FREE
CHINESE TATTOOS
Instantly receive your FREE Sample Custom Tattoo Ideas Pack
Delivered
directly to your email inbox.
Submit
form
Hi
Athena,
Just wanted to say *Great Job*. I Really liked your suggestions.
Bob J. NY
Athena,
I'm so glad I found this site before gettin my tatoo. Tattoo
looks coooool! x
Suzie K. Toronto
Fantastic
service Athena. Expect more requests from my buddies.
Jay. Sacramento
Miss
Min,
Looks
very nice with Character from you. I feel pride. Thanking you
from Singapore
Tam S. Singapore
Athena,
AWESOME
symbols. Thanx for the cool suggestions.
Brad
M. Wyoming
Hey
Athena,
My
gf says you *rock*. She loved the translation of my name. Shes
gonna order a translation for her mom this week.
Peter
S . Iowa
Athena,
COOOL
characters :) You are so clever. I LOVE the translation you
did for me. Thanks a lot.
Jolie
M . NZ
Athena,
I've
tried other sites and they are a rip off. Your stuff is THE
BEST. My brother will be ordering from you next week, look out
for an order from Jake.
Alan
W . NY
Athena,
Great site, great products. I love my tattoo thanks to you.
Helen
G. Notts (UK)
Min
Athena,
Even for Chinese tattoo character from your is better than from
most native. Thank you for suggestion on me.
Jackie
Wong - AUS
|
History of Chinese Tattoos
Chinese tattoos - or 'Ci Shen' in Chinese - have
been around for thousands of years. We look at the history.
| Given
the current popularity of Chinese tattoos you might be
surprised to learn that for a long time tattooing in China
was regarded as a 'bad' thing.
The
reason for this is because it violates the body. In fact
the literal translation of the chinese words for tattooing,
"Ci Shen", is "to
puncture the body”.
Westerners
may find it hard to understand this concept but it is
very deep in our culture.
|
|
A
very famous Chinese novel mentions tattooing in the story of
outlaws from the Mount Liang area of China.
The
backdrop for the story is 12th century China and concerns 108
tribesmen from an illegal tribal leader whose name was Song
Jiang. 3 of of the main characters apparently had tattoos which
covered their entire bodies.
Their is not doubt that the amongst the most famous Chinese
tattoo is that of the legendary Chinese military leader, Yueh
Fei. He lead armies during a period of Chinese history known
as the South Song
Dynasty.
The
reason why history records is exploits is that he was incredibly
unlucky as during a battle with some soldiers from northern
China, his second in command deserted him and defected to the
enemies side bring great shame upon him.
He
could not bear it and quit the army traveled back home to his
mother's house. I am not sure if he was expecting sympathy but
he did not get it. HIs mom was very annoyed with him and told
that his primary objective should be to protect China - even
if other people let him down along the way.
So that he would never forget this fact, she tattooed 4 Chinese
characters on his back with a needle that she used to sew and
repair clothes. The Characters do not have a direct equivalent
in English but their meaning would have been clear in ancient
Chinese times. They means "Serve China and be loyal even
in the face of death".
There
is a darker side to Chinese Tattoos as well. At some points
in Chinese history Chinese tattoos were also used to mark criminals.
Often outlaws who had been found guilty of terrible crimes would
have to have tattoos etched on their faces before being banished
to a distant land.
This
meant that even if they made it back into society years later
everyone would still know they were a bad guy as the tattoos
were as permanent as they are today. This was called "Ci
Pei" which literally translated means "Tattoo Banishment".
Even today, some people still associate Chinese tattoos with
mafia type ganster families.
|
