Wedding Anniversary Claddagh Tattoos

Call me a romantic, but when a couple is celebrating their 16th wedding anniversary getting dedication tattoos together, I think it is really special. They knew they wanted to share the claddagh, and rather than full names we suggested he put a monogram, with their shared last name and her initial above, his below, inside the flames of passion! And he'd seen some black graphic dragons I had done, so requested the claddagh ring be broken and topped by two dragon heads.............. altogether a nice custom piece, taking traditional elements and melding them all together. Herself's tattoo is ivy vines around a claddagh, in a more discrete place. A lovely pair, and permanent testimony to the longevity of their love.

Dragon Fire Celtic Claddagh Tattoo by Pat Fish

A pretty combination of ivy vines and spirals complement the claddagh tattoo traditional symbol. A dedication tattoo with timeless heritage.

Two dragon heads meet above a traditional claddagh tattoo, with flames of passion rising inside the ring, here shown as an ideal place to feature initials or the name of the beloved.

Shamrock Sleeve

A full pattern that starts at the top of the arm capping the shoulder, fills the side of the upper arm with an arc encompassing a knot work shamrock pattern, and then links seamlessly into a band that connects around to the back of the arm. A complex and mesmerizing half sleeve that makes an impressive statement.

Celtic Knotwork Shamrock Sleeve Tattoo by Pat Fish

Loyal Guardian

Some people think dedication tattoos ought to be portraits, or names, but I think a symbol of what that important person represents to you is a better choice. That way you have a choice of telling the background story or not, when asked about the tattoo. In this case a good client wanted an Irish Wolfhound to represent the way his father has always been his loyal guardian, has watched over him and helped him grow to be a man. And he wanted it to look like it had serious teeth, like it could stand up for itself like his father taught him to. Maybe for some people he'll just say he got it because he likes Irish Wolfhounds; but he will always know, and importantly his father will always know, the true symbolic meaning.

Celtic Dog Tattoo by Pat Fish

The Irish Wolfhound has always been the guardian symbol of Ireland, and while noble of demeanor their sheer size and power leaves no doubt about their ability to get the job done. This version was done with pointillist dots, the tattoo can also be rendered in colors.
Some people think dedication tattoos ought to be portraits, or names, but I think a symbol of what that important person represents to you is a better choice. That way you have a choice of telling the background story or not, when asked about the tattoo. In this case a good client wanted an Irish Wolfhound to represent the way his father has always been his loyal guardian, has watched over him and helped him grow to be a man. And he wanted it to look like it had serious teeth, like it could stand up for itself like his father taught him to. Maybe for some people he'll just say he got it because he likes Irish Wolfhounds; but he will always know, and importantly his father will always know, the true symbolic meaning.

Archer's Bracer

Today I finished up another unique forearm pattern, this one made up of three triangular knots woven together. The first day of installing such designs is extremely difficult, because no matter how carefully we make the pattern there are always adjustments and much "freehand" drawing with a sterile skin scribe to make sure all the weaves flow nicely on the muscles. But the second day, when I tune up the lines and do all the wicker shading, is pure pleasure. Well, for the client it is a test of will power to sit still for hours while I do it, but for ME it is great, because I see the pattern finally come to life, to what I have been imagining it to be from the beginning.

To read more about how this kind of custom sleeve tattoo is accomplished, visit the Full Knotwork Sleeves page.

Complete Forearm Coverage Celtic Tattoo by Pat Fish