Tattoo – Tattoo is a very common form of body art. A tattoo can be either permanent or temporary. A permanent tattoo lasts forever but the process is immensely painful. So if you are not that courageous you should go for a temporary tattoo which is not at all painful but that does not last for long. A tattoo can be done on any part of your body. If you can not come up with your own design you can search the net for one. There are many websites that will give you thousands of designs to choose from. The designs vary from dragons, skulls, animals to butterflies, flowers and even abstracts. Some websites even offer downloadable temporary tattoos and also tattoo stencils. One such website is the tattoo Johnny website. You can download the tattoo stencil from the website and take the printout to the local tattoo parlor and get the tattoo permanently on your skin.

Piercing – Body piercing is another form of art. Ear piercing is the most common form of piercing. Most women pierce their ears when they are just little girls. When they grow up they get some more piercing on their ear. Men also pierce their ears. Piercing other parts of your body is also quite famous now. You can pierce your nose, your tongue, your cheeks, your eyebrows and if you are more brave and courageous you can also try piercing your nipples, your navel or your genitals. Piercing is done mainly due to wear jewellery and there are different kinds of jewellery with which you can flaunt your piercings.

Nail art – Nail art is yet another form of body art. It is mainly adorned by women. It is a form of art where a woman’s nails are painted with color. You can also keep them nude and just apply a coat of glossy nail polish or you can also go for a French manicure if you want to keep it simple. In order to glamorize your nails a bit you can apply some bright colored nail polish and stick stones and make patterns or you can also use different colors together. If you have short nails you can also use artificial nails that are easily available.

One such website is the tattoo johnny website. You can download the tattoo stencil from the website and take the printout to the local tattoo parlor and get the tattoo permanently on your skin.

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The highly complex and beautiful tattoos we see adorning modern Celts and others today are made up of spirals, knot work, geometric shapes, crosses and other Celtic artworks. Yet these designs have little in common with ancient tattoos. Tattoos in the ancient Celtic world were mostly restricted to warriors going to battle. Warriors chose their designs carefully and were very personal. Tribal tattoo art takes the form of animals and other symbolic designs. There were perhaps not many swirls, spirals and knot work involved. These designs which are so well known and loved today were derived from the Christian Celts, long after the time of Celtic warriors.

Did Celtic warriors tattoo or paint?

Ancient tribal tattoos are the domain of the Picts who were a group of tribes living in areas of Britain. After about the 11th century they became subsumed under a new term, “The Scots”.

Pictish history began being recorded as far back as the Dark Ages at a time when they were not as yet the dominant power in Northern Britain which was at that time controlled by the Gaels. The Picts were farmers who lived in small communities. Their source of wealth was derived from their livestock as well as crops such as wheat, barely, oats and rye.

However the Picts were a fierce and brave nation who loved to fight and they are in fact known for their piracy and raiding expeditions. They were also a religious nation who worshipped nature and other objects around them. They attributed many meanings and accolades to these things and believed that by bearing their images on their bodies during battle they would be able to take on their meaning as well as provide the protection they needed from their gods and goddesses.

Warriors would also have ensured that by their body decoration they would be ale to be identified during battle and in the event of death.

It is not clear whether the Picts actually cut themselves or whether they only painted themselves during battle. Whatever they did do is today known as tattoo. What is clear however is that Celtic warriors engaged their enemies painted bright blue-green and adorned with a host of symbolic images.

There is no definite answer to the question regarding whether they tattooed or painted, the name Britannia certainly points to the latter as it is derived from an ancient Celtic word meaning “land of the painted people”.

Yet it was written in 240BCE by a Greek historian in reference to Roman history. He says that the Picts drew figures on their skins after which they would press a hot iron onto themselves. Thereafter they would rub the sap of the Woad plant onto the burnt areas. There was no other mention made of Celtic tattooing until 200 years later when the Roman Emperor Honorius put down these words in a poem:

The legions guarding Britannia’s farthest reaches.
Reigning-in the barbaric Scots,
Saw on their bodies of the dying Picts
Crude images cut with iron.

A further 200 years was to pass before another mention was made regarding tattooing. The Spanish Bishop of Seville noted in his version of the Dark Ages that the Picts would prick their designs into their skin before rubbing sap onto them.

The Elite

Tattooing was perhaps at first kept for those who were elite as a way to distinguish themselves from the rest of their community and as a way to depict their social status, their religious beliefs and their passions. From the scant recordings passed down from Roman invasions mention is made of the fact that at times glimpses of body decoration were seen.

In fact Julius Caesar calls the color produced by the Woad plant as vitrum which roughly translates into the word glass. It is possible that he was referring to an iron based pigment as he would not have been aware of the existence of plant at the time.

About the Author:
Tim Lazaro is a Celtic Symbols enthusiast. Visit All About Celtic Symbols for tips on Celtic Tattoos and other tips you can use right now to gain a deep understanding of Celtic Design and Symbols.

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While a lot of people out there may think that getting body piercings are a little more radical than getting tattoos, what they tend to forget is many people of both sexes get their ears pierced while they are very young, so why is that not seen as extreme? It is no different for someone to want to get their eyebrows, nose, tongue, or abdomen pierced than it is for someone to get it done to their ears. When you take a look at the other forms of body art, like tattooing and body paint, you very rarely find an artist willing to do facial art, which leaves piercing the only real way to express yourself artistically on your face. When you see facial and body piercings in this way, as just an accent to your personality, then you can see the beauty in the different kinds of piercings that you can get, from your face, to your abdomen, to just about anywhere you can think of.

Moving on to the other very popular and artistically stylish forms of body art, tattoos and your body paint temporary tattoos. With your classic tattoos, the kind where the ink is inserted into the skin, there are a variety of styles and types that you can get. You’ve got your basic black and white ink, to the insanely crazy UV ink that can only be seen under a black light (which is great for you ravers out there). On top of that, you’ve got some great choices when it comes to styling because there is a style for whatever you want to exhibit on your body, whether it is a tribal archaic style, or the ultra-realistically detailed and properly shaded naturalistic style, or if it is your classic dedication or memorial tattoo with the old heart and banner.

Now, last but certainly not least by any means, let’s get a quick overview of the temporary tattoos. Over the past couple of years these kinds of non-permanent tattoos have absolutely skyrocketed in terms of popularity, especially with the younger crowd that aren’t quite old enough to get the permanent kind. These kinds of tattoos are basically nothing more than body paint, like the super popular Henna style ones, and they can last between two or three weeks which is fantastic for people that want to change up their style from time to time.

As you can see, there are tons of choices for you to make when it comes to choosing how you want the rest of the world to see you. There are all manner of body piercings that are the perfect artistic accent to your personality, to your classic permanent ink tattoos which are the ultimate way to express yourself and who you are. And let’s not forget about the most adaptable style of body art, those temporary body paint tattoos which are all the rage these days. If you want to express yourself to the world, then there is one form of body art or another that can allow you to do it the way you want.

I’m sure you must have more questions about tattoos and piercings!

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Whatever their reason, body piercing has a long and colorful history. The new generation is now discovering the beauty and joy of body piercing. Thus, as a result of this passion, many unique designs have been added to the traditional one such as the various designs on medieval tattoos.

Tattoo is a permanent expression of individuality and choosing the right designs is very crucial in body painting. Take note that body painting take years to fade, so choose the perfect design that you could live with “even if it takes forever”. Take your time and think about the thing very close to you or what inspires you and base your designs on these things and you will acquire a new admiration in body piercing.

Many designs originate in different cultures and each design has it own meaning. The meanings of the design are often spiritual in nature, a holy symbol of religion like the Christian cross, Celtic cross or Iron cross, designs in the ancient world, and occasionally on medieval tattoos.

Ancient history is so fascinating that our modern society looks upon this era with new eye and appreciate them for their beauty and significance. Medieval tattoos inspire some tattoo lover as the perfect design for their body painting.

There are varieties of tattoo designs offered by the artist ranging from abstractions to stylized designs. Here are different types of tattoos that have gained popularity in the present times that might inspire you:

* Abstraction tattoos – using archaic styles of tattooing that does not involve many artwork and mostly done in shades of black and classic gray. This type of tattoos is commonly found around the navel, chest and calves, though arms and upper back are also a popular choice. Designs include tribal and Celtic style tattoos, Old English lettering and Chinese symbols.

* Naturalistic tattoos – it involves a minute detailing, shading and perspective to make the designs look as much as possible so alive and natural. But of course, it cost higher than the others and the designs comprise mostly of popular faces of Native Americans and religious leaders.

* Simplification Tattoos – have unlimited boundaries in terms of tattoo designs. Anything goes with this type of tattoos; the shape and the size as long as it is styled by the artist. Designs ranging from action figurines and animals to flowers and hearts, the range of designs in simplification tattoos is quite wide. Panthers and lions are the popular designs, while dragons and zodiac signs is most favored in custom-made stylized tattoos.

* Complex tattoos or combination tattoos – involves a more intricate designs compared with other styles. They comprise of an amalgamation of various tattoos and it comprises traditional Japanese body suits and combinations of unrelated images.

Tattoos lover would always say that body painting is the most exotic and beautiful medium of self expression and that tattoos are forever.

If you want to get your body tattooed permanently with a Medieval Tattoos, then it would be helpful if you know more about the various designs that go with such image. Just click HERE to know more about Tattoos.

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Body art is that art which is made on, with, or consisting of, the human body. It also includes scarification, branding, scalpelling, shaping (for example tight-lacing of corsets), full body tattoo and body painting.

Primitive and tribal societies have some marvellous (if painful looking) examples of body art, such as earlobe stretching among many African tribes, and many other kinds of piercings.

Tattooing was a method of identification for old timers in India, when illiterate people would typically have their own name tattooed on a visible part of the body such at the back of the hand or the forearm.

The significance of henna at wedding ceremonies in India is now well known, with one entire pre-wedding event dedicated to what is known as the ‘mehndi ceremony’. All the females in the bride’s entourage would typically gather to have henna artist make intricate, elaborate and beautiful henna patterns in the hands, arms and feet as part of the wedding celebraions.

The World Body Painting Festival is held in Austria in the third week of July, which is the biggest festival of its kind. There are different categories of competitions, brush and sponge, airbrush, and special effects. A UV effects contest is also part of this festival. All models must be wearing underpants while painted, but female models can go topless if they want. It is a singular experience to be used as an artists’ canvas, so many participants of the festival offer themselves as models without any charge.

The Australian Body Art Carnivale is an event that celebrates the creative genius involved in body art and body painting and will be held this year over the coming weekend in September in Edmundi. “This “Festival of Colour” drawing together cutting-edge artists from around the globe, who will create masterpieces before your eyes using the human body as their inspiration – and canvas!Aside from the spectacular full body art and some serious face painting, the Carnivale will also include traditional Aboriginal body painting, pavement art, a wearable art competition and parade, photographic competitions and a visual art exhibition called “Art of the Body” as well as life drawing and sculpting workshops.”

Body art as a method of beatification has been around literally for millennia and will doubtless be around for centuries more; what form it will take; well that is your guess being as good as mine.

Reena Daruwalla

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Popular Tattoos – Body Art Designs
Tattoos are a very personal matter. After all, the chosen design is going to be a part of your body for the rest of your life. However, as with most things, there are trends that exist. Many love the tribal tattoos with their flowing lines. The traditional tattoos of anchors and birds are making a comeback. Celtic symbols are now very popular because their meanings are generally common to most races and universal in nature.

Many women tend to get tattooed on their ankles, wrists, and lower back; this is where the curves are! Men will generally prefer it on their fore arms, biceps, and upper back.

Body Art Painting
Unlike tattoos, body art is temporary and painted onto the skin. It can last for a few hours or up to a few weeks. It is said that body painting is one of the most ancient art forms. Now, body painting is quite popular in both amateur and commercial arenas, and not all “pieces” involve nudity. Many body artists will include small designs on one area of the body. There are numerous festivals held each year in New York and New Mexico where thousands flock to see the vibrantly coloured participants. The modern revival of body art painting can be dated back to the 1950’s when artists would cover a model’s body in paint (typically female) and have her roll on a canvas to transfer the paint. The results were intriguing – all the curves of the female body in either monotone or mixed coloring.

Visit www.AaronArtPrints.org to continue reading ‘Body Art Painting: Tattoos no longer taboo’.

Art Historian, Donovan Gauvreau lectures about art therapy with a focus on creativity development. He believes we can learn from the great masters in art to communicate ideas and feelings through painting. He provides content to Aaron Art Prints to educate and inspire people to take a glimpse into an artist’s life to better understand the meaning behind their work.

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Nothing can beat an incredible and unique tattoo just peeking out from the curve of her behind and onto her lower-back. The following looks into this wonderful world of lower-back tattoo designs and help you decide on what kind of tattoo you would want embedded on that sexy part of your body.

The Lower Back: An Excellent Place for Unique and Sexy Tattoo Designs

The lower-back is an excellent location to put unique and sexy tattoo designs as this can be easily flaunted or flashed whatever style of clothing a person may choose. In a same manner, the tattoo can be discreetly hidden under clothing if the person chooses it to be depending on the situation they are in.

The lower-back is also an area in the body that doesn’t change much whether the person is young or old, thin or plump, and could really be a very feminine and very sexy area particularly for bold and daring women who wants to enhance their looks and image.

Popular Lower Back Tattoo Designs

There are several designs available that a particular person can choose that would look perfect on their lower backs. It all depends on what a person prefers his or her image to project. But if you want a tattoo that projects a sleek and sexy look, then the following are some design suggestions that you may want to consider and get that unique and sexy lower back tattoo design that is perfect for your body.

* A Coiling Snake – a symbol of the inner power and energy that some people believe the lower-back holds. The snake or the serpent is also used as a symbol for a goddess and is considered a feminine, benign force by some older religions
* Tribal Design – this is one of the most popular designs that people choose for their lower-backs. Also called tramp stamps on the lower-back, tribal designs can be Celtic, Polynesian, African or any other exotic tribal design from anywhere in the world
* Lotus Flower – another symbol for femininity, fertility, divinity and prosperity used throughout the ages. It is also considered a symbol of the sun and the creative power that female holds
* Dragon – this is another symbol of inner power that would look sleek and sexy as the image appears to jump out from the lower back
* Dolphins – a dolphin tattoo is great for a woman’s lower-back and would really appear sexy as it conforms to the curves and contours of the lower-back

The lower-back is a great and excellent place where excellent looking tattoos can be placed. A person, particularly daring ladies who wants to change their looks into something bold and daring can make use of unique and sexy lower back tattoo designs.

If you are looking for unique, hot and sexy tattoo design I recommend you have a look at http://www.MiamiInkTattooDesigns.com. They have more than 25,000 tattoo designs in their gallery.

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Tribal tattoos typically represent a particular indigenous tribe or are a symbol of a tribe. They typically have a lot of meaning, such as the cross does for certain spiritual and religious groups. Christians would be apt to get a tattoo of a cross while people of Irish descent may choose to get the Celtic cross emblazoned on their back or arm. Other people may choose a Gothic motif for a darker look.

Of course, the skull is also a popular choice these days for clothing and for tattoos. For men, especially, it is a very masculine and powerful choice. Another manly choice would be the dragon tattoos that have become incredibly popular.

For women, a popular choice would be the butterfly as it symbolizes transformation and beauty. Some tribes also have special meaning for the butterfly as well. Women tend to choose floral designed tattoos as well. With tribal tattoos, this can have a meaning related to love and life. There is a lot of room for variation when dealing with flowers.

Of course there are many other tribal art tattoos that you can choose from, all of which relate to more spiritual things such as the sun and the moon. There are even tattoos of your zodiac sign that you can have put on!

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