Bull Tattoos - Symbolism, Meanings and Ideas for Men

Bulls have traditionally been associated with masculinity, aggression, unbridled strength and power. Bull tattoos can be inked only with the bull's head with horn, the whole body or just the skull. Usually bull tattoos are black, brown, or bronze, the bull can be inked as pensive or in rage with red eyes. Bull tattoos can be plain and simple with a western touch or could even be inked in Celtic or Tribal designs. Bull tattoos can be depicted as virile, powerful, strong or even determined.

The Celts believed bulls represent physical strength, power and virility and so high fertility. Greeks believed bulls to be an attribute of Zeus, who transformed himself into a white bull to capture the attention of his beloved Europa, hence Greeks associated bulls with passion, transformation and fulfillment. The Chinese associate them with perseverance, stability and determination. The ancient Sumerians believed bull to be protectors and guardians of the people. Earlier it was also believed in various cultures that bulls caused thunder by trampling around the sky and causing the ferocious clap and boom of thunder. Bulls are also associated with the Zodiac sign Taurus and people belonging in this category are usually "bull headed".

They can have various meaning depending on what the wearer wishes to symbolize but some of the most common meanings of bull tattoos are aggression, strength, protector, virility/fertility, recklessness, destruction and harmony as well.

Given below are some ideas as to what sort of bull tattoos you can get inked and where to place them.

    * A black angry bull with its nostrils flared up and in an attack stance drawn on the upper arm.
    * A brown bull with steam emitting from the nostrils on a plain dripping with red blood on the thigh till knee.
    * A blind black bull with steam rising from its nostrils and hoof stomping the ground with other cows in the background done on the buttocks and the lower back.
    * A brown one with crescent shaped horns and red eyes howling in rage done on the upper arm.
    * A black one ready to leap done on the knee.
    * A blackish brown bull skull done on thigh.
    * A brown bull ready to charge done on the torso.
    * A charging bronze bull in mid leap done on the back.
    * A black one skull with Indian American figurines hanging from each horn done up on the back.
    * A black bull head with twisted horns and demon eyes done on the upper arms.
    * A tribal black bull done on the upper arm.
    * A black one head with a ring through its nose snorting in rage done on the forearm.
    * A Celtic bull emerging from red flames done on the back.

Bull tattoos for men have become quite in as they can be depicted in extremely masculine and virile styles. They can have various styles in these coolest men tattoo designs.


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5 Tips To Sweep The Board In Tattoo Design Contests

Tattoo design contests are everywhere, especially all over the Internet. For tattoo hobbyists, arranging a design contest is a great of way to find the best designs at a very competitive price. For artists also, these contests are a very effective way of showing their skills to the tattoo enthusiasts across the globe.

If you are a tattoo designer, you may find tattoo contests quite frustrating. The reason is that there is no limit to the number of participants. Any number of artists can take part and submit designs based on the tattoo ideas of the client and their instructions. So, to help create award-winning designs, here are five effective tips from an expert tattoo artist:

Read the complete rules of the contest: Before anything else, you need to keep in mind the fact that you are required to make tattoos according to rules specified by the contest holder. Your tattoo design may be outstanding, but if it does not meet the contest's criteria, there's no point in submitting it because that is not what the client is looking for. Reading and understanding the complete rules will help you come up with a design that suits the judge's preferences. For example; check if they have to be traditional, tribal or contemporary. Knowing the theme of the tattoo contest will make your work stand out.

Make your work look unique and fresh: When someone starts a contest, it means that he or she is looking for a design that is other than regular and is uniquely creative and has everything that a client wants. Majority of tattoo contests put uniqueness at the top of the judging criteria. Everyone knows that there are millions of tattoo designs available. Some are used more often than the rest, so know which ones are common and try to avoid them. Remember, that while traditional tattoos are still appealing, contest holders want to see unique designs.

Put yourself in the judge's shoes: When making a design for a contest, always think of the contest judges. Since you're not the one who will be wearing your design, you need to follow the rules closely. Always look at it from the wearer's perspective. Ask yourself; will this design look great on my client's skin? Will the judge like this design? Tattoo design contests are just like a tattoo shop, where the client talks and you listen.

Do your own research: Whether you are doing a tattoo design for a contest or not, research is important. You can find lots of design ideas by checking out designs created by artists in various categories. Incorporate the most inspiring details into the design you have in mind. It is a good idea to think of all possible designs that fit the contest rules and then merge them into one. Contest-winning tattoo masterpieces are a decent mix of different ideas. Just remember that your designs must always retain uniqueness, and you should never compromise on it.

Take your time: Tattoo design contests, both online and offline, attract hundreds of entries. As such, the chances of winning can be very slim. Take your time designing your entry. You need to spend time in creating, reviewing and improving your contest entry. Only after several reviews and revisits will your design have a chance of winning a contest.

On a last note, practice is as equally important as these tips. Now that you are aware of these expert tips, you are definitely on your way to winning a tattoo design contest.

Kristen Dunn is a tattoo enthusiast and professional tattoo designer who has created thousands of thought provoking, elegant, and funky tattoos for her clients. She has a vast collection of custom designs to her credit. Winner of several awards and accolades, Kristen is now a founding member of the world's largest custom tattoo design community at CreateMyTattoo. View her tattoo collection or read more on her blog here.

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Sell Online: Turn Your Tattoo Designs Into Money

Selling your tattoo designs doesn't mean you have to build your own tattoo store in a mall or anywhere else. For the first-time sellers, it is recommended to sell tattoo designs on the Internet first and see how many of your target customer population would appreciate and purchase your original designs. In selling tattoo designs, you just have to learn about the basics of joining the online community where people buy and sell tattoos.

Protect Your Items

Tattoo designs and other types of visual items can be easily copied if you're not careful. Other people can actually duplicate your designs if your original designs are not protected. So, better get your designs copyrighted accordingly to prevent any business mishaps. Don't forget that tattoo artists often get themselves involved into legal problems because of failure to protect their own works. Also, getting copyrights before you sell tattoos will help you determine if you have unknowingly copied another artist's design, thereby giving you time to re-create your work and prevent legal consequences at the same time.

Show Your Designs to the World

Before, the works of tattoo artists can be viewed either going directly to their workplace or meeting them at a tattoo convention. Now, it's easier for tattoo artists and sellers like you to sell tattoo designs as you can make your own virtual portfolio. By just using basic applications and programs like Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Paint, etc, you can already make various design portfolios according to the tattoos' categories. Then, you can upload them to your web store on the Internet to be viewed by millions of people who are looking for new and authentic designs.

Begin Your Online Business

The first step in selling your tattoo designs online is to create a website of your own. Your website should contain a Homepage, which will show three to five original tattoo designs that can capture the attention of your target customers. Then, create an "About Us" page so that they will know about you and your business, and learn about your legal operations. The next webpages should bear your tattoo designs according to their respective categories. Also, you need to incorporate a viable payment scheme wherein your customers can have the option to pay via online payment processors like PayPal, or through credit or debit cards.

If you are doubtful about opening a business website or a web store, then you can count on online marketplaces like eBay.com where you can upload your designs and sell them either in full price or by auction.

Make Your Brand Known

In order to reach out to more of your target customers, you need to learn how to use effective techniques on advertising your brand, website and web store. Currently, the most efficient way of promoting your products online is social media. Yes, now you can utilize your Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Friendster, LinkedIn and other social networking accounts to get more leads to your webstore and sell tattoos. SEO specialists are also available for hire to help you spread about your tattoo design business.

Tattoo artist-sellers like you need multiple tattoo designs and tattoo ideas for your tattoo gallery in order to sell more items in your website. Through these steps and tips, you are sure to sell tattoo flash art and designs more effectively.

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How To Have A Successful Laser Tattoo Removal

With the advances in laser technology, tattoos aren't necessarily the lifelong commitment they used to be. However, this doesn't mean laser tattoo removal works the same for everyone or every tattoo. In order to have realistic expectations as to how well your laser treatment can remove your tattoo, you should take into account the issues described here.

Understanding Laser Basics

Laser technology uses intense laser beams to break down the pigment of the tattoo. As the tattoo ink breaks down into smaller particles, the body's natural systems flush the ink out. Due to the way lasers work on tattoos, some people and tattoos make better candidates for laser removal than others.

Which Tattoos Respond Best to Laser Removal

Most tattoos can be removed or have their appearance significantly reduced using laser tattoo removal. One issue to consider is when the tattoo was done. Over the past decade, the inks used have become stronger, which means they are harder to remove. As a result, tattoos that are more than 10 years old will probably respond better to removal treatment.

Regardless of when the tattoo was done, some colors are easier to remove than others. The laser beams hone in on contrasts, so the darker the ink color, the easier it is to remove. Reds and yellows are more difficult to remove and may require more treatment sessions than tattoos with other colors. Furthermore, a multicolored tattoo will always require multiple treatment sessions because different ink colors respond to different laser wavelengths.

Another issue to consider is where the tattoo is located on the body. Areas that have more body fat, like arms, buttocks, legs, or the chest, tend to have better removal results than areas with less fat, such as ankles or fingers.

Which People Respond Best to Laser Removal

As noted earlier, lasers like color contrasts and work best where they can find those contrasts. As a result, lighter skinned people tend to have better results using lasers to remove tattoos. The color of the ink is still a factor, but the lighter the skin, the greater the contrast no matter what color inks have been used.

In addition, healthier people with strong immune systems often get better results. The healthier a person is can translate into fewer laser sessions needed. Most of the unpleasant side effects associated with laser removal of tattoos generally come as one has to go through a high number of sessions. Thus, the fewer sessions needed, the less likely one will experience any side effects.

Being at a healthy weight can also improve the quality of the removal. Some professionals have recommended that if possible, one should lose any excess weight before having a tattoo removed. Smoking has also been found to reduce the quality of results of laser treatment, so it's also been recommended for people to stop smoking before starting treatment.

Factors That Can Be Controlled

Even with the issues discussed above, most tattoos will respond to laser treatment. The issue is to what degree will the tattoo be removed and will there be any side effects. While many of the considerations already mentioned are out of one's control, there are steps one can take to ensure the best results possible.

Before treatment, one should be well-hydrated and have gotten a full night's sleep. Using a topical numbing agent can help reduce pain, but oral pain relievers like ibuprofen, aren't recommended. The clinic performing the treatment should have a pain management option available.

After treatment, one should avoid heat to the treated area. This means not taking a hot shower in the 24 hours following a session and avoiding direct sun exposure for several days afterwards. The more careful the area is treated between laser sessions, the better it will respond.

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