Tattoo idea.

So I've had a decision I've been trying to make for about 5 years now. When I was 15 I was friends with this girl whom I met while I was at a very low point and so was she. Because of that we became really close friends really quick. That friend that you would rely on if you needed to talk about something serious or just for fun. While we had been hanging out I somehow came up with the name Ladybug to call her.

Sadly she passed away unexpectedly when I was 16. And because she was such a big influence on my life then and today, still, I decided I want to get a tattoo in her memory. I've always wanted a tattoo but couldnt think of anything meaningful enough that I could see my 80 year old self being ok with.


So basically I'm struggling to come up with what kind of tattoo to get. I would like to put more into it than just a name DOB-death date, or whatever the common "in memory of..." Tattoo is. So to make it original I wanted to get a tattoo of a ladybug somehow because that was my nickname for her.....Which would be great, except for the fact that I'd look like a total fag with a tattoo of a ladybug and don't want to explain to everyone what it's for. So my struggle is finding a design that won't look gay as fuck.

My ideas so far have been pretty out there because honestly it's pretty hard incorporating a ladybug into a male tattoo. The first one I thought of is getting a knight that looks like he's riding into battle on the back of a ladybug. The 2nd idea was get a tattoo of something different and have maybe smaller ladybugs crawling on whatever it is so that they aren't the main part but still enough to be noticed. And lastly I thought maybe if I can't think of a good one, I will just get a small ladybug tattoo in a spot where nobody will see it really, like my foot or something.

Start here if you want to skip the backstory.
So for those creative minds out there I'm looking for a way to get a tattoo of a ladybug without it looking gay as all hell. Id like the tattoo to go on the back of my shoulder or possibly upper arm/bicep area depending on size. I am open to pretty wild ideas because I am the type of person who would get a gladiator riding a ladybug to battle and be completely stoked on it.

Thanks guys, eager to see what you come up with!

 

You could potentially get a flower with ladybugs climbing on the stem. May not be the most masculine, but many artists can put a good effort into it.

 

If you're struggling for ideas, you shouldn't get one.

 

her memories will always be with you. I don't think you need marks on your body to represent and cherish the memories as long as you remember her

 

This is true. I know I don't need a tattoo. I guess part of the reason I want it so bad is because I can't think of anything else that will ever mean enough to me to get permanently tattood except maybe a future child or something, and I've always wanted to get one. A lot of my friends are really into tattoos and so I've grown up around them and grown up to be really interested in their culture/styles. I know I'm kind of rushing into getting one, I'm only 21 and have my whole life for something to hit home enough to get tattood.


And as for the post above the last one. I don't necessarily believe one shouldn't get a tattoo just because they lack ideas for how to express whatever it is the tattoo is representing. I'm not the most creative guy and therefore my ideas were seeming sort of bland. Just because one got tips or ideas from another doesn't make the tattoo any less meaningful or sentimental. I see where you're coming from though and appreciate the feedback.

 

Basically my thoughts. Take your time and work on thinking of something that means something to you. It's something that will forever reflect a time in your life so you want it well represented.

 

Exactly, there is no rush to get one. My best suggestion: arrive at a decision the same way you arrived at the name of Ladybug. I'm sure you two were just hanging out and you just thought it up: you likely weren't trying to specifically come up with a nickname, aye? I think that's sometimes the best way to have great ideas: just let them happen upon you.

 

As long as the memories and what she meant to you are held dear they don't need to be recorded on your skin in ink. If you can't arrive on a design that you are fine with for a sustained period of time then you shouldn't bother. I likely will never get a tattoo ever for this very reason.

 

By getting to something yourself you'll find you like it a lot better than something someone else gave you. It's going to be on your body for the rest of your life so might as well make sure you'll actually want it there when you get older!

 

Totally cool with tattoos but, providing I did the tl;dr version of your post, you definitely should not get a ladybug tattoo like that if you're unsure enough to ask us.

 

I'd take the time and make sure you find something that feels perfect and can provide the feelings after what happened.

I wouldn't personally get one, I'd just cherish the memories you shared.

 

I don't like the idea of tattoos in general... There's nothing I'd want to have on my body for my whole life

 

A ladybug flying and holding you (supporting you) in her legs while you slay a dragon. Your body would be Conan style so ripped af and you could paste you face over Conan's body and then be holding a giant sword.

 

Don't concern yourself with this. You're doing this for her, not them.

As others have said, when it hits you, you'll know it. Our suggestions will really only help narrow down what you don't want.

And just to throw out another one of those...
Something like this, but with DOB/DOD as/in the black spots

Cliche I know, but it touches on everything you mentioned. Admittedly not very well, but hey there really wasn't much thought put into it.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. You're doing it for the right reasons. And when you finally get one, I wish you luck with your new found addiction. Trust me...

 

the power of love symbol looks like a ladybug

 

I got you fam. I think this may be the best idea I've heard in my whole life. You're a god.

 

That's one of the best reasons to get a tattoo...

I know you said shoulder/bicep, but something like this would be neck appropriate.

Why not go for a realistic look, not just a "tattoo" look? There's good artists out there that could literally make it look like a lady bug is crawling on you and not just look like body art.

Most shops around here have a minimum of $40, so I could see a life-sized lady bug being a waste of money when you could get one much larger for the same price. While, as I said, I'd personally put something like that on the side, closer to the back, of my neck, it would look very nice on any part of the body.


This is MUCH bigger than life-size (obviously) and it's not quite as realistic as I was meaning (very obvious it's a tattoo lol) but is the area I was thinking of.




I can't find any good images of a realistic lady bug... But if a great artist can do this with a butterfly, imagine what they could do with a ladybug!



EDIT: The main thing is - If you don't know the artists work, then do not allow freehand. Demand it in drawing. And don't be too nice... If it's not EXACTLY what you want, tell them no, especially with something as important as a memorial. If you go to Kat Von D, by all means... let her free hand, but also expect about $600 for a life-sized ladybug lmao. But depending on if you WANT one that looks like a real bug on you, or if you want simple body art will depend on the amount of time and how easily it will be for an artist to give you exactly what you want, obviously, requiring better artists for more realistic art.

 

I like this idea, something kind of small and out of the way. I'm not necessarily getting a tattoo to show it off, it's more for my personal reasons and therefore I don't really want it being some big obnoxious thing.

 

All in a days work my man

 

Before I think of designs where would you be interested in getting this tatted on and the general size that you want. Some designs work better at various locations. I don't have any tattoo's but I currently apprentice at a local shop. I would be willing to draw up a design for you for free. I think it's awesome that you are interested in getting something for her.