rurounihime: (loki)
rurounihime ([personal profile] rurounihime) wrote2016-09-04 08:33 pm
Entry tags:

Questions about tattoo symbology

Hi, all my folks who have some experience with symbology or tattoos (or both)...

My sister and I are looking to get matching sister tattoos. We are representing both sides of our family: English-Irish and Norwegian. The tattoo design we have in mind at this point incorporates the Viking Vegvisir compass and an Irish sister knot. I just want to check in with people if they know if this is a legit sister symbol in Celtic knotwork. The most prominent ones I have found are this one or variations on the theme.

Another option I like is this one, but I'm leaning toward the three-pronged knot just because I've always liked sharp, defined edges.

Thoughts? Tips?

[identity profile] aubergineautumn.livejournal.com 2016-09-05 05:21 am (UTC)(link)
I didn't like the one on the arm, it just looked poorly drawn. The neck tattoo, however, was very symmetrical and beautiful. I liked the contrast between the black ink and the red ink, the closed flower petals (knot/vow/honor) and the open anther/stigma (concoctions of an open flower, which is feminine and sisterly). Also the placement is a prominent, like a picture frame.

It is very hard to do good arm artwork, because the view shifts with the rotation of the arm (best kinds are usually at lease wrist to forearm, for a larger canvas, and involve the natural skin color as part of tattoo itself; freestyle is best, in my opinion). Whereas- the back of the neck- that is a very stationary canvas, and so the view always looks exactly as the artistic intended.

I think your idea to get sister tattoos is fabulous! Just make sure the artwork is equally as fab.

[identity profile] aubergineautumn.livejournal.com 2016-09-05 05:38 am (UTC)(link)
I like the first neck one best;

here is another, around the wrist, perhaps, with two flowers if there are only two siblings,or leave space for other family members, name on the handle of the sppon ?: http://caoimhe-aisling.deviantart.com/art/Celtic-Sister-Roses-79229605

Here are wings: http://msrain.deviantart.com/art/Celtic-Wings-tattoo-design-98928412

Here is something that could be modified; I liked the wrist design, the drop down circle could be replaced w/ a knot; or have two drop downs, one for each sister:http://wingsfire.deviantart.com/art/Tattoo-Design-02-17682626

This a knot; it would be cool if had 2 knots intertwined: http://msrain.deviantart.com/art/Celtic-Maze-10481824

Sometimes, I like to just go for simplicity. What is you had two female signs intertwined 3D style? http://depositphotos.com/8983174/stock-photo-male-and-female-signs.html with the words your name + hers, sisters forever entwined, through our family line

[identity profile] rurounihime.livejournal.com 2016-09-11 10:09 pm (UTC)(link)
Thank you for all your tips! I am most concerned about making sure that the symbol I'm putting on my body is in fact a symbol for sisterhood and not some random design meaning acorns or something. ^_^ We definitely want to incorporate my mother's Irish-English heritage and my father's Norwegian heritage. Sis wants the Vegvisir. The idea is to hollow out the middle circle and put the Irish sister knot (my contribution) inside it.

[identity profile] rurounihime.livejournal.com 2016-09-11 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
The plan is for the tattoo to go in the center of our upper backs, between our shoulders just like the one you liked. Though it has to go on hold for a bit because I just paid $500 to fix something in my car. Oh well. Gives me time to really dig in and get the design I want.