| I chose to review this book from my | | | | approximately three years ago, purely as a |
| collection first, in relation to the other | | | | way of helping people to realize what their |
| articles published and purely because it is a | | | | particular chosen tattoo represents and its |
| fantastic book to begin learning about the | | | | links. I was also looking for more material |
| vast array of tattoo imagery that plasters | | | | that included some tattoo history write-ups - |
| tattoo studios. For those that opt for a | | | | a 'very brief history of tattooing' is |
| 'flash' design (i.e. a design that has | | | | included in this encyclopedia, followed by a |
| already been drawn, printed, laminated, sold | | | | small amount on symbolism, which both served |
| and displayed for tattooists to use as a | | | | well towards my own studies, reports and |
| means of a ready, 'instant' design that does | | | | papers. There is also a small section on 'how |
| not necessarily need altering) - this book is | | | | to use this book' - with a small 'disclaimer' |
| a useful tool in helping to choose a design, | | | | that I just have to agree with 100% - "It is |
| and even giving a small amount of information | | | | important to note that the nature of a tattoo |
| about the history, relation and common reason | | | | symbol is sometimes so personal that the only |
| for choosing the particular image etc. The | | | | definitive interpretation can come from the |
| book has been well laid out, in a handy A-Z | | | | bearer of the tattoo. No matter the |
| format, also cross-referenced, indexed, and | | | | established meaning in one culture, the |
| illustrated with three hundred examples of | | | | obvious meaning derived from a historical |
| tattoo line art. Although the images | | | | fact, or the original source of a particular |
| themselves are not particularly useful | | | | image, people will and do ascribe their own |
| towards 'solid' images to be picked for an | | | | meanings to their designs." Which urges you |
| actual tattoo, either for the consumer or | | | | to remember not to take this book as |
| tattooist - they are subtle enough to get a | | | | 'gospel', to still withhold your own intended |
| general idea of the design they are | | | | meaning and interpretation of your tattoo, |
| representing. And with the added bonus of | | | | but simply to gain a little more knowledge |
| being able to study this in your own home, it | | | | about your design from this book, and use |
| can even help some to feel more confident | | | | this knowledge as you so wish. Disregard it, |
| when they walk into their chosen tattoo | | | | argue against it, completely trash it, or |
| studio - having more knowledge and a better | | | | take it as it is; a little piece of |
| idea about the tattoo they are about to | | | | information that you may not have known or |
| choose from the wall. The Tattoo Encyclopedia | | | | even considered before. Either way, this book |
| is an extremely good reference book - even | | | | is still worth having, even if just for the |
| for looking up information on a tattoo you | | | | coffee-table or as a good conversation |
| may already have chosen to live with, but | | | | starter. Terisa Green writes in a very |
| weren't necessarily fully educated on its | | | | easy-to-read manner, informative and |
| true meaning and historical links and values. | | | | educational but not too formal. A pleasing |
| The included examples of tattoo imagery range | | | | read all-round. 'The Tattoo Encyclopedia' - A |
| from the anchors sported by sailors, to the | | | | Guide to Choosing Your Tattoo, by Terisa |
| Harley-Davidson tattoos inked on bikers, | | | | Green. Illustrated by Greg James. This |
| right up to the tigers that so many people | | | | edition (English) first published in Great |
| choose to have as their permanent body art. | | | | Britain by Simon & Schuster UK Ltd, 2003. |
| It also includes a welcome range of | | | | A Viacom Company. ISBN 0-7432-5226-8 |
| religious-themed tattoos, which many people | | | | -Tattooed Babydoll Recommended retailers: |
| do not seem to research properly before | | | | Available from Amazon and all good UK |
| choosing as a new piece of ink - including | | | | bookshops, including Waterstone's and |
| Chinese, Buddhist, Christian and also some | | | | Ottakar's. Barnes & Noble, USA also stock |
| tribal and pagan examples. I bought this book | | | | this book. |