The Stories Behind Ivy’s Back and Rib Tattoos

The ivy on my back represents friendship and commitment, and is also the symbol of my road name for the Shamrocks MC.

The biker chick on my side represents me and my new found love for motorcycles and the Biker lifestyle.

The butterfly tribal is in memory of my mother, and the small diamond shaped tattoo which is actually 4 C’s stands for my three sisters and myself.

-Ivy

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I got this tattoo in two parts. The first part was the quote, which reads “wine, poetry, or virtue, as you wish, but be drunk”, which is a quote from the French poet Charles Baudelaire. It was all about self-indulgence to the point of happiness because my grandfather had just passed away, and it made me realize the value of our time.

The next summer I got the birds. The bluebird is from Charles Bukowski’s “Bluebird”, and is a symbol of finding a vulnerability and true goodness within the self. The yellow bird is a concept from the Bright Eyes album, I’m Wide Awake and It’s Morning, and serves as a symbol for a hopefulness in another person. The blue bird is slightly lower on my body to show that you have to love yourself first, and the flowers in the yellow birds mouth are three zinnias, which show constancy and remembrance and are dedicated to the three closest people in my life.

- Kara

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This phoenix tattoo is very personal to me. The phoenix describes the struggles I have gone through in my life and trying to rise above them. It took 2 years for me to compile everything that I wanted in the tattoo. This is just the outline and I am currently getting color done. It will take quite a few months to finish since it is so large.

-Caitlin

Scroll Down to see Caitlin’s finished Phoenix Tattoo

Update May 30, 2011:

Caitlin has one more session of color to go on her incredible phoenix tattoo. She’ll send photos of the finished tattoo soon but here’s a progress shot to give you an idea of how beautifully the color work is coming along.

Update October 2, 2011:

Here’s Caitlin’s finished phoenix tattoo…

Tattoo artist: Wayne Lessard
Tattoo Studio: Bodytech in Gainesville, Florida

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I am half middle eastern. I lived in Saudi Arabia for two years, and as I’ve become older I have really learned to love and embrace my culture. This tattoo, which is my name in Arabic, is simply for me to remember my heritage.

-Sarah

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Jessica’s Ivy Tattoo

I was starting a new life. I decided to pack up and move to Korea. It was a new beginning, a time to grow. I wanted something that would remind me of my personal growth.

I researched symbolisms of strength. Found the Ivy. It’s a very strong plant that grows very quickly. It doesn’t need any sunlight, and fights it’s way through anything to get were it needs to go.

- Jessica

Tattoo Artist: Barry Buteau
Tattoo Studio: Planet Ink, Ontario, Canada

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