Chinese Tattoo

The art of tattooing in China actually dates back much farther then its in the West. Until very late in the 20th century and mainly in the early 21st century, tattooing becomes fashion in the West. The art of tattooing has a long history in Asian including China, Japan, and even Thailand. What are ironic about these are Chinese tattoos were mostly used in many of the Asian cultures to mark criminals and other social deviants. However in Asia since tattooing was done in criminals and social deviants most designs were very large and often full body pieces especially in Japan. These often are very expensive designs and time consuming and also led many western tattoo enthusiasts to opt for Chinese tattoos.

Chinese Tattoo

Regardless of the Chinese tattoos have been widely adopted into the western tattoo lexicon, the mystique and foreignness of an Chinese tattoo and the beauty of Chinese and Japanese writing have really sparked a lot of interest among western tattoo enthusiasts. There are many beautiful Chinese designs well to tattooing. Recently there has been a huge rise in these fields of tattooing. With popular TV shows like Miami Heat in LA Inc. being broadcast on national TV, more and more people are getting tattoos. The particular fascination for many is Chinese tattoo symbols and designs. The beautiful script used in Chinese tattoos led itself well to creating mysterious and ancient looking tattoos. It is not easily discernible by the average Westerner. Therefore, when you consider getting a Chinese or Japanese tattoo, you are well advised to check their overall design especially the writing with a native speaker of the language. It is because here are many incidents where a person is purchased a flash tattoo at a tattoo shop thinking that it meant one thing later find out that that's a totally different.

Chinese Tattoo

There are a wide variety of beautiful Chinese tattoo designs throughout Asian cultures. The most common Chinese tattoos are often the representative of important values, such as a simple word that represents themes like love, strength, and power. For those who wish to embellish their tattoo with smaller themes designs they can easily accompany Chinese Japanese writing a script. Men will get Tiger, lion, or dragon to accompany the Chinese tattoo design. On the other hand, women will tend to opt for more delicate designs such as the cherry blossom, yin yang symbol, or a koi fish design. Another common tattoo among western tattoo enthusiasts is to seek a translation of something important in the Chinese. It is very common to get the names of their children translated into Chinese and the tech to them on their shoulders arms or back.

Sun Tattoo

Sun tattoo is very popular and common that it is hard to find a distinctively unique sun design. There are many reasons why so many people choose sun symbol for tattooing. It is various according to the person’s culture, beliefs, and personal preferences.

The most common reason why the sun tattoo is still very popular in the first place is that the sun symbolizes vitality and the cycle of life. The sun shine is shine representing that life is short. Therefore, it is suggested be lived to the fullest. The rising of the sun means a new day is about to begin. The worries of yesterday should be a thing of the past. This then serves as a reminder to enjoy the sun while it is shining.


In the ancient times, a sun tattoo could also have deeper spiritual connotations. A sun tattoo represents divine power and the bearer usually holds a position of authority within their religious circle. The sun would rise again after a night of darkness symbolizes the sun’s ability to give life. This sun tattoo also symbolizes immortality, and reincarnation.

In the Asian culture, there is Yin-Yang philosophy, the good and evil symbolism, and the symbol for balance. There is sun tattoo combined with moon tattoo. This combination is believed to be a union of the male and female power, sexually and spiritually speaking. It also fit for the philosophy of yin-yang.

Sun could also be considered as a symbol of light and goodness. It is pureness of the soul, or at least an attempt to emulate the concept of goodness. Therefore, some people especially the intellectuals or those who fancy themselves as one, the sun tattoo have the meaning of learning and knowledge for an ignorant mind, just as the sun would bring light to darkness.

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Sun Tattoo

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian tattoos and body art have a history of thousands of years and experience a renewed popularity since the 90s, together with other tribal tattoo styles. Aloha!

There’s more to Hawaii than flowers and leis, after all – the Hawaiian islands are part of a larger chain, the Polynesian Islands, which include other island cultures such as the Maori and the Samoan, tribal communities with a rich tattoo tradition.

Tribal Hawaiian arm tattoo
All of these cultures were famous for their tattoo art. Modern tribal tattoos are based on the traditional tattoo art of the Polynesian islands, and Hawaiian arm tattoos represent both the popular culture of Hawaii and the older tribal traditions.

In a sense, it’s natural that Hawaiian tattoos are so popular right now. Other Hawaiian designs and styles – like Hawaiian shirts – have had their day and currently have a strong retro appeal. Hawaiian arm tattoos are also a manifestation of the resurgence of ‘Tiki’ culture, so popular in the 1950s and 60s.

Hawaiian Tribal Tattoos
Tattooing was an important aspect of the Hawaiian culture, just like anywhere on the Polynesian islands. The Hawaiians even have tattoo gods and each time a member of the community gets a tattoo, prayers had to be done in the temple.

Hawaiian tribal tattoo art, known as Kakau, has been practiced for thousands of years and for a variety of purposes:
* Personal identification: unlike other Polynesian tattoo styles, Hawaiian tattoos are used for personal identification (instead of ceremonial purposes).
* Talisman: tattoos were believed to offer protection.
* As a symbol of mourning for a loved one.
* Adornment

Kukui Nuts, Used in Hawaiian Tattoo Ink

The Hawaiian tribal tattoos were mostly black, the tattoo ink was made of a mixture of kukui nuts and sugarcane juice.

Getting a tattoo in a tribal community was not a very pleasant occasion, modern tattoo equipment was not part of tribal life. Instead they used sharp and pointy parts of animals, like bird beaks and claws, that were connected to a branch and hit with a mallet.

The Hawaiian tattoo designs are larger compared to other Polynesian designs, and bolder as well. Typical Hawaiian tattoo designs include:
* Lizards: the Hawaiians had a great respect and fear for lizards.
* Sea turtle tattoos
* Dolphins
* Tropical flowers
* Arrows

Typical spots for tribal Hawaiian tattoos:
* Male: the legs, arms, face and torso
* Female: the hands, wrist and tongue

In the beginning of the 19th century, when European settlers arrived in Hawaii, the art of the Hawaiian tattoo slowly vanished until its renaissance in the 20th century.

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos

Hawaiian Tattoos