What Tattoos Mean To Me
Tattooing is one of the ultimate forms of self-expression. My tattoos are not decorations, they are symbols of who I am as a person. I think of them as a uniform, and I bear them proudly as manifestations of my character. Some people make scrapbooks, but I carry ink to tell the story of my life.
I have four tattoos so far, and I plan on getting more. To say it's addictive is an understatement.
The Rat
Location: right shoulder
I went to a Catholic high school, complete with uniforms and a strict dress code. A typical teenager, I needed to rebel. Since long hair or earrings weren't an option, I decided to get a tattoo.There were two problems: first, I didn't have much money, and second, I didn't know what I wanted. That's how I wound up with something small and simple for my first tattoo--a symbol for my Chinese zodiac sign, the year of the Rat. I can identify with many of the typical Rat traits (charming, aggressive, loyal, secretive, and bad at saving), so it seemed fitting.
It's a tiny tattoo, located square in the middle of my shoulder. It features a glowing blue border, blue being my power color.
I've heard the horror stories about tattoos with Asian lettering not meaning what the bearer intended. The truth is, I can't read Chinese, and if it doesn't mean what I think it does, I'd rather not know. Ignorance is bliss, right?
This tattoo has a deeper meaning. At that stage in my life, it seemed like everything was in a constant state of flux--my friends living situation, grades, interests, etc. Getting a tattoo was a way to remind myself not to worry--that not all things are temporary.
The Raft
Location: left shoulder
My second tattoo, the Raft is a powerful reminder of one of the major events of my life: Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans. While I was fortunate enough to be on vacation when the storm hit, it was a major turning point in my life, one that forced me to grow and change as a person in amazing ways.The raft is a fleur-de-lis, inflatable like a beach ball. It floats in a turbulent river, with the roof of a flooded shotgun-style house in the background. The fleur-de-lis is wrapped by a band of metal spikes, a symbol for the stubbornness and determination of those whose love for New Orleans keeps them there despite the many hardships that exist in the city today.
On May 16, 2008 an interview of myself and the raft appeared in New Orleans' City Business magazine.
The Lions
Location: one on each shoulderblade
Just as the Rat is my Chinese zodiac sign, Leo is my Astrological zodiac sign. I embody many of the stereotypical traits of a Leo, such as loyalty, passion, confidence, and motivation.As the design for my lions, I chose the traditional Scottish pattern, something you would expect to see on a family crest. I have one of each shoulderblade--facing outward as my protectors.
Comments
Thanks for taking the time to read about my tattoos. If you have any comments or questions, please feel free to comment below.
blujeanmomma wrote...
Thanks for sharing the story behind each of your tattoos. My husband has several tats starting with his first in the navy in 1969 - which is getting very faded & wrinkly.
Posted September 20, 2009
JaguarJulie wrote...
Have you gotten any new tattoos Gil? My last one was recently embellished while visiting Miami for the BCS.
Posted August 11, 2009
luvmyludwig wrote...
The raft is amazing. I love tats and I think it's a great way to get to know someone. Thank you for sharing and thank you for all you do at Squidoo.
Posted July 09, 2009
The_Party_Animal wrote...
Awesome - I absolutely love the lions - they are very cool!!! I have a couple myself - shhhhhh
Posted June 19, 2009
GrowWear wrote...
Very interesting to hear the meanings behind the tattoos you chose. New theme does look good -- saw your Tweet.
Posted June 12, 2009
x3xsolxdierx3x wrote...
nice idea for a lens, Gil....I may just do the same for my tats :)
Posted May 11, 2009
ChristiannaGarrett-Martin wrote...
Nice! :) Am lensrolling your lens to my tattoo lens.
Christianna
Posted December 02, 2008
wstrauss73 wrote...
Hey Gil.. cool lens, sweet tattoos !
Thanks for sharing,
Bill S.
Posted September 06, 2008
0ctavias0fferings wrote...
Nice tats, especially like the raft with sunset but have to comment on the Scottish lions being in Scotland myself - they're great. If I was young now I would probably be covered in tats but it wouldn't look good on a granny LOL
Posted August 23, 2008
youhavegottobekidding wrote...
A lot of people always says that a tattoo is just destroying your body but for me. There are a lot of things that could be considered an art and one of them are Tattoos.
Great Lens. 5 stars for you.
Posted July 14, 2008
xTheBadFishx wrote...
Gil, I absolutely adore your new tattoos! Come a log way from that tattoo parlor in Florida eh! I hope everything is going absolutely great for you old friend. Please take very good care!
Posted April 29, 2008
JaguarJulie wrote...
Yeowwww ... that Lions tattoo looks mighty fresh. Say, would ya believe that I've got 5 tattoos ... but let's keep that between you and me as I'm a blonde and we usually don't get tattoos. AB xoxoxo
Posted April 02, 2008
the-secret wrote...
I like looking at the different kinds of tattoos available! Temporary Tattoos
Posted March 26, 2008
snaz wrote...
Thanks Gil for the glimpse into your personal life and the stories behind your ink.
I was particularly taken by The Raft. It's amazing how hardship contains blessings in disguise.
Posted March 22, 2008
Roving_Band wrote...
Wonderful history through tattoos - well told. It's great to be in The Tattoo Parlour with you!
Posted March 12, 2008
bookcat wrote...
Awesome lens, but more importantly, I LOVE the Raft tattoo. Very poignant. May I ask who was the artist on it? (I'm keeping a very hypothetical list of "awesome tattoo artists across the world").
Posted February 12, 2008
Music-Resource wrote...
Hi Gil, Kewl Tat lens and your tats are sweet. I had a couple of friends who got blasted by Katrina. One guy had a Chiro practice and the other lost a dog plus a house. I have a cousin who is a sheriff and got called to duty for New O. He loved the cops down there. Hey, your next tat ought to be a computer motiff - 0101 and related stuff :) ~Music Resource~
Posted January 21, 2008
Retro_Loco wrote...
Cool lens, and cool tattoos! I guess I'm too much of a good-two-shoes to get tattooed, or maybe I'm just too much of a cry baby to withstand the pain! :-)OUCH!
Posted January 10, 2008
Lily_Link wrote...
Looks nice Gil. I have 2: 1 of my APBT's name and paw and the othe of any APBT. I'm going back to get the APBT shaded. And then, maybe get a yorkie. Ha.
Posted January 08, 2008
SemperFidelis wrote...
Nice lens Gil. My husband nor I have any tattoos! Maybe we should get out more often! lol What's amazing is my husband is a former U.S. Marine and while every one of his buddies got tattoos in Japan, Korea, the Philippines, etc., he declined.
Posted December 06, 2007
Janusz wrote...
Hi Gil, Cool Lens.. especially liked "The Raft" I wonder if anyone will ever get a Squidoo Squid Tattoo :)
Posted October 24, 2007
CountryEstateBulldogs wrote...
That's some fancy artwork there, Gil. I especially like that each one has a story. I'm a Leo, too, but I'll stick with my pet cats. Prrrrr.
Posted September 18, 2007
GypsyPirate wrote...
Great lens! I'm still figuring out what my first tattoo will be, but love reading others stories about theirs. Your "Raft" tat is very powerful, was that your own design?
Posted September 12, 2007
gkygrl wrote...
Very cool Gil, I just got my first one about a month ago. It does seem addicting. Mine is tiny (2") -- but very meaninful. :)
Posted September 06, 2007
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