Ideas for Pi Beta Phi tattoos?

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by sherrybaby

haha well i already have one on my wrist, which is usually said to be equally painful if not more so, so i think i'll be okay. but yeah, it's one of the worst places. i just think tattoos are best if they can be covered (i can wear a watch over my wrist one); even if i love it and it's super significant, there will always be times and places where they are inappropriate. one thing i would recommend to anyone thinking about tattoos: get a black (or whatever color you want it to be) gel pen and draw the tattoo where you want it. do this often (i did it every day for a year) so you can get used to seeing your tattoo. see if it's something you can get used to/like, or if maybe you eventually get sick of it. see what people say when they notice it. can you deal with their reactions? make alterations to where/what it is to find what you like best. as people have mentioned, tattoos are a big decision. i love mine and will never regret it, but i gave mine years of thought and a year-long practice run. also, notice the reactions on this board: if your tattoo is very visible, you will be dealing with them frequently. does it bother you that some people will inevitably think your tattoo is a poor decision/ugly/whatever? people who don't think of these things are usually the ones that regret getting tattoos. finally, and i can't stress this enough, do lots of research when choosing a tattoo parlor. horror stories abound about the consequences of getting tattoos in unsanitary, unprofessional conditions. many professional parlors that follow strict health codes exist, you just have to find them!

anyways, spiel over. good luck with whatever you decide!

Good advice.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by sherrybaby

get a black (or whatever color you want it to be) gel pen and draw the tattoo where you want it. do this often (i did it every day for a year)

So every single day, after you showered, you took the time to draw a tattoo on yourself? That's dedication.

[amanda6035]

I got 2 tattoos while I was in the military, long before I ever knew I'd be joining AXiD. I got 1 on each of my 2 deployments. I love them both, and wish I could get more. However, I cant think of anywhere else I'd feel comfortable getting one and being able to get it covered up, so the chances of that happening are slim.

[sherrybaby]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

So every single day, after you showered, you took the time to draw a tattoo on yourself? That's dedication.

yeah, every morning i would draw it, it's just a word (coincidentally a greek one, actually) so it was pretty easy... i figure, if i can't be bothered to invest 5 minutes everyday to be sure of my decision, then i probably shouldn't get it. i think it really helps when you're not sure of size, placing, colors...i've already made some changes to the original design of the twin stars i'm testing out right now, and i've only been drawing them for two days so far. it's also helpful for feedback (for example, someone pointed out that when the stars are too little and too fat, they look like snake bites). i suppose a test-run would be harder the bigger/more elaborate your tattoo, but i think it's worth the bother unless you want something that really lies beyond your own artistic skill.

[IrishLake]

Yep, the first of many of my friends to go tattoos was in 1996.

I will never, ever, ever. It will never look as good as the day it's applied. I had several sisters get kites and star tattoo that are easily covered by clothing, and even now, 10 years or so later, they wish they hadn't, because even though there's significance, they look horrible.

[DrPhil]

I don't think it ever looks good on the day that it is applied.

People in their late teens and 20s tend to get tattoos and the smart ones think about how it will look when they are in their 30s and beyond. As far as American culture, tattoo artists and tattoo'd lifestyles aside, I cringe when I see people with tattoos all over their bodies and/or in places they can't hide even if they tried.

Only a couple of my friends have tattoos (as far as I know) and they all have them in places where you won't know unless they tell you.

[Alumiyum]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

I don't think it ever looks good on the day that it is applied.

People in their late teens and 20s tend to get tattoos and the smart ones think about how it will look when they are in their 30s and beyond. As far as American culture, tattoo artists and tattoo'd lifestyles aside, I cringe when I see people with tattoos all over their bodies and/or in places they can't hide even if they tried.

Only a couple of my friends have tattoos (as far as I know) and they all have them in places where you won't know unless they tell you.

Yeah, I personally wouldn't say never to a small tattoo, I just seriously doubt I'm ever going to get one, and if I do it will be in a place that isn't going to stretch and sag as much as others. I will never understand getting one on a whim, especially in a hard to hide area. I have a harder time thinking of people 18-my age that don't have at least one than those that do.

I went on spring break one year with a bunch of guys and two other girls. I remember the majority of the group decided, after lunch, they wanted tattoos. The guy I was dating (thankfully) decided to hang at the bar with me and wait. They came back with flash from the wall of the place, all in visible places. It confused me.

[FSUZeta]

and remember that one day, you will be old and your skin will be saggy and that bitchin' battleship you got tattooed on your chest will have sunk!

[carnation]

I have seen plenty of sunken ships, so to speak, on the arms of WWll and Korean War veterans. And this is why I don't want a tattoo!

[crusse10]

Originally Posted by carnation

I have seen plenty of sunken ships, so to speak, on the arms of WWll and Korean War veterans. And this is why I don't want a tattoo!

I just want to say that your signature makes my head hurt.

[carnation]

One degree from each school, lol.

[crusse10]

Originally Posted by carnation

One degree from each school, lol.

But, I mean, it's not even a different division in the SEC.

[madeline21]

Some girls from my chapter have gotten lines of our creed. I really like this because there are some parts of our creed that are really meaningful to us, or that we just really like . Im not familiar with the pi phi creed but if there is a part that you really like or think is meaningful to you then that could be something good!

[steelerbear]

I don't have a tattoo, even though I've given thought to what I'd want for years now. I knew I wanted to wait until I was an alumna before getting a Phi Mu tattoo, though, and I also maintain that I don't want to get my letters, despite my alumna status. There are still several ideas floating around in my head, but nothing totally solid yet, and I still don't even know where my tattoo would be located.

Idea #1: a quatrefoil (our badge shape, of course) with a cycloid (coincidentally ASA's badge shape; I'd use it because I'm a Steelers fan) inside it. Two passions, one tattoo.
Idea #2: a quatrefoil with three stars inside.
#3: Three stars.
#4: A hand holding a heart.
#5: A hand holding a heart, with three stars seeming to shine out from the heart. (This is the most likely option at this point.)
#6: The words "Love, Honor, Truth" in cursive.

...all of mine are taken from symbols of my Fraternity (or from our creed, as in #6), but they don't include the letters at all. Perhaps for Pi Phi you could choose just an arrow? Maybe a diamond (the basic shape of your coat-of-arms, of course), or a diamond with an arrow in it? Also, do a Google search and see if you find anything inspirational there from other Pi Phis. I would personally avoid getting a carnation (unless you found a VERY good line drawing of one that your artist could copy), because they often don't turn out clearly, or if you just say "carnation" to a tattoo artist, you may wind up with a rose or a chrysanthemum.

[AGDAlum]

Originally Posted by PiPhiAngel09

I want to get a tattoo that has something to do with Pi Phi, but I do NOT want to get letters. Does anyone have any ideas or any tattoos they have for their Greek organizations that might give me ideas? I want this to be very special to me, so it has to be perfect! Thanks, friends.

I would not get a tattoo.....but seems to me that a small arrow would be appropriate for a Pi Beta Phi.