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mmm36 · Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:34 pm Post subject: getting chinnese symbols right

Over here we have got on that crap show Big brother. One fella has got Chinesse symbols down his forarm. It was supposed to read Warrior and a fella of chineese decent had one look at it and said to make it read that you need to place another line on it, as at the moment it read dirt.
So I say do your homework before getting these done. And even if you go into a chineese resturant to get it right. It all good.

mommabird · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 1:46 am Post subject:

Oh man, I would just die! I've always liked the single symbols on the back of the neck, but was afraid of getting one that meant something different from what I originally wanted. Like doing the word "dream" and it coming out "slut" or something...ha! Wink

Bren · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 3:47 am Post subject:

Oh my gawd! LOL... Yes it definately pays to check your kanji & Katakana charts. Ive heard some funny stories with symbols of wrong meanings.
If a chinese or japanese person is pissn themselves laughing at your tattoo? Yep, you got a dud.

pdpdiamonds · Tattoo lover Joined: 19 May 2008 Posts: 10

Alright, so in my personal opinion, I would NEVER get kanji or characters nvm any other language then what I speak / my own heritage. I am vietnamese and would not want Chinese or japanese characters and words on me. Thats just my personal pref.

I think the kanji and characters are beautiful works of art, for languages but there is a whole culture behind those words that people want inked on them because they think its "cool." I've spoken with a few artists that are buddies of mine, and some that I have actually interviewed for projects I've worked on, they feel it is a bit of a dis-honor rather then honor, for someone who probably has NO knowledge of the history or background of that culture, to come and want such a tattoo. It's like taking away from their culture. Now the argument could be made that "it's an honor that non-ABCWYZ ethnic people want their countries' language on their skin permanantly is flattering" but I guess it is all situational based, artist based, and so forth. Thats just my 2cents and what I've encountered over the years.

I'm sure there are artist who support the other views too.

with these, be smart ... do your research ... and find someone who you feel you can trust to verify the information before inking it on u permantly.

Idiot friend of mine, got a kanji character, of what he believed to be "Father" in tribute for his father of course. paid an assload for it, (i think he got ripped but thats me) and when we were with other friends and at the beach, 2 ladies approached us, and wanted to ask "why do you have sleep on your arm? do you like sleeping?" muahahaha i fell over laughing. So sorry this post is so long haha but chea thanx for reading if you do.

superjoe89 · Tattoo lover Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Posts: 6

yeah i'd agree with all you guys. i mean i'm no expert in other languages esp. asian languages for that matter. i guess the only advice i could give is to double check with people of that ethnicity. we don't want mistakes scarred on our bodies that's for sure.