Thoughts on tattoos and permanence

I had someone recently say to me that they couldn't get a tattoo until they decided on the perfect one with special meaning. Because it's going to be on their skin forever, ya know? It needs to *mean* something. I find this is a really common sentiment among people who don't have tattoos but want some. There's an idea that because something is going to be permanently on their body, it needs to have some special meaning to it. But I think that's a little presumptuous. As someone with multiple tattoos (9* as writing this) I have learned a few things about the concept of permanence.

My main problem with this idea of special meaning in tattoos is pretty simple: Even a special meaning isn't permanent. Now, I'm not saying your tattoos *shouldn't* have a special meaning to you. I'm saying not to let the need for meaning get in the way of decorating your body. See, the second tattoo I ever got was really important to me at the time. It had been important to me for years and continued to be for a while after I got it. No regrets, right? Some time after I got that tattoo tho, the meaning behind it's importance to me was irreparably soured. I couldn't stand this bit of ink on my skin. And yes, I can hear out there saying "see? this proves my point! it's too permanent!" but you're wrong on that count as well. That tattoo no longer exists. The ink is still there, I didn't get laser removal. I got a cover up. Luckily that original tattoo was small enough that it was an easy task to cover it up. Not to mention, I had a fantastic artist work on the cover. It's my first color tattoo now actually! It doesn't have an incredibly deep meaning. It's just a design I liked. Moreover, it's something I don't think can be easily soured unless Pokémon decides to become openly transphobic. Which is possible, tho unlikely.

My first tattoo ever also had meaning to me when I got it. It's still visible on me and I don't plan to cover it up any time soon. It hasn't soured, it just stopped meaning anything. I was 18 when I got it and very much in love. Our tattoos didn't match, we had enough sense to avoid that, but they are very similar. Fortunately, I do still love music. There's many ways for something to lose it meaning. This is just another doodle on my skin now. I don't hate it, but I don't really feel anything for it. I think I may get it cleaned up though, it wasn't very well done. That's something else I have learned. Get a good artist. A good looking tattoo is better than a special meaningful tattoo any day.

My second problem is that I have a lot of skin. I have more canvas space on my body than I know what to do with. So why limit myself with my decorations? I have more than enough space for memorial tattoos, meaningful tattoos, and as many silly cute tattoos as I can afford. Actually, my problem is having enough money to fund it all. I have found a love of picking redesigned flash tattoos from artists. These designs are created for me or by me. I just pick them off the wall because I think they look cool. They mean nothing to me. And now they are permanently part of me. These include a little cat, a ghost, a dragon, and snail. Nothing important whatsoever. But I love them so very much. I plan to get many more over time. I'm collecting flash on my left arm right now, with the intention of tying it all together with some scribbles and maybe song lyrics. I want my arm to look like the margins of my notebooks in school, covered in art and drawings not a single useful note to be found. The main difference will be that it is also a showcase of different artists and styles, something I am very passionate about as an artist. I love the diversity of art that covers me and I can't wait to expand it further.

To me, permanence is a myth. Nothing is forever. My tattoos will only exist as long as I do. Sure, that's forever to me, I suppose. But I don't see it that way. If I keep getting tattoos, which I plan to do, the art on my skin will be constantly in flux. Right now there is a snail with some mushrooms chilling somewhat alone on my upper arm. But in a few years, who knows what will surround him? I could grow a whole universe around that little guy for him explore. Who will his future neighbors be? Will they get along? I hope so! Yes, the snail will be on my skin forever. He's a very handsome little guy. But his surroundings and context will absolutely change. Little by little, the art that is my skin will evolve. It will grow and change with me. And I think that is beautiful.

Xenon Fox, 12/25/2025