Chinese Tattoos

RubyXI

Chinese tattoos? What do you think of them? Do you like them, or are they over-done?

Will

Chinese tattoos as in kanji or as in japanese imagery and style?

if its the kanji you are talking about then I will do my best to quote AmazingEmmet;

'doesn't every kanji tattoo mean retard in english?' not exact quote but yeah you get the idea

Chitterchatter

IMO they are widely overused. However if its what you want then go for it. Your tattoo so you decide.

Edit to add:
They can look really well with a bit of effort, done with a wooden effect as if engraved into a piece of wood, or brush stroked onto the skin, or done as a Japanese piece.... would be a lot more interesting than the usual type you see everywhere.

tman

Got one done when I was a drunk 18 year old and have regretted it ever since... They can look alright, but you might as well spend some time finding something a bit more personal.

RubyXI

Wilburt wrote: »

Chinese tattoos as in kanji or as in japanese imagery and style?

if its the kanji you are talking about then I will do my best to quote AmazingEmmet;

'doesn't every kanji tattoo mean retard in english?' not exact quote but yeah you get the idea

As in chinese text

KhuntChops

I got a chinese symbol on my hip when it was all the rage and after about a month was so bored of it,I got a big tribal design around it and I love it now. I think it really depends on what your going to do with the chinese text. But I voted nay.

Crumble Froo

i would say it;s best to get something that means something to you. chinese symbol thong is waaaay overdone, and most people barely know what they have on them.

!!!

I know three girls between 14 and 17 with chinese symbols.
'Believe', 'Hayley' and 'Cherish' I think.
Also, why get something chinese tattooed on you when you are in no way chinese/interested in the culture/language?

Just my 2 cents.

Aspiration

I'm planning on getting a 4-character Chinese idiom down my side eventually. But my parents are Chinese so that's my justification as to why I'm allowed get it done Unfortunately I can't read Chinese though so i'll have to get my parents or family members to write out the proper characters. But at least I'll know what I'm getting done is the correct meaning to what I want.

We had a girl come into our restaurant with a tattoo asking what it meant. Apparently it said chicken... :eek:

I say go for it if it means something to you and you are 110% sure it means what it's supposed to mean.

CianRyan

Really i have nothing against them, as long as they are done with taste.

But becarefull, some artist, might rip the p!ss out of you and draw something else.
As im sure some one else has already pointed out.

CianRyan

Chitterchatter wrote: »

IMO they are widely overused. However if its what you want then go for it. Your tattoo so you decide.

Edit to add:
They can look really well with a bit of effort, done with a wooden effect as if engraved into a piece of wood, or brush stroked onto the skin, or done as a Japanese piece.... would be a lot more interesting than the usual type you see everywhere.

I'm really liking the idea of that, not really the kanji side of it, but like, getting a piece done compleatly in brown, having it looked lke its engraved in wood.

Thanks for that idea, imma work with this.

Crumble Froo

Aspiration wrote: »

I'm planning on getting a 4-character Chinese idiom down my side eventually. But my parents are Chinese so that's my justification as to why I'm allowed get it done Unfortunately I can't read Chinese though so i'll have to get my parents or family members to write out the proper characters. But at least I'll know what I'm getting done is the correct meaning to what I want.

We had a girl come into our restaurant with a tattoo asking what it meant. Apparently it said chicken... :eek:

I say go for it if it means something to you and you are 110% sure it means what it's supposed to mean.

yeah, that's pretty fair. i've a white friend getting a chinese symbol on herself soon, but it's her son's name and her son's half chinese, so i figure that one's allowed too.

The Artist

nothing wrong with chinese tattoos as they have a meaning to the person who has one on themselves.

Aspiration

It's not very popular or liked any more as people did the dog on it in recent years. The novelty of the "trend" is gone and now people are left with common tattoos. In saying that, I still want one as it'll mean something to me - something people should keep in mind about anyways before getting a tattoo in the first place.

As I said, as long you're 100% certain that what you're getting inked is exactly what you want then go for it. People may not like it, but you shouldn't be getting a tattoo for other people anyway.

Cherryvega

Aspiration wrote: »

As I said, as long you're 100% certain that what you're getting inked is exactly what you want then go for it. People may not like it, but you shouldn't be getting a tattoo for other people anyway.

+1!

ChewChew

I got myself a chinese symbol between my shoulder blades 9 years ago and totally love it. I dont care how 'popular' they are.
Who are all you to give a fcuk if you dont have one?? seriously like!!! it's not inked on you so dont be polling or commenting when you ain't got one :mad:

Crumble Froo

hey, the question was asked, and the question was answered. i don't think anyone here has an actual problem with chinese tattoos at all, just an opinion. it is absolutely nothing personal, and there's no need to get angry. you should see how people feel about star tattoos, basically the same, i have one, and i don't care what other people think about it either, it has it's own little meaning to me, so that's all that matters. no point getting wound up

Cherryvega

Crumble Froo wrote: »

hey, the question was asked, and the question was answered. i don't think anyone here has an actual problem with chinese tattoos at all, just an opinion. it is absolutely nothing personal, and there's no need to get angry. you should see how people feel about star tattoos, basically the same, i have one, and i don't care what other people think about it either, it has it's own little meaning to me, so that's all that matters. no point getting wound up

+1

It's one of those things people are always differ in opinion on. Why bother let it get to ya?

The Artist

ChewChew wrote: »

I got myself a chinese symbol between my shoulder blades 9 years ago and totally love it. I dont care how 'popular' they are.
Who are all you to give a fcuk if you dont have one?? seriously like!!! it's not inked on you so dont be polling or commenting when you ain't got one :mad:

+1

Star Lord

Cherryvega wrote: »

+1

It's one of those things people are always differ in opinion on. Why bother let it get to ya?

This.

Reku

ChewChew wrote: »

I got myself a chinese symbol between my shoulder blades 9 years ago and totally love it. I dont care how 'popular' they are.
Who are all you to give a fcuk if you dont have one?? seriously like!!! it's not inked on you so dont be polling or commenting when you ain't got one :mad:

As said in the thread regarding tattoos in pubs n AH people will judge you for them, you can't stop it. You didn't think that those who have body art are somehow immune to making that snap judgement of others did you? I'm sorry to disappoint but we're human, just like all the others. When others see your tattoo they'll just think you're some scumbag with a tattoo, when those who are into body art see them they could reasonably assume (because there are so many who do this) you're just another fool who went in an picked it out of some book, no clue what it means, just got it because it looked cool/they thought it'd somehow make them cool. We all make judgements on first impressions so you can either let it get to you and lock yourself away in a tower or accept it and just know that you know the real reason you have that tattoo. If you really got it for yourself it shouldn't matter what others think of it, don't seek validation through your tattoos or you'll never be happy as there'll always be someone there to take issue with them.

FuzzyWuzzyWazza

ChewChew wrote: »

dont be polling or commenting when you ain't got one :mad:

So we are not ment to have oppinions on tatoo's unless we actually have that tatoo on us!! cop on would ya.

Mate of mine has his nephews name tatoo'd on his arm in chinese, he is Irish and his nephew is Irish/Columbian and born in France, so a fair oul whack away from Chinese.
It's his first and so far only tatoo and I think he got it for all the wrong reasons, just seemed to want something tatoo'd on himself, didn't seem to care what and just went for the chinese as it is 'cool'

Star Lord

farohar wrote: »

As said in the thread regarding tattoos in pubs n AH people will judge you for them, you can't stop it. You didn't think that those who have body art are somehow immune to making that snap judgement of others did you? I'm sorry to disappoint but we're human, just like all the others. When others see your tattoo they'll just think you're some scumbag with a tattoo, when those who are into body art see them they could reasonably assume (because there are so many who do this) you're just another fool who went in an picked it out of some book, no clue what it means, just got it because it looked cool/they thought it'd somehow make them cool. We all make judgements on first impressions so you can either let it get to you and lock yourself away in a tower or accept it and just know that you know the real reason you have that tattoo. If you really got it for yourself it shouldn't matter what others think of it, don't seek validation through your tattoos or you'll never be happy as there'll always be someone there to take issue with them.

^
This ++++++++
Very well put Farohar

Country-Bumpkin

I got a chinese symbol 7 years ago as my first tatt. I thought it was cool at the time (I was 17) now I think it's the most horrendous thing ever. Made worse by the fact that its completely meaningless according to a chinese girl in my college!!

Am now in the process of trying to work on a cover up, this one I will be putting a lot of thought into though!!

T-K-O

!!! wrote: »

I know three girls between 14 and 17 with chinese symbols.
'Believe', 'Hayley' and 'Cherish' I think.
Also, why get something chinese tattooed on you when you are in no way chinese/interested in the culture/language?

Just my 2 cents.

Getting something like believe is a great idea for a tatt IF is means something to you - and as for getting it in a different language maybe the person just wants it for themselves.

For me getting a tatt drunk of for the wrong reasons - well thats just your problem a tattoo require lots of thought.

DinoBot

I like 'em

But I love Chinese culture and literature. Me and my wife got tattooed with some Chinese characters, but not picked from the wall in a tattoo parlor :rolleyes:

I've read loads of translations of the Tao-de-ching and we picked a chapter which meant something to us and got that done. But fcuk it I say, one mans art is another mans mistake :P

Captain Ginger

Sure,.if.you're.Chinese.

T-K-O

Captain Ginger wrote: »

Sure,.if.you're.Chinese.

What tatts have you got ? There is no problem having a chinese tatt. It's much better than a tiger :rolleyes: or some other crap.

DinoBot

T-K-O wrote: »

What tatts have you got ? There is no problem having a chinese tatt. It's much better than a tiger :rolleyes: or some other crap.

.....Sure,.if.you're.a.Tiger. :P:P:P

T-K-O

DinoBot wrote: »

.....Sure,.if.you're.a.Tiger. :P:P:P

So you have a tat of yourself....:rolleyes:

RubyXI

感
受
音
乐
The symbols i was considering but probably in a more calligraphy font. As far as i know it translates as feel music. Iv used a few online translators. But you can never be sure what it means. Theres another tattoo i'm considering getting instead. Not completely decided yet, but getting there!

Will

*raises eyebrow*

T-K-O

phi3 wrote: »

感
受
音
乐
The symbols i was considering but probably in a more calligraphy font. As far as i know it translates as feel music. Iv used a few online translators. But you can never be sure what it means. Theres another tattoo i'm considering getting instead. Not completely decided yet, but getting there!

Perform a google search for calligraphy translator you could copy and paste that in and change the font.

Star Lord

Country-Bumpkin wrote: »

I got a chinese symbol 7 years ago as my first tatt. I thought it was cool at the time (I was 17) now I think it's the most horrendous thing ever. Made worse by the fact that its completely meaningless according to a chinese girl in my college!!

Am now in the process of trying to work on a cover up, this one I will be putting a lot of thought into though!!

It may not be as meaningless as you think, as it may simply not be Chinese, or may be a different Chinese language from the one your Chinese acquaintance knows. It may mean something in Mandarin, but nothing in Cantonese. Or if it is Japanese, or Thai... etc...

Captain Ginger

T-K-O wrote: »

What tatts have you got ? There is no problem having a chinese tatt. It's much better than a tiger :rolleyes: or some other crap.

Don't get me wrong, just because that's what I think doesn't mean it's law, I'm just answering a question with what I think.

I'm pretty sure most Chinese font tattoos are wrong and it seems to be a phase.

I can't talk, hell one of my tattoos in a girl done in Japanese animation, and trust me, loads of people give me crap over it, but at the end of the day I didn't get it for them, I got it for myself, and as long as I'm happy with it then I don't really care what they think so if someone wants to get Chinese letters on them, sure I may think it's tacky but if they like it then that's the main thing.

T-K-O

Captain Ginger wrote: »

Don't get me wrong, just because that's what I think doesn't mean it's law, I'm just answering a question with what I think.

I'm pretty sure most Chinese font tattoos are wrong and it seems to be a phase.

I can't talk, hell one of my tattoos in a girl done in Japanese animation, and trust me, loads of people give me crap over it, but at the end of the day I didn't get it for them, I got it for myself, and as long as I'm happy with it then I don't really care what they think so if someone wants to get Chinese letters on them, sure I may think it's tacky but if they like it then that's the main thing.

Exactly how I feel if you get a tatt for the right reasons you will never regret it.

But I fail to see how chinese writing is tacky but an animation is not...

Captain Ginger

T-K-O wrote: »

Exactly how I feel if you get a tatt for the right reasons you will never regret it.

But I fail to see how chinese writing is tacky but an animation is not...

I never said animation wasn't, I'm sure loads of people feel animation is tacky, but I don't really care because as I said I got it for myself.

Einstein

i actually voted yay by mistake, so just wanna take that back
I wonder people in China walk around with "pride" or "Friendship" tattooed in English...

Will

I'd say they walk around with 'kaghjkjsdhg' and think it means 'pride'

RubyXI

Einstein wrote: »

i actually voted yay by mistake, so just wanna take that back
I wonder people in China walk around with "pride" or "Friendship" tattooed in English...

I think the advantage of chinese tats is that you may want a particular word or saying but you may not want a text tattoo. Or if you didnt want everyone else to understand it, if it was personal to you. Chinese symbols dont look like text to those of us that dont speak the language but yet they do mean something, once you get them right.

T-K-O

Wilburt wrote: »

I'd say they walk around with 'kaghjkjsdhg' and think it means 'pride'

Anyone who gets a tatt without the proper research is an idiot.

T-K-O

Einstein wrote: »

i actually voted yay by mistake, so just wanna take that back
I wonder people in China walk around with "pride" or "Friendship" tattooed in English...

No they do what they are told to do

Reku

For those who don't want others to be able to read the text of what you've gotten done would it not be easier to get them somewhere where people won't readily see them, as in somewhere where they will be covered by clothing. Or are you too concerned with "but then people won't see my tat, they won't think I'm cool"?

Toots

I think some Chinese tattoos are nice, but it depends on what. I have a little symbol on my ankle, but I know exactly what it means! My sister was taking a class in Chinese at the time, so she brought the design in to her teacher to double check before I had it permanently etched into my skin!

On the other hand I have a friend who got one while on her '6th year holiday' in ibiza a few years ago, which she just picked off the flash in the tattoo parlour. She has no idea what it means, and neither did the guy who tattooed it on her! It doesn't really matter to her, she still loves it and at the end of the day that's what really matters. The only thing is I reckon she'd be a little upset if she were to find out it meant 'slut' or something like that....

RubyXI

farohar wrote: »

For those who don't want others to be able to read the text of what you've gotten done would it not be easier to get them somewhere where people won't readily see them, as in somewhere where they will be covered by clothing. Or are you too concerned with "but then people won't see my tat, they won't think I'm cool"?

No-one should get a tattoo just to be cool. They may not like the look of a english text tattoo. Or any other language with our alphabet. The may have a particular place whey want to get it. You should get a tattoo where you want it. That may or may not be a hdden area.

Reku

phi3 wrote: »

They may not like the look of a english text tattoo. Or any other language with our alphabet.

But if they do like the look of the tattoo in a language they are not fluent enough in to be 100% certain that it has the correct meaning then I would say it was never really about the meaning in the first place, just "don't those Kanji look cool", they could attach the same meaning to any selection of Kanji/pseudokanji and they wouldn't know any better.

phi3 wrote: »

The may have a particular place whey want to get it. You should get a tattoo where you want it. That may or may not be a hdden area.

But at the same time you should hold no dillusions that no-one will be able to read it regardless of what script you have it in, so that's a rather pointless arguement in favour of the use of Kanji. More and more Asians are coming over here, some are even dating Irish people and so Irish people are learning the language, other Irish learn it just out of a cultural interest/infatuation with Animé, as such the odds that people won't know the meaning of any kanji tattoo are steadily decreasing.

RubyXI

farohar wrote: »

But if they do like the look of the tattoo in a language they are not fluent enough in to be 100% certain that it has the correct meaning then I would say it was never really about the meaning in the first place, just "don't those Kanji look cool", they could attach the same meaning to any selection of Kanji/pseudokanji and they wouldn't know any better.


But at the same time you should hold no dillusions that no-one will be able to read it regardless of what script you have it in, so that's a rather pointless arguement in favour of the use of Kanji. More and more Asians are coming over here, some are even dating Irish people and so Irish people are learning the language, other Irish learn it just out of a cultural interest/infatuation with Animé, as such the odds that people won't know the meaning of any kanji tattoo are steadily decreasing.

Ya i totally agree about the danger of not knowing what it means. That would definately put me off it. I do sort of like the idea of getting something in a different language but i think id rather one that actually meant something to me.

Will

I think (probably wrong) people are just concerned with the aestehetic appeal and perceived cultured aura of a kanji/chinese tattoo. 'I have foreign script on me, amn't I cultured and awesome. I am a deep thinker because it says so on my neck/forearm etc.'

It is a fad and like all fads they will pass. I realise I've probably p!ssed off most people here with Kanji/chinese tattoo's and I do apolagise. My comment is a sweeping statement and mightn't apply to you. However, some food for thought.

Think about it? Why get a kanji tattoo? The only reason why I would get one would be if I had some asian blood in me, understood the language or was so hugely into asian culture that I would not be complete without it on my person. There seems to be many here who just like them for what they are, which is cool. No problems, but let's face it it's just ornamental text/characters.

Reminds me of the american girl on modblog who got "drug'ail saor" on her back. She is straight-edge (doesnt drink, do drugs etc. ) and she 'did some research' and came up with that. It is a poor poor translation, and actually means (when tidied up) 'free drugs'. That is my argument for getting something in a language you don't understand. You leave yourself open for so many errors.

I would be more inclined to get a tattoo in Irish than one in Kanji, as I am Irish and speak the language fluently. I wouldn't get one word either like 'saor' or 'íontach'. Just boggles my mind.

If you disagree please go ahead and post here, just cos I'm a moderator doesn't mean you can't disagree with me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you think I'm wrong go for it and we will battle it out... politely of course.

RubyXI

Wilburt wrote: »

I think (probably wrong) people are just concerned with the aestehetic appeal and perceived cultured aura of a kanji/chinese tattoo. 'I have foreign script on me, amn't I cultured and awesome. I am a deep thinker because it says so on my neck/forearm etc.'

It is a fad and like all fads they will pass. I realise I've probably p!ssed off most people here with Kanji/chinese tattoo's and I do apolagise. My comment is a sweeping statement and mightn't apply to you. However, some food for thought.

Think about it? Why get a kanji tattoo? The only reason why I would get one would be if I had some asian blood in me, understood the language or was so hugely into asian culture that I would not be complete without it on my person. There seems to be many here who just like them for what they are, which is cool. No problems, but let's face it it's just ornamental text/characters.

Reminds me of the american girl on modblog who got "drug'ail saor" on her back. She is straight-edge (doesnt drink, do drugs etc. ) and she 'did some research' and came up with that. It is a poor poor translation, and actually means (when tidied up) 'free drugs'. That is my argument for getting something in a language you don't understand. You leave yourself open for so many errors.

I would be more inclined to get a tattoo in Irish than one in Kanji, as I am Irish and speak the language fluently. I wouldn't get one word either like 'saor' or 'íontach'. Just boggles my mind.

If you disagree please go ahead and post here, just cos I'm a moderator doesn't mean you can't disagree with me. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and if you think I'm wrong go for it and we will battle it out... politely of course.

Irish was what i had in mind too. Or ogham

Star Lord

phi3 wrote: »

No-one should get a tattoo just to be cool.

Yet people do, time and time again, because tattoos are percieved to be 'cool', some people want one just for that reason, and don't put thought into it.

phi3 wrote: »

Or ogham

Can you speak it fluently? :pac:

RubyXI

DamoElDiablo wrote: »

Yet people do, time and time again, because tattoos are percieved to be 'cool', some people want one just for that reason, and don't put thought into it.


Can you speak it fluently? :pac:

Yep people do thats why i said no-one should.
Ogham is a alphabet not a language isnt it? I dont write it fluently I dont think id get it anyway.
I just keep looking into different tat ideas but i always come back to the same one. Still i'll keep looking for a while and if i still keep coming back to the same one i'll get that.