Designs

To me, this design above is nice... but way too detailed. I feel that complicating it takes away from the heart of the idea, which I'm trying to avoid.

This design is much more simple, and very typically coptic, and I may end up getting something that looks very similar to this, but the problem with this is that it really doesn't look like the cross that Jesus was crucified of, and that's what I want. When I see it, I want to remember Jesus' crucifixion more than I want to remember that I'm Coptic. While I am proud of that, my identity is Christian more than it is Egyptian, and that is the way it should be.

This one looks a lot more like something I want. It's simple and clearly a cross. However, I'd get it done the other way around, because the cross is for me to look at, not just to show other people. 

These tattoos here are much more what I want. I like the one on the man's hand but I think I'd get it a little smaller, the other way around, and with an outline.

Finding Places

During the past couple weeks, I've managed to get in contact with a lot of tattoo parlours around Winnipeg. For the most part, prices range from $100-200 for the small piece I want. The links to all the places I've contacted are listed in the "tattoo parlours" page.  Some places price it by the hour, some depend on the artist, and some give you a price for the specific piece you want. With regards to safety, I had forgotten to ask most places about their safety measures. However, when I remembered, the lady on the phone seemed so shocked that I asked, as if it was a given, which is encouraging. (As discussed in class, this is a form of verbal communication :P) She said that everything is sterilized and opened new in front of you. This is something I know my dad will have to double check on himself, but once I pick a place, I'll do the check all the precautions and let him know.

I've also began to narrow down the designs I'd want - but I haven't made any myself yet. I'm thinking of something simple, because I want to preserve the idea of the cross without this turning into some fashion piece.

So far I'm learning that even though its a very simple project, you really do have to put in the work to make significant progress. In all honesty, I haven't done that much yet, but I am ready and willing to put in the work and make this happen. When I was on the phone with 13th Hour Tattoo, the lady asked e what sort of piece I was considering. When I told her I wanted a cross, she seemed very interested and encouraging which I found cool, because there's this stereotype that tattoo parlours are very dark places and what not - not to mention that many people view tattoos as being completely against Christianity. I'll discuss this issue in a different post. However, I do see this is an opportunity to show my faith. I will try to stay strong despite what the artists say or if people laugh.

Altogether, I think choosing this to be my passion project was a good idea, and I'm keen on getting going with it and actually making this happen. Since there aren't that many steps to this project, I'll have to fight my issue of procrastination and do this right away.

What it Means

To me this tattoo is not just any tattoo. Personally, I don't see the point of being covered in tattoos and many tattoos I find very strange. I think, do you really want that on you for the rest of your life? This is definitely not to say that I think tattoos are bad or anything like that, I know people have their own stories, their own reasons, and their own motives for their tattoos and it is not up to me to decide whether it's a good idea for them or not... That being said, I do believe that tattoos should carry a lot of significance to a person. I don't think it should be a fashion statement or just "pretty body art." I think a tattoo should really ignite specific feelings or thought in a person. Something that's a significant part of your past, or a true piece of your identity. 

To me, the cross is part of my identity. The cross is a sign of salvation and a symbol of Christianity. Being from an Orthodox Church, the cross is huge. We're constantly making the sign of the cross, every time the Trinity is mentioned, as we walk in and out of the church, and to begin and end every prayer. I was born a Christian and for my whole life I've gone to church on a weekly basis. Perhaps at times it was as part of a routine, but not usually for long. Whenever in trouble, I've found my rest in prayer and comfort in the church. When worried, I've sometimes read a passage of the Bible by chance, and felt God was directly speaking to me and telling me not to worry. Though born into it, it is my choice and out of my free will to remain a Christian, to go to church and to pray. It's often that non-Egyptian friends have heard me answer with "sorry, I have something at church" in response to plans to hangout. Being a Christian has become the main part of my identity, and though I don't always show it, and am often a weak and negative representation of a Christian, I do constantly try to become a better person for the sake of His image in me.

The cross tattoo has a story behind it which I will tell in a later blog post, but to me it would be a mark of my identity, right there on my dominant arm's wrist for me to see and be reminded of all the time. It would be a sign and reminder of who I am and a little guidance when weary or troubled. I've wanted this tattoo for a long time and I'm excited to finally go through with it!! 

"Whenever physical hunger turned cruel against me, I found my gratification in prayer. Whenever the biting cold of winter was unkind to me, I found my warmth in prayer. Whenever people were harsh to me (and their harshness was severe indeed) I found my comfort in prayer. In short, prayer became my food and my drink, my outfit and my armor, whether by night or by day." -Father Matthew the Poor

My Passion Project

This year, my passion project will be to get a tattoo of a coptic cross on my wrist. Sounds simple and everything, but there are many steps involved. Firstly, I need to find the best place possible to do it, including factors like pricing but with a very heavy emphasis on safety. I'd need to see everything being opened in front of me and my dad would definitely need to see that too. Speaking of dad, getting parental approval will also be a big part of this project. I'm also planning on designing the cross myself. I think this may be a long process because I'm a perfectionist and I really need every detail to be exactly how I want it. A tattoo is something that'll stay with me for life so I won't rush to design it. I'll take my time and make it good! 

I've wanted to get this tattoo for a long time, but I've always been a little hesitant about following through. Don't get me wrong, I want this tattoo, but it's just something that's going to stay with me for life and that thought is a little scary at times. I feel like making this my passion project would really force me to truly think about it and know that I want it for sure, then help me get over my laziness and actually follow through, and go through the process. I'm excited to start.