Does a tattoo need to have meaning? Whether we want it to or not, it inevitably will. But don’t worry. I’ll explain that this is actually not a dilemma but an advantage. You don’t need to overthink it; just follow your heart.

The meaning of a tattoo can take a purely aesthetic form. We might simply want another small or large decoration on our body, and a tattoo can serve that purpose. However, there are two issues that arise in this situation.

Firstly, the cost. It’s much easier to determine the quality of watches in a store based on the price, assuming you’re in a trusted store. When it comes to tattoo studios, or even the world of tattoos in general, prices are relatively consistent. I would basically divide them into two price categories. There are the cheap tattoos done outside of studios, in homes or apartments without proper sanitary conditions. In exchange for the low price, you risk your health and face the possibility of no recourse if complications arise. If something goes wrong, such a tattoo artist can simply pack up and move to another location.

Secondly, there’s taste, which is supposedly not up for debate. However, it’s good to be aware that, for example, those Chinese characters you want to get tattooed might mean “rice with egg,” and the name of a loved one, when your arm is down, might end up upside down. If you’re fully aware and decide to go ahead anyway, the aesthetic significance will still satisfy you.

A tattoo’s meaning can also have personal value.

Again, I see two aspects here. In the first, the tattoo relates to events or people important to you. You want to identify with them, and they evoke very private or internal emotions in you.

The second aspect involves personal relationships between you and the tattoo artist. Sometimes, you simply like a particular tattoo artist, and you want to be tattooed by them. Sometimes, it’s also about trusting a specific tattoo studio. At “Sztorm,” most of our reviews are along the lines of: “great atmosphere, I’ll be back,” “awesome people, highly recommend,” and “I can’t wait for the next time, you guys are amazing.”

Let’s move on to another meaning of tattoos,

or rather their artistic value. You might simply be a tattoo connoisseur, seeking unique, hard-to-replicate, and exceptional artists and styles. However, you need to have knowledge, primarily in the field of visual arts, to appreciate this. Do you scroll through tattoo artists’ accounts on Instagram? Each of them has “artist” in their bio, but maybe only 2%-3% truly are. Well, unless we consider that any creator is automatically an artist… Having artistic knowledge and skills must be connected to one more aspect of tattoos, but it ties together everything I’m discussing here. I’ll return to this at the end.

The last meaning of tattoos we’re left with is cultural or ethnic. The tattoo you choose can highlight your belonging to a particular social or ethnic group. Exactly. Ethnic tattoos allowed one tribe to distinguish itself from another. They helped identify entire nations. Japanese or Polynesian tattoos are the best examples of this.

This type of tattoo, based on symbolism, is also very common today. Let’s take, for example, gangs, subcultures, or fan clubs. We use these to emphasize our views, interests, and, above all, our sense of belonging. A fish, hook, and fishing rod—it’s clear! I’m a fisherman.

In summary,

there are four categories of tattoo meanings: aesthetic, personal, artistic, and cultural-ethnic. Should we dwell on what our tattoo’s meaning should be? Absolutely not. Several, or even all, of these meanings can be embodied in a single tattoo.

What’s most important to us at Sztorm Tattoo, and what truly ties all these values together, is quality. This doesn’t mean we create the best tattoos in the world, but it does mean we rely on our vast knowledge and experience. We approach tattooing with the humility of a craftsman. If we’re unable to meet your expectations, we’ll direct you to someone who can. We simply do our best, and you can judge if you like it.

Check out what’s happening with us HERE and also watch and subscribe to our YOUTUBE channel.

Feel free to reach out to us if you’re interested in any tattoos. We’re happy to answer any questions. CONTACT US.