"We can come back another time," my husband said to me.
"No," I said, "I came to get a tattoo, I'm leaving with a tattoo." Scouring the picture-filled walls of the parlor, I spied a four-leaf clover. One leaf each for faith, hope and love, with an extra for luck. Symbolic enough to mark this day, my first birthday without my Irish-American mother.
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Eight years later, on my 39th birthday, a triquetra Celtic knot was inked into my other ankle. Maiden-mother-crone, Holy Trinity, past/present/future, ancient Piscean sign. Threes are important, you see, births and wedding and death and graduations, all happening around the number 3.
And there will be a third tattoo. Just two years away before inking, I've already called upon my artistic friends to help me design it. The image must incorporate an owl, a book, a Celtic tri-spiral, and the number 51. It will be more visible, on my forearm this time, a reminder of where I've been and how far I've yet to go.
I love the symbolism behind your choices. I haven't done the tattoo thing yet, but I have always wanted to. Maybe this will be the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carol! I never considered getting one until my 30s...and then it seemed so natural to do so. My advice is to choose a location that won't look too different in a few decades. ;-)
DeleteI have an appreciation for tattoos although I could never commit to a lifelong image, which is a reason I don't have one! The stories behind them intrigue me--thanks for yours.
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading, Lori! It's funny how some folks I've known for awhile don't even realize I have them until I point them out. I'm a little nervous about getting the next one in such a visible location, but I want to be able to see the image without a mirror involved. :-)
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