6 Ways to Personalize Your Chinese Symbol Tattoos

In the last ten years, Chinese symbol tattoos have swept the world like a whirlwind. Many people show their fashion sense through Chinese writing. 35% of NBA players have some Chinese motifs inked to their skin. In showbiz, celebrities share a similar affection for Asian characters (words). Why are these exotic words so popular? The most apparent reason is their artistic appeal. Chinese text is like fine art. However, I notice that many Chinese tattoos look rather ordinary and bland. Let me share six tips on how to add style and glamour to your Chinese symbols tattoo.

Ink color - Often, Chinese symbol tattoos are done in pitch-black ink. This is the traditional style. Dark ink (e.g. navy blue, brown, grey) and subdued colors are classic, exquisite and impressive. On the other hand, why not spice it up with other colors. If you want a funky modern look, try lighter ink. If you are daring enough, go with bright colors (e.g. sky blue, pink). There is no rule on what is the best color. Choose something to that is compatible with your personality.

Number of words - The number of Chinese symbols determines how much space is needed. If your tattoo designs consist of several characters (5 or more), more space is required to accommodate the text. In contrast, if there are just a few characters (1-3), a small space will do. Personally speaking, I know that tattoos with several symbols look enchanting. They tend to convey deep meanings or truth. Some people like that very much because they resemble a mysterious script. Think of an ancient Chinese scroll. So, if you want mystery and deep meanings, go with several symbols.

Word size - Think about how big your Chinese characters should be. Large size symbols give the impression of boldness and confidence. In addition, they allow for details. You can see the writing strokes including the turns or dots easily. Small size symbols render discreteness and modesty. Of course, details will be reduced. Nevertheless, do not underestimate the power of smaller writing. They look cool and sexy, attracting the eyes of many tattoo lovers.

Tattoo placement - The nagging question for ink enthusiasts is where to place their Chinese symbols. The most common spots include the back, arm, chest and leg. However, I urge you to consider the issue of aging. As we age, our tattoos age too. Certain body parts are especially prone to developing wrinkles. Because of that, you should place your Chinese words in an area of your body where they can hold their grace for a long time. Hence, you will look as graceful and youthful as your writing tattoo.

Text alignment - Your Chinese symbols tattoo is like a text. To add variety to your ink, think about how the text should flow. In other words, you can adjust the text alignment to achieve a desired look. The conventional way is to flow your Chinese symbols vertically, from top to bottom (like Beckham did with his calligraphy tattoo). The other way is horizontal alignment. In this case, you have two choices. The writing can go from left to right, or right to left. You decide the text flow for your ink. My advice is to go with vertical alignment. This gives you a classic and distinctly Asian look.

Calligraphy styles - The best way to glam up your symbol tattoos is to use Chinese calligraphy. Calligraphy is aesthetic writing in handwritten styles. It is highly respected art in China. There are five writing styles (scripts) for tattoo designs. They include seal script, running script, cursive script, regular script, and running script. For instance, you can get your Chinese characters written in cursive style (like David Beckham did). The result is truly stunning. More people are turning to calligraphy style designs because they are timeless. They give a sophisticated and personalized look. You must see them. Calligraphy symbols are the perfect fusion of tradition and cosmopolitanism.

Your Tattoo, Your Expression

Here I have suggested six ways to personalize your Chinese words tattoos. Rather than following celebrity trends, focus on what you like and suits you. Follow your heart makes more sense than blindly jumping into the hottest style. This is important for permanent body decoration. You should spend time researching and planning for your Chinese ink. There are no rules on what is proper and what isn't. Tattoo is personal expressions, free and creative. Try to find something that compliments your uniqueness.

Chinese Symbols Experts and Tattoo Ideas

You should seek professionals for Chinese symbol designs. In addition, these professionals must be proficient in Chinese translation. Online resources like tattoo fonts merely give you pixel dots. In fact, fonts are meant for computer applications, not body art. Likewise, Chinese dictionary does not provide accurate translation. Talk to a Chinese symbol expert, not an automatic word generator. An expert gives you practical tattoo ideas. Word generator offers a string of terms with loose explanations, or meanings that lack clarity.