Tattoo the pristine flesh. What is permanent anyway? This ink only lasts ’til the grave, Skin and ideas decompose. That which we did compose. —-Corri Alius

Tattooing is a tradition that has been practiced for centuries in many different cultures around the world. A tattoo is a design permanently carved in the skin with the help of needles and ink. The word came from the Tahitian term “tatua” which means “to mark.”
They have been used in different cultures to express different things – as a rite of passage, a mark of status, religious and spiritual devotion, a mark of fertility, or to recognize slaves and prisoners.

The oldest tattoo was found on the back of a man buried in the slopes of the Alps over five thousand years ago. It has taken the Western world some time to socially accept tattoos and disassociate the link with the mark of criminals and rebel.  Now there are an estimated 20,000+ parlors operating in the United States alone and it is estimated that as many as 45 million Americans have tattoos.

Tattoos are a popular way of marking yourself as an outward expression of personal identity. Many people chose to have inspirational quotes tattooed onto their skin as well as lines of poetry, bible verses, and famous sayings.

Latin Tattoo Quotes

• Carpe Diem – seize the day
• Temet nosce  -know thyself
• Luceat lux vestra  – let your light shine
• Alis grave nil  -nothing is heavy to those who have wings
• Veni, vidi, vici  – I came, I saw, I conquered

Famous Tattoo Quotes

“Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you will die today.” James Dean
“What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
“To live is the rarest thing in the world” Oscar Wilde
“Be the change you want to see in the world” Mahatma Gandhi
“The journey is the reward”.Chinese Proverb

Biblical Tattoo Quotes

• For by Grace you have been saved by faith Ephesians 2.8
• For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength Philippians 4.13
• Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you Matthew 7.7
• Beware of false prophets who come to you in Sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves’ Matthew 7.15
• Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1

Lyrical Tattoo Quotes

• Life is what happens where you’re busy making other plans – John Lennon
• I’d rather be hated for who I am than loved for who I am not – Kurt Cobain
• Love is all you need – The Beatles
• I did it my way – Frank Sinatra

Literary Tattoo Quotes

• Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T.S Eliot
• And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music. Fredrich Nietzsche
• In the midst of winter I found there was, within me, and invincible summer. Albert Camus
• So it goes. Kurt Vonnegut
• Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth. Henry David Thoreau (Walden)

There are a few things to consider before you get a quote tattooed on you; you should consider the placement and length of the quote to ensure it will fit and still be clear to read.
You should also consider the font, font with a lot of detail may make the tattoo quote harder to read. Also small fonts may fade over time. Your tattoo artist will be able to help discuss your ideas and assist you in choosing the correct format to get the best out of your tattoo.

Also double check the accuracy of the quote including spelling and grammar before having it done – remember a tattoo can last a lifetime. With the last comment in mind please bear in mind that over time you will change and grow as a person, try to avoid popular trends and opt for something timeless and personal to your own life and character.

Try and find a tattoo artist with a good repertoire of calligraphy. Ask to see their portfolio to ensure you like their work, show special interest in any previous lettering and quote tattoos they have done before.

Remember there is no rush to make a decision, tattoos will be with you for a long time so be sure it’s something you truly love. Remember think before you ink.

“My skin is my canvas. The artwork on it represents something that is very powerful and meaningful in my life. I look at my skin as something of a living diary because all my tattoos represent a time in my life. And I never wish to shut the door on the past, so I carry it all with me.” – Dave Navarro