FUTURE PROJECTS
Thanks for taking the time to read this,
The following guidelines are meant to give you an idea of what I enjoy tattooing, with a brief explanation of the themes and subjects that I wish to explore in my next round of consultations. I am more than happy to hear your ideas, but projects in the following styles, with the relative subjects will get priority.
I am hoping that this is helpful for those wanting to choose lesser known subjects. I think that tattoos are mainly aesthetic, and my main concern is for the tattoo to look good, but out of personal experience I know that having an image on your body that speaks to you carries greater power.
I am mainly interested in large pieces. I think that tattoos should flow and interact with the customers unique body, as well as emphasize certain shapes and change others. To do so, the minimal size required is usually at least a 3/4 sleeve. Every piece is custom drawn.
In the past few years I have been focusing on what in tattooing is known as Tibetan style. Subjects in this style come from Buddhist iconography, but almost all subjects from Japanese, Hindu and South-East Asian culture can be approached in this style. Apart from the subjects, my approach to Tibetan style is mainly characterized by:
bold, simple backgrounds with a lot of black.
use of the 4 elements as backgrounds (air, fire ,water, earth) and bars to create flow and play with the body shape.
high contrast between subject and background in order to make things clear, readable and timeless
simplicity
respect to tradition
By no means do you need to be a buddhist to get such imagery tattooed on your body as much as you don't need to be a sailor to get a tattoo of an anchor. As long as the images are rightfully represented in proportions and symbology, their intrinsic meaning can speak to people from many different walks of life.
(Please note that the following is a very synthesized breakdown of Tibetan motifs and symbology and every aspect that you are interested in can be further researched. All the images below are taken from “The encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and Motifs” and they are used for explanatory purpose only.)
Listed below are some of the backgrounds, themes and subjects that I would love to approach in the next round of consultations:
Backgrounds (can also be main subject)
Waves, bars, fire, clouds can be very nice ornamental elements that can really work with your body shape and create interesting and elegant tension and flow.
Ornamental and Floral. Peonies, Chrysanthemums, Cherry blossoms, Lotuses with their relative leaves are mainly the flowers that I would like to approach, but I would definitely consider other kinds.
The following subjects can be used as a main focus or as complementing elements in the tattoo
The Eight Auspicious Symbols
These are offerings and symbols of good fortune
The Lotus - represent the primordial purity of body, speech and mind
The Endless Knot - symbol of the ultimate unity of everything
The Golden Fishes - represent fertility and abundance
The Parasol - represents the protection from harmful forces and illness
The Victory Banner - represents victory over pride, desire, disturbing emotions, and the fear of death
The Treasure Vase - represents health, longevity, wealth, prosperity, wisdom and the phenomenon of space
The White Conch Shell - represents the sound of the ‘dharma” (universal law and order)
The Wheel - known as the wheel of law, it represents the power of holding, maintaining and keeping
The Eight Auspicious Substances
These are more offerings with great auspicious significance
The Mirror - symbol of pure consciousness
The Medicine - symbol of healing and protection against poisoning
The Curds - offering
Durva Grass - symbol of purification, intellect
The Bilva Fruit - offering, most sacred fruit
The White Conch Shell - represents the sound of the ‘dharma” (universal law and order)
The Vermillion Powder - symbol of power of love and desire
The White Mustard Seed - magical ingredient used in ritual weapons
Tibetan Gods - The Protectors (Eight Dharmapāla)
They are supernatural beings who wage war without any mercy against demons and enemies
Yama - the god of death
Mahakala - the Great Black One, destructor of the universe
Yamantaka - the conqueror of death
Vaiśravaṇa or Kubera - the god of wealth
Hayagriva - triumph of knowledge over dark forces
Palden Lhamo - female protectress
Begtse - war god
White Brahma - as the creator god, Brahma represents our conscious thoughts.
Deities are usually depicted holding weapons, offerings or showing ritual hand gestures (mudra). These elements can be used as an ornament to a main image or they can become a main image themselves since each and every one of these elements carry a deep meaning and are full of beautiful details that are easily and effectively translatable into a tattoo.
The Wheel of Sharp Weapons
A poetic presentation, the "wheel of sharp weapons" can be visualized as something we throw out or propel, which then comes back to cut us. This is the source of all our pain and suffering.
Our own selfishness leads us to harm others, which in turn creates the negative karma or potential for future suffering.
The Vajra - masculine principle of method and skillful means. Holy weapon carried by wrathful deities, symbol of the impenetrable and indestructible state of enlightenment. Controls the forces of thunder and lightning
The Crossed Vajra - symbol of absolute stability
The Bell - ritual hand-bell representing the feminine principle of perfection of wisdom. When paired with the vajra symbolizes the perfection and the inseparable union of method and wisdom
The Ritual Dagger (Phurba) - symbol of destruction of foes and demonic obstructions, cuts through ignorance, desire and hatred
The Ritual Staff (Sceptre) - stick, sometimes made of human bones, with two impaled, severed heads in different stages of decay and a skull. Principal tool for comprehending the elements that constitute the path to an enlightened state, usually held by deities
The Curved Knife - symbol of wisdom
The Skull/Cup - symbol of method, when paired with the curved knife they symbolize the inseparable union of wisdom and skilful means
The Sword - represents the victory of enlightenment over ignorance
The Trident - held by protective deities, is seen in Buddhist art as a representation of teachings on ethics, meditation and wisdom
Other weapons, all hand held by deities and with similar meaning are:
The Spear, Lance, Javelin, Harpoon Pike, Club, The Noose or Lasso, The Iron Chain, The Discus, The Axe, The Elephant Goad
Peaceful offerings
Symbolic offerings, giving rise to contemplative gratitude and inspiration. Within the traditional Buddhist framework of karma and rebirth, offerings lead to the accumulation of merit, which leads to a better rebirth in the cycle of birth and death.
Three Jewels, Offering Bowls, Vase Offerings, Stones, Rosaries, Beads, Plants and Hand Held Insignia
Wrathful offerings
Offerings presented to wrathful deities are given to please the deity and represent the sacrifice made by the practitioner to gain allegiance of the deity. These offerings are purely symbolic.
Dismembered Body Parts, Hearts, Lungs, Intestines, Skull, Hair, Limbs, Animals Skins, Garlands of Severed Heads, Bone Ornaments and Skull Crowns
Hand Gestures - MUDRAS
“A mudra is a symbolic, ritual gesture, carrying metaphysical meaning. Known to influence the flow of energy, they are mainly used in meditation.”
Hands can be holding sacred objects such as the Vajra (Holy Weapon), Sacred Bell, Lotus, Bow and Arrow, Conch etc.
Right hand - compassion (masculine)
Left hand - wisdom (feminine)
Animals:
There is an enormous variety of mythical, magical and hybrid animals in Tibetan folklore. They can be depicted by themselves and carry their own intrinsic symbolism. They can also be vehicles of wrathful deities or complement more positive characters. They are also used as offerings and sacrificed during rituals, respect for slaughtered animals was of the highest orders. Skulls would be inscribed with mantras as an act of prayer for the auspicious rebirth of the slain.
The Wind Horse - symbol of personal power and health
Tibetan Thunder Dragon - ‘shape shifter”, symbol of male “yang”, energy, change, creativity
Garuda - enemy of snakes and nagas, removes obstacles and illness
Tiger - symbol of strength and fearlessness , male energy
Snow Lion - sacred and solar symbol of love, compassion, equanimity and sympathetic joy
Kirtimukha - swallowing fierce monster face with huge fangs, and gaping mouth, ornamental motif representing the “all consuming"
Makara - (chimera-mix of crocodile, elephant, boar, peacock and fish), symbol of power, love and desire
Naga (snake) - guardians of treasures and teachings symbol of generosity and fertility
Leopard - messenger of wrathful deities , female energy
Cow - reborn human being
Sharabha - hybrid creature, goat/lion/horse, symbol of strength, determination and speed
White Elephant - often vehicle of deities, one of the four limbs of the Indian military, unstoppable remover of obstacles
Deer - magical creature visible only to the pure in heart, usually depicted in couples indicating harmony, happiness longevity and fidelity
Birds - there are many kind of bird with different meanings, some of them are:
Couple of Parrots - love, affection, fidelity
Vulture - usually depicted consuming corpses, they take part in “Sky burials”, they transport the soul into the sky where it gets a chance of reincarnation
Phoenix - androgynous bird, symbol of auspiciousness, longevity, resurrection,
