The Top Three Sanskrit Tattoo Designs Om, Padme, Trishula

When you get a tattoo, you should not skimp on the cost. Pay whatever it takes to get it done right. If you can't afford a big one, then get a small tattoo. Don't end up like so many youngsters today - they see someone with a large, beautiful tribal tattoo and rush to get one themselves. Except that they can't afford a first-rate tattoo artist, so they go to a cheap one. What the end up with is a piece of trash looking as if someone threw paint on their skin. There are several small, simple Sanskrit tattoo designs which are ideal for the beginner tattoo enthusiast. They look good when done right, yet do not cost too much even when done by a good tattoo artist. Here are three of the top Sanskrit tattoos:

 Padme, Lotus Flower

 If you want something colorful, then the Sanskrit lotus flower tattoo will be great for you. Unlike normal flower tattoos, the Sanskrit lotus flower tattoo is drawn in a stylized form. It resembles the bright, colorful Mandalas used in Hindu celebrations.

 This tattoo can stand alone or it can come together with the Om symbol. For women, you might see it in a tattoo on the lower back or shoulder. Since it is stylized, men can also sport it on their biceps without looking wimpy. However, you shouldn't put it on your buttocks because the lotus flower is a sacred flower associated with the cycle of Creation and Destruction of the world.

 Om/Omkar Symbol

 Om is one of the primal sounds which created the Universe. It is a sacred sound and appears in the mantras of many systems of meditation. It has many meanings to the Hindu religion, but to those who just wish to express their spirituality, Om corresponds to the 3 states of human consciousness - the waking state, the dreaming state and deep sleep. In other words, if you get the Sanskrit Om tattoo, it will be a constant reminder to you of your level of spiritual awareness.

 Om can also be drawn with the Omkar symbol which is supposed to represent Ganesha, the elephant-headed son of Shiva and the God of Success. This symbol has four parts - the upper curve is the head, the large lower curve is the large belly, the curve at the side is the trunk, the semi-circle and dot is the sweetmeat ball held in the hand.

 Trishula, Trident Symbol

 The three-pronged trident wielded by Shiva, God of Destruction, is a popular motif for Sanskrit tattoo designs. This trident is called the Trishula, and it too holds several different meanings. It can mean the unending cycle of creation, maintenance and destruction of the world. At the same time, it also means the past, present and future. It can also mean the three energy channels in the human body coming together at the brow.

 In one version of the Hindu myths of their gods and demons, Shiva cut off Ganesha's original head with his trident and replaced it with an elephant's head. So you probably don't want to put the Trishula together with the Omkar in the same tattoo. On the other hand, the Trishula alone on a man's biceps look pretty good.

 Getting a tattoo isn't just a matter of expressing your individuality and spirituality. It is also a matter of fun. Although you don't really need to know the stories behind the popular Sanskrit tattoo designs, it does make the whole experience more interesting. It's like a piece of good art, what makes a famous painting great is not just how magnificent it looks, but also the story behind it.

Tips To Find The Right Tatoo Artist By Bruce Bart

It is almost an art in itself finding a tattoo artist who can not only customize a tattoo from scratch but someone who you will connect with and hopefully enjoy the whole process with. What is right for one person may not be right for another. Many people prefer to sit (or lie) in silence while the tattoo artist works on them while others want to be engaged by the artist and fully get into the experience. If you are not lucky enough to already know a tattoo artist well then you can expect to spend a fair amount of time finding a tattoo artist that is RIGHT for you. Going online and doing a search will turn up a huge amount of tattoo artists and studios but finding the right artist is a completely different matter.

 Some people who are heavily tattooed won't let anyone but their chosen artist work on them yet others seem to be on some kind of quest to be tattooed by as many tattoo artists as they can squeeze into their lifetimes. These kinds of people can sometimes be found hanging around tattoo conventions where well-known tattoo artists are in attendance. They will book well in advance if they know a famous tattoo artist is going to be there and can be seen hovering about showing their tattoos to anyone who is interested in hearing the all too familiar.

 And this piece was done by (insert famous tattoo artists name here) at the New York Tattoo Convention two years ago while this one was done by (insert famous tattoo artists name here) last year in London

 If you are the kind of person that doesn't get to go to many tattoo conventions or simply prefer to have a more low key tattoo session without throngs of onlookers then it is all the more important to find a tattoo artist that you like even if you have to travel to have them work on you.

 The Complete Tattoo Bible is a guide to help you find a tattoo artist as well as 1,000's of tattoo designs.

 Here are a few tips to help you choose the right tattoo artist.

 # If possible try meet them in person before you consider getting work done. You can usually tell within the first ten minutes if you want that artist to work on you. If they are overly grumpy it could either be the fact that its Monday morning or they may flat out be a grumble guts..not really the kinda person you want to have to try make conversation with for five hours.

 # Check out their portfolio of customized work. You can tell so much from a tattoo artists custom work. If their work resonates with you thats a start.

 # Listen to the experiences of others who have gone before you. If they talk about the tattoo artist like they are some kind of God or Goddess you may be onto something. Then again a lot of artists will think THEY are God so make it your mission to find out who is telling the truth!

 # Check out any reviews online. If you see them all over the internet you can bet your hard earned tattoo money they are probably very popular. But this makes your chances of getting a booking in the next 2 years all the slimmer!

 # Only listen to advice of people who have actually gotten work by the tattoo artist in question. There is nothing like first-hand experience. This is not to say that you will get off on the artist the same way your friend did, particularly if she is female and the artist was a dude!

 # Seek out a tattoo artist who specializes in the style of tattoo you are about to have done. If you are looking for some Polynesian style black work and know a particular artist that specializes in this style you should go to them.

 There are many more considerations to keep in mind not LEAST the standard of professionalism and cleanliness they portray in their studio. All tattoo artists have a legal obligation to maintain a high standard of practice by using sterile autoclaves and needles. Always check their credentials and if they are a member of any professional associations. If you are in any doubt at all DO NOT get tattooed there. Not only will you risk the transmission of blood borne pathogens from amateurs also known as scratchers but ultimately you WILL end up with a really bad tattoo.

 It takes years to become a professional tattoo artist. Don't think that by going to some back-street parlor you will be saving money having one done by some biker straight outta the joint rather than paying more to a seasoned artist. Chances are (s)he will screw it up, leave you with scars or nightmare of nightmares some blood borne disease such as hepatitis.

 It is worthwhile to spend a bit of time choosing the right tattoo artist. Not only will you come away with a tattoo which will hopefully last you a lifetime but you will experience an ancient form of art and one which is practiced by every culture under the sun.