As a tattooed person I have come to realise that at no time have I thought “that’s enough”.
I’ve always figured that getting another tattoo at some time was on the cards.
It’s kinda addictive, in a weird stick needles full of paint under your skin way.
You either get it or you don’t.
People get tattooed for many reasons & the designs are only limited by your imagination.
(and your wallet)
Names
Animals
Babies
Celtic symbols
Flowers
Dragons
Wolves (why?)
Eagles (again..why???)
Anyhoo, you name it chances are someone’s had it tattooed upon them.
After my son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes the concept of tattoos that raise awareness was something that piqued my interest.
The idea that you can raise awareness through something so permanent is appealing.
Some tattoos are done as a way of remembering loved ones who have unfortunately lost their lives to a form of cancer or MS.
Pink ribbon breast cancer tattoo
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A ribbon is a common symbol for a lot of organisations.
Multiple Sclerosis uses orange.
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And then others choose to use tattoos as a way of raising awareness for illnesses or conditions such as Type 1 diabetes, Autism, Crohns, Down Syndrome & more.
When Sam Reid was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 20 he decided to get a dartboard tattoo as a symbol of his condition.
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This beautiful jigsaw design is to raise awareness of Autism.
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I love this design, a tree with 2 ribbons symbolizing different things.
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So what do you think about tattoos for awareness?
Would you get one?
And if anyone would like to share a picture of their own awareness tattoo I would love to see them.
You can stalk find me on Twitter (but not FB because it’s shit)
Linking up with Essentially Jess for IBOT
Mrs D.
As with most things, I just reckon do it if you want, don’t if you don’t. I feel neutral about tattoos for awareness, if it makes you feel good, well it’s your skin, go for your life. When I finally get around to getting a tattoo I intend to be drunk off my head – and yes, there are still a few tattoo artists who will ink you if you are sloshed, I’ve checked – and get something sublimely ridiculous, plus force my drunken friend to do the same. Because, well, what the fuck life is so short and horribly, dreadfully, drearily dull – anything to liven it up I reckon.
I have two, but neither are for awareness, however, when I explained to my 50 (then) year old mother why I got the Chinese symbol for Integrity on my back, she looked at me with a tear in her eye and said ‘my baby, will you take me do I can get that too?’.
And I did.
Naw…that is so nice!!! Go you & your Mum! xx
Hey. Just found your blog via #IBOT. I have six tattoos. I got my first when I was 18 and my most recently last year. I am with you on the addiction thing. I love getting tattooed and I think all the time about what my next tatt should be. Cost is always an issue though. I’d have way more if it wasn’t for the money. V.
Thanks forea stopping by. I have to agree, money is what stops me from having too many. It’s been 8 years since my last one so maybe this year – tis my birthday soon
I have one, and would probably get another if Boatman liked them, but he doesn’t.
I might possibly do one to raise awareness, if there was something I believed in strongly enough
My husband isn’t fussed about mine either but that doesn’t stop me…same way I don’t stop him wearing socks & sandals…each to their own
I like your concept of tattoos for a cause and with meaning. I understand this more than a lot of other tattoos. I have to be honest, I don’t like tattoo’s at all, there is nothing uglier than an old wrinkled tattoo. But that is just my opinion. Good on you!
I figure the rest of me won’t be an oil painting either so they can age right along with me
I have 4 and have plans for a few more. Not so much awareness tats but definitely commemorative tats. Just gotta save some money as these wont be cheap! Lol
I like them! I had my sisters initials tattooed on my wrist when she passed away from cancer and I have plans to get some sort of ‘forever young’ tattoo somewhere if I achieve my goal in the 12wbt! I am more of a tattoo in memory rather than in awareness kind of girl and would only get a tattoo that really means something to me, I’m not a dolphin jumping through a hula hoop kinda tattoo girl if you know what I mean!
I like tattoos, but have never felt strongly enough about anything to get a tattoo of it. Having type 2 diabetes, I very much relate to the dart board!
xx
Fantastic post Mrs D and very timely for me personally. I am in the process of deciding on my first tattoo and blogged about it myself recently. Although I am interested in getting one for purely decorative reasons I was amazed to read in the comments the varied reasons why people get them. No one mentioned an awareness tattoo but I think its a lovely idea! If it’s something that figures significantly in the person’s life then it makes sense that a tattoo could be a positive way of expressing their feelings about it.
I hadn’t really thought of it either until my son was dx’d with T1D & I came across a lot of people who have done it. I’d like my son to have one done when he is older…it beats having to wear a medical alert tag (of which we’ve had about 10 in 4 years). Type 1 is permanent so a tattoo makes sense. Obviously it’s up to him…not my choice.
I got a tattoo years ago, and if I had a burning cause to promote I would SO get another one, except would take painkillers first! Emily
you can get numbing gel to put on first…I had it for one of mine & it certainly makes a difference.
I have two, so far…
One on my wrist that has my children’s initials in it, another down the side of my body that is an Emerson quote, that is important to me. I love my tattoos. I’m planning my next right now.
I’m afraid I’m one of those who “dont’ get it.” In the sense that I would never get one, but I have nothing against anyone who does have them or wants to get them. I can understand maybe getting a child’s name, or a family or friend’s initials or important date, but I have never felt the urge. I always wonder what it’s going to look like when they’re 80 (cliche, but I do!). -Aroha #teamIBOT
I have a black cat ttattoo that when I was pregnant resembled a wild feral panther. Ageing with mine doesn’t bother me, the rest of me won’t be any oil painting
Thanks for stopping by
I would love to get another tatt, although I am at the point of ‘that’s enough’. For me, after so many, I think it just gets too much. I probably wouldn’t get an awareness one, not because I dot support, is not my cup of tea…. But then I’ve not had anything major I would want to support in such a way either.
I don’t have any tats to share, but I think they’re cool, and I would have a wolf one!