Looking for a specific tattoo?

How about just the word:

'strength', 'we will overcome', 'survive' or 'unbreakable'

Chrysanthemum - These are very popular in the Japanese style of tattoos. They were originally associated with royalty and can symbolise determination

Phoenix - often represent rebirth and 'rising form the ashes'

You could always steal mines?! But it better not turn into a trend lol

It's a sun with the kanji symbol meaning "strength" inside of the sun. To remind me of my inner strength.with the sun being my life.

Don't worry about your thumbs down lynzy, I gave you a thumbs up! Coy fish are really nice tattoos when done well. They can also altered to look unique each time so no one will ever have the same one! and they do represent what he is looking for perfectly :)

I just did an online search but did not find anything close to what you are asking for. Have you looked online at the shop you want to get this done at? Are you looking to have it done at his shop or get the image and do it somewhere else? If its the latter I can see his reluctance to give you this info because he wants his images done at his shop. If you know its in his shop just go there to get it done. Aside from that if you know what look you want go get a custom piece drawn up and done. I prefer to see and get those then stock flash art off the wall. ETA: if he was in the middle of doing someone else's tattoo I can see why he would not drop what he was doing to talk to you. I just had another done (drove 200 miles to my artist out of state) once he started on mine he did not stop what he was doing to talk to anyone else. Also trying to talk on the phone about prices can be hard. These are things best talked about in person. If you don't want to have one done there then talk to another artist about doing a custom piece for you. You already know what you want.

I agree with Richard R, instead of focusing on what you did, focus on the present that you have and future that you want.

The way to get past something is to let it go and move forward. Don't do anything that will actually symbolize that you are still carrying old baggage. Everyone has stuff that they beat themselves up about, but unless you let it go, you still are involved with it. True. And if you don't let it go, then you are holding on to it for a reason, basically you get something from it. (could be sympathy, could be excuses, could be attention, could be a way of fooling yourself that you are moving forward when you are really standing still... etc. etc. - you get something from it)

So, you need a different idea! Something positive, something that has nothing at all to do with the past. Something that when you start wallowing in feeling sorry for yourself, you can look at it, and put your head on straight, maybe laugh a little and start moving again.

What? You have it in your head somewhere. But you may just need a tattoo image as a gesture of your new resolve.

Here's a couple of ideas/images:

bright-bulb-of-the-future.jpg

Koru is a symbol of life:

http://images.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&q=Koru&...

http://reasonsoflife.files.wordpress.com/2008/08/s...

a falling leaf is a symbol for letting go:

http://www.suzanmilburn.com/photos/letting%20go.jp...

a tree represents life and growth:

http://i151.photobucket.com/albums/s138/AjaxtheGre...

this is cool:

http://ccl.northwestern.edu/netlogo/models/models/...

here's a symbol for 'new growth':

http://diariofilipino.50webs.com/dflogo_ps.gif

here's 'rebirth and life' symbol:

http://dclips.fundraw.com/thumbdir/capi_x_Rebirth_...

this is a nice but simple phoenix symbol:

http://www.satori-5.co.uk/common_gfx/phoenix.jpg

there's the Ouroboros:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j260/anarmyofnon...

and the 'Enso':

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=Enso&btnG=...

So, think on this, and good luck~

it all depends how bad the bad thing you did was. personally i don't know if i would want to be reminded of the bad thing i did because every time you see the tattoo you will be reminded of it and i'm not sure you want to be reminded of it or forget it. when someone asks you about what that tattoo means then out comes the story of that bad thing you did all over again. so i wouldn't get one. just let time take care of your memory. the older you get the less you remember.

i'm not sure if there is a certain symbol but you could try these;

a broken heart with a bandaid on it lol

an infinity sign which is an 8 on its side sort of

what did you overcome get something to do with that

oh yeh and you can do what you want but do you really want a tatoo when you're old and wrinkly (just sayin)

hope this helps!!

Koi Fish :)

Enjoy

http://www.tattoostan.com/images/DSCN2727.JPG

Why thumbs down?

The koi fish in tattoos represents courage and strength. The legend of the koi fish in Japanese culture is that koi fish are brave enough to climb waterfalls and when caught are not afraid while on the cutting board. The legend in China tells of a placed called Dragon Gate where, if a koi was successful in climbing the waterfall he would be transformed into a dragon. They are known for their courage, strength, and determination. The koi goes from being a little fish in a river to being a great dragon because of its perserverance. Yes, I believe that this fits in with your reasoning for wanting this tattoo.

Idiots.

A Phoenix Rising

or

Vini Vidi Vici- I came, I saw, I conquered

I suggest that you check the tattoos "overcome" and "embracing change" that you can find at http://www.shegsy.com/surf.html

Hope it helps.

how about the egyption symbol for only god can judge me

that looks pretty cool

also just found this one which represents learning from the past

http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blfrees...

Yes, a tattoo of a carp would be perfect. Coy fish? WTF.

Get a flaming skull with a 1911 pistol next to it. That will show everyone how bad you are!