tattoos of god images?

[christine]

namaste (:

i would like to get a tattoo of the ohm symbol styled to resemble sri ganesha on the inside of my right wrist.

however, my sikh friend said that getting the tattoo so close to my hand would be disrespectful.

is this true? where can i get the tattoo that would be more respectful, or is getting the tattoo in general disrespectful?


any help or insight on the matter would be greatly appreciated!

[sanjaya]

Which hand is it?

I ask because in India, the right hand is typically used for sacred purposes while the left is used for the common. For example, when giving dakshina or receiving money or prasadam, we typically use the right hand only. Maybe he meant that getting a tattoo so close to the left hand is disrespectful to God.

[christine]

it would be on my right wrist.

[Onkara]

namasté Christine
Defiling the body is considered taboo in some schools of thought as the body is the temple of the spirit. The hands, face, neck etc, tend to be publicly visible and communicate who you are to others instantly.

I am not judging you or your choice, just sharing an opinion on where the idea may come from.

[Adhvagat]

Christine, I've pondered about this as well.

For me, personally, I considered all my actions. Would all my actions always be respectful? What about when I go to the bathroom?

I conclude that the hand would not be the best place. Right now I plan to tattoo something, but not in the arm or hand anyway, in a more hidden/neutral place like my back perhaps.

In my case, at first I wanted just the phrase "satyameva jayate", but now I want the full blown Lion of Ashoka: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Emblem_of_India.svg

[charitra]

Dont get too carried away with the faith please, I dont like to see a cross or an OM on hand etc., they make me feel the individuals are intolerant to other faiths though it simply is a misperception. Are we, intolerant?
You instead buy a shirt or a pendant with Om on it for now.Om Shanti.

[BryonMorrigan]

Dont get too carried away with the faith please, I dont like to see a cross or an OM on hand etc., they make me feel the individuals are intolerant to other faiths though it simply is a misperception. Are we, intolerant?
You instead buy a shirt or a pendant with Om on it for now.Om Shanti.

Do you really think that 99% of Americans would even recognize an Om symbol if they saw one? Much less see it as a symbol of Sanatana Dharma? I could walk down the streets of just about any American city in a dhoti, carrying a saffron flag, and chanting a mantra...and I bet you that most people would just think I was a Muslim or a Buddhist.

Regarding tattoos, well...I doubt anyone here knows this, but I probably am more heavily-tattooed than anyone else on this board. I'm doing a theme of historical battles, mostly from the ancient world...but the crowning achievement is going to be a huge back-piece depicting Shivaji defeating the Mughals.

Things to keep in mind:

1. Before getting anything religious, make sure that you are going to stick with this religion. Yes, you may feel right now as if this is where you belong, but you are still young, and people go through a lot of changes during their 20s. I'm not saying that you aren't...I'm just saying that some reflection is certainly necessary.

2. Think about future tattoos. Are you planning to get more? If so, getting a small symbol might impact future designs. Think about how these things all tie in together.

3. Think about your career. I'm a writer. I spend all day alone in my house typing. My career is not impacted one iota by my appearance. That's not the case with most people. Think about what you plan for your life ahead.

4. If you do decide to get an Om symbol that is "stylized"...make sure that a native Indian has looked at it and determined that it still says, "Om." The last thing you want to have is a symbol that actually says, "Uhhh" or something. This actually happens a lot with Westerners getting tattoos of Asian languages. For example, read this: http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/22251

[Onkara]

Hi Christine
What about wearing a necklace with the Aum around your neck for a month, to see what the reaction would be (before getting a tattoo for life)? I would be interested in anyone's reaction, those who know you might ask for more info

[Adhvagat]

Regarding tattoos, well...I doubt anyone here knows this, but I probably am more heavily-tattooed than anyone else on this board.

So aside from feeling superior to us (untattooed heathens) based on ink injected underneath the skin you also use your siddhic vision to see everyone on this forum without clothes?! You're just a horrible person, Bryon.

[satay]

namaste,

however, my sikh friend said that getting the tattoo so close to my hand would be disrespectful.

I don't think your sikh friend knows what he or she is talking about. I know a lot of sikhs that have a the 'OnKar' tattoed on their right hand. I know a lot of hindus that have OM or Ganesh tattoed on their right hand also. It seems like this was a common thing for people to do just thirty forty years ago. I see a lot of people at the temple, people of my dad's age, with tattoes on their hand or arm. Hardly ever see a tattoo on people of my age though.

That said, give due consideration to the whole process of getting a tattoo.