New Ink Coming Soon

I suddenly have the urge to get nice cherry blossom inked on my back but am still considering which tattoo artist I should visit. Just to reveal some ideas of the cherry blossom tattoo I'm in love with...

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but I basically will change it to be tattoed on my back only and without the falling petals.

.:My ugly draft:.

Some more info on what Cherry Blossom Tattoo means.

Though seen less often in cherry tattoos, even richer than the symbols and legend for the cherry is the cherry blossom that precedes it. Because the blossom lasts for such a short time, it symbolizes Spring, purity, and short-lived beauty. To some, it symbolizes the fact that humans are born into this world naked and without possessions, and that we return the same way.

Chinese Cherry Blossom

For the Chinese the cherry blossom is a very significant symbol of power. Typically it represent a feminine beauty and sexuality and often holds an idea of power or feminine dominance. Within the language of herbs and herbal lore of the Chinese the cherry blossom is often the symbol of love.

Japanese Cherry Blossom

For the Japanese the cherry blossom holds very different meaning. The cherry blossom is a very delicate flower that blooms for a very short time. For the Japanese this represents the transience of life. This concept ties in very deeply with the fundamental teachings of Buddhism that state all life is suffering and transitory. The Japanese have long held strong to the Buddhist belief of the transitory nature of life and it is very noble to not get too attached to a particular outcome or not become emotional because it will all pass in time.

The fallen cherry blossom is not taken lightly in Japanese symbolism either. It often represents the beauty of snow and there are many connections made in Japanese literature or poetry to a fallen cherry blossom and snow. This also has been extended to the life of a warrior whose life was ended early in battle.

As you can see in both cultures the symbolism and meaning behind the cherry blossom is very significant and powerful at the same time. It is important to think about these symbols and connect this with what your personally believe the cherry blossom represents. If you still want to get a cherry blossom tattoo and the above meaning from the Japanese culture or the Chinese culture do not speak to you or you're somehow view the cherry blossom in a very different way then it is okay to still get a cherry blossom tattoo. However, it is always important to know the symbolism before getting a tattoo permanently done.

Personally, I prefer the Chinese Meaning.. haha but anyway, it is true that cherry blossom doesn't last and then again, so do we. I believe in living the life beautifully with full of love which eventually will not last very long because we will have to leave the world one day. This ink will serve to remind me on that.