Ink'd - Peonies

When I told my friends that I was going to get a half-sleeve tattoo of peonies, she couldn't help overhearing penis, and the subsequent squeal of laughter that follows from everyone. But after I showed her an example on my phone, the room oooh'd and ahhh'd.

I've been waiting for this one for quite some time now. I told myself to sleep on the idea for two years and when time came to get it, if I still think it's a good idea to just go for it. The timing was just right: just turned 30, economically I can support such a hefty investment, a supportive relationship, and the artist had an opening in her schedule. I jumped at the opportunity.

What you see here is the result of the first session, outlines and some background shading. The next session will be finishing all the backgrounds and coloring. Last session will be touch-ups and the remainder of the coloring. The whole project will take a little less than two months with two weeks of heal time in between each session.

Why peonies you ask? Several reasons. Peonies is the national flower of China, which I proudly represent. The flower itself symbolizes honor, beauty, romance, prosperity, and an omen of good fortune and happy marriage. In Greek culture, its been associated with medicine for curing asthma, epilepsy, and warding evil spirits. It's been used in various art forms in both Chinese and Japanese cultures adorned both with and without animals. It's often regarded as the masculine flower. So I thought it was interesting to play off the feminine/masculine dichotomy. And lastly, my family has a history in the horticulture business, so I've grown up loving plants and flora, I thought it only appropriate to carry the flower proudly. Peonies have always been one of my favorite flowers anyway, so there ya go.

According to my mother's fortune teller, because I was born on Summer Solstice, the driest time of the year, that having water has my healing element is crucial for me. Thus having water element in my name, or having the sea dragon* as my spirit guide, I thought it fitting to have waves beneath my flowers. And there you have it.

The artist was really fast and efficient with her work. She was very accurate and skilled. And though I had forgotten the kind of pain that comes with tattooing, it wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I probably could've take more and got more background done were it not close to closing time. I'm looking forward to the next two sessions.





*The sea dragon will probably be my next tattoo. Though I may have to think it over for another few years, also because it isn't cheap. The next one will most likely be on my right arm.