Must a tattoo have a deeper meaning?

Tattoos don't have to have a deeper meaning. Good art is good art all the same. A well planned design is never a bad thing. I have three of my own, they have meaning but are also for the pretty art that I can't live without in some form.

I agree with horrbizgirl 100%! When I got my first one I got it as a memorial, so obviously it had a meaning. Since then, they all hold some meaning to me, even if that "meaning" is to remind me that I love art. I have always been a huge fan of people that are able to create such beauty, no matter what the medium. Luckily I found an artist from the get go, so I won't have to be looking into cover ups. Typically though, I will encourage most of the youths on this site to look for meaning in tattoos. Reason being, they are getting tatted to look "cool" and just getting another unoriginal piece of flash straight off tattoojohnny.com. They are a big part of the statistics as to why people hate their tattoos enough to get them removed. Some people can live the lifestyle of getting tatted because they appreciate the art and skill, some get ridiculous things that I may not understand but it's their body and they like it, some want to have a reminder of certain events, and some do it just to be cool. Out of those categories listed, which do you think is most regretful within the next 5 years? Maybe I explained at least where I come from when I say that. I would not say that to an adult that is already past a certain point in the tat world, but I myself have been warned lately about what happens when you dip into the world of sleeves. I am an adult so I am thinking more thouroghly about it before I start a 1/2 sleeve. Money's a factor too, but I've already committed my arm to my artist (if I do it) and he's expensive. Once you go past a certain point in ink, you really can't go back easily. Oh, and post pics! I love pin ups and horror themes! Combine them and I'll be easily impressed!!!!

Edit: Ha! I had read horrorbizgirl's and had thought you had the horror pin up! Sorry about that, but your's is a cool idea too. And original! I like anything that is artistic and well done!

As long as it's something you're going to like years down the road it doesn't matter. I do believe most people say it should have some meaning to keep kids from making the mistake of getting a tattoo just because this celeb has the same tattoo.

It's just a good way for people to start out...having a tattoo that has some meaning to you.

While the four tattoos I have right now do have a lot of meaning for me I am going off the deep end and doing a few tattoos just for the sake of doing them.

I only have one tattoo. It's three tiny stars on my back a little below my shoulder. They have no meaning what so ever. I liked them because my friend was trying to describe a tattoo idea she had just gotten but i ended up thinking of the complete wrong thing from what her's actually looked like. But i liked the idea so much i went and did it.

No, it doesn't have to have a meaning, really, but a meaning behind the tattoo gives it a higher chance that you won't regret it later on. To be in love with a tattoo for a year or two is one thing...try ten or twenty years...that rad tattoo might not be so rad.

A lot of the people in this category

are under the age of 18...

Everybody wants to get their two cents worth in...

Even if they don't have a tattoo,

or don't know what they are talking about...

They just repeat what they have read on this site...

But not for nothing...If a tattoo has a special meaning

to you...It may be easier to live with years on down

the road, even if you do get tired of it a bit.

I have a couple of small tattoos that got on,

"One Of Those Nights"

...They are kinda silly to most people, but the memories I have of those times and of the friends I was with at the time, still keep me laughing till this day. Ink On

i don't think they need to have any deep meaning. but it depends on the person i guess. people who are not into that lifestyle who only get one little tattoo there whole life might want something with deeper meaning i guess. i do it as body decoration. i get things that i think look cool. the only significance my tattoos have is that i like them and they are something im into. i have the bride of frankenstein as a traditional sailor pin up. no deeper meaning i just like horror movies and pin ups.if all of my tattoos had deep meaning, then i would be one hell of a deep person. when you have alot of space to cover deep meanings are useless.

You should pick a design that really expresses something you feel strongly about or something that when you look at it you smile. When giving tips for choosing a design for a tattoo the best advice is "what do you really like?" Who cares what everyone else thinks? As long as you love it, nothing else should matter! :)

I agree...Only one (out of five) of my tattoos really has meaning... They mean something, they just don't represent a significant time in my life. But I got them because they are beautiful and I'll love them forever...It's stupid how people are always saying get something that means something to you, but what if in 5 years you don't like that particular meaning anymore? I just like them... :)

Hm, I would say yes and no. I mean my tattoos mean something.

But they don't always, I man people get all sorts of stuff, If it looks cool, then I say go for it.