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Channel: Pat Fish's Tattoo Blog - LuckyFish, Inc. and Tattoo Santa Barbara
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Tribal Floral Tapestry Tattoo Design

August 27, 2017, 10:59 am
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Today I tattooed a woman who is a survivor of a brain hemangioma and a subsequent stroke that has caused her great challenges. It took her 5 years to come back for more tattoos, years of constant struggle. The new tattoo now graces her shoulder, beautifying the arm that is still healing, and giving her a shawl of flowers. I am so inspired by her persistence in fighting to regain mobility and strength, and proud to be able to make her feel more beautiful.

Tribal floral tattoo by Pat Fish

Tribal floral tattoo by Pat Fish

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Fireman's Family Claddagh Tattoo Design

August 28, 2017, 1:26 am
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This claddagh tattoo needed to include many custom elements at the request of a fireman eager to show his loyalty to his profession, his ethnic background, and his family. We started with a subtle Maltese cross as a shield in the background, the traditional symbol of firemen. Then we added the shamrock and Irish ring of the claddagh, to include the traditional symbols for luck, love, and loyalty. Then inside the shield we put his wife's name, and on the sides the names of their children, thus bringing together all the family in one tribute. Then we put it on his ribs, a challenging spot.

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Viking Vegvisir Tattoo Design

August 28, 2017, 3:40 pm
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The Huld manuscript, dated to 1860 but sourced from earlier traditional oral sagas,  says: "Carry this sign with you and you won’t get lost in storms or bad weather, even though in unfamiliar surrounds." A permanent compass to keep the wearer on track. No Viking adventurer should be without it!  This client is a follower of the old ways, and now wears this most potent of symbols proudly on his chest.

Viking vegvisir tattoo by Pat Fish

Viking vegvisir tattoo by Pat Fish

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Tribal Butterly Tattoo Design

August 29, 2017, 8:45 pm
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The beauty of butterflies is unquestionably one of the inspirations for tribal tattoo design. This pattern captures the swooping lines of butterfly wings in a simple tribal graphic.

Tribal butterfly tattoo by Pat Fish

Tribal butterfly tattoo by Pat Fish

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Triquetra Ring and Cross Matching Tattoo Designs

September 3, 2017, 6:56 pm
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A husband and wife traveled far to acquire a set of symbolic tattoos to celebrate their mutual 50th birthdays. The Celtic triquetra with a knotwork ring now graces the wife's hip, and it forms the center of the cross now installed on the husband's calf. The best sort of matching tattoos: each is unique, and stands alone, but they are obviously a set when seen together.

Matching triquetra ring tattoos by Pat Fish

Matching triquetra ring tattoos by Pat Fish

Triquetra ring tattoo by Pat Fish

Triquetra ring tattoo by Pat Fish

Triquetra ring cross tattoo by Pat Fish

Triquetra ring cross tattoo by Pat Fish

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Spiral Shield Celtic Circle Tattoo Design

September 17, 2017, 5:14 pm
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This pattern combines the two forms of spirals that are the most important stylistic element in Celtic art. The spiral built of two elements is akin to the yin-yang pattern in Eastern cultures, representing dualism, black and white, yes and no. But the triple spiral is the Celtic way, it allows for black, white and grey........ yes, no and maybe. Because in the shape-shifting world of the mists, things are not so clearly divided.

Spiral Shield tattoo by Pat Fish

Spiral Shield tattoo by Pat Fish

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The Mysterious Naja Symbol on a Daddy's Chest

September 18, 2017, 6:47 pm
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Today a father came in to have his second daughter's footprint placed on his chest, playing yin-yang footsie with the print of his first daughter that I installed many years ago. In addition we placed a tiny Navajo Naja symbol in the center of his chest. It is an exact size replication of the one he has worn for 25 years, a gift from a beloved cousin who committed suicide. The Naja symbol is found in various forms throughout the world, and is a central part of the squash blossom necklaces of the Navajo. It is seen in Paleolithic art, and is even mentioned in the Book of Judges as an ornament worn around the necks of Moorish camels and on the browband of horses and mules to ward off the evil eye. It is thought to have been brought by the Moors to Spain, then to Mexico by Spaniards, then with Mexicans up to the Navajo.

Naja and footprints

Naja and footprints

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Saxon Band from a War Helmet

October 14, 2017, 5:37 pm
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This band was worked on a metal nose protector strip on an ancient Saxon war helmet found in a burial mound in England.

Very much a traditional Celtic knot-work band, it shows how the medieval cultures clashing for dominance in the island we now know as the United Kingdom shared their art styles and love of intricate ornamentation.

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Heart Feather Tattoo Design

November 3, 2017, 7:45 pm
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A sweet heart centers a flowing feather. Lightness of spirit, flight and freedom, in a delicate tattoo. For this woman it was a way to always remember how the feathers tied in her horse's mane float in the air when they ride out on the trails.

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Fireman's Dragon Half-Sleeve Tattoo Design

November 7, 2017, 10:39 pm
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A wildland firefighter called to California to suppress major fires took a break to come get a second tattoo, this one a tribute to the strength of his heritage and the courage of his profession. A Celtic cross fills the center, surrounded by weaves of knotwork that fill the arm and continue with the tail wrapping to the inside of the arm.

Fireman's Dragon Half-Sleeve

Fireman's Dragon Half-Sleeve

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King's Braid Forearm Band Celtic Tattoo Design

November 9, 2017, 9:15 pm
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For many years the most frequent tattoos I did were Celtic bands and crosses. Each has their own unique challenge. For a band, it is to make the pattern retain symmetry and to have the point where the pattern repeat meets up invisible. That requires measuring and tweaking, made easy with Photoshop but also with the use of such simple tools as a rubber band around the arm to mark the level edge.

Kings' Brain Celtic tattoo by Pat Fish

Kings' Brain Celtic tattoo by Pat Fish

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Celtic Gauntlet Tattoo Design

November 11, 2017, 8:45 pm
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The idea of wearing the look of a knight in chainmaille armor appeals to many men, even those who present occupation may be quite civilized. The use of Celtic knotwork to wrap a body part is a puzzle, with many weaves to join up, but the result is worth the effort.

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Optical Magic Celtic Spiral Tattoo Design

November 27, 2017, 10:35 am
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Today two Irish sisters came in for a symbolic symbol of their bond, the Celtic triple spiral that has been a part of Celtic art for centuries. Now whenever they look at this magical mark they will feel the special connection they share, no matter how far apart their adventures may take them.

Matching Celtic triple spiral tattoo by Pat Fish

Matching Celtic triple spiral tattoo by Pat Fish

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Haida Indian Northwest Coast Wolf Tattoo Design

December 30, 2017, 9:12 pm
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A returning client with a fondness for the patterns of the Pacific NorthWest Indian tribes came today to add this Haida style wolf pattern tattoo to his collection.

The tribal peoples of the NorthWest Coast of the United States have a rich figurative tattoo tradition, and the wolf is one of the most powerful and popular of the clan symbols. Here it is paired with a double headed raven for this half sleeve.

NorthWest Coast Indian Wolf Tattoo by Pat FIsh

NorthWest Coast Indian Wolf Tattoo by Pat FIsh

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Sanctuary Ring Scottish Celtic Tattoo Design

December 31, 2017, 5:47 pm
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The Scots Gaelic word CAIM (pronounced "kyem") describes a circle of protection, to remind the wearer of being safe and loved. Here a ring of Celtic knot work scribes that Sanctuary Ring in skin. A father and daughter both came to get the same tattoo, binding them together forever in a new way, sharing this artistic sentiment.

Sanctuary Ring chest tattoo by Pat Fish

Sanctuary Ring chest tattoo by Pat Fish

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Scottish Thistle Celtic Cross Tattoo Design

January 12, 2018, 7:23 pm
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The Scots thistle has central importance in this Celtic wheel cross, a celebration of the elegance of the knot work line with the symbol of national resilience and readiness.

Thistle Cross tattoo by Pat Fish

Thistle Cross tattoo by Pat Fish

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Triple Spiral Triscle Celtic Tattoo Design

January 12, 2018, 9:22 pm
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Requested by a young women as a symbol of the kinship she and her sisters feel, this triple spiral symbol represents how the three sisters are always in each others' thoughts, no matter how far apart their lives may take them.

Triple spiral triscle tattoo by Pat Fish

Triple spiral triscle tattoo by Pat Fish

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Hummingbird Love Tattoo Design

January 15, 2018, 7:44 pm
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Hummingbirds are often chosen as a dedication tattoo, to keep alive the memory of someone who loved seeing them. Here a sprightly jewel of the sky is poised next to a spray of fuchsia. This elderly man asked for a memorial for his recently deceased wife, saying every time he sees a hummingbird he thinks of his beloved, as if she is still with him.

Hummingbird Love tattoo by Pat Fish

Hummingbird Love tattoo by Pat Fish

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Heraldic Celtic Animal Sleeve Tattoo Design

January 16, 2018, 7:04 pm
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The animals in this man's family crest are woven into this interlaced Celtic knotwork forearm sleeve tattoo. A lion, a chuff bird , and a camel. Each holds significance in his family's story, and were deemed worthy of representation. An unusual grouping, now united in this pattern of knots to cover his forearm in an integrated pattern.

Heraldic Celtic Animal Sleeve by Pat Fish

Heraldic Celtic Animal Sleeve by Pat Fish

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Mother Bird Nest Tattoo Design

January 17, 2018, 9:12 pm
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A mother with two small children requested a bracelet with a tiny bird, a Blue Tit, standing on her nest. I added a sprig of cherry blossoms on a delicate branch, wrapping around her wrist to make it an intriguing tattoo. With her arm at her side the flowers show but hidden on the inside of her wrist is the symbol of her love for her children.

Mother Bird Nest tattoo by Pat Fish

Mother Bird Nest tattoo by Pat Fish

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