(obvious) tattoos?

[jasonwill2]

I have been tempted to get an inverted pentagram tattoo on the back of my left hand, a normal pentagram on the back of my right hand, and the word "SATANIST" on my eight fingers, so that when held out like a fist it would read as such.

It would work perfectly, but it feels kind of "gang like" (which is bad) to do lettering on my fingers, but it fits perfectly.

I have been wanting to do this for about 6 months but am not sure about it and what repercussions I could have of this in the future since everyone could see it.

What do you guys think?

edit: I dont want to be ganster with the letter, but it still sounded like a neat idea at the time

 

[Gjallarhorn]

Cheesy.

 

[Circle_One]

I know this is the DIR and I'm not LHP, but I AM someone who has many, many tattoos. Would you mind if I gave my opinion?

 

[jasonwill2]

I know this is the DIR and I'm not LHP, but I AM someone who has many, many tattoos. Would you mind if I gave my opinion?

go right ahead

 

[Circle_One]

Ok, so here's the thing: Hand tattoos can be beautiful, and not look gang-like at all, providing they are done well, and the subject matter is not too "off-putting" (for lack of a better term).

My boyfriend has both hands and both sets of knuckles done, and they're gorgeous.

However, another thing you have to consider when deciding on the subject matter, is a future job. Do you have a job already that you're comfortable with, and know it is a life-time job, and also know that your employers wouldn't be put off by seeing pentagrams and the word "satanist" on a daily basis? If so, then I say go for it.

If not, then I would reconsider for now. If you are currently looking for employment, then you have to keep in mind that while YOU know what your religious path entails, many people do not understand the satanic path and this often causes fear and judgement. I would venture to say that any new employer looking to hire someone is definitely going to think twice before hiring you, if they see such tattoos on such a visible place on your body. Don't get me wrong, in this day and age, the majority of employers don't have a problem with visible tattoos, but getting something, for example, like my boyfriend's tattoos, which are a royal flush on one hand, and a skull & crown on the other, with BTL LTW on his knuckles, would be viewed completely differently than pentagrams and "Satanist".

As someone who had to find a job with many visible tattoos, this is just my personal opinion. It can be a difficult task, and you will often be looked over for someone more "presentable".

 

[Adramelek]

On my upper left arm I have a tattoo of an inverse pentagram encompassed within an inverse seven pointed star, inspired by the Sigil of Aemeth by Dr. John Dee. I got this tattoo in honor of my undying devotion to the Realms of Magic and my alliegence to That which I call the Prince of Darkness.

Xeper.
/Adramelek\

 

[jasonwill2]

Ok, so here's the thing: Hand tattoos can be beautiful, and not look gang-like at all, providing they are done well, and the subject matter is not too "off-putting" (for lack of a better term).

My boyfriend has both hands and both sets of knuckles done, and they're gorgeous.

However, another thing you have to consider when deciding on the subject matter, is a future job. Do you have a job already that you're comfortable with, and know it is a life-time job, and also know that your employers wouldn't be put off by seeing pentagrams and the word "satanist" on a daily basis? If so, then I say go for it.

If not, then I would reconsider for now. If you are currently looking for employment, then you have to keep in mind that while YOU know what your religious path entails, many people do not understand the satanic path and this often causes fear and judgement. I would venture to say that any new employer looking to hire someone is definitely going to think twice before hiring you, if they see such tattoos on such a visible place on your body. Don't get me wrong, in this day and age, the majority of employers don't have a problem with visible tattoos, but getting something, for example, like my boyfriend's tattoos, which are a royal flush on one hand, and a skull & crown on the other, with BTL LTW on his knuckles, would be viewed completely differently than pentagrams and "Satanist".

As someone who had to find a job with many visible tattoos, this is just my personal opinion. It can be a difficult task, and you will often be looked over for someone more "presentable".

Well that was a concern of mine that I only thought of recently. I havn't started collage yet but am working at a restaurant right now, and I'm only 20 and first realized I was a Satanist about a year ago. But unless I put my hands together no one will be the wiser as to what it says.

I tried thinking of different ways to to say "hail satan" or w/e in latin that would be less obvious, but most Latin versions of Satan are "satana(s)" or other added things. It wouldn't fit right with "Ave"

Though part of me is worried that I might someday tread down another Left Hand Path religion... I know the LHP is my natural one and the one I am happy on, but I might some day leave Satanism specficially and so that part is a bit of a concern.

Though I've started to consider making it "Left Hand", but that leaves out the "path" and will get kind of annoying.

But as a general idea what do you think?

 

[Circle_One]

Well that was a concern of mine that I only thought of recently. I havn't started collage yet but am working at a restaurant right now, and I'm only 20 and first realized I was a Satanist about a year ago. But unless I put my hands together no one will be the wiser as to what it says.

I tried thinking of different ways to to say "hail satan" or w/e in latin that would be less obvious, but most Latin versions of Satan are "satana(s)" or other added things. It wouldn't fit right with "Ave"

Though part of me is worried that I might someday tread down another Left Hand Path religion... I know the LHP is my natural one and the one I am happy on, but I might some day leave Satanism specficially and so that part is a bit of a concern.

Though I've started to consider making it "Left Hand", but that leaves out the "path" and will get kind of annoying.

But as a general idea what do you think?

For the pentagrams, I'd find a tattoo artist who could make them "artistic", instead of simply two large, black pentagrams on your hand. THAT would look very prison-y. If you can get the pentagrams done with something weaved around them, or behind them, to give them color, and to take away only slightly from the view of big black pentagram, I think they could be done gorgeously.

As for the "Satanist" script, I actually really like the idea of it saying "Left Hand". It's very pointed, for those who know what LHP is, but for those who don't know, it's not obvious, and that's what all religion is about anyway, right? What WE feel about it, not what others feel about our religions? I think LEFT HAND makes it very much an inside thing between you and your own path, and I think that's pretty cool.

Edited to add: but as a general idea, I think it could be done incredibly well, and look beautiful, as long as you find the right artist.

 

[jasonwill2]

For the pentagrams, I'd find a tattoo artist who could make them "artistic", instead of simply two large, black pentagrams on your hand. THAT would look very prison-y. If you can get the pentagrams done with something weaved around them, or behind them, to give them color, and to take away only slightly from the view of big black pentagram, I think they could be done gorgeously.

As for the "Satanist" script, I actually really like the idea of it saying "Left Hand". It's very pointed, for those who know what LHP is, but for those who don't know, it's not obvious, and that's what all religion is about anyway, right? What WE feel about it, not what others feel about our religions? I think LEFT HAND makes it very much an inside thing between you and your own path, and I think that's pretty cool.

Edited to add: but as a general idea, I think it could be done incredibly well, and look beautiful, as long as you find the right artist.

Well in that light, leaving out "path" might not be all that bad.

 

[Circle_One]

Well in that light, leaving out "path" might not be all that bad.

I'm really big on the idea of tattoos being personal to those who have them, rather than being obvious to those who see them. I have many that to people who see them, seem like nothing more than silly pictures, but to me have incredibly deep-rooted meanings, and I think that's what the art of tattooing is all about.

 

[jasonwill2]

I'm really big on the idea of tattoos being personal to those who have them, rather than being obvious to those who see them. I have many that to people who see them, seem like nothing more than silly pictures, but to me have incredibly deep-rooted meanings, and I think that's what the art of tattooing is all about.

hmm... i only know of one tattoo place nearby.

though what if I got silvery colored pentagrams with a kind of...angle to the circle? like a line that suggested that the outer circle was not cylindrical but rather had a slightly more square shape around it's circumference, and with a glare on the whole thing?

edit: I talked to Circle One about it all in length in Ajax chat, and thank you for all the help on deciding what I would do and what all to consider =)

 

[-Peacemaker-]

I have been tempted to get an inverted pentagram tattoo on the back of my left hand, a normal pentagram on the back of my right hand, and the word "SATANIST" on my eight fingers, so that when held out like a fist it would read as such.

It would work perfectly, but it feels kind of "gang like" (which is bad) to do lettering on my fingers, but it fits perfectly.

I have been wanting to do this for about 6 months but am not sure about it and what repercussions I could have of this in the future since everyone could see it.

What do you guys think?

edit: I dont want to be ganster with the letter, but it still sounded like a neat idea at the time

Do you want to be employable? If so, you won't get a tattoo that isn't easily covered

 

[Circle_One]

Do you want to be employable? If so, you won't get a tattoo that isn't easily covered

I think that's a very close-minded statement, and one that doesn't ring true in society anymore.

I worked at a bank for ten years, and I have more than 20 visible tattoos, including ones on my neck, back of the head, and wrists. They've also been there since before I got my job, and I was still hired.

My boyfriend has full sleeves, from shoulder to knuckles, on both arms, his neck, throat and chest done as well, and he has such a great job that I was able to leave my own and focus on being a stay at home mom.

 

[-Peacemaker-]

I think that's a very close-minded statement, and one that doesn't ring true in society anymore.

I worked at a bank for ten years, and I have more than 20 visible tattoos, including ones on my neck, back of the head, and wrists. They've also been there since before I got my job, and I was still hired.

My boyfriend has full sleeves, from shoulder to knuckles, on both arms, his neck, throat and chest done as well, and he has such a great job that I was able to leave my own and focus on being a stay at home mom.

You also have to consider the ramifications of getting a tattoo that many employeers will connect with evil, even if it means the opposite to you. It also matters what kind of job you're trying to get. Certainly a working class position won't have such strict requirements. Try getting into a law firm with tats all over your body and tell me how it goes

 

[Circle_One]

You also have to consider the ramifications of getting a tattoo that many employeers will connect with evil, even if it means the opposite to you

And that's exactly what I explained to him in my first post.

 

[Orias]

I have been tempted to get an inverted pentagram tattoo on the back of my left hand, a normal pentagram on the back of my right hand, and the word "SATANIST" on my eight fingers, so that when held out like a fist it would read as such.

It would work perfectly, but it feels kind of "gang like" (which is bad) to do lettering on my fingers, but it fits perfectly.

I have been wanting to do this for about 6 months but am not sure about it and what repercussions I could have of this in the future since everyone could see it.

What do you guys think?

edit: I dont want to be ganster with the letter, but it still sounded like a neat idea at the time

You know I still have to finish my tattoo, but I would think a little more subtlety. The center piece of my arm has the sigil of Orias within the trunk of the Tree of Life (heh it looks a bit different obviously).

My cousin has the sigil of baphomet on his upper left arm. Funny thing is, he works as St. Vincent DePaul. Heheh.

But throughout your travels you will find smaller center pieces that hold a strong gravity i.e meaning to your personal existence.

I wouldn't get anything that directly says Satanist, I would just get something that draws considerably positive attention to oneself.

It can still be Satanic, you just have to draw your own influence from it and what it represents to you.

 

[ScottySatan]

if it's the job thing that's a concern, try this:

pick some kind of job that you aspire to where it's questionable whether a tattoo would be acceptable. Some job where it's possible to BS for a few minutes about your knowledge of the subject. Apply for a job. Lie on your resume and make yourself seem almost too good for them. Use friends phone numbers as references and have them lie. Go to a job interview with temporary tattoos and see what happens.

I wouldn't get them because at work I sometimes need the cooperation of people from a very conservative society, like Korea, where only gangsters have tattoos. They're scared of the non-confrontational tattoos I already have.

 

[ScottySatan]

Also, you know that a tattoo of a geometric shape doesn't retain it's geometry on skin that stretches, or has something bumpy and moveable underneath it like a joint, right? My tattoo artist refuses to put geometric shapes on anything other than flat skin like your chest or side of upper arm. I'd say that warping of a pentagram removes the geometric properties of the thing, which are the whole point of its significance.

 

[The Sum of Awe]

As Circle One said, if you're being hired the employer would think twice about employing a "satanist" because many people have no understanding of what satanism is, and lack respect for it.

I, personally, would just get a tattoo of a pentagram on my right, upper arm and a big word printed on my back saying: "SINNER", or even "SATANIST" like you said. There would be clothes covering it up for job interviews, if you go to court, etc.

 

[Orias]

As Circle One said, if you're being hired the employer would think twice about employing a "satanist" because many people have no understanding of what satanism is, and lack respect for it.

I, personally, would just get a tattoo of a pentagram on my right, upper arm and a big word printed on my back saying: "SINNER", or even "SATANIST" like you said. There would be clothes covering it up for job interviews, if you go to court, etc.

Well when I got hired the asked to see if I had any tattoos and what they are.

Thats why the best thing to do, is to just get it and then "pretty it up" with other meaningful yet distracting symbols.