What you imagine, you create

BUDDHA, MANDALA, MUDRAS AND FLOWER OF LIFE

TATTOOING , ICONOGRAPHY , BUDDHISM

This elegant tattoo is worn by Pitua former client who I am very fond of. I did a few small tattoos and this was the first time we have done a slightly larger piece. We were very excited, we had been talking and planning her tattoo for a long time. Buddha and in 2016 we were finally able to do so.

I will tell a little about the process and the meaning of this tattoo.

Choice of elements, tattoo creation process and tattoo symbology

Pitu brought me references of what he wanted. He came with some images of Buddhamandalas and a small elephant. I still wasn't sure how to put it and I wasn't sure where to put it, but since she knows me, she knew she didn't have to worry about it.

I prefer that people bring me their ideas and together we think about the right body part, composition and details of the tattoo, this way the result is usually superior.

Previously Pitu had told me that she would also like to have a tattoo of Ganeshaand so I advised him to omit the elephant for the time being and focus on the Buddha. The mandala yes, it could be there without taking away from the limelight.

In the end we have chosen to make a half sleeve oriental tattoo on his right arm, with the face of Buddha as a central figure.

BUDDHA TATTOO

The BuddhaThis well-known figure that we have seen countless times throughout our lives, has been represented in different forms on stones, canvases and skins. It is one of the great classics of tattoo and oriental art.

It happens to me and Pitu the same as to many people, we never get tired of seeing this face that transmits so much peace. Apart from this, for those who know little or a lot about Buddhist philosophy and identify with it, this image causes a certain fascination and brings to mind so many of these beautiful teachings and stories related to the subject.

History of tattooing

CONSULT HISTORY OF TATTOOING

As Pitu let me advise him, I took the opportunity to bring new ideas, and in the end we added new elements that reinforce the same theme, thus helping to better convey the message of the tattoo.

Mudra, mandala and flower of life tattoo

I suggested the hands of Buddha running mudras as the second main element. He loved the idea and we went ahead. In the composition you can see the left hand performing the Prithvi Mudraand the right hand that announces the gesture of Vitarka Mudra. In the Buddhist tradition, the position of the hands has a deep symbolism, increasing the mysticism that emanates from the drawing.

To embellish the front of the shoulder and collarbone, we have added the mandala Pitu wanted, and for the background of the arm I suggested a pattern of flower of life. These two elements are also present in the Buddhism and have related meanings.

At the beginning Pitu wanted colors for this tattoo, but at the end we decided for Black and Gray. The image itself is already very strong, I think the colors would be superfluous in this case.

The figure depicting a figure that is so reminiscent of the statues of BuddhaI found it more convenient to use only one pigment. The material used for the construction of the sculptures I have been inspired by is indifferent. Whether stone, metal or wood, they are usually monochromatic.

At the time of choosing the technique to perform this tattoo, I opted for the dotwork. I find this style to be perfect for spiritually themed tattoos.

Replacing many of the solid lines and fills with dot work gives the drawing a sense of transparency, it takes away weight. It makes it look ethereal. It is a nice way to represent something religious, divine or mystical.

There are also the empty spaces, which are just as important as the full spaces.

In this work I left two places with some untattooed skin, two empty spaces.

"The void is always full."

Arsenio Manuel González, Asturian writer.

One of the gaps is to give the idea of movement, making a kind of 'path for the eyes', leading the viewer to pick up the curves of the drawing that is not on a plane, but on an arm. The path goes from the hands of BuddhaThe area with flowers of life passes by and surrounds your head.

Haloes for all: gods, saints and men

The other circle-shaped void is on the front of the shoulder, next to the head of the Buddha. These circular shapes appear in many Christian religious representations and are called 'haloes', and have been used for centuries in Hindu and Greek art, among others, to give the idea of celestial radiation.

In the case of BuddhaThis circle of light refers rather to his state of consciousness, not to say that he is a god or a saint. In Sanskrit, the word buddha has an extensive meaning, and one of them is to name one who has achieved 'complete awakening' or 'spiritual enlightenment'.

Finally, I have just described the creation process of this tattoo and briefly commented on the symbolism of the elements.

I would like to clarify that, both the tattoo and this story, I do them from my point of view and my empirical knowledge. I am happy to share this experience that has been so pleasant for Pitu and me.

With regard to the interpretation of our Buddha or any other, I encourage everyone to spend a few minutes to contemplate them, and to think, feel and imagine freely about what is presented in front of your eyes. And whatever your interpretation of what this figure may convey, it is the most valid of all.

"What you think about, you become. What you feel, you attract. What you imagine, you create."

Buddha

Click here if you want to see more pictures of this tattoo and to know about how it has been carried out