tattoo

I Don't Actually Vomit Blood...

I finally got a tattoo.

I've wanted one for a good long while. Like, the past dozen years or so. Certain persons always criticized me for wanting to get one, but certain persons are no longer a part of my life, so I figured fuck them. Kinda like why I dyed my hair blonde.

I've always had very clear feelings about body art. I've never felt it's about aesthetics, but rather a tattoo should be a representation of who you are in a certain point in life. A permanent mark on the body is something, well, sacred. For me, it should be chosen with great care. (If you don't feel that way, that's cool--I'm all about choices and people can get whatever body modification for whatever reason they want.)

Here is what I got done Wednesday night:

This is a veve, or religious symbol, representing the Vodou loa Erzulie Dantor.

She represents the infinite strength of women. During the Haitian slave revolution, it's said she was stabbed seven times, but she pulled the swords out and kept on fighting. She represents women who have been victimized, but refuse to be victims.

She is often called by women in domestic violence situations, or who have been betrayed by a lover. Emergencies, lost causes--she can be invoked at the last moment when it seems hope is gone. Erzulie Dantor is someone who doesn't give up and shows defiance in the face of adversity even when it seems all is lost.

Also, she vomits blood on her enemies, which is infinitely cool.