Like many tattoo enthusiasts who have gone before you, you may be considering the idea of memorial tattoos, perhaps to pay homage to a loved one who has recently departed.
If that’s the case, this is actually a very personal way of honoring their memory, through your choice of body art, and it is a wonderful way to keep them with you forever. There are a variety of different ways to do this from the obvious to the more subtle so let us take a look at some of the most popular ideas before you decide which is best for you.
Of course, one of the clearest ways to depict memorial tattoos is to use the name of the loved one you are honoring perhaps accompanied by a significant date that relates to their life or even death. These could be used in conjunction with an image following a similar theme, such as a guardian angel or praying hands however if you do not have any specific religious or spiritual beliefs you may want to take a more agnostic approach. Flowers and crosses are also popular, often with a banner detailing the name of the deceased incorporated into the overall design; however you can let your imagination run wild and go for something that is more unique and individual for you. The best place to start is to write a list about the person your tattoo will be dedicated too, in particular showing their likes and common interests you both shared. For example, if your mother loved butterflies then you may wish to use this as a theme for your chosen design but you can really use any image or text that you want as long as it is of significance to you. It is also a good idea to trawl through the memory bank as chances are you’ve shared some great moments together that you may wish to commemorate in this way.
Take your time and think about a great memory, perhaps to an exotic location, then find a good tattoo design that adequately fits that memory. You may be surprised what memories certain images trigger, if you spend the time researching as many designs as you can until you find one that jumps out at you for all the right reasons.
Alternatively, you may want to avoid image entirely and opt for a phrase or quote that reminds you of your loved one, especially one that is inspirational or ties in with the individual’s personal philosophy. Fortunately, there are no set rules when it comes to memorial tattoos so it really comes down to individual preference. This is however one of the most personal tattoo designs you can get so it definitely requires a great deal of thought before you decide on any particular image or text. Not only will this be with you for life, but you also want it to remind you of someone you love for all the right reasons so it is important to make the correct choice. This is one of these unique occasions when the heart’s decision should definitely rule that of the head when selecting a body art design of this kind.
