Tale of the Tat

I recently decided to follow through with a tattoo idea that I’ve been toying with since high school. The theme of the piece below is reciprocation and balance, which is illustrated throughout the design in a way that uses representative symbols unique to me.

Family Tree

The tree symbolizes the roots of who I am and what i’ve grown into. There are eight branches interwoven and spreading in different directions, one for each member of my immediate family. Both of my parents remarried at a young age which resulted in a mix of step parents, and siblings. None the less, these are the familial pieces that have grown with me but also in their own directions as life goes on. As the tree grows there are leaves that die, branches that may break, animals will come and go but the tree still continues to grow.

The tree in the design is called a Mimosa tree, which is a subtle recognition to my mother who has created somewhat of an identity around the classic brunch beverage – mimosas. Not in a crazy-party way however, it came about because she pronounced the drink “me-mosa” and her friends wouldn’t let her live it down. Its become the go-to move to get her mimosa inspired gifts for her birthday and Christmas. We always have champagne and OJ at any of our family get-togethers and I love a good mimosa at brunch on a Sunday morning. It’s safe to say that mimosas have claimed quite the multi-layered appreciation in my life.

Lone Wolf

A wolf symbolizes the ability to be strong independently but also have the ability to travel in a pack. In the design the wolf is located close to the Mimosa tree to show his loyalty to his family(pack). Behind him are palm trees which signify me currently living in the City of Palms and going from a cold climate in Wisconsin to a tropical climate here in Florida. We always had badass wolf pictures and decorations at our house growing up because my dad admires wolves for their strength and fearlessness. This wolf is an ode to my father as he always instilled good values in me, pushed me to be the best I could be, have a strong work ethic and never quit on myself.

Yin and Yang

“Yin-Yang is described as the actual process of the universe and all that is in it. It is the belief in a cyclical theory of becoming and dissolution. Composed of competing and complementary forces of dark and light, sun and moon, male and female, heat and cold, optimism and realism”

The wolf howls at the moon with the Yin illustrated on it, which signifies my zodiac sign: Capricorn; which encompasses cold, dark and earth. The Yang in the moon symbolizes the opposite which is, heat, sun and light, the balance necessary in life. The Yang in my life is represented in multiple ways but possibly the strongest is in my relationship, as my significant other is a Leo zodiac sign and enhances the necessary balance in my life.

Tiki Head

The tiki head stands next to the Mimosa tree and symbolizes protection. Island tribes would often put up tiki heads outside their villages to keep out unwanted visitors. This translates to my life because I will will always do everything in my power to protect my family and the ones I hold closest. Another occurrence of balance appears here. The tiki head has a wedge of cheese on top of his head, this combines a traditionally tropical artifact with a Midwestern accessory to demonstrate the pride of my hometown roots in Wisconsin mixed with the appreciation of the tropical environment where I currently reside. For anyone wondering what in the hell a cheese head is, I explain the significance of a cheesehead here.

Fire Dancer

The fire dancer that is the located in front of the tree is the center piece of the design. This is yet again a symbol of balance, quite literally by the silhouette balancing on one foot but it goes deeper than that. The fire dancer is an ode to Dave Matthews Band a group that has consistently been present in my life since early high school. As the leaves fall off the tree, representing parts of my life that I have outgrown or have died off, they burn away. The figure that is dancing has found balance within, even in the midst of the blaze it is engulfed in. This shows that no matter how chaotic life can become we can find peace within ourselves and “dance” through the chaos we ensue.