mental_floss magazine
SUBSCRIBE >
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS >
DIGITAL SUBSCRIPTIONS >
subscriber services >
Paul got his first tattoo last night, so I have tattoos on the brain, so to speak. I wanted to do 10 people you wouldn’t expect to have tattoos, like, say, Martha Stewart or Barbara Bush. But I couldn’t find that many, so I went with this one. This is according to The Tao of Tattoos, by the way, and it’s based on the number of searches on their site.
The 10 Most Popular Tattoo Designs
1. Stars. I really like Simon Pegg’s star tattoos on the inside of his arm.
2. Angels. Maybe it should be more like “religious” – I was thinking crosses would be higher up on the list.
3. Tribal.
4. Flowers.
5. Celtic.
6. Swallows, as in the birds. I had no idea these were popular.
7. Lower Back tattoos, AKA the “Tramp Stamp”. I have nothing against them, by the way, but I do love the SNL skit that has Amy Poehler getting rid of her “Pretty Lady” lower back tat with a roll-on, deodorant-like tattoo remover.
8. Butterfly. Does Mariah Carey have a butterfly tattoo? I feel like she probably does.
9. Kanji. This makes me think of Britney Spears’ neck tattoo – I believe she intended for it to say “mysterious” and instead it says “strange”, unless this is an urban legend.
10. Black and Grey.
Things I thought would be on the list: fairies, hearts, dolphins, ladybugs, crosses, barbed wire. If you know of unexpected people with tattoos, leave it in the comments – I’m intrigued. Also, if you have an interesting tattoo, leave that in the comments as well. I’m tattoo-happy today! Hey: bonus points for whoever knows what Paul’s tattoo is of.
Comments (64)
Comment
- Follow mental_floss
jeeze, i have both a swallow tattoo *and* stars (across my lower back, no less)!
i guess i’m not very original.
my next tattoo will be something mysterious and unusual, if for no other reason than i don’t want it on this list, hahah
posted by brooke on 8-21-2008 at 2:36 pm
There was an episode of Damon Wayans’ show “My Wife and Kids” a while back where his character’s son got a Kanji-type tattoo. He told his dad it meant “honor” (or something) – the dad said, “How do you know? Maybe it means ’spicy tuna roll’”.
posted by Betsy on 8-21-2008 at 2:51 pm
I have a kanji character on the inside of my left forearm, right below my elbow. It means “vow” and my husband has the same one in the same place. Interestingly enough, we got these 10 months *before* we got married and before we were “officially” engaged. Friends have said that tattoos are addicting, and I agree! I totally want a least a few more, but I can’t decide what or where. Maybe I’ll get some good ideas from the link in the story.
posted by Amy D on 8-21-2008 at 2:52 pm
I guess I am both original and unoriginal at the same time. While I have both a star behind my right ear and a tramp stamp (its an affectionate term), I also have a three layer slice of birthday cake complete with pink frosting, sprinkles and a candle on my hip.
posted by Celeste on 8-21-2008 at 2:53 pm
I have seven tattoos total, including many celtic pieces and they’re all on my back, mostly in black and grey. Yep – one is a tramp stamp.
posted by Susan on 8-21-2008 at 3:05 pm
I have a tattoo of the Labyrinth from the floor of the Chartres Cathedral (in France) in the “Tramp Stamp” position on my lower back. And, yes, it’s large enough to solve.
Arching above this I have a scene from a little-known wrought-iron sculpture here in Austin. It’s of a Texas Star with flames which come out from behind it and turn into flowers. I always wanted a Texas Star, but you can imagine how popular they are down here, and I did not want to be just another girl with a Texas Star tattoo. So when I found this, I decided it was the one for me.
I definitely want more, but am having trouble figuring out where… I’m not really big into ink that shows.
posted by renis on 8-21-2008 at 3:08 pm
I want a tattoo of a potato that bears a slight resemblance to Richard Nixon. Not enough to where you would say, “Hey, that looks like Tricky Dick!” but just enough to where you squint you could say, “Yeah, I guess I see it.”
posted by Witty Nickname on 8-21-2008 at 3:12 pm
There’s nothing like hearing that someone just got a new tattoo, to make you want another one. My husband and I both got wedding band tattoos for our 8th anniversary.
I would guess Paul got a tribal. It seems to be pretty populat lately.
posted by Linda on 8-21-2008 at 3:12 pm
I have nine total. Yes, they are addictive. I do have a few Kanji characters. I tell people it means beef and broccoli with special sauce.
My three tattoo subject no-no’s… NO band names (I broke that one with my first one being the Pearl Jam stick figure guy on my first tat), NO cartoon characters, and NO, NO, NO spouse or girlfriend names. I designed a tattoo for someone married for 29 years and he was separated within a year…
posted by theYerg on 8-21-2008 at 3:14 pm
His tattoo looks to me like a cross between a gargoyle and the cheshire cat.
posted by Jaime on 8-21-2008 at 3:18 pm
Hey, I have the cheshire cat tatoo on my shoulderblade and it looks nothing like Paul’s. (Not the disney character, and not the Tenniel illustration, but an equally mischevious striped grinning cat).
posted by Julie on 8-21-2008 at 3:29 pm
I’ve got a tattoo of a freckle. It’s completely indistinguishable from the real ones.
posted by Eric on 8-21-2008 at 3:30 pm
I have a few tattoo’s but I have to say my most original one would have to be my outline of NJ with a lighting bolt going to Hunterdon Co. If anything, its a good conversation piece…mostly starting with “why?” haha
posted by Erika on 8-21-2008 at 3:32 pm
My one tat is the Star of David surrounding a cross–to signify the connection between the two religions. I still want one more and can’t make up my mind WHAT I want. I keep going back to the Red Wing logo, but keep telling myself ‘NO!.’ Whatever I get HAS to be a bit unique–can’t stand the thought of having something everyone else does.
posted by cmk on 8-21-2008 at 3:34 pm
I’ve got a beech leaf on the back of my neck.
posted by jen on 8-21-2008 at 3:39 pm
If you’re thinking about a kanji/hanzi tattoo (or any foreign language, for that matter) and you don’t read the language yourself, think long and hard and for goodness sake get someone who *does* read it to check your proposed design. The link under my name has many a cautionary tale.
posted by Coeli on 8-21-2008 at 3:40 pm
Is Paul’s tattoo a gargoyle? It looks like a gargoyle.
posted by bedhead on 8-21-2008 at 3:41 pm
So Brooke or anyone else with a swallow tattoo – um, am I missing some connection? Do swallows mean something? Please enlighten me.
posted by Sawicki on 8-21-2008 at 3:44 pm
@Everyone – it IS a gargoyle, but does anyone know where it’s from?? :)
posted by Stacy on 8-21-2008 at 4:00 pm
I have five…on the top of each foot i have three hearts (left) and three stars (right), on my left ankle i have the indian shooting a star from the tootsie roll pop wrapper and on my right ankle i have the cowgirl from the tootsie roll pop wrapper (i added a star and lasso) the ankle tattoos my sister also has. and on the inside of my right wrist i have hope with star at the end in my own handwriting…still thinking about what to put on the left wrist…
posted by Julia on 8-21-2008 at 4:15 pm
I have a tattoo of a line of sheet music on my forearm – with the melody line to the Beatles song “All you need is love”.
I toyed with the idea of the tattoo for 7 years before biting the bullet, but I love it, and I love that my husband figured out which song it was when we first met – I never told him.
posted by dangermouse on 8-21-2008 at 4:17 pm
I have two tattoos, both custom pieces.
I have a stylized dragon wrapped around/worked through a bit of celtic knotwork (my childhood best friend, her sister, and her mom all have tattoos with the same knotwork, but each of ours has a unique totem/theme) in the tramp stamp spot. (hell, if nothing else, it’s a spot on a woman’s body unlikely to stretch)
I also have a stylized leopard-cat (think Ocelot) on my left upper chest/shoulder that’s the beginning of a cat & computer themed shoulder cap.
posted by Adri on 8-21-2008 at 4:30 pm
I have a series of bats a la Ralph Steadman’s “Bats Over Barstow” painting coming up from my hip along my ribs and up to the shoulder, a hebrew phrase from Genesis 32: 26 on my right hip, and a few phrases of music above it. More on the way, too. Since I’m an elementary school teacher, I’m trying to restrain the art to easily covered areas!
posted by PhoneticLorin on 8-21-2008 at 4:33 pm
Disneyland Paris?
posted by Lorin on 8-21-2008 at 4:41 pm
I have 8 tattoos total myself, with the last one being a tribute of a love one who passed. All mine are celtic but the last one was made celtic, its day of the dead skull done with shamrocks and lots of green, a true one of a kind. I also have my sons name inside a shield that covers most of my left arm from shoulder to elbow. I love the pain of it !!!
posted by Erik on 8-21-2008 at 4:44 pm
Is it the gargoyle from the Haunted Mansion attraction at Disneyland?
posted by bedhead on 8-21-2008 at 4:46 pm
Disneyland Paris?
I have a large back piece of a hippocampus entwined on a anchor based off of the publisher’s mark of Aldus Manutius.
posted by Lorin on 8-21-2008 at 4:47 pm
Bedhead wins!! Wins what, I don’t know. :)
posted by Stacy on 8-21-2008 at 4:58 pm
*phew*
Not that I expected to see it, but its good to know that the Byzantine Greek imperial eagle crest of the Paleolgoi dynasty I have on my left arm is as original as I assumed it would be.
posted by Daniel on 8-21-2008 at 5:20 pm
2 things
1 – There are way more people that believe in heaven than people who believe in Christ. Also, people like wings and the idea of flight.
2 – There is a tattoo online that I love – i attached it as my website
posted by m on 8-21-2008 at 5:24 pm
Ahhh I knew it was from the Haunted Mansion but I got here too late! I’m such a WDW nerd, I recognized it immediately.
And to the poster with the Chartres labyrinth tattoo…that is one of the coolest tattoos I have EVER heard of, awesome!
posted by Nikki on 8-21-2008 at 5:30 pm
i have quite a few tats. i have the scorpion on my right breast. i have a tree frog on the top o fmy left foot(neet story, i met my father after 35 years and found out i have 3 sisters. we all 4 got the frog)i have a wild rose fairy on my left calf, a star on my left hand between my thumb and finger, a small dragon on my left shoulder and a “olivia girl” on my right shoulder(naked on the moon). and my favorite one…my first mothers day my husband got me on my left bicep region a purple orchid and the kanji characters for mother and child. (i have a friend from tokyo so i know they are correct haha)
posted by gina on 8-21-2008 at 5:53 pm
Working in a male prison you see many tattoos. Most of which are beautifully done. I ask many an inmate what they mean and am suprised to find out their meanings or what they represent. Many of the popular tattoos from your list have hidden meanings in the gang/criminal world.
posted by Tessa on 8-21-2008 at 6:31 pm
Swallows were traditionally tatooed on sailors to show their experience. They usually mean love and loyalty nowadays.
posted by Shannon on 8-21-2008 at 6:34 pm
I’m someone not expected to have a tat, yet have two. Nothing too exciting, but also nothing on the list. One is a heart on my left hip and the other is some sort of 3 pointed knot work thing (but not really Celtic) on my middle back. The first is to remind me that love should be above all else, and the second has 3 points, each representing one being in the Holy Trinity–my faith represented in a non-traditional way. :-) I also want a tiger lily (my favorite flower) someday.
posted by nutmeag on 8-21-2008 at 6:50 pm
What about Olde English lettering? My husband and I went out for Valentine’s Day a few years ago and both got tattoos (a little odd for a “date” night, but what do you expect from a coule who went to the South Park movie for their anniversary???). Anyway, the guy who did my husband’s tat had only been doing it for a few months and was thrilled to do something besides Olde English lettering. Almost all of the guys in my son’s hs graduating class have their names tattooed somewhere on their body in Olde English.
posted by bzzyb on 8-21-2008 at 7:13 pm
i technically have three tattoos, but it looks like two (the third was an add-on to the second), and i am already planning the fourth.
i have a small Egyptian ankh on my right hip. in the center or my back i have the eye of Horus surrounded by an oruborus, both surrounded by a stylized sun with music notes embedded in it.
posted by the creature on 8-21-2008 at 7:17 pm
I’m proudly Gen-X and a pop culture junkie, so I have the Conjunction Junction guy from Schoolhouse Rock on my ankle. I’m a teacher, so it reminds me to never be boring in the classroom, and that there are many interesting ways of imparting information to kids.
posted by Kristin on 8-21-2008 at 7:24 pm
I’m on that list with my tramp stamp – however, I designed it myself so I know it’s original. It’s the globe, with all of the continents made of flowers, and Thai script around the outside that has special meaning to me. I also got it in Thailand, in the traditional Thai way with the long bamboo stick. It’s very special.
I am thinking about getting a dove or a blackbird tattoo – you think that’s too similar to a swallow?
posted by SufferingForFashion on 8-21-2008 at 8:14 pm
i have a teardrop on the inside of my index finger. it makes for a cute gesture, if i want it to. but people keep telling me it means i killed someone in prison.
posted by sarah on 8-21-2008 at 8:46 pm
so mine is a design of the Escher lizards in a yin-yang, one black, one red. its meant to balance my logical and emotional sides.
posted by mri on 8-21-2008 at 9:12 pm
The best I’ve seen is an ultra-realistic squirrel running up my friends inner thigh – headed for the nuts… now that’s original
posted by mombius on 8-21-2008 at 9:20 pm
I have a tat on my upper back, just below my nape. It says “Work hard, Play hard”. I did the work hard part with typewriter lettering and play hard with videogame-type lettering. If its not really clear, I like videogames. :)
posted by Leizl on 8-21-2008 at 9:29 pm
What, no mention of Mr. Cool Ice yet?
posted by Sandy on 8-21-2008 at 11:27 pm
I have a pinup on the outside of my left calf (think pinup version of the High Life girl) and the Wolfsburg crest on the back of my right leg. There’s several more I want, but I think the next one I get will be Rambo Gizmo from Gremlins on my shoulder.
posted by Ssquach on 8-22-2008 at 12:34 am
@renis Aw man, now I don’t feel special for having a tat of a labyrinth! (though mine’s not the one in Chartres Cathedral.) Cheers to the design though :)
I’ve actually been looking around for designs for another tattoo. It’s the exact opposite from the last time: I know exactly where I want it, but I have no idea what I want lol. I’ve been searching tattoofinder.com for ideas. I can’t decide between Celtic, Hawaiian, or some kind of fish. Either way, I want to earn it first.
I’m going to guess Paul has a tattoo of the infamous Einstein-sticking-out-his-tongue on his bicep
“Hey ladies, wanna see a genius dance?” *flexes* XD
Yes, I’m weird.
posted by heather on 8-22-2008 at 1:12 am
*edit
Okay ignore that last part with the Einstein and the flexing and the overall weirdness. I really need to read the ENTIRE post before commenting. >.
posted by heather on 8-22-2008 at 1:23 am
I have quite a few tattoos but no top 10 listers. including a sleeve of illustrations from beatrix potter stories ( peter rabbit ) I also have an indian feather behind my ear ( and quite surprised this one didn’t make the list…)
posted by emily on 8-22-2008 at 2:24 am
I’ve got a USB symbol tattooed on my left shoulderblade in black ink. My friends always joke they can transfer data anytime they want with me.
posted by le-mru on 8-22-2008 at 3:33 am
I am getting a new tat today along with my best friend’s 80 year old mother! I have 3-a hand with a spiral in the middle signifying loving with hands wide open, an eye that reminds me to see the world with my child’s eye, and a portrait of my grandmother who passed 2 years ago. Today I am getting a Frida tat from a stencil design. None of them are visible unless I am wearing a bathing suit. I love my tats but I don’t want them showing at work.
posted by fridatastic on 8-22-2008 at 7:49 am
i am one of the few who was able to stop at just 1 tattoo. mine is a small, black shape of texas with a star in the center. it’s located on the front of my right hip. i had never seen a tattoo there until after i got mine.. now it seems like that position is becoming the new tramp stamp :(
posted by tami on 8-22-2008 at 8:39 am
I have two…one is a ghetto tat, done with a guitar string in a friend’s kitchen back in my “glory days.” It’s some sort of freehand tribal flower thing…horribly asymmetrical and terribly faded.
My other is one that I’m very proud of…It’s an original commissioned work by Whispering Danny (linked as my website). It’s a cross made from a grape vine with a big bunch of grapes in the middle. I got the idea from John 15:5, “I am the vine, you are the branches…” The colors are absolutely vibrant.
The difference in my life now and my life then is as startling as the difference between my tats. I keep the old one to keep me humble though. But for grace…
posted by Heather Dawn on 8-22-2008 at 8:55 am
Sad story: When I was in high school, my older cousin was brutally murdered and not all of her was found. She was identified by the tattoos on her chest and back. The fact that it was the only way they could identify her left a huge scar on my young psyche.
I’m American Indian and I have my tribe tattooed just below my neck. In case something happens to me, I want them to know know who to return me to.
I also have my initials upside down on my hip. It made sense while I was on the phone with my legs propped up on the chair. (I was 12 and stupid!)
posted by Karen on 8-22-2008 at 9:05 am
I want to have the pattern for a Cowboy-and-Indian themed leather lampshade tattooed on my back. Problem is, none of my friends or family has agreed to have my skin tanned so they can cut it out and stitch it together after I die. So I guess it would be a waste of effort.
Recaptcha seems appropriate: tho affixed
posted by airship on 8-22-2008 at 9:45 am
I have three tattoos, but my favorite is a music staff I have that starts on my right upper chest and loops up and over my shoulder. It loops again on my upper back, then twists diagonally across my back and wraps around my left hip. When the artist first saw all of the parallel lines he didn’t think it could be done, but he pulled it off beautifully. He even added shading to make it look three-dimensional.
The music is the first and last 14 measures of Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd; the chord progression is the same in both sections, so he could ink the two melody lines together. It’s a memorial and a tribute to my brother, and I love that it’s unusual, artistic, and deeply meaningful to me.
posted by Ginsia on 8-22-2008 at 10:42 am
I am loving reading about all of your tattoos!! Re: the sheet music – that’s the tattoo I am pondering also. Thinking about the chorus to “Grim Grinning Ghosts” on my shoulder blade.
We kind of have a thing for the Haunted Mansion, in case you haven’t noticed.
posted by stacy on 8-22-2008 at 11:12 am
Most popular tatoos: I’m surprised shamrocks/clovers aren’t on the list. It seems like anyone with an ounce of Irish blood has one of these.
Captcha: hours filled
posted by BW on 8-22-2008 at 1:42 pm
Kristin – you’re my tattoo hero for this! ROCK ON Teach! :) ~ Bethy
“I’m proudly Gen-X and a pop culture junkie, so I have the Conjunction Junction guy from Schoolhouse Rock on my ankle. I’m a teacher, so it reminds me to never be boring in the classroom, and that there are many interesting ways of imparting information to kids.”
posted by Bethy on 8-22-2008 at 3:58 pm
I have 2 tattoos, my first one I got with my best friend in Montana when I went for a visit, it’s some kind of pink flower (daisy maybe??) not sure, and a small amount of tribal– that tattoo itself doesn’t have a meaning, but the fact that My best friend and I got them together means everything.
On a sadder note, I got my second tattoo less than a week ago, on Sunday afternoon, my younger brother passed away completely unexpectedly Saturday night, so I got his initials in flourish script between my shoulderblades, right where angel wings would be. It’s very special to me.
posted by Beth on 8-22-2008 at 4:13 pm
Next big thing to invest in? Tattoo removal.
posted by cabcomb on 8-25-2008 at 10:06 pm
I have 5 tattoos, all representing significant events/transitions in my life: a cat face, my initials in celtic script with a vine and purple flowers, a cross with flower background, a stained glass yin-tang, and a dove flying out of fire. All are on my arms and legs. I’ll probably get one across the top of my back to cover up some scars but I need to find a good design for that one…
posted by PJ on 9-1-2008 at 7:10 pm
Whatever tattoo you choose, you have know DON’T Rule :
Don’t limit yourself—not in the beginning anyway. Later, when you’re running out of skin, limit yourself. In this phase of getting a tattoo, however, he it your first or your fifth, let your mind wander and ponder every possibility that presents itself before narrowing your choices.
posted by tattoodesign on 9-5-2008 at 12:55 pm
Whatever tattoo you choose
Don’t limit yourself—not in the beginning anyway. Later, when you’re running out of skin, limit yourself. In this phase of getting a tattoo, however, it your first or your fifth, let your mind wander and ponder every possibility that presents itself before narrowing your choices.
posted by tattoodesign on 9-5-2008 at 12:58 pm
ermmm I have the “tramp stap” …seriously isnt that an awful stereotype to ut on someone ! mine is a goodluck charm and I dont consider myself a tramp!
posted by Peyton on 2-9-2009 at 9:35 pm