The Tattoo Encyclopedia: A Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo

by Terisa Green

A unique illustrated reference on the origins and meanings of nearly one thousand tattoo symbols that serves as a guide for choosing a personal image and provides a fascinating look at the tattoo as a work of art.

Tattoos continue to move into the mainstream and grow in popularity with each passing day. For people contemplating getting a tattoo, however, the choice of images can be overwhelming. A comprehensive, informative exploration of the colorful world of tattoos, The Tattoo Encyclopedia presents concise descriptions of symbols both common and unusual and sheds light on their historic, religious, and cultural significance.

Organized in a convenient A-to-Z format, cross-referenced, indexed by category, and illustrated with three hundred samples of authentic tattoo line art, this book features a stunning array of images ranging from ancient Buddhist and Chinese designs to those sported by twenty-first-century bikers. The definition of each symbol includes the widely accepted interpretation based on historical fact and cultural source, as well as various interpretations that have developed across different cultures and time periods.

Whether choosing a personally significant tattoo, wanting to learn more about a symbol, or simply being interested in tattoos as a form of art and body decoration, readers will discover the richness of tattoo culture in The Tattoo Encyclopedia.

Genres: Nonfiction, Reference, Art

304 pages, Paperback

First published July 29, 2003

Reviews

[Leo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Somewhat interesting and idea giving but not enough info in some parts and would have enjoyed some more illustrations then those we got. Not a perfect tattoo but was interesting for the most part.

[Dustin the wind Crazy little brown owl · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are lame, the definitions of the symbols are lousy, but The Tattoo Encyclopedia can be a useful reference to get ideas for tattoos. The book is set up in alphabetical order and tells about different symbols.

[Jamila Bost · Rating 1 out of 5]

A little boring, and something that would be easy to Google, but still included an interesting array of different symbols and their meaning. Although it didn't include those that I was interested in reading about, it still wasn't too bad. Probably wouldn't ever go to it again for symbol meanings and would instead use the internet, but an okay book nonetheless.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

What is there to say other than point out that it's useful while also being way too undescriptive? It's a good way of looking up some basic symbolism if that's what you want, but there are much better books dealing with symbolism than this one, with far better illustrations I may add.

It's fine and may even be useful to have in a tattoo shop so people can decide on what they want to get, but I can't see much use for it in any other scenario.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book could do with a reprinting. It's very good, covers a lot of info and doesn't just focus on the good stuff. But in the last 20 years, some symbols have gained new meanings and new tattoos have sprung up. Such as Medusa heads meaning a survivor of sexual assault and semicolon for survivors of self harm.
I also would've liked an example of all of the tattoos

[Wednesday · Rating 2 out of 5]

Supposedly:

STAR - most notable aspect is the light that it exudes. Place in the sky as a symbol of heavenly beauty - source for their association with hopes, dreams, aspiration - sometimes souls of those who have died (omens of great import)

LILY - favorite motif of Egyptians, Greeks of Mycenae, Minos & Crete - lily in Christian imagery with the Sermon on the Mount, extolled for their faith and the fact that they "do not toil" symbols of Chastity, (Pure life, pallid death & promise of resurrection & immortality)

CIRCLE - simply the most important and universal geometric symbol. Nearly impossible to interpret when it appears in isolation, most conventionally the circle is a solar or lunar symbol. symbolizes unity and singularity or it can mean inclusiveness. It can be used to represent completeness, but also something without beginning or end, a wheel as the basis of the mandala, in countless alphabets and as the number zero

PEACE SIGN - Used as British Anti-nuclear symbol in 1958 resembles certain runes (Lord Bertand Russell designd by J. Holton - associated with various movements and protest. generic and benign symbol for peace

BAR CODE - a means to present product info to be quickly accessed patented in 1952. Symbolism that simultaneously emphasizes the need for individuality and the human body as a commodity. Ironic - pokes fun at the way we see ourselves and our bodies.

[Nicholas Gourlay]

I'm actually find some very useful information in here about symbols. Many of these so-called 'encyclopedias' are extremely basic and very mainstream stuff, this one has many diverse subjects. Although simple in its design, its reach is good.

[Grace B · Rating 1 out of 5]

I give up. This is one of the most useless books I've ever seen. It should have information about the symbolism of different kinds of tattoos, but it's actually just random words explained with little and bad written text.
Just get a dictionary. Or look up the thing in the Internet.

[Tricia · Rating 1 out of 5]

ok, there was not much to offer, mostly explanations...

[Kyla is gardening, moming, and reading · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likewise with living canvas... Just randomly picked it up...

Not bad. Though I think I could have found out the exact information through daily life!