got a tattoo?

[macwilkin]

Although it is a crest and it says a family name - how would they know who it actually belongs to?
Also - if the person who it did belong to (if it ever did) died more than a certain number of years ago and it wasnt renewed doesnt it then not non longer belong to them? I realise this is a concept of copyright but thought it might be similar...
From the rough design you could argue that my tattoo isnt actually the family crest... the colours are quite different and the objects within it have been manipulated.

The Lyon Court maintains a register of arms which may be viewed on appointment. Much genealogical research and documentation is consulted before arms are granted.

Remember, there is no such thing as a "family crest" in Scottish heraldry -- arms belongs to individuals. In the case of Highland clans, that individual is the chief.

A Coat of Arms belongs only to one individual person and can only be used by that person and no one else. In order for a person to be able to use a Coat of Arms it is necessary for that individual person to apply for a personal Coat of Arms to be granted to him or her.

"Any person who wishes to use Arms must petition for a Grant of Arms or - if they can trace their ancestry back to an ancestor who had a grant of Arms - a "matriculation" showing their place within the family.

From the Lyon Court's web site: http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/221.185.html.

Oh I've been looking at the Lord Lyon website.
Basically they're saying no Scot should fly the Lion Rampant and it is an offense to do so. I havent seen anyone convicted, sued or legally infringed in any sort of way for doing so. So what are the chances of someone bothering me about having something similar to an Armigerous clan's crest or dead person's crest?

Again, ask Donald Trump:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ukne...t-of-arms.html

Granted, as Rathdown stated, it's just a tattoo. I would doubt anything would come of it, but like the traditions of Highland dress, it's good to know the customs of heraldry.

Regards,

Todd

[madman79764]

Oh I've been looking at the Lord Lyon website.
Basically they're saying no Scot should fly the Lion Rampant and it is an offense to do so. I havent seen anyone convicted, sued or legally infringed in any sort of way for doing so. So what are the chances of someone bothering me about having something similar to an Armigerous clan's crest or dead person's crest?

That would the same thing here in the states for example Harley/Davidson is not going to file a lawsuit against everyone who has a HD trademarked tattoo and make them either remove or coverup said image.

[Kilt TN]

I have one, a Celtic (St.John’s) tribal band upper arm. I really didn't feel a thing during the process, even on the inside of my upper arm. But I do have a high pain threshold for pain. The tattoo artist was amazed, he said most guys tear up when he does the inside arm.

[Foosinho]

As previously stated, pain is relative. Having said that, the process of tattooing involves steel needles being inserted into your skin thousands of times. Draw your own conclusions.

It tickles!

OK, I've got one, and it does hurt, but it doesn't take long for the adrenaline dump to crank your endorphins up so high you can't feel anything. This, BTW, is why you need to eat something.

I did start feeling it again when she got to the very top of my arm, close to the shoulder joint. Less meat, more bone.

The tattooing itself is awesome - your body has cranked everything up to 11. It's when you come down off the high that you start putting in the effort; your tattoo feels sore, like Mike Tyson too two free hits, and the itching is pure torture. The soreness goes away pretty quickly, the itching... I can't really remember, maybe a week, tops? It's been more than 10 years, so I can't really recall.

It's kinda like some of the more extreme piercings. The endorphin rush is amazing; it's the healing process that blows. At least, that's how it goes when you pierce your tongue. I didn't feel a thing, but the endorphins almost knocked me silly. It's when I got brave enough to try and eat a piece of pepperoni a week later that it hurt.

I have four chinese symbols running down the outside of my left calf---Courage, Wisdom, Honor, and Tranquility---four things to which I aspire and generally fail miserably.

Mine is in Japanese, and thankfully it's covered up when I wear a t-shirt or I'd be constantly explaining it too.

I've got my forearms targeted for future tattoos (which I badly want to get), and one I'm thinking about will definitely require explanation: Maxwell's Equations.

That would the same thing here in the states for example Harley/Davidson is not going to file a lawsuit against everyone who has a HD trademarked tattoo and make them either remove or coverup said image.

I know of a company that was giving away product in exchange for people tattooing one of their (many) logos on themselves, provided they met a few restrictions (involving minimum size and minimum visibility - you aren't getting $1k worth or product for a 1"x1" tattoo on your buttcheek!). Response was so overwhelming they had to end the promotion earlier than scheduled.

Anyway, I loved my experience getting inked, and I definitely want to do it again. I'll repeat the same advice I tell anyone who asks: be 100% sure of what you want to get before you get it, because it's permanent*, and don't just walk into any old parlor - do your research, find a good artist, and be comfortable that they'll do quality work. Then you'll have a commissioned piece of art permanently on your body that you'll love forever.

*OK, that's not really true anymore. But it's painful and expensive to get them removed. Why waste the money? Be sure first.

[Galician]

I just read the article on the penalties for violating heraldic law in Scotland. The fine is 100 pounds. I wonder if Mr. Trump could afford that.

[Urchurdan]

I have a few Scottish themed tattoos that may be of some interest, excuse the poor quality pics, I got the good lady to take them before I go to work.

Both forearms and hands

right forearm, celtic eagles on arm, celtic star on hand, celtic bracelet with black saltire round wrist and thistle ring on middle finger

Left forearm with celtic lions on forearm, and celtic star on hand. Orobourus bracelet round wrist (a snake eating itself - Egyptian symbol used by Jacobites)

Left upper arm, Urquhart Clansman badge, Saltire and Old Glory with wifes and my name above flag, and two Nations one love between poles (I am Scottish, she is American)

Right upper arm, Caledonia above a thistle tat, and what we call a Scottish Dog Rose, another Jacobite Emblem that lead to the white cockade, it has 1745 in the middle. (Do you recognize it New Guise? I was going to ask if your aviator was a tat.)

My left leg, below kilt hose level, this was done in the States.

My right leg, a sgian dubh - it is behind another version of the Urquhart clansman badge, it is 'strapped' to my leg. I have a small collection of sgianan dubh, about 40, but I rarely wear one, this is my usual one.

And thats it for now, I design most of my own tattoos, I do them on the PC in 2D, then my tattooist gives them his artistic attention. I am currently working on a chest piece for my FINAL tattoo. Mind you I say that every time. It is a version of a griffin ie half beast half bird. My version is half Rampant Lion, half bald Eagle. Again representing my association with the States. This is the my final draft version, remember it is in 2D, my tattooist is giving it his attention right now, I am getting it done on the 21st of October, what do you think? I will post the tat when it is done.

[NewGuise]

Right upper arm, Caledonia above a thistle tat, and what we call a Scottish Dog Rose, another Jacobite Emblem that lead to the white cockade, it has 1745 in the middle. (Do you recognize it New Guise? I was going to ask if your aviator was a tat.)

I certainly do recognize it! Properly speaking, if I remember correctly, the Scottish White Rose is not a Dog Rose (R. canina is usually pink, and scentless), although often referred to as such, but the allied Burnet Rose (R. spinosissima), which grows even in sandy soil by the sea where virtually nothing else grows. While mine is influenced by my research associations with the House, City, and Shires of York, I'm pretty fond of the Burnet as well ... to look at, and to smell, not to touch!

I am currently working on a chest piece for my FINAL tattoo. Mind you I say that every time. It is a version of a griffin ie half beast half bird. My version is half Rampant Lion, half bald Eagle. Again representing my association with the States.

I look forward to seeing it in the flesh, as it were.

[Morris at Heathfield]

I don't have a tattoo, but once I ordered a Chinese dictionary from a bookstore. The clerk's hair was dyed an unnatural color and she had a nose ring. When I told her the title of the book I wanted to order, her countenance brightened, and she said, "Oh, are you going to get a tattoo?" Totally natural coming from her, but I was a bit taken aback, as the thought would never have crossed my mind.

I don't want to stereotype everyone who gets a Chinese/Japanese character tattoo, but to a large degree, I think such tattoos are the Western equivalent of Engrish. If I ever did get a tattoo in another language, I would want to make dead certain that I understood the grammar and syntax of the language, as well as the full range of meanings of all the words/characters used in the tattoo. I'd do the same if I was buying a t-shirt, but at least you can bury your t-shirt in the bottom of the dresser, give it to Goodwill, or whatever, if you find out it doesn't say quite what you thought it said.

[NewGuise]

If I ever did get a tattoo in another language, I would want to make dead certain that I understood the grammar and syntax of the language, as well as the full range of meanings of all the words/characters used in the tattoo. I'd do the same if I was buying a t-shirt, but at least you can bury your t-shirt in the bottom of the dresser, give it to Goodwill, or whatever, if you find out it doesn't say quite what you thought it said.

I'm with you on that, for all sorts of reasons. There was a story not all that long ago about a tattoo artist who deliberately put some funny or obscene slogans on his unwitting customers before leaving town....

[Skipper1]

I have two - one large one centered on my back and one large chest piece. Breathing helped. Taking a break every now and then helped. The pain is mildly irritating and I found that conentrating on some of my work planning (developing plans for the crew) shifted the pain way to the back ground. Definately the least favourite spots were over the bone, and over the diaphram.

The back piece is a large dragonfly (my totem) encircled with a celtic knot.

The chest piece is composed of various items from my family crest (O'Dochartaigh) such as the family slogan, three stars and, in place of a red stag rampant, the head of an Irish Elk, - see my avitar to get an idea of what that looks like. I have also included symbols relevant to my pagan beliefs (the cauldron of Manannan Mac Lir, a celtic sword, triskele, etc). It is all in outline as I have not yet had it shaded in. I plan to leave it all in black as I think it will hold up better over time.

Of course, it proably goes without saying that it is important to make the tat personnally relevant in a timeless way. By this I mean - a symbol of your god, or someone or something deeply meaningful to you alone. That way you will never tire of it. The name of your latest girlfriend may not fit the bill Or at least I think it is important.

Good luck.