I've learned that Buddhist symbols, icons and calligraphy are popular subjects for tattoos. So, I thought it would be fun to put together a Buddhist body art photo gallery, if I can find enough good photos. And I'd love it if some of you readers could submit awesome photos of your awesome body art.
Please note that I'm not promising to use every photo I receive. I need good quality photos of tattoos with a specifically Buddhist subject, not just something sort of Asian. Please follow the guidelines used by the About.com Guide to Tattoos and Body Piercing, Karen Hudson, as closely as possible. I also need statements (with email addresses) from the photographer and the person whose body is the canvas for the tattoo that give permission to publish the photo on About.com. Send your photos to buddhism.guide@about.com.
You are also welcome to post photos on the Buddhism forums, but be sure to get permission from any person whose face or other body part is in the photo. And please remember this is a family-friendly site.
Photo Credit: Ben Gertzfield / Flickr.com, Creative Commons License
What is the significance of the symbol depicted in the tattoo you’ve shown?
Hi, Randall. That’s the Eternal Knot, one of the Eight Auspicious Symbols (Buddhists make lists of everything). The lines flowing and entwined in a closed pattern represent the interrelationship of all beings and phenomena. It also signifies cause and effect and the union of compassion and wisdom.
for a ton of Buddhist tattoos, check TheWorstHorse.net’s “Body Vows” articles, or the “Dharma tattoos” category on The Worst Horse blog:
http://theworsthorse.wordpress.com/category/dharma-tattoos/
Here’s mine:
http://www.edsander.com/timeline/image/tattoo.jpg
Ed