A Tattoo Virgin No More
February 15, 2005

ok, so I got inked by Colin at Passage on Sunday (February 13th). Colin is awesome, and I will go back to him for my next tattoo, which is already designed and ready to go.

We talked about positioning, and after he told me that it should go higher or lower than where I wanted it (right between where the muscles crossed over in my upper arm), I decided on the higher placement. He started by cleaning my upper arm and shaving all the hair off where the tat was going. He stuck the stencil on and there it was, all perfect and ready for him to start in with the ink.

I did my very best at completely relaxing my arm. The needle didn't hurt, per se. I mean, it wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't a scratching feeling that Lynna tried to describe to me, either. It was more like taking an electrified needle to my skin, applying pressure and dragging it as it shocked me with a light staticky charge. Sharp but uneven in sensation. It was... really annoying. I think it took an hour and a half or something like that. Apparently straight lines are Much more difficult to do than curved lines, so he had to go slowly. I appreciate his precision.

When he first started, I focused on trying to relax. Eventually, I settled in and joined in conversation once the topic had turned from all eyes on my initial reaction. Lynna and Nikos took pictures. I was pleased. Got a little sore from sitting in the same position for so long, but whatever.

It was kinda anti-climactic, really, for something so permanent. It felt like a small rite of passage -- small because it didn't hurt much at all. Upper arms are like that, y'know. I think I was looking for something more intense. I'll get that with my next tattoo.

Anyhow, here's my most favouritest picture from that day:

The placement looks way off, but it's not. Trust me.

If you're wondering about the meaning, it basically means harmony. The broken lines represent yin energy: earth. The solid lines represent yang energy: sky. When yin is above yang, a cyclical motion is implied, balanced and harmonious. Earth in heaven; heaven in earth.

Here is a translation from James Legge: Sacred Books of the East, vol. 16, [1899]
"In Thâi (we see) the little gone and the great come. (It indicates that) there will be good fortune, with progress and success."

The translation above is based on the divinatory meaning -- if you cast the I Ching and this hexagram comes up, it means that good stuff is on its way. Richard Gill says, "The small and mean now end and the great and good now come, bringing peaceful progress, success and prosperity." I could use sumadat, and I feel it happening in my life. No, not since I got the tattoo, but starting several months ago when certain pieces of my life started to fall into place. Kind of like the promise of a new day, really. Hope for better things to come and a harmonious environment in which to enjoy them. That's what my arm says now.

It also symbolizes my resolution to strive for greater balance in my life. So many things are out of whack, and it is my hope that having a daily reminder will help me make positive changes more easily and readily. Don't know if it'll work, but it might, and that's good enough for me. :)

More Pictures

design is outlined and ready to be filled in

I didn't feel like smiling, so I didn't look at the camera.

Nikos and Lynna took turns holding my hand down to keep it from involuntarily moving and keep me from clutching onto the armrest for stability while Colin leaned into his work.

It was a good day.