symbol.
used in mandalas (tools for meditation), where the centre represents enlightenment, there is the heart, and centre of the eye.
wedding bands are circular and gold, an eternal untarnishable material, and a never ending shape. it can represent perfection, tho the centre is the key point and focus.

it also refers to the sun, worshipped often, Ra, etc. it is key to life on this planet, as much as water, representing fire, energy. it is above the moon, thus eternal. it has cycles, giving us day night.. etc. it governs the cycle of water essential to all life, combined with the moon.
also, in celtic cultures, the moon is seen as a sign of femininity, the stag of masculinity. i was going to incorporate a celtic design, but am using that in an arm band design later. i think a balance between what is stereotyped as masculine an feminine is very healthy in ones perspective, and life. bringing greater understanding and harmony.

well, thats all i can think of saying. incoherent as it is, its hard to explain all the referances, as they are tangled together, like the web of the dreamcatcher itself. it grows in meaning for me, and the name illusions child is a referance to it, with some irony.
since we are all, in some ways, results of various illusions we have, as none but those enlightened have none.
this is all easier to explain with sketches and in person, but meh.

i love this design, will need to have it touched up a bit soon, but it is a reflection of my soul, as i was at 19, and my core beliefs, which will remain as such for my time.

i use this now as a glyph, as my mark. tho i am working on various new tattoos, with much in common in theme to this one... the curent one is near my heart. it is me.

the next one will probably be a pheonix, concept and original design based on Shellys design in her profile. but i am going to introduce my own elements to it, but make referance to her to honour her in its making.
briefly, in words, the design will cover-
rebirth/renewal, fire, freedom, cycles, balance, energy, individualism, recovery...
It is rare that i'd consider using anyone elses concepts in my own tattoos, but i feel her reasons for designing it as it is, are very similar to my own, and there is a certain understanding there. regardless of what happens between her and i, i wouldnt regret the tattoo, and it will remain fitting.


also working on a ying and yang based design, but since that is now so cliched, it is being changed a great deal, with the two parts seperated slightly, in colours it will have cold and warm tones either side. fire and water, opposites but both essential. with assocaited emotions to each element, and mood,represented within them, and fluidity in both.
both latter tattoos will be very dynamic, so if ur tripping, u'll probably see them moving...lol.
< /rant >

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“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”<FONT COLOR="238b25">
-Hindu Prince Gautama Siddharta, the founder of Buddhism, 563-483 B.C.