Does Getting A Tattoo Hurts

Does Getting a Tattoo Hurt?
Yes. It hurts. A tattoo is a process involving a needle (or in most cases, a grouping of needles) uncturing your skin. Your skin is laced with a network of nerves that will be traumatized by the perforations involved. On the other hand it is not that bad. Many people have said it feels like a bee sting. This is inaccurate. Bees leave a toxin in your skin that makes for intense discomfort for a good 15 minutes. A tattoo does not do this. A tattoo is most accurately described sensationally as “someone scratching a sunburn”. A sort of irritating pain.

pictures of tattoo

There are many factors that contribute to the amount of pain involved in a tattoo. The two primary catalysts are the artist performing the tattoo and the area of the body one is getting attooed on. Certain artists are considered “soft” while others are named “heavy handed”. This is a reference to the combination of the speed of the tattooists’ machine, the depth of the “needle hang”, and the willingness of the artist to hit and re-hit an area of flesh. A person looking for an artist should not necessarily look for the softest artist around necessarily. Many times these tattooists run too soft and do not give very permanent tattoos.

pictures of tattoo

The most sensitive areas of the body to be tattooed are the areas with the most nerve endings. Ignore the comments made by peers about bony areas being the worst or that fatty areas are the best. This has nothing to do with it. The most sensitive areas are the abdomen, neck, groin and the outside of joints (the “tendon areas”). The least sensitive areas of the body are the outer extremities. The outside of the arms and legs are designed to bump, abrade, scratch, and defend. These are the least sensitive areas of the bodies to be tattooed.

The worst places to be tattooed are the: genitalia, throat, stomach, ribs, neck and sternum.

pictures of tattoo

pictures of tattoo

pictures of tattoo

Lion Tattoos

Because of their size, a lion represents a certain amount of strength and power. As a result, a lion tattoo is often popular to those who wish to carry that same symbol with them every day. Perhaps it's a sign of physical strength, which is the case with a lion, or maybe a lion tattoo would represent an inner strength that reminds the wearer to stay strong in everyday life.

For some, a lion tattoo is a symbol of power. For others, it may represent their zodiac sign deriving from their birthday. In addition, a lion tattoo may be nothing more than a symbol of the beauty of a favorite animal. There are many different reasons why an individual may choose a lion tattoo and, as is the case with any other, the best way to select a design is to make sure it is something that means a lot to you.

Perhaps it's a memory of a safari or a once-in-a-lifetime vacation to a foreign land where lions live in the wild. Whatever the reason, a lion tattoo can have many meanings.

Lion tattoos

Lion tattoos have two primary meanings - one is a simple appreciation of a beautiful animal; and a second is an image of fierceness, pride, and strength.

Lion tattoos

Japanese Back Tattoo Designs

Japanese tattoo is called irezumi or horimono in Japanese. In Japan, tattoo is usually considered to be a symbol of a yakuza (Japanese mafia) and tends to be perceived negatively by people. For example, many public bath facilities in Japan inhibit customers who have tattoos from entering. Traditional Japanese tattoo covers arms, shoulders, and the back. In recent years, it's becoming popular for Japanese young people to get contemporary tattoos. Tattoo events are often held in big cities, and there are many Japanese tattoo shops in Japan. It's good to contact them before

The history of Japanese tattoos goes way back - they have been around for many, many years. This doesn’t mean however that they are necessary the right ones for you. You see there’s a catch with these tattoos. They’re very big, often covering the entire back, they are awfully expensive and they come in their own flavors, inspired by the Japanese culture.

The sad fact is that you will not find a tattoo parlor in the yellow pages who can make such incredible artwork. This tattoo requires a Japanese artist, but anyway a trip to Japan might be worth the trouble.

There is another catch. This is not the sort of tattoo to show off to your friends. Japanese are way more subtle than this. They are supposed to be shown only to your girlfriend or boyfriend, or occasionally to the local Yakuza mob. Yep you are reading right, this is what subtlety is in Japan, I have heard that they are still working on it. Nobody gets it right in the first place you know? Also these tattoos will hurt… a lot, because they are still doing the whole damn thing manually, so for every dot of the tattoo expect a needle expertly inserted in your skin, that if you’re lucky of course and through the expert hand there isn’t some sake flowing.

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

Japanese tattoo

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

Phoenix Tattoo Designs

Phoenix are a very popular tattoo design. Phoenix made as phoenix tribal tattoos or phoenix Celtic tattoos are also very popular.

Phoenix tattoos can be tattooed as armbands / arm bands, lowerback / lower back pieces, on ankles, shoulders, the upperback area, chest. . . just about anywhere as body art.

People now commonly search online using the internet for phoenix tattoo flash (tattoo art / tattoo pictures) and this is a great source to find phoenix tattoos. First instinct is to find free phoenix tattoo designs, but the quality of these designs is generally pretty poor (you get what you pay for, of course).

Tattoo Artists who create our tattoo flash get paid a royalty, so your purchase goes to support the flash artists to create more top quality tattoo artwork!

Phoenix tattoo

Phoenix tattoo

Phoenix tattoo

Phoenix tattoo

Phoenix tattoo