Chinese Symbol Tattoos

Chinese symbol tattoos are a new twist on a tradition that dates back to 3000 B.C. and beyond. Kanji, the symbols used in both China and Japan in place of phonetic language, has become the most popular type of tattoo in the world today.

Chinese sleeve with Koi fish, ocean water and blossoms

There are a lot of reasons why Chinese symbol tattoos have become so popular in the United States and Europe over past several years.

1. With one small character, a great deal can be said - making a small understated tattoo a possibility for those who would like for their ink to be intimate and personal.
2. The use of a symbolic language makes the meaning unique, original and adds and air of mystery.
3. The fashions, languages and various cultures from the East have proven to be more than a passing fad and offer an elegance that plain language cannot.
4. Small kanji tattoos are acceptable in even the most conservative communities.
5. Chinese and Japanese symbol tattoos both relate to a level of spirituality and tranquility not generally associated with the philosophies of the West.

There are a lot of other subject matters that are part of the Chinese symbology. These are traditional animals and other items known to represent specific things in the culture from which they come.

Often times, symbols will be mixed - for example, a Koi fish with a tiger’s head will symbolize someone who is generally at peace but who knows his or her strengths and will fearlessly protect themselves and their families at any cost. A person can choose whichever mixtures they want – as long as the artist can successfully pull it off in the ink, you can have a very unique symbol of your personality and what you stand for.

There are many places where you can go and get kanji, zodiac symbols, animals and even full sleeves of both Chinese and Japanese artwork. That being said, there are many precautions that should be taken when delving into this sort of cultural tattoo.

• Have a plan and several sketches or pictures from the Internet or from books as well as notes for your artist so that you get exactly what you want.
• Talk to people within the “tattoo scene” wherever you are – you want your artist to be extremely well-versed in the arts of the Orient, not just in tattoo work.
• Talk to others who have had Chinese and/or Japanese ink done by the artist you are thinking of using. Make sure that everyone has been satisfied with the work as well as the aftercare.

• Go to an artist that “specializes” in Oriental artwork while also claiming to “specialize” in a great number of other genres – those who do Japanese or Chinese tattooing will have gained a reputation for their work that precedes them and they will do little or no other work.
• Go and get your Chinese symbol tattoo on a whim; these symbols, especially kanji, are easily confused and are often inked improperly. It is simply not worth the chance to go in and get a tattoo that you could end up having to laser or alter later on.
• Get a design from a wall or flash. Use what you can find in these places, reference it with info from tattoo artists and information you find in tattoo magazines, the Internet and other resources to ensure that what you are getting is exactly what you want.

• Free Chinese Zodiac Tattoos
• Day of the Dead Tattoo Ideas
• Cartilage Piercing Gallery
• How Many Tattoos Are Too Many?
• Celebrity Tattoo Quiz

• Wrist Tattoos
• Design Your Own Tattoos
• Star Tattoos
• Angel Wing Tattoos
• Celebrity Tattoo Pictures

• Chinese Calligraphy
• Japanese Dragon Tattoos
• Yin Yang Tattoos
• Chinese Symbols
• Chinese Tattoos