Monday 7 July 2008 : Confucius Says... (My 8th Tattoo)
The picture's a little dark (and my arm looks fat because of the weird angle - I took it myself), and the tattoo is still shiny so some parts are hard to photograph, but it says, "Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" (a quote by Confucius that has held great meaning for me for a very long time), and the flowers are cherry blossoms. In Chinese tradition, cherry blossoms represent femininity; to the Japanese, they're symbolic of the transience of life, as the blossoms bloom only briefly before falling to the ground. That's why I chose them.
For me, this tattoo's going to serve as daily a reminder that life is transient and fluid, that there'll always be good times, just as there will always be bad; that it's human to be imperfect and make mistakes, as long as we're courageous enough to pick ourselves up and try again.
:)
Anyway, the piece is on the inside of my right forearm (the picture doesn't do it any justice), and takes up most of that space. It was done by Matt Myrdal (at Pino Bros Ink).
I'll probably go back in a couple of months and get my next tattoo -- so stay tuned. ;)

Comments
I just read your 'about'. You write incredibly well. Your words echoed much of what I believe too, though far more eloquently.I don't have any tatoos but can appreciate the beauty of some.
The Confucious quote is very true and one I am always trying to get across to my high school students.
I may add it to my favourite quote of all time: If you believe that you can or that you can't you are usually right, Henry Ford, which is currently at the top of the whiteboard in my French classroom.
Glad I've stumbled upon your journal.
~ Barking
~ Doran
~ McDawg
~ audrey
~ MrSmith
You have some good beliefs, you come across as a strong individual.
~ caffeine
~ Shona
I can't wait to see more pics of your tattoo. It's lovely.
~ halfmydadsage
~ orbatid
~ with_love
Barking - Thanks for your kind words! I really appreciate what you said.
Doran - They ARE addictive. I've already got my next two planned! Did I mention this was my 8th tattoo?
caffeine - It took about two hours, but I didn't start getting sore until the very end. I have a low pain tolerance for everything but tattoos... LOL. Those I can handle with no problem.
halfmydadsage - LOL Thanks! I thought it did.
~ heathergallay
~ sunflower
~ Doran
~ queenie
~ lala
~ RogersDay
I'm actually trying to get ahold of my artist because I want to touch-up the flowers and add a few more -- but he's been very hard to get in touch with. Grrrrr.
And thanks to everyone else for the kind words!
~ heathergallay