Gaelic translation needed-tat advice as well

[dfmacliam]

Sounds like you have a great idea. I know you want help with a design, but let me put this to you..
Look for a special tattoo artist, everyone has their special styles they excell in, find the one who suits your taste..

You could use a unicorn head wth the Saltire and lion to show your heritage, maybe add a banner with your motto.

[Deil the Yin]

I'm not a tattoo man by a long shot (my wife makes up for both of us), but I can really appreciate your creativity with your tat ideas.

One thing I wanted to mention about the Rampant Lion- it's kinda pet peave of mine- is that it is usually a reference to the royal family, especially the flag. I could be mistaken, but it's my impression that it's illegal to fly the lion rampant flag in the UK unless you are the Queen (just to give you an idea). Not that it would be illegal to have it on a tattoo, but just to give you a sense of its symbolism in context. That's the way I've usually seen it though (but again, I could be mislead on this).

On the other hand, the Saltire and Thistle have always been symbols of the Scottish people, which is much more to my taste (if you wanted my opinion). I also like to see a bit of Celtic knot work put into things like the belt and such as I've done with my avatar.

Regarding the Gaelic: "Scottish Blood, American Heart"... I was gonna try a translation since I have a Gaelic/English dictionary, but I probably better not. However, if I'm not mistaken, Slohairt is more of an actual Gaelic speaker and I think he could be a great help if you PM'd him. In lieu of that, I might recommend using a well known Gaelic slogan such as Alba gu breagh (Scotland Forever, lit Til Judgement) even in conjunction with your original slogan in English (so you don't forget what it means). Of course now I couldn't say if my spelling of the well known phrase is correct? The "breagh" throws me- I think that's the Irish version? Again- check with Slohairt as the literal may be quite different from the spoken/poetic!

And don't forget to show us some piccies when you get it done!

Regards aye,
Wesley

[Tobus]

So please no more input on "you should wait until your 25, or you need to think this through." I understand all that. I just wanted some ideas on what to get. . . .

I say this as a fellow with plenty of tattoos, who is married to a tattoo artist. Searching for the "right" tattoo is a process that takes a long time. And while there's nothing wrong with asking strangers for input, the decision on the artwork needs to come from your heart and soul. From your original post, it sounds like you're kind of wishy-washy on several different themes, which says to me that they don't really speak to your soul. You're doing the right thing in tossing out ideas and chewing on them, but the one you finally get should be the one that you decide you just can't live without. I know you're tired of all the advice on waiting and such, but I've seen a lot of people over the years get tattoos that weren't right for them, and they knew it.

So keep on playing the ideas through in your mind. One day it will come together and you'll know it's the right one.

The best thing to do, in my experience, is to scour the internet for images that you'd want to incorporate into the tattoo. Rough-sketch it out on paper, or copy/paste them in photoshop or something. Then take it to a reputable tattoo artist and ask them to sketch it up, resize it, etc. And be prepared to pay them for it. Nothing annoys a tattoo artist more than spending time sketching up random ideas for customers only to have them back out. But a good tattoo artist will be able to help you incorporate everything you want in the design and will probably give you realistic tips on what works well in ink and what doesn't. You'll definitely want that input from an experienced tattoo artist. Not everything that looks good on paper or on a computer screen will look good on skin. You'll need a tattoo artist to walk you through that so that your design is realistic for a tattoo.

Can't help with the Gaelic, sorry.

But on the clan badge, the unicorn might not be such a problem. I've noticed that clan badges tend to vary greatly in style; there seems to be plenty of room for artistic license. See if the tattoo artist can make the unicorn seem a little more bold or warrior-like instead of something that looks like it came from a child's cartoon book. A good artist can give the unicorn some muscling, make the horn look like a real weapon, and basically make it look like a horned war-horse.

Before picking a tattoo artist, make sure you look through all his photo books of past work. Definitely shop around and pick the guy (or gal) who you think is not only the best visual artist, but the best with the needle. I've seen tattoo artists that are masters at drawing on paper but just can't seem to make it work on skin. And vice-versa. So do your homework in picking an artist that can be creative with the design you want, as well as follow through when it comes to inking your skin.

And last but not least, don't EVER get a tattoo from the 'flash art' on the wall!

[Arlen]

O.K. Roughly speaking, the Gaidhlig would be 'Fuil na h-Alba, Meadhan Amerighan.' That means pretty much, 'Blood of Scotland, American heart.' (Heart as in your soul or core, not the organ.) There's no real easy way to say 'Scottish blood' in the Gaidhlig that is grammatically correct.

I would say if you get the chance email someone at the SMO to double check because my Gaidhlig is far from perfect.

As far as the tattoo, I echo what these guys have said about thinking about it, but you are obviously pretty sensible of the fact since you are carefully planning it rather than just going out and getting it right away. Good luck getting it done!

[berserkbishop]

Bishop,
what about a Targe with the Cunningham motto around it, and the Lion in the middle?

Just a thought.

Congrats one Grad day. when your family has left we need to have you over one night.
let me know what your calender looks like

Thanks for the invitation, and thanks for the suggestion. It was actually something that I was considering. . . something more to sketch up.

I will be about for at least a few more months so I will let you know what my schedule looks like when the grad craziness is over!

[Big Mikey]

This is my latest piece. Crossed thistle and claymore with family tartan (MacGregor) in the targe.

[WClarkB]

As for tattoos being a fad, im curious how long fads usually last. The Navy has a glorious history of tattoos running back many years.

when everyone from Madonna to moroni gets one---> FAD

[slohairt]

IRISH: Fuil Albanach, Croí Mheiriceánach
SCOTTISH: Fuil Albannach, Cridhe Ameireaganach

You can use the name of the organ (croí/cridhe) as in 'mo chroí' (my heart). Meán/Meadhan means 'centre' or 'middle' and is usually used in a geographical sense.

[berserkbishop]

IRISH: Fuil Albanach, Croí Mheiriceánach
SCOTTISH: Fuil Albannach, Cridhe Ameireaganach

You can use the name of the organ (croí/cridhe) as in 'mo chroí' (my heart). Meán/Meadhan means 'centre' or 'middle' and is usually used in a geographical sense.

Thanks, I am looking for something similar to the word soul, heart is just a phrase that we use in English (not as an organ). What phrasing would be the best to get the meaning correct. I dont know that i care if it is perfectly translatable to English, i just am looking for a Gaelic phrase with the same/similar meaning.

[berserkbishop]

when everyone from Madonna to moroni gets one---> FAD

Sir, I hear your opinion and choose to disregard it. If all you want to do is come in a thread clearly marked about tattoos and say that you think that they are "faddish" I would appreciate if you save your remarks.