Mens Libera
@mens-libera
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I really like the theme of your tattoo. there are a million different ways you could go. The first thing that came to mind for me was an open fence gate. Looking out through an open fence gate with a broken lock out onto a scene of some sort that represents freedom to you. Rolling green hills, ocean, something surreal like a sky with crazy clouds, etc. On either side of the open gate you could have a plaque with your saying on it.
Personally, I would advise against words in a different language. To me, unless that is your natural spoken word, it just comes off kind of toolish. I think you could make this work with english and have it make a lot more sense. Besides, everyone will ask you it means and the first 100 times you explain it it will be cool and then it will just be annoying.
I’m sure other people will have other ideas but think this one over, could be cool.
The ‘scenic tattoo’ you’ve suggested is great as a form of art, but wouldn’t work as ink (for me). It’s a nice idea though. 😀
The Greek quote is very well-known and widely understood and would be wrong to have it in English; plus, I am of Greek Cypriot ancestry, so it works. I can see why you would argue that I should keep the Tennessee Williams quote in English, but I am fascinated by language and speak other languages too (I shall be studying Arabic and Persian at uni after summer). I think it gives it that kick, that extra sense of subtlety and obscurity to have it in another language. I have contacted four of the best scholars in Arabic and Persian with a full, in-depth description of the quote in order for it to be rendered as fluently as possible in the source language, so that really isn’t a problem.
I’m also an ink virgin but I’ve been working mine for about a year and when I finish these sodding exams I can actually get it. So i know how important the right stuff it.
If you’d like the release of a bird, why not simply have an empty, antique looking bird cage with an open door? Then add the dove, either flying out, or even above the quote, so you can see how far the bird has come? Even better, why not replace the dove with a butterfly? Apparently they are symbols of freedom and rebirth, and it’s a nice twist on the caged bird theme?
Here are some of the cages I mean, but you could make them even more filigree like if you wanted them prettier?
http://buttertoastboutique.files.wor…-bird-cage.jpg
http://www.burchardgalleries.com/auc…g1802/l73a.jpg
http://www.midwaypartyrental.com/ima…e_rnd_wire.jpg
Hope this is helpful, or at least sparks off some other ideas!
Poesy x
I don’t like the idea of the cage, sorry. But the contribution was most welcome – I’m just very fussy and reserve the freedom to be so when it comes to life-long body art. 😉 I don’t like the idea of a butterfly because I’m a man.
Talking of re-birth though, I did originally want a tattoo of a Greek phoenix until I decided that the quotes were more important and probably wouldn’t fit in conceptually with what the writing was saying. I wouldn’t rule out having a phoenix in the future, but I don’t think it could fit in with this tattoo. I don’t know what you guys think about that?
Another thing I failed to mention in my first post was ink colour. My thoughts so far have been black for the writing and grey for the hands and dove/Virgin Mary, hands, and dove (and maybe red if I had a flower or something with Mary, but I guess it depends on how productive my advice-seeking proves to be :p).
Thanks again, people. Keep ’em coming!
