The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, or Men Who Hate Women as the name is when translated straight from Swedish, is Stieg Larsson's first novel. It is also the first part of his The Millennium Trilogy. Millennium is quite small magazine that is owned by journalist Mikael "Kalle" Blomkvist and his "occational lover" Erika Berger. Millennium is published in Stockholm, the beautiful capital of Sweden.

In the beginning of the book, Mikael Blomkvist gets sentenced to prison for three months for libeling of well-known Swedish business man Hans-Erik Wennerstrom. Mikael had been accusing Wennerstrom for many kind of white-collar crimes, but in the end all the evidence falls to pieces for some reason. Mikael pledges for revenge since he thinks the sentence was underserved. Soon he seems to get a change for it, when another business-mogul Henrik Vanger approaches him with and interesting and appealing offer. Vanger wants Mikael to solve a mystery that has become an obsession to Henrik Vanger: what happened to his niece Harriet Vanger forty years ago when she just disappeared without a trace. And if Mikael succeeds, Vanger will give him Wennerstrom's head on a plate. Another job for Mikael is to write a book about Vanger-family and its history. Mikael agrees to take the job and spend a year in Vanger-family's hometown, a little town Hedestad. 300 km north from Stockholm.

Mikael starts his job by inspecting the family history, and soon he finds out that there are skeletons buried in almost every closet he opens. It seems that almost every family member hates each other. There are a lot of weird characters in the family tree and only Henrik Vanger seems to be normal one. Mikael notices as well, that not every family member is keen on the fact that Mikael has started digging the secrets of the family.

While seeking material for his book about Vanger-family, Mikael starts to solve the weird disappeareance of Harriet Vanger. It happened 40 years go, when the whole family was gathered together. In the early afternoon Harriet just disappeared without a trace and nobody had a glue where she had gone. Everything happened in a closed island Hedeby near Hedestad. It's famouse so called "closed-room scenario". Due to car accident, roads out from the island are closed for a day, and during that time Harriet disappears. Nothing points that a crime has happened that can't be ruled either. The whole island is searched through several times but no sign of Harriet is found. Years go by but Harriet's case remains unsolved.

Finally, after working hard for many months, the secrets starts slowly unfold itself. Mikael also finds out that he needs help because there are so much things that need to be researched. Henrik Vanger's lawyer and good friend Dirch Frode tells Mikael about Lisbet Salander, who have been helping Frode and Vanger earlier as well. Lisbet is an extraordinary young woman with a lot of piercings and, a dragon tattoo. Lisbet is a genious with computers and is able to make them anything for herself. She, of course, has her own closets full of skeletons. Through her short life, Lisbet has been dragged from institution to institution. She is used to solve arguments with other people with violence and has emotional problems as well. But she's not stupid, nowhere near...

Excellent Chinese Dragon Tattoos

The Chinese Dragon tattoo is very potent in its appeal. When the subject of the Chinese dragon comes up, there is no argument that these creatures have a distinctly "masculine" quality. In addition, these dragons are associated with the number "9." This is because the value of "9" is the biggest possible, single digit number. The Chinese dragon adeptly symbolizes powerful and auspicious energy. In particular, they are in control of the element of water. For instance, dragons are said to manipulate rain, hurricanes, floods, and other disasters. The dragon itself is an old symbol of good luck, strength, and power. When the Chinese dragon is placed on the human body in the form of a tattoo, the meaning represents intelligence, strength, good luck, health, harmony, and good will. One of the noted qualities of Chinese dragon tattoos is the flaming pearl under the chin of the creature. Chinese dragons have snake-like bodies with scales all over them. Naturally, these dragons have supernatural power too.

There are four primary Chinese dragon tattoos in symbolic form which are widely available. The first one is the "Horned Dragon" tattoo. The person who wears this form on their body chooses to be mighty in words and deeds. Another symbol is that of the "Earth Dragon." This dragon is the ruler of the Earth. It represents a connection with the earth and land for the person who wears it. The "Yellow Dragon" is the hornless dragon which is a representation of scholarly knowledge. The person who wears this symbol wants to be associated with the power of his or her intellect. Lastly, there is "Celestial Dragon." This dragon is the Protector of the Gods. People who desire to confirm their spiritual path, or who have strong spiritual convictions, tend to prefer this symbol. The Chinese dragon tattoo is becoming more popular because many people are wearing them.

The Chinese dragon has a very authoritative appeal. According to legend, the earliest emperors of China were closely related to a dragon. At the end of his reign, the first emperor of legend, Huangdi, was thought to have been immortalized into a dragon which resembled his imperial emblem. Later he ascended into Heaven. Another legendary emperor, Yandi, was born by his mother's telepathy with the aid of a dragon. Since the Chinese consider Huangdi and Yandi to be their ancestors, they often refer to themselves as "the descendants of the dragon." These legends started to influence the usage of the dragon with the official symbol of Imperial power. In some legends an emperor might be born with a birthmark in the shape of a dragon. One legend tells the tale of a peasant born with a dragon birthmark. This peasant eventually overthrows the existing dynasty in order to establish a new one. Another legend tells of a prince who is in hiding from his enemies. He is eventually identified by his dragon birthmark.
Of course, actual belief in the dragon of folklore is quite sporadic. The worship of the Chinese dragon may be ingrained in the culture of China. However, very few people consider dragons to be real creatures. Cultural traditions like Chinese New Year celebrations often feature the dragon in a parade. For most people, dragons are just representations of qualities people aspire to have. Regardless of the legends, Chinese dragons make excellent tattoos for all these reasons. They are personal representations placed on the human body. They represent qualities like power, strength, intellectual ability, good fortune, and authority which are universal in their appeal. The Chinese Dragon is a big part of being truly "Chinese!"

Japanese Dragon Tattoo Designs and Meaning

The Japanese Dragon Tattoo is a very beautiful and colorful tattoo design and very symbolic, with its origins in myths and folklore. It is also very mystical, adding to the appeal of the Japanese dragon tattoo. Over the ages, from Egyptian times the dragon has represented good and also represented evil. However, the attraction of the Japanese dragon, apart from its stunning beauty is that it represents good luck and the source of wealth. The Japanese dragon also represents the meaning of freedom and being fearless, both very attractive qualities.
In the Greek language, dragon is sourced from draca, which means serpent.
Like the angel, the Japanese Dragon also has the meaning of guardianship, providing a protective force over those it was associated with. Other meanings associated with the Japanese dragon is strength and power. In Japanese culture the dragon is associated with supernatural powers, and amazing wisdom.
There are six forms of the Japanese Dragon. They are:
Sui-Riu is the king Dragon and is in control of the rain. Therefore in this day and age of drought he is all powerful!

Han-Riu has many stripes on his body and is up to forty feet in length. One of the biggest dragons.
Ri-Riu dragon is a rare breed that is not well understood. However, it is known that they have amazing eye sight.
Ka-Riu is a brilliant red color, and a petite dragon in comparison with the others.
Fuku-Riu is a favorite dragon of many people as it is the dragon of luck.
Hai-Riyo is known as the dragon bird, and the most advanced form of dragon. It evolved out of Chinese mythology.
The colors of the dragons have special significance, which are based on their parents. For example a dragon with a black color means their parents are very old and wise. Green dragons are smaller than average, but are representative of life and of the earth. Gold colored dragons are special because they have many special attributes such as wisdom, kindness and the ability to face challenges head on.
Yellow dragons represent the east. They are great companions when you need a hand, but can be self absorbed at times. Blue dragons are from the west. They are forgiving and compassionate, but on the negative side can be lazy and uncaring when it suits them.
Finding the right Japanese Tattoo Design for you can be quite daunting. Check out all the free sites on the net to get as many ideas as you can. Just remember that many other people have done the same thing to get ideas. For example, last month, over 41,000 people searched for dragon tattoo designs on Yahoo. Apparently, roughly 8 times that amount check out Google for the same search term. Then there is MSN and the other search engines. So a huge amount of people see the same free designs as you. If you want original Japanese Dragon tattoo designs, it is recommended that you check out books or other sources of tattoo designs that are not freely available. I have checked out three Japanese dragon tattoo galleries on the internet that have from 3,500 to 6000 different designs, so you will have no trouble finding what you want.

How to Find a Good Tattoo Artist

If you're planning on getting a tattoo you should make sure the tattoo parlor you choose is reputable. There aren't many laws governing the tattoo industry so it's up to the consumer to make sure they are going to a business that abides by laws regarding sanitary measures.
The process to start a tattoo parlor isn't rigorous. Tattoo artists must complete a course on contagious disease transmission and then are awarded a license. Their businesses aren't subject to inspection afterwards.
Be careful. Don't just pick the first place you see. Take the time to learn about the tattoo artist before letting them permanently mark your body. Practically anyone can get a tattoo parlor license and set up shop.
Take a look around when you enter a tattoo parlor. Check out the spray bottles and brushes on the shelves. They should be in sealed packaging. The staff should be conscientious about hygiene and maintain a professional atmosphere.
Be sure to ask plenty of questions about the sterilization process they use. Don't be shy about it. The autoclave sterilization method is recommended. If they don't use it, walk away.

If you take the time to find out about their sterilization methods you can get a feel for how reputable the tattoo parlor is and how serious they are about preventing the spread of disease. Quality tattoo parlors use EPA approved disinfectants to wash their hands and clean the area to be tattooed.
If the parlor doesn't use safe practices or is hesitant to answer questions, then take your business elsewhere. A safe tattoo artist won't mind answering your questions and showing you around. They will have nothing to hide.
Definitely ask to see some previously drawn designs and a few customer references. This will give you some indication of their ability and whether past customers were satisfied with the services they received.

Mastering the Art of Tattooing

The art of tattooing is one of the earliest art forms known to mankind. Tattooing has been a form of personal expression and body ornamentation since prehistoric times. Both tribal cultures and highly developed civilizations like ancient Rome and Egypt used tattooing as an art form. In every century and in countries all over the world, people have felt a strong desire to adorn their bodies with meaningful symbols and beautiful designs.
Today's tattooists must learn how to use equipment, including tattoo machines, needles and ink. They also must become familiar with modern sanitary procedures for tattooing.
Mastering this knowledge will make someone a proficient tattooist, but becoming a tattoo artist requires another level of skill. A successful tattoo artist must have a good understanding of basic artistic concepts like proportion, perspective and the use of color. The ability to draw well is another important skill for a tattoo artist. Much of this comes naturally to people who are born with artistic talent, but that doesn't mean that a dedicated tattooist can't learn and develop artistic skills. With time and practice, you can master the art of tattooing

Color Theory for the Art of Tattooing
The color of a tattoo is one of the first things that gets noticed. The use of color can make all the difference in the success or failure of a tattoo design. Gaining an understanding of how colors work together is an important step in mastering the art of tattooing. If you've never been exposed to color theory, enrolling in an art class at a community college is a great way to get started. You'll learn how the primary colors (red, yellow and blue) can be mixed to form all other colors, and how a color wheel shows which colors work well together.
Use of Contrast in Tattoos
One of the most important aspects of color in the art of tattooing is the use of contrast. Color contrast is what gives a tattoo design depth. The contrast can be in the amount of lightness and darkness (such as the contrast between white and black) or it can be in the colors themselves (such as the contrast between warm colors like yellow and orange and cool colors like blue and green). Contrast in colors will make one shape stand out from another or make a shape stand out from its background.
Composition and the Art of Tattooing
Composition refers to the flow of the design elements in a tattoo and how well they fit on the body part where they're tattooed. A client may come to a tattoo artist with a fixed idea about the design and placement of a tattoo. A good tattoo artist will know if the proportion of the design will work in the desired location. If it won't work, the tattoo artist must be ready to offer some alternative ideas. This may mean changing the scale of a design with a photocopier machine or cutting and pasting elements of one or more designs to create something new. A talented tattoo artist understands that the most successful tattoo designs mimic the flow of the body part where they're applied.
Perspective and Depth in Tattoos
Applying the artistic theories of perspective and depth is what gives a tattoo a 3-dimensional quality. In tattooing, perspective and depth are achieved through the use of contrast, outline and shading. Being able to create the illusion of reality with depth and perspective is what sets a tattoo artist apart from a tattooist. These techniques can be learned in an art course or from an art book and practiced with pencil and paper. Unless you're a natural born artist, practice and experience are the only way to master these techniques.
Besides taking art courses and practicing, a beginner tattooist should spend time studying tattoo magazines and becoming familiar with the work of established tattoo artists. Tattoo magazines are an important resource for beginning tattooists. They showcase the finest designs that the world of tattooing has to offer. By reading tattoo magazines, aspiring tattoo artists can learn about the leading tattoo artists, become inspired, decide who they want to emulate and begin to create their own style.

How To Become a Tattoo Artist

The rising popularity of the tattooing all around the world as a way to decorate the body has opened up the way for many people to get a new and demanding career as a tattoo artist. In this article you can find information on how to become a tattoo artist.

The art of tattoo is not something that can be learned in a short time. It requires some drawing and painting skills, patience and a lot of practice which may take years to develop. Because as an artist, you draw and paint on the bodies of your clients permanently. During this process, in the case of a slightest mistake, there is no chance for return and deletion. This art requires the drawing and painting of the designs on the body without any mistakes with complete perfection.

In order to become a tattoo artist, exercising drawing and painting skills will be a good first step. You can get assistance from books, courses and other tattoo artists. The more you develop your drawing skills, the more successful you will be in your new career. Starting from easy designs to relatively difficult ones, practicing how to draw until you develop your own style will help you in your career in the future.

It is not something that can be learned through schools or courses. There are not institutions devoted for the educations of tattoo artists. From time to time some courses can be opened by some parlors but of course it is hard to become a tattoo artist in such a short time with just the basic tattooing information they provide.

Traditionally they got their skills through apprenticeship which is a great way to get intense training about how to do tattoos and valuable knowledge about the tattoo business. You can ask the tattoo artists in your neighborhood that you want to work with them for free. Once accepted to work with them, you can get your first step to the world of tattoo business and learn everything about tattooing in the stage.

There are some difficulties of the free intense training; you will not get paid and you can be asked to do things like cleaning and dusting rather than tattooing. Indeed the performance you show on these type of work will give clues about th dedication and motivation you carry. A test upon how eager and hard worker you are to do things necessary for success. This is how the mechanism of apprenticeship works for thousands of years!

As you continue to prove yourself, you will learn many skills from the master artist, such as how to safely clean your equipment, how to operate a tattoo machine, how to adjust your power supply, how to protect yourself and your clients from disease, and most importantly how to correctly apply a tattoo. You are not limited to only gaining knowledge from your teacher; you can also spend time learning from other artists as well.

Stupid Tattoos to Avoid

With more and more people getting inked, stupid tattoos are becoming more common. You should always give good, hard thought about the type of design you are going to get. It's actually easy to fall for stupid tattoos because of what seems trendy at the moment, and other factors as well. But here I will reveal 2 stupid tattoos to avoid so you will at least not fall victim to these horrendous tattoo traps.
1. The Chain Link Around The Bicep. If there was a "wall of shame" in tattooing history, it is quite possible that the chain link around the bicep tattoo could rank as number 1. Everyone and their brother seemed to jump on this trend bandwagon at one point. Suddenly it was ultra cool to get a chain inked around your arm. This is the one of the most popular tattoo designs which was completely void of any meaning at all. No one knew why they were getting this ink atrocity on their arms, they just knew it was supposed to be really, really cool. But what they didn't seem to know is that the 90's would eventually end and in the future people would heavily mock these tats.

2. The Drunken Cartoon Character Tattoo. If you've ever seen a crudely drawn cartoon character tattoo on someone, you probably suddenly wondered, "what in the world was this person thinking"? The problem was that they likely weren't thinking. They likely were three sheets to the wind. Drunk as a skunk. Inebriated beyond belief. This is how many of these cartoon creatures end up on human skin. These are highly regrettable ink choices, but even if you get a cartoon character out of free and sober will, everyone will still think you must have been toasted when you made that tattoo decision.

Cartoon Tattoos For You

Does the idea of aging and being "old" scare you? Or are you afraid of not being to show your funny and quirky side despite being still young? Or are you the type of person in search of something youthful to help portray your inner joy and exhilarating life? Well, the solution is finally here! The thing that you may well be looking for is what you call a tattoo! Hand in hand, let us unveil the hidden meaning about tattoos, what it is all about, and what are the most fitting designs suited for your fun-loving and youthful self.
In layman's term, a tattoo is a form of art that utilizes a bunch of colorful ink, but not just any ordinary ink, tattoo makes use of indelible ink. Indelible inks are permanent and once placed inside the body, will last even for a lifetime. It is important to keep in mind however that the permanence of a tattoo is determined by a whole lot of factors such as time, daily wear and tear, and of course the quality of the indelible inks used. Basically, the indelible ink is injected into the skin where that tattoo design is desired. The skin is repeatedly injected into the skin in order for the ink to seep in properly and reach the inner layer of the skin which is the dermis. And because the dermis is the target spot, the ink shall change the pigment of the skin creating a lasting effect. The finished procedure is what one may call a tattoo art.

More and more individual more specifically tattoo enthusiasts are going for one of the most popular tattoo designs in the market today - cartoon tattoos! People who are young both physically and mentally usually go for this type of tattoo image. It is also normal for people who are quite "mature-looking" to get these kinds of tattoo with cartoons because they say that it symbolized their "young at heart" attribute and personality. Basically, tattoos depicted with images of cartoons represented not just the fun loving quality of the person but also life's youthfulness and thrill.
There are a variety of possible cartoon tattoos that one can choose from. Popular characters include the ever-loved Mickey Mouse, Pokemon characters, and even Betty Boop! Basically, one can opt for serious looking cartoon images such as the anime-inspired one where they have serious and scarred faces while some more subtle individuals prefer a more "beautiful" cartoon such as girls with cute dresses or animals doing silly stuff.
People who are interested to get cartoon inspired tattoos may bring their own design or image for the tattoo artist to perform or they can just go free-hand. A free-hand is when a client just dictates the image they want and aspire to the tattoo artist and let the artist himself do the job according to his imagination, imagination, and creativity as an artist. This then gives your tattoo more uniqueness and specialty.

Cute Tattoos For Girls

Cute Tattoos For Girls

Getting a Tattoo is becoming a trend these days. A lot of Young Girls have gone to get their first inking as early as their teenage years. Yes, a lot of these Designs are very common but with just a little alteration,

Cute Tattoos For Girls

a regular tattoo becomes personal and reveals a lot more about one’s personality.There are many popular designs of Cute Tattoos For Girls. Among those that top the lists of most popular ones are the following:

Harry Potter Tattoo Designs

Harry Potter Tattoo Designs

Are you Looking for Harry Potter Tattoos? Well you have come to the right place. Find great Photos of Harry Potter Tattoos, temporary Tattoos, videos and more.I started to search the web for some neat looking Harry Potter Tattoo and was amazed at what I saw. Some people are just too creative! I am including my favorite Tattoos on this lens. I hope you Enjoy viewing them as much as I have.
Harry Potter Tattoo Designs

Since the 30 June 1997 release of the first novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the books have gained immense popularity, critical acclaim and commercial success worldwide. The series has also had some share of criticism, including concern for the increasingly dark tone. As of June 2011, the book series has sold about 450 million copies and has been translated into 67 languages, and the last four books consecutively set records as the fastest-selling books in history.
Harry Potter Tattoo Designs

The Dark Mark is the symbol of Lord Voltmeter and his Death Eaters. It refers both to a magically induced brand every Death Eater bears on his or her inner left forearm, and to the same symbol conjured in the air by the spell Morsmordre.

A Complete Review of Tattoo Me Now

No other choice comes as personal as getting a tattoo. People give it a lot of thought before settling with a design. The good news is that Tattoo Me Now is designed to help your dream come true. This site is like an angel on your shoulder offering valuable advice and input for your decision. But what else is there?
The site helps solve two of the most important problems related with getting a tattoo. First off, the design to get on your tattoo can be difficult to find but the site does offer a solution. Its wide range of designs means you have virtually unlimited options. All this is online making it easily accessible right from the comfort of your own home.
Access to this site is for members only so you will need to sign up for an account. The good news is that the site lets you choose between two options according to your needs. A one-year membership should be enough for most casual users. If you are really into tattoos, then the lifetime membership should be your choice.

After entering the site, you will immediately pat yourself on the back. You will find close to 3500 tattoo designs arranged in at least 40 categories for easier browsing. From Gothic crosses to Hawaiian flower birds, you will find a wide range of designs here. All this is available right at your fingertips. You can even print one out and show it to your local tattoo artist.

Tattoo Me Now is also full of other features. The member's gallery allows members to share their own designs as well as review others. A directory of tattoo studios helps you find the nearest joint in your area once you decide to get inked. It contains listings from all over the world.
To answer any question you may have, a forum is provided in the site as well. This can also serve as an area for meeting other tattoo enthusiasts from around the world. A video section is also available that covers a wide range of topics related to tattoos. A list of events keeps you posted with the latest happening in the community.
A bunch of bonuses are thrown in with membership. This includes 15 eBooks covering a wide variety of topics and available for free. You will also get a full refund with no questions asked within 60 days. Some parts of the site are having a few technical issues which are still being resolved though.
When it comes to value, Tattoo Me Now does not fail to deliver. It offers a bunch of handy features while throwing in some interactive bonuses into the mix. It certainly is worth the its asking price.

The Mystery of Snake Tattoo

When out walking, you might see people with colorful designs, symbols, or even pictures of creatures and things on their skin and might wonder what that could be. Well, those friends are called tattoos. Tattoos are basically a design of any sort put on the human or animal skin. Endless designs and ideas are now possible for people who want to get tattoos. The sky is the limit. For as long as you have a good imagination and a very good tattoo artist then you will get that tattoo you have always wanted.
Let us first define what tattoos are. Well, tattoos are pictures, markings, or traces found on the skin. These are accomplished through the use of an indelible ink with different colors. They then use extremely sharp and pointed needles to pierce through the human skin until the needle reaches the dermis layer or the inner layer of the skin. And because the dermal layer is targeted in the procedure, the results would be permanent meaning the tattoo design would not come off the skin even if washed multiple times. And because of its permanence, it is best to ask yourself if you are really ready for this.
One of the most requested tattoo designs of all time according to a bunch of surveyed tattoo artists and tattoo enthusiasts are the so-called snake tattoo. These kinds of tattoos despite having a snake in it has become quite popular especially for the gentlemen and of course, girls too! The snake symbolizes strength, power, life, and elegance. And because of these reasons and a whole lot more, the snake inspired tattoos are slowly growing in popularity.

It has been said that the snake is one of the most mysterious and complicated tattoo designs to make. This is due to the fact that the snake's body is very slender and sly and depicting that would be quite tough even for the most skilled tattoo artist. One tattoo artist stated that doing a snake tattoo requires a lot of focus and inspiration as doing a very good work would be considered perfect. People have also been mesmerized by such elegance the snake gives that is why they constantly ask for this animal to be imprinted on their skin to help show the world that like the snake, they can be sly, mysterious, and powerful as well if they wanted too.
Snake tattoo are usually portrayed as circling a particular object such as a person or a thing. Some snake inspired tattoos suggest that the snake showing its fangs symbolizes authority and power. But whatever the perspective of the tattoo is, one thing is for sure, the tattoo goers love it! The mystery of tattoos with the image of a snake still continues to bedazzle everyone maybe because the snake can be interpreted into a whole bunch of ways, ideas, and thoughts. Nonetheless, beauty is in the eye of the beholder and the snake certainly is a beauty to behold and see.

Snake Tattoo Designs

It was over 50 years ago when I saw my first snake tattoo. My father proudly showed off his snake and dagger tattoo design he just had inked on his upper arm. I liked it too as he had incorporated my name in the design. He told me then he chose this design to represent strength and protection. If he were alive today, maybe he say something different, but I'm sure, in that tangled web of tattoos he eventually ended up with, this was still one of his favourites.

What is it that still draws people to this design? There are many answers to this and I will name just a couple. For example, the snake's popularity may have something to do with the rich history of myths and legends. One such myth is that of the ancient Greek myth of Medusa, the beautiful snake haired woman, who had the power to turn men into stone with a single glance, and I'm sure we know of a few women who still have that power today.

Snakes and serpents have a long mythological history associated with good and evil, life and death, beginnings and endings. When a snake sheds its skin it is seen as a symbol of rebirth, change, and healing.

Another tale of re-birth is that of the Ancient Greeks who had Ouroboros, a snake curled into a circle biting its own tail. The idea being that the continuing eating and re-growing of the tail is a symbol of the eternal cycle of ruin and re-birth.

The shedding of skin by the snake has also been associated with re-birth or new beginnings. The ancient Greeks believed snakes were sacred to the god of medicine Asclepius who had a staff with serpents wrapped around it, which you can still see today as a symbol in modern medicine.

What about the story of Hydra, a 9 headed serpent defeated by Hercules. The story goes Hercules had a difficult time killing the Hydra because when he cut one head off two heads would grow back. He eventually solved the problem by burning the stumps to stop another head growing, and the Hydra lived no more.

In some mythologies snakes are seen as the keepers of wisdom and sacred secrets. But the snake has also been show as a symbol of evil, death, or deceit. In Christianity, the serpent tricks Adam and Eve into disobeying God. Perhaps due to the deadly venom many snakes possess, myths involving snakes have often portrayed them as evil.

In Australia, India, and Africa, where snake myths are related to rainbows, and rainbows are often associated with rain and fertility. I like the story of Da, a mythological African serpent who kept the oceans and sky in place and we could catch a quick look at Da when a rainbow appeared.

Another reason for the snake's popularity as a tattoo design is that you can be incorporated with any other design, such as, hearts and daggers, or skulls and dragons. The beauty of the snake tattoo design is it doesn't look out-of-place with any other tattoo design.

Animal Fox Tattoo

One of the remarkable phenomenons observed during recent years involves use of a tattoo for various purposes. For instance, if you are interested in a tattoo because of religious symbolism, you can opt for tattoo crosses. Also, you will find bible tattoo designs that will have strong religious theme. Similarly, use of animal fox tattoo is considered to be age-old. There was a reason why more and more people resorted to having this particular tattoo. It is widely said, by etching an image of a particular animal on your skin, you can increase chances of getting those characteristics imbibed into your personality. Therefore, you can witness other animal tattoo such as serpents, eagles, lions, tigers, falcons and foxes, etc. are in great demand.
Worldwide research scientists believe, though a fox isn't considered to be overtly physically powerful animal, yet this was one of the most sought-after symbols that were in rampant use. Actually, a fox is known to be a cunning and clever animal. History has it, ancient men and tribal men always regarded a fox endowed with higher quality of intelligence.

Among popular animal tattoos fox, it would include, Bat tattoos, Bear tattoos, Buffalo Tattoos/Bison tattoos, Elephant tattoos, Horse tattoos, Lion tattoos (includes Puma, Cougar, Mountain Lion), Cat tattoos (domestic), Deer tattoos, Dog tattoos, (domestic), Leopard tattoos (includes Panther, Cheetah, Jaguar,) Monkey tattoos, Tiger tattoos, Wolf tattoos (includes Coyote, Fox), etc.
Have you ever given it a close thought why marketing experts take help of images of animal to promote their products like perfumes, cologne, clothing, etc? The logic behind this practice is very simple to understand. Use of these images will mean, it can bring out the animal in you! If you delve deeper into history records, you will come to know, use of animal images, designs, stories, etc. were in great use. For instance, there is reference of Egyptian gods making use of head of a jackal or body of a lion. Again, you can find some European stories that talk about werewolves and vampires.
It is popularly believed, having animal tattoo designs helps in demonstrating our connections to various forms of spirits of the fine beasts that literally defines our personalities. This actually helps in symbolizing our instincts and innate nature.

If you are looking for fox animal tattoos, you must know one interesting fact surrounding it. In the medieval period, it was believed that these foxes were a true accomplice of the witches. That was a reason why people would often get busy with fox hunting expeditions with an intention to kill them. This was exclusively done to protect men from evil. In a sense, the objective wasn't to derive thrill from this hunting experience but to make sure surrounding environment was free from evil spirits. This protective stance in early ancient people became the genesis of modern men preferring this tattoo.

Tribal Elephant Tattoo

A tattoo is permanent, so you need to make certain that you choose a design that you really want. You need to choose a design that you won't want to change 5 months down the road. Therefore, you need to research several different tribal ankle tattoo designs. Do not settle for the very first one that you come across, keep on looking. Once you've found the right one, you'll know! If you find one that you like and decide to keep looking, but just don't find any that settle in your heart the way the first one did - then that's the one!

Now, on the other hand, a unique design is important. If you want something that is different and not on everyone else, then research is very necessary.

There are several different types of websites on the internet that will allow you to pay a small fee and have access to their database of tattoo images. Normally, these images are pretty unique and are not found elsewhere, or at least not in many places. In addition, you may be able to get tattoo tips and tattoo parlor reviews for the small fee that you pay. With the magnitude of information that you receive, the small fee that you pay is well worth it.

Elephant Tattoo

a tattoo enthusiast may also choose an elephant tattoo in reference to the animal's characteristics. For example, when an elephant dies, other elephants will remain beside the body for a few days as though in mourning. For some, this could be a representation of loyalty. Longevity and fidelity are also other characteristics associated with the elephant that may be used by tattoo enthusiasts when looking for the next best ink.

With elephant tattoos not as popular as other animal designs, women can be less inclined to use this particular pattern. After all, there are very few signs that suggest a feminine side to the strong and powerful beast. Males are more welcoming with this pattern because of the masculine connotation to the symbol. Since elephants are normally large in size, you will often find these tattoo designs encompassing a wide expanse of skin. Two of the most common locations for elephant tattoo include the arms and the back. However, if a good tattoo artist is capable of downsizing the symbol without lessening its quality, then you may have it inked on your wrist or ankle.

Unusual choices for a tattoo, those who choose to brandish an elephant design usually do so because of their attachment to the interpretations of the animal. Mostly, decisions leading to an elephant tattoo are based on logical, spiritual and personal reasons that go beyond its aesthetic value. For those who are contemplating using this design, then it might be best to research all the meanings that attach themselves to the elephant. Try to remember that tattoos last a long time and you must be entirely sure of your choice before proceeding.

Love Tattoo Ideas

Love Tattoo can be represented in a multitude of ways and when it's meant to represent more than two people a difficult balancing act has to be struck. There's three main types of love tattoo ideas you could opt for.
Symbols
An obvious choice of symbol is the heart but you can choose to decorate it with names, flowers, flourishes of color or even birds and bees. A good variation the heart theme is a broken heart coming together into one to show the healing of a rift with love. Other symbols representing love could be crossed wedding rings.
Names
Having the name of your significant other regardless of how much you love them could be risky. Too many people have been completely and truly in love only to separate later down the line and have to deal with a painful reminder of the past. The risks are just not worth the reward but that doesn't mean you can't represent in some fashion your significant other. A tattoo of their birth sign, crystal, favorite color or something similar can represent them. Yet if you were to ever split up it can come to mean something else.

Mythology
Cupid the Roman God of erotic love and beauty is a popular design when firing an arrow through a persons name or even a heart. These are often depicted in the form of a child but there's nothing that specifically states Cupid was a child so you can opt to have an adult cupid. Although human forms are rarely popular. Another great tattoo is the goddess of love itself -Venus. Venus could be represented as a human form such as the classic "Birth of Venus" by Botticelli or even the Zodiac symbol for Venus.

Baby Angel Tattoo

A baby angel tattoo is another name for a cherub tattoo. Angel tattoos are very popular with both men and women. Angels are considered messengers from God and they are our link between heaven and earth. Having a baby angel or cherub tattoo expresses your spirituality.

There are many different angel designs that you can get but cherubs are the most popular. Unlike many people think, cherubs are not really baby angels - they are just small angels. The most popular cherub angel is Cupid. Cupid represents love. Many times you see Cupid depicted with a arrow which he shoots into your heart to make you fall in love.

What makes cherub designs popular is that they can be placed on many different parts of the body. You can have a cherub over your chest or on your shoulder. They can even make great wrist or ankle tattoos because they are small. If you combine a cherub with clouds, hearts or other symbols, you can create a very unique design that is special to you.

Make sure that your design expresses your feelings. Don't just pick a design because someone else has it or it looks good. Pick a design that tells your story. When someone asks you why you have a baby angel tattoo, you want to describe what it means to you. When you have a unique design, your tattoo becomes more personal.

Shoulder Tattoo

If one is confused about the place for a suitable tattoo then it is advisable to start with the shoulder. It becomes the area of emphasis and also provides a wide area to be covered which provides some scope for innovation with the designs that are being used. Flexibility factor can also be maintained with the shoulder and later on designs can be extended.
The location of a tattoo can be compared with a real estate agency. One may for a moment may not think and invest in an agency but for a tattoo it is imperative to understand the location and along with it the design or theme for a better investment because tattoos are a permanent change. The ball and socket joint area provides a curve that can be used to depict a floral design very aptly and the design in this area is also called the upper arm tattoo. The flowers can be used as falling from the top, a cupid at the top back etc are designs that can be incorporated for the area.
The use of a design on the shoulder is not gender specific. It can be used freely and aptly by both men and women. Rather for them it's the most appropriate place for a tattoo. The women can reveal the back when wearing a dress, halter necks etc. while the men can reveal the design when on the beach with a bare chest or at the gym while exercising. The common design patterns for both the sexes vary drastically, particularly for this area. The women prefers to use designs like flowers, angels etc. For men the design varies from a group of small intricate designs, Japanese tattoos, Celtics etc.

When you have just got your new tattoo done it should not be exposed to direct sun rays and friction with clothes must be avoided. Extra care is necessary because the shoulder is a sensitive area. Tattooing in this area can be very painful as there is limited muscle, tattooing on bone hurts a little more than on muscle or fat.

The Purity Of An Angel Tattoo

As tattoos continue to gain popularity among women today, the variety of styles and designs continues to grow, with the angel tattoo becoming one of the most popular choices. Deep rooted in personal meaning, and plenty of room for colorful artistic interpretation, the attractive design is here to stay.

Rooted in the Greek word "Angelos," meaning messenger, the word angel dates back to early biblical times thousands of years ago. The bible states that angels were created by God to protect us in all ways and also says and that there are three different types of angels; guides, messengers, and protectors.

Although the purpose and appearance of angels have varied over the years, artists have consistently portrayed them as beautiful winged creatures, sometimes glowing or shining, and usually in human form, and that theme lives on today.

Throughout history angels have been featured in various situations, typically in the form of care givers in times of grief, or as the angel of death, appearing and guiding the newly through the gates of heaven. They have also been featured in great battle scenes, leading the mighty warriors into battle.

Today the angel tattoo design is typically of a guardian angel, sent to watch over us from birth to death. These angels are thought to guide and protect us, and are usually given a familiar name. They often appear out of thin air, inspiring hope in times of need to offer a sense of security, to only vanish without a trace.

Angel tattoos continue to gain popularity today and with that comes a variety new and innovative of angel tattoo designs, many of the different interpretations credited to the way we view religion overall. Satisfying our need to believe in angels is a message of peace and hope, a desire to coexist in a more spiritual world, with a commitment to serving each other.

The choice of an angel tattoo design could be a statement as to your personal beliefs, or more simply, a comforting friend, offering guidance and protection throughout the days. Angel tattoos are communally placed on the back of the shoulder, abdomen, the foot, or even the wrist, the choices are many limited only by your imagination.

Another rare, but popular design is the full set of wings, more communally called angel wing back pieces. Not for the quiet and unassuming, this large tattoo is not recommended as a first tattoo because of the difficulty of its large size, expense, complexity of the design, as well as the time and commitment involved.

But, if you're still interested in a design features that features angel wings, a smaller version of the angels wings is easy to design, and can even incorporate the name of a loved one as a tribute to someone who has passed safe in the arms, or a symbol of an angel guarding over you.

Cute Angel Tattoos

Tattoos have become quite popular these days. There are different kinds of tattoos that have become popular. First of all you need to select the part of your body where you want to have the tattoo. These things are popular among men as well as women.
Some of the popular choices of body parts are the back of the neck, arms, lower portion of the stomach and so on. One of the designs which have become common these days are the angel tattoos. Each and every person will agree that the angels are one of the most pure creatures.
People who are religiously oriented usually choose these kinds of tattoos. Lots of people also have an idea that angels are messengers of God who are human like in nature. Angels are also known as the winged mascots of divinity.
These tattoos are creative and they are available in various sizes and shapes. Some people are interested in small angel tattoos. It is very important to make sure that you choose the best artist to draw the tattoos on your body parts.
One of the best things about these tattoos is that they are available in various colors as well as designs. The size as well as placement of these tattoos usually differs between men and women. These tattoos usually represent protection as well as freedom.

People who want them on their body parts usually attribute a meaning to them. Women usually choose the cute angel tattoos where the angels are playing harp and sitting on the clouds. These angels are usually designed like the guardian who keeps a watch over all of us.
But you can even get angel tattoos which have different meanings. Some of the angels are avenging angels which are meant for retaliation as well as revenge. Some of the meanings of the angels have changed over the years.
There are tattoo artists who make the angels who are wearing white robes, with elaborate wings, beautiful light. These things make the angels very alluring and even give them a human touch. Among the various kinds of angels tattoos that have become popular these days are the guardian angels.
These angels originally belong to the catholic faith. Before you draw the angel it is important to learn about its significance as well as meanings. Some people are usually interested in these tattoos because of the spiritual reasons but there are others who just want to flaunt their tattoos.
You can really be stylish with all the designs available these days. There is another way which has also become quite popular these days. This is way through which you can show a constant conflict between the good and the evil.

But before choosing this tattoo you need to consider your faith along with the reason of choosing this kind of a tattoo. These kinds of tattoos are different and hence people might just keep staring at your tattoo without knowing its actual purpose. Among the cute angel tattoos cupid is also famous.

Angel Tattoos

While angel tattoos are quite popular with females, an increasing amount of men have also used the angel as part of a design that usually signifies loss or pays tribute to another. In women, the angel is often seen innocently sitting on a cloud, playing harps, or serving as a guardian watching over their every move. Depending on the meaning of this type of tattoo, an angel is also used to illustrate retaliation and revenge, as seen in the avenging angel.
Angels are seen as spiritual beings that are thought to possess a level of power that humans do not have access to. Some people believe that angels are the spirits of humans that are highly evolved. The history of the angel starts with the Bible, where the general sense is that these creatures represent the will of God or carries out God's work. While angels are known as guardians of the soul or divine beings, they have also been associated with falling victim to sin - as seen in the case of the fallen angel named Satan.
Throughout history, the meaning that angels represent and their appearance have changed over the years. A tattoo artist may create an angel surrounded by light, shrouded in a white robe, beautiful and alluring, with elaborate wings, or shown as a human. One of the most popular tattoo designs is the guardian angel, which has originated from the Catholic faith.

When looking for an angel tattoo, the meanings and designs are never-ending. In regards to the religious or spiritual sense, angel tattoos may highlight a belief in the Christian, Islamic, or Judaic faith - all of which make reference to angels. Some designs use angels to represent love, as these virtuous creatures are also depicted as the messenger of love. A popular angel used in tattoos is Cupid, who is known to shoot an arrow through the hearts of people, which leads to instantaneous love.

Another popular approach towards using angels in tattoos is to illustrate the struggle between good and evil. Archangels, fallen angels, and the contrast between the angel and Devil are frequently selected subjects for a tattoo design, which often appear on the upper arm, chest, shoulder, stomach, inner wrist, and foot.

Angel wings Tattoo

The art of tattooing has become quite popular nowadays. People get tattoos for several reasons such as self expression, spiritual reasons, or simply for ornamentation. One of the most popular designs with both men and women is the angel wings tattoo designs. The angel tattoo design is said to represent protection, spirituality, peace, and guardianship.
If you are a woman and you wish to have angel wings tattoo designs, it symbolizes your search for purity within your soul. It could also mean that you give utter importance to your self-confidence which you believe plays a big part in terms of beauty and protection.
On the other hand, if you are a man getting this kind of tattoo, it usually symbolizes your fondness for women. It usually expresses your love and respect and your willingness to protect the women in your life. This design is incredibly popular with men who are madly in love.
Instead of getting angels tattooed on their bodies, more and more people are going with the trend of having angel wings tattoo on their backs. The wings that you choose depend on your personality. You can choose the size and style of the wings. You can opt for large wings that span your whole back area or simply small ones that only take up your upper back.

Angels also represent triumph of good over evil, and if you are looking for a tattoo design that will represent your love for good and your willingness to protect and guard, angel wings tattoo designs are definitely right for you.

Fantasy Flash Tattoos For Girls 2011

Fantasy Flash Tattoos For Girls 2011

Different cultures have been practicing Tattooing for many ages already. During those years, it was already popular mainly because of significant cultural traditions. But nowadays, it has become as much as about Fashion purposes as it’s about traditional. Because of this, exciting Designs, Like the Fantasy Flash Tattoos, have become available in wide range.
Fantasy Flash Tattoos For Girls 2011

Fantasy Flash Tattoos theme can be more exciting to use for a tattoo. With fantasy characters, you’re usually thinking about the mermaids, fairies, monsters, animals, and many other mythical creatures. Not exactly simple objects to draw or design, these mythical creatures take effort tattoo.