I have seven and they all represent something different to me.

1) A butterfly(groin)- This was my first, I went with my best friend (who is now deceased) to get this one.

2) Poinsettas(groin above butterfly)- I had my ex husbands name under this one, so it was a cover-up when we broke up

3) Rose and initials(right butt cheek)- This one I got the day after my daughter was born...I know On my butt!

4) Dragon (left shoulder)- I have always been fascinated with the freedom that dragons represent.

5) Sun(stomach:around belly button)-Representing power, plus I was really drunk on this one.

6) Two unicorn heads (male and female) that come together making a hert (back of neck)- I drew this when I was younger and really wanted it tattooed...also got this one with my best friend who passed away.

7) Wedding band-My childrens father and I got these, we seperated later and I scheduled it to be removed. He died 3 days before my first laser treatment was scheduled, I will keep it forever now.

Was this too much information lolol!

I got mine because I love the idea of being able to decorate my body and have it be in essence a canvas. When I was younger I used to draw tattoos on myself, I knew early on that it was something I wanted to do. I enjoy having beautiful portraits that I can take with me wherever I go.

On 6 that was supposed to be making a heart lol.

To everyone who has answered so far, thank you very much for sharing. It is very enlightening to find out the various reasons, which all seem to be so individual and heartfelt.

I have a lotus on my forearm that I got because the lotus flower symbolizes perseverance and I always wanted to remind myself of how I've made it through a lot and can make it through anything.

Then I have a tattoo of my beloved cat on my ankle. She's 13 and getting up there in age (even though she acts like she's 3). It's a way of always keeping her with me.

I also have a japanese lucky cat on my arm. I like this one because it a bringer of luck and wisdom. A also have cherry blossoms that represent fate and feminine beauty across my shoulder going down the front.

I have music to "In my life" by the beatles to the part that goes "There are places I remember, all my life though some have changed." Because I went through a lot things when I was younger, house burning down, etc. So Ive moved a lot and I always try to look forward but not forget.

I also have 4 skeleton keyholes down my side. Signifying moments in my life that I went through struggle and had to move. Both very similar in meaning but they were huge events and I want to keep them close to me.

I have a few others planned. But I always wait years before I get a tattoo to make sure Im positive I want this on my body for the rest of my life. I never want to regret any of them.

Tattoos are hot. Im bumping this thread because I want to see some more of the answers

I've got 3 tattoos...

the 1st was on my 18th birthday back in march and my parents paid for it. i got Jack Skellington. why? I love tim burton and most of his movies.

the 2nd was Sally from Nightmare.... a version i drew... its grey and shaded. has a coffin in the background (same reason as above)

the 3rd is in creepy lettering around the sally tattoo. the first 2 lines to Sally's Song. "I sense there's something in the wind that feels like tragedy's at hand"

I have 5-6 right now and want oh so much more

1)The 1st one I got was my birthday present. Its on my shoulder and its a little celtic cross. This one is one of my favs. It was first its only about an inch, may inch and a half long. Too cute!

2) I have a three leaf clover done as a celtic knot on my foot. I am very proud of my Irish heritage. A three leaf is actually more traditional than the four leaf.

3-4) on my back between my shoulder blades I have a moon and star done as a celtic knot. Again, its a tip to my heritage and also astronomy is a passion of mine. I plan to get more stars.

5) on my right wrist I have the treble clef and bass clef of music sheet arranged to make a heart. Its to signify my heart and love for music.

6)My last one is on my left wrist and its my fav. Its a trinity know. Think of the symbol from Charmed, minus the circle. A sword runs through the know and then underneath if a bible verse that means a lot to me.

I have one for now a rose on my left shoulder blade its a remembrance that I will never forget and will always love the baby that I lost due to a miscarriage.
I have other tattoos planned for relating to my children and others with important meanings to me.

3 so far...more to come!

2 are on the same foot, I initially just had stars and some swirly designs. The stars were rainbow colored and represent gay/lesbian/bi pride, as I am bisexual, but the stars themselves, are on my foot and that has almost poetic representation. Everyone used to tell me when I was young, reach for the stars, and one day when I was about 12, I said why reach for the stars? Why not go above and beyond them, look down on them and have them reaching up for ME? And I thought having the stars on my foot to represent that I can accomplish anything, that no matter what life throws at me, even the stars have to look up at me Silly, I know, but since I was 12, it had meaning to me.

the other one on my foot is a butterfly. Not only do I find butterflies beautiful and fascinating, but it represents change and evolution, and we constantly evolve. I use it to remind myself that no matter what I am going through I can change my situation by modifying myself, even if I am the same person on the inside, I can change aspects of my life. For example, at work, I dress like I'm some extremely feminine pink-loving girly girl, because I work around older people mostly, and that's what they want. I modify myself and "change" to fit in and survive in the world around me, but outside of work and at home, lip rings are in, dark clothes or sweatpants come on. So, I use my butterfly to remind myself of that...AND to remind myself of what I've been through and come from.

The third, I'll admit, I'm a freaking GEEK...I got a tattoo on my right hip...a symbol from Harry Potter :/ lol I've loved it since the first book came out, and I wanted to show my pride It's a Golden Snitch.

I love and cherish my tattoos, and I plan to get more.

I have already said this once today, but since it is getting late, I would like to repeat that I truly appreciate what everyone has shared so far. You have given me a much greater understanding into why people get tatoos and some of the symbology that they have. I want to thank everyone that has taken the time to respond to this forum and answer this question. To any one else who answers also, I thank you also, as you will continue to give me more and more to learn.

I have only one, on my wrist. I designed it myself and it represents one of my guiding principals: The love of self. I have another design for the other wrist: Pursuit of wisdom.

I am loving the answers and meanings behind this. I think that we all have such neat stories and reasoning behind them.

I have two just now, trying to be discreet when I was interviewing for employment.
One is across my lower back waist that can be seen only when I wear low-rise jeans and the other is a Celtc cross on my right shoulder.