A week and a half ago I went to get a tattoo a few years in the works. On mother’s day 2022 I got my first tattoo, a butterfly on my leg. It was kind of a precursor to this tattoo. I wanted to experience the sensation, while getting to understand the process. Regardless about where the tattoo is on my body, it MUST have some kind of symbolic meaning for me. The butterfly symbolized my new birth as my true self.
This tattoo has a much deeper meaning and symbolism, which is why it took me over a year to create the concept of it. The tattoo has four pieces to it, and they all have a deep meaning for me. So let me explain
MOON: The moon is something that plays a BIG part in my life and has since birth. When I am stressed, I go walk under the moonlight. I was born a minute before noon on Nov 1, the moon is the yang to my yin. The moon has a way to cleanse my soul, rejuvenate my energy and heal my heart. Many times growing up I would look outside or look up if I was outside at the moon and wish that someday I could truly be myself. The moon is the night, and I am night. Throughout the night I get my best ideas and inspiration. My life would not be what it is today if it wasn’t for the moon; that being a international exhibiting artist, a audio/video producer. The moon lights your path in the strictest darkness.
FAIRY: Fairies are interesting creatures. We can’t confirm they exist yet we can’t confirm they don’t. Fairies are these magical creatures that make the world beautiful with every touch. You may never see one but you are impacted by their actions. Legend has it they only come out at night for the most part, and if you happen to see one or capture one, you are blessed with good luck. That’s me in a nutshell, many never saw me, I was invisible in plain sight yet the work I did, the art I created was seen by countless people and I’ve heard it helped them. Often growing up and even as an adult I would sit with my head on my knees and cry, wish for something better, or admire the moon from a totally submissive pose. The hair is brown because that fairy IS me!
LEAVES: The leaves growing up the side of the moon represent new life and growth (spiritually, physically and mentally). This is my life now. In 2020 my branch had some green leaves but also an abundance of dead leaves and healthy leaves with some death on them. Once I forgave myself, loved myself and grew, my leaves grew healthy and started growing up. This is a symbol for life and prosperity.
SIGN: The sign at the bottom is the Arabic version of my name, written by a friend of mine from Egypt. The Egyptian culture has always fascinated me. I loved the mummy at Yale’s Peabody Museum. I love the ancient architecture and how they made that civilization flourish for millenia. This was her gift for me, and I wanted to incorporate it. Now Arabic is in multiple countries but it came from my Egyptian friend. It is held by the chain to tie the piece together calling it EMMA. I also wanted to have my name, but not in a recognizable language.
That’s my tattoo meaning. I think that if you are going to tattoo something it should be symbolic or meaningful to you; remember it’s permanent and will represent you. I do have one suggestion when you tattoo something on your body that uses foreign languages, make SURE the symbol means what you hope for, NEVER take anyone’s word. For instance a lot of times we tattoo words in Chinese on us, but since it’s a symbol, make sure you know that the symbol is what you want, don’t take someone’s word for it that doesn’t know the language. If you know someone that speaks the language, have them write it for you.
Tattoos are fun, I am addicted to them but I won’t go crazy with them as some do.
