Danny’s Fish Pin Tattoo Story

This tattoo is an image of a silver pin (a Georg Jensen design) that my great aunt got in Denmark in the 1930s. She had it made into a money clip which she gave my to my dad – who carried all through France & Germany during WWII and back home again until he lost it.

When I was born (1952) my mom found a duplicate pin at the Georg Jensen store in NYC and had it made into a money clip which she gave to my dad – when I was two he bought an identical pin and gave it (somewhat O’Henry-like) to mom. He carried that money clip until he died in 1992 – and then it was mine. I carried it until 2005 until I lost it. Last year mom gave me her pin — which we turned into a money clip that I carry with me today.

I got the tattoo to keep my dad close and so as to never lose it again. I just recently bought the very same pin on ebay and plan to give it to mom for Xmas this year.

-Danny

Tattoo Artist: The design was drawn and executed by João Paulo Rodrigues at Rising Dragon Tattoos. It was at 230 W. 23rd St. btwn 7th & 8th Aves. in NYC but that’s now Chelsea Tattoo Co. Rising Dragon is now at 51 West 14th St. 2nd Floor, btwn 5 & 6 Aves.
Tattoo Studio: Rising Dragon Tattoos

More Fish Tattoos
More Shoulder Tattoos
More Blackwork Tattoos

These are two seprate tats done by two different artists in different shops but they came together nicely.

I have five tattoos but I love my arm work because it was done after both my grandparents passes away. They would have killed me for having them but always taught me to be free and not care what others think of me and to flow like the water. I want to continue working on my arm and include my mom and lil bros and sis in it too but my g-rents are what inspired the pieces I have now.

The Koi, even though it brings luck, can be a fighter just like me! The water lily is my home, something beautiful but you can still seek haven in, just like my grandparents!

- Monique