“And so the lion fell in love with the lamb…”
– From Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
This is Heather’s Twilight tattoo. Heather is a YA librarian who says that “this line embodies the spirit of all the books”.
Contrariwise: Literary Tattoos
The original literary tattoo blog! Over 600 tattoos from books, poetry, music, and other sources.
FAIL
Twilight? come on.
I know that some people have said that this was a stupid idea, but I think that you should get tattoos of things you love, not things other people say you should love. And besides, when Jane Austin was first published, her work was regarded by many as utter trash. No one can foresee the future, and until then, you will have a collection of people who are very close-minded.
And of course, people will always hate what's popular in an attempt to be original. What they don't know is that rebellion and counter culture are the only things that have existed longer than conformity.
I think it's a lovely tattoo.
No matter how you may feel about Twilight, all FOUR of the books were 2008 best-sellers. The series is insanely popular.
If this tattoo had come from an obscure book, I bet it would be rated much higher than 1.76 stars right now.
I'm not a Twilight lover -in fact, I'm far from it- but I think she was brave getting this tattoo.
Obviously it shows in these comments that her tattoo will be met with controversy, but if you love a book that much and wish to commemorate it forever in your flesh, go for it.
I think it's a gorgeous tattoo.
Ignoring the fact that Stephenie Meyer is a bad writer, these books are too trendy to last, which is not a good source of tatoo material. I'm not saying that because I'm anti-twilight, I feel the same about my beloved HP books. I just think it's foolish to get trendy tats, even if they are of a literary nature.
I highly disagree with the above comment. I don't think it's foolish at all to get 'trendy' tattoos. Yes, badly-written works become popular quite often, but well-written works can be just as trendy and popular as well (e.g. Vonnegut tattoos). In my opinion, the people that disregard something because it is popular are the true fools and are acting as sheep just as much as those that follow the trends. It is also foolish to not get a tattoo just because you are afraid of seeming trendy. Think for yourself and if you love something, who cares if it is trendy. I think the rating option is somewhat ridiculous for a site about tattoos because they are such a personal thing. I truly hate the Twilight books (because of Meyer's portrayal of women, not because I don't want to be trendy) but I am not going to pass judgment on how those books have affected someone.
I completely agree with Ryann.
And it's not like she got a giant "Snakes on a Plane" logo tattooed on her arm before the movie even came out.
Tattoos are personal, and this obviously means something to HER – and I can absolutely see why a Young Adult Librarian may have been personally affected by the Twilight series.
It bums me out that a librarian — someone you would hope would have excellent taste in literature — would get a Twilight tattoo. The books are a load of rubbish made popular by 13-year-old girls, and are clearly just a fantasy written by a fat, ugly woman who wishes her life was as exciting as Bella's. It's just junk, junk, junk.
As far as the tattoo goes, I've seen MUCH worse in terms of Twilight ink. I just really worry that the fad of these movies and books is going to wane as quickly as it waxed, and all these inked people are going to wonder why they hell they got these tattoos.
Wow, I guess I shouldn't be surprised that my tattoo started such an interesting dialogue. As a librarian, I have an appreciation for all literature- I imagine my J.M. Barrie tattoo might meet with better ratings and less interesting debate.
I am a Twilight fan, but an adult one; my "relationship" with the series is love/hate, and because it inspired such an interesting mix of thoughts is why I chose this. While other people might certainly look back at Twilight ink and wonder why, for me it is not only about the love of a book but also what it represents for me professionally.
Oooh please please send in your J.M. Barrie tattoo. I adore him enough that I could get a tattoo as well. I love children's lit and I think it's far more important that people realize. I have an HP tattoo.
personally i like it. it's tasteful and even if cheesy when in context of the book, it's a nice sentence to keep anyone wondering when all the twilight craziness goes away.
yes, SM is not a good writer, even she admits it. twilight is a love story out of the dream of a suburban mom into the aspirations of any romantic teenager. it's a light book for god sake and it was never intended to portrait anything other than being a wanderlust teenager in her first love, (the portrayal of women? seriously? were you a teenager in love? or were you born 21 and straight to a woman studies college class?)
experience things for what they are, not for what anyone you praise thinks of it, otherwise you are just as bad as those you judge.
i read them, and i read all the great Russians by the time i was 14, and hell if i didn't sigh with some of those Edward/Bella almost kissing scenes. took me right to my fondest teenage memories.
I'm 30 and very happy btw. boyfriend no cat. :)
I really disagree with Amy. The Twilight Saga are not just rubbish made popular by 13 year olds. I am 22 years old and I am married and I adore the books. My mum who is 45 also adores them. It is a love story similar to Romeo and Juliet. I myself am planning on getting a twilight tatoo on my ribs with the qoute "Forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest". I'm guessing most of the above ppl dissing the Twilight books above probably haven't even read them.
I've read and own all four books. They are, without a doubt, trash. But so is most of the other stuff I read. If you allow yourself to be a literary snob, you're really missing out on so much. I read the way most people eat.
So, while I wouldn't do it, I think your tattoo is nice.
They're childishly written books with a fill-in-your-own-details heroine. Of COURSE they're going to be popular, they let every 13 (or 22) year old who ever wanted a Prince Charming pretend without having to strain her brain too hard.
I read them, I got over them, I moved on. Anyone who has an incredibly strong opinion about them, positive or negative, is wasting their breath because as soon as the movie franchise ends, no one will remember who SMeyers is except for the people with the tattoos. There are so many ugly and meaningless tattoos out there to make fun of; this one shouldn't get so much attention simply because Twilight's an easy target.
But the real reason I'm commenting is to say that Sarah – 'saga' is a singular noun. I don't care that there are four books in the saga, you still have to say 'The Twilight Saga' IS not. Your post pretty much proved Amy's point.
Romeo & Juliet is not something you want to compare Twilight to if you take Twilight seriously (at least the way Meyer does). I see the comparison and agree with it, but R&J, I've always felt, is mocking of love like Romeo and Juliet's and all the shenanigans that went down because of them. It's like Shakespeare was saying, "LOLOL These people were STUPID." Which is what I thought SMeyer was saying with Twilight and teenage love, but alas, I was wrong.
And, to the person who said that rebellion and counter-culture have been around longer than conformity: You might want to reassess this statement, since there has to be something to rebel against before you can rebel and there has to be a culture to counter before creating a counter culture. Conformity is instinctual, rebellion isn't (at least as much). And, while I do somewhat agree with the sentiment that people love to be contrary, I'm pretty sure the number of people who love Twilight is matched by the number of people who love to hate it, so hating on Twilight isn't exactly a huge act of rebellion. (And, contrary to another commenter, many of the people who hate Twilight HAVE read them. I did and thought they sucked. But I love Dostoevsky, so that's not really a surprise.)
In any event, the tattoo looks nice and I hope that the person who got it stays happy to have it.
Twilight isn't literature in the true sense, and Stephanie Meyer isn't literary. That said, I really, really hope she doesn't regret this once she realizes the adult film industry has plans to use this quotation in some fan-fic inspired smuttiness.
I think that Ryann is right. I am OBSESSED with Twilight, and if nobody else likes it then don't pay any attention. Back off Twilight Haters!
And I am planning to get the same tattoo when I am older! It is beautiful!
Wow… it's a book series, people. Some of you act like it's a nazi sign.
To anyone who gets a Twilight tattoo: Quit life. You're wasting my oxygen. Thanks. Alexis, I'm looking at you. Alcohol and barbiturates are the way to go.
I Love The Books And The Films… Im Thinking About Getting A Small Twilight Tattoo But Its A Quote That Means Something To Me… If You Dont Like Twilight Then Why Even Bother Commenting On This. Just Because You Dont Like It Doesnt Mean Other People Shouldnt! Soo Back Off Her.. If It Meant Something To Her Then She Had A Right To Get It. God You People Make It Out Like Its A Criminal Offence To Get A Tattoo That Means Something To You.
I Love The Tattoo Btw :)
This really is ridiculous. And this is coming from me, someone who strongly dislikes the Twilight series and the ever growing band wagon that follows it, simply because it is not an the amazing piece of literature that the media makes it out to be. And the movie was horrific. That doesn't mean people can't read it and love it.
I'm nearly 23-years-old and have enjoyed a lot of young adult books. In fact, they were my favorite to read through high school and I still love reading them for what they are – easy, simple, but captivating reads that sometimes just manage to brighten your day by letting you believe for a day in the love that usually occurs in those kind of books. Sometimes it's refreshing to read books that don't weigh you down, thinking about them for the next week.
For a tattoo, I'd personally choose something from a deeper piece of literature…. but that being said, I have the Origin of Love tattoo from Hedwig and the Angry Inch on my hip and it means the world to me. I will never regret that decision, because of the meaning behind it, no matter how many people say, "You got a tattoo from a movie about a drag queen?" or my mother tells me how hideous it is.
So I'm positive that the bearer of this tattoo has deeper meaning behind their getting this, and probably is well aware that the Twilight fad will fade. At least she picked a decent quote, that was it from anything else, everyone who left hateful comments probably would have been saying, "Oooh what a cool quote…" Because to be honest, it is a neat quote.
So get over it. At least she didn't get a heart that said, "Mom".
Or a barbed wire around her arm.
Anything on this site is better than those.
Oh dear god. Some of you people are so intensley oppinionated about what you think is the right thing for another person to do to their own body it makes me feel sick.
MORTIS……you're disgusting. To tell someone they should "quit life" because they don't share your opionion is disgusting. Have you ever read a book that touched you. Or do you only read & enjoy what others tell you not to. How pathetic you are.
Isn't literature about freedom of expression & emotion in any way that an author feels fit…? To be interpreted by the reader in whichever way they feel fit..? I've read many, many books, but am no scholar, I am a dancer actually and prefer this form of expression, but each to their own, right?
Aren't tattoo's the same? Each to their own. I mean, it's not spelt wrong! If this line from the story inspires or capture's Heather's interest, then why should she not get it tattooed on her own skin..??
Comments about "trendy" books & "trendy" tattoos were made, "so it goes" seems to be an intensley popular tattoo, would you not call this trendy or cliche or un-original, simply because the book is in higher regard than Twilight?
Even if the Twilight Saga goes "out of fashion" tomorrow, the books will have a permanent place in my collection, next to my Shakespeare, my Capote, my Kipling, my Pullman, my Rice, my Brontes, my Yates, etc etc. I am not comparing these works, I don't personally think that Twilight are the best written books at all, but they all capture me in different ways. They all hold personal meanings to me & reflect on my life in different ways.
I am only 21, not that I feel age is overly important or relevant in this discussion, except if only to highlight that I have many more years of reading to come.
And bearing this in mind, knowing that I will no doubt discover hundreds more books & writers which leave their marks on my life, I intend to have the words "Without the dark, we'd never see the stars" be the second in my collection of tattoos.
I considered the line which Heather has chosen, but I read Twilight not long ago, and I have been on the up for the past few years after a severe low point in my life. It's only recently that I've began to understand that although I made mistakes, I don't not regret them anymore, they are part of who I am now, they made me who I am & I am no longer ashamed. I accept them as part of me & I am proud to be who I am now on reflection. (I am not implying that Twilight inspired this train of thought in my life, I'd made my revelations before reading the books, I am simply stating why the line holds relevance for me)
So without the dark parts of my life, I would never have been able to see the stars, where I now sit.
I'm sure I'll post a photo when I get this done. And I look forward to chatting with anyone who would criticise my choice of tattoo.
Heather, I like your tattoo. I ahte tattoos on people's wrists, I personally think it's too exposed to be personal, but if it's what you wanted, be proud :-)
Mary – it's interesting you should mention "so it goes". I've had people email me to tell me that they regret their "so it goes" tattoos since finding out the idea is so popular. So I guess even people who get Vonnegut tattoos can regret their decision.
What does it say about this discussion, then, if Heather never regrets her Twilight tattoo but 1000 people regret their Vonnegut tattoos?
I'm thinking you might struggle to achieve your 116 so it goes tattoos! :-)
I just re-read my post, sorry about all the typos! x
Mary – I agree with you (I believe my previous comment was in a similar line of thought) but I think it's rather hypocritical to pass judgment on what people intend when they get a wrist tattoo. I have a (literary) forearm tattoo and I got it in that place because the sentiment is so personal that I wanted it to be readily accessible and visible to MYSELF as a reminder. If we are going to be making sweeping generalizations then one might say that is MORE personal than a hidden tattoo. I personally don't think that, but I'm trying to say that you shouldn't be so judgmental about the placement of tattoos if you are going to criticize others for judging the content of said tattoos.
Jen – I find that really interesting. I think (just my opinion) that anyone who regrets a tattoo (that must have meant so much to them that they got it permanently etched on their body) merely because of its popularity must have gotten that tattoo for the wrong reasons. But I guess that the right reasons for getting a tattoo are all a matter of opinion as well.
Ryann – thanks for your comments, please re-read what I have said "Heather, I like your tattoo. I ahte tattoos on people’s wrists, I personally think it’s too exposed to be personal, but if it’s what you wanted, be proud ". I believe the key words in that sentence are "I personally" and "if it's what YOU wanted, be proud". I don't like wrist tattoos, to me PERSONALLY, the placement there would not be PERSONAL. My current tattoo is on my lower back, it's a ballerina & it's placement has meaning to me, I have to deal with people telling me that's a "tramp stamp" or a "slag tag", which I just love to hear, these people can judge me all they want but I am proud. I was not judging Heather. I'm sorry if that's how my comment sounded :-) xxx
Ryann – I agree with your point about Jen's comment too, I think it's shame that people regret the content of their tattoo because it's become popular.
Yes, it is a shame. I got the twilight tattoo in spite of it being popular. It's a small tattoo so most don't notice it, and even if they do, most people don't get Twilight – so I get that "what does that say? what's it from? twilight? what does that mean?" So even though it's popular, most people don't get the reference.
i think this tattoo is rad i love twilight and others should keep their opinions to themeselves
Kudos to you, OP, for getting what you want. I'm sure you love it and that's cool.
I like when the "fans" wear their Twilight crap and get Twilight tattoos because it lets me know who to automatically avoid.
~*WANK AWAY*~
(Here, I'll help you. I hate Twilight which means I'm a snobby elitist, right? Of course!)
I think a lot of the people in on this discussion are missing the point; it doesn’t matter whether the book is trash, if they love it, their tattoo represents this. The same goes for all tattoos, it’s an appreciation and thumbs-up to the subject.
It’s wrong to assume that it’s a “trendy” fad and will pass, because all fads leave behind diehard fans. They will indeed keep places in book collections all over, simply because they were and still are loved by the reader.
You do not know that she will regret it; I’m sure there are people regretting their Plath, Vonnegut, HP, Shakespeare, etc. tattoos; also, tonnes of people hate Shakespeare, and Plath, and Vonnegut, and HP.
It’s a matter of opinion.
“[Twilight] is a love story similar to Romeo and Juliet.”
Oh. Oh, jeez. No, it’s really, really not.
I read good books and I read trash. I also read a lot of YA, both good and bad. I read the Twilight books, I kind of enjoyed them, but I object to them for the same reason I object to Bratz, Barbie, Gossip Girl, and a lot of other pop culture stuff that I think sends a really, really bad message to women (especially girls and young women). If people want to enjoy Twilight? No problem. If people take Twilight seriously? Well, I have kind of a problem with that, but, hey, it’s none of my business. That person and I probably aren’t going to be bff (and, ok, I’ll probably think she’s dumb, but I’m entitled to my opinion), but there are a lot of people out there who I’m not going to be bff with (and a lot of people who I think are dumb), so whatever. It’s likewise none of my business what tattoo someone gets.
The main reason I would object to a Twilight tattoo is that Twilight hasn’t been around for long enough that the person could really live with the idea of the tattoo, or even the idea of the book before getting the tattoo. Maybe I’m just overly cautious, but even if I thought something was my new favorite book (image, song, whatever) EVER, I’d still want to wait for quite some time before committing the thing to my body. So the problem with Twilight isn’t only that it’s trendy, it’s that it’s new.
(FWIW, I think that Harry Potter tattoos and Vonnegut tattoos are also crap, and also trendy. I think that tattoos should be personal, and I think it’s hard for something to be truly personal when it’s also popular. So yeah, I’m kind of a snob. But the ranking goes something like: Vonnegut> Rowling> SMeyer.)
These are just my opinions, of course. And Martha? That’s what the comment section is for–comments, which are made up of people’s opinions. If Heather didn’t want people to see and comment on her tattoo? She wouldn’t have submitted it to A WEB SITE WHERE PEOPLE COME TO LOOK AT AND COMMENT ON TATTOOS.
wow people can be harsh… i love quote tattoos and in a good few years most people wont relise the reffrence. Which i think makes the quote better and more personal to heather. i think its ace.
I didn’t even read all of these comments but I wanted to say that this quote intrigues me and I don’t even know what it means! I have not read any of the books. It just sounds whimsical and awesome. :)
I absolutely LOVE it i’m actually getting that quote on my back…what people don’t realize is that quote is not just something that’s in a book it has so much meaning to it…it’s actually from way back it’s a meaning of peace don’t listen to all them haters who’s afraid to step outside the box!
I’ve expressed my views on this above but after just reading Jessica’s post I thought of something else. It reminds me of Aesop’s Fables which I read religiously as a kid…..alright so that was a lion & a mouse & they didn’t exactly fall in love but it reminds me of it in essence none the less :)
I’m getting my “Twilight” tattoo soon! yay! Although, after speaking to people on LiveJournal & doing abit more research into my chosen quote, I’ve found that it has been quoted (not in the exact words) by many many people over hundreds of years, the concept has been recycled & recycled. And just because Twilight is NEW (tadpoledrain) & it is the piece of writing from which I’ve picked my tattoo doesn’t give it any less personality.
@Kit you are teh failz. So is this tattoo. Her name is Jane AUSTEN…not Austin. Way to know your authors.
I’m sorry, but we need to stop and talk about what a grave disservice Ms. Meyer is doing to the youth of america by not preparing them for the real threat of vampires. Vampires don’t want to love you and be your boyfriend; vampires will stone cold kill you and to pretend otherwise is simply reckless.
I honestly love the Twilight series for the fact that it is entertaining. Not all people who read twilight are idiots, I have my Masters degree in Biology and continue to further my pursuit of knowledge (“because all knowledge is worth having”…anyone know the reference?). Just because someone reads a book series like Twilight, you can not judge them for that. I have a Twilight tattoo that is of a diamond heart, I also have a lightening bolt from harry potter. These books have inspired me and meant something to me, as they must have to her. If its a quote that means something to you, then good for you and I hope you continue to enjoy. I personally will be at the midnight premiere of New Moon dragging my boyfriend the whole way, and I’m 24.
Leave the lady alone. It's a beautiful tattoo that means something to her. YOU don't like Twilight? Oh, that's fine… I don't either. I won't get a Twilight tattoo and neither will you and we'll both be happy. Heather loves her Twilight, and so the tattoo works for her. I have a Harry Potter quote on my shoulder that I absolutely adore, and have had to endure tons of criticism about it. I'm a lit major, work at a bookstore, and am VP of the English Club at my college… people tend to expect me to be some sort of literary snob. Well, I'm not. Heather is a Y.A. Librarian… "Oh, shouldn't she have better tastes?!? Twilight iz teh sux!!" Oh grow up! I can bandy obscure authors with the best of you and we can be hipsters and talk about our obviously superior tastes in books no one reads if that will make you feel better… or we could all just leave Heather in peace with her pretty tattoo that means something to HER. Personally, I'm willing to bet her taste in books are better than most of you are giving her credit for.
I am a twilight hater, I have not read the books, and will refuse to until they offer some kind of literary challenge matched with enjoyment (I don't, as of now, get this vibe)
HOWEVER, this tat is poetic and moving, even out of context of this series… the background just gives it more meaning to the owner.
I say props, Heather.
I don't like Twilight and everyone thinks I got my lion/lamb tattoos for Twilight, which I didn't their my sun and chinesse zodiacs. But I like the way this tattoo is done.
Thank you, Marie! Yes, the reason I picked this was not only because I appreciated Twilight, and that it represents my YA librarianship as a whole, but because I think it's a great line that stands on its own and can mean something beyond its text. And Dora – you're right – my interests in literature go well beyond the requisite pop culture titles.
Love The Tattoo ! Just Like I Love The Moviee x
The moment that line was said in the film, it hit a chord with me. I spent ages designing a tattoo and now have the quote on myself. Its written in old english script style writing with a blue bell wrapped around it. I love it.
Twilight is awful. This tattoo is cute.
I have a "So It Goes" tattoo on my foot and I got to both as a memorial tattoo and because Slaughterhouse-Five is my favorite novel. I had no idea how popular it was, but I could care less because it means way more to me than how trendy it is.
I'm sorry you love twilight but some of these people are right. It's your body and it's your lit. Do with it what you will.
Im a huge fan of Twilight and i think this quote is adorable. Its your body and you decide what art to put on it. You made a good choice. :)
I am getting the same tattoo. My husband is a leo and I am an aries.. SO the lion did fall in love with the lamb
I think i'll write what many have missed. For one, its her tattoo and already on her, so not much point telling her its a bad idea now. Two, i'm pretty sure that line has been said and written many times before The Twilight Saga came out. And three, I am a Twilight fan "…what a stupid lamb." :)
LAME!
To each their own. What are you all complaining about? It's her that has to live with that for the rest of her life. If she likes it, good for her. "See my haters, tell em hi".
I am getting this tattoo as well… i loved the qoute and it has a lot of religious backgroud, which is why I love it so much!
hi there,
if heather is still accessing this sight – please tell me what font you used in this quote tattoo – it is lovely!
oops – i meant site…:-)
I love the actual words.
But no. If it was gotten just because it was from Twilight — no. Just no.
There are some things that, even if it is considered great literature in the future, that doesn't mean it is.
But the actual sentence is a sweet one. If she wanted it, and liked it, there's no reason it's bad.
Not a twilight fan but that tattoo is kind of cool – simple but effective
I truly hate Twilight…
BUT!
This tattoo is nice. I have read the books so I know for a fact that they are really horribly written, however, the idea and story behind this particular quote is quite wonderful. It's so romantic and I mean, how can you not like something that's THAT romantic? haha
Anyway, I think your love of Twilight is ridiculous but it's your body, do what you want to it. Plus, the font and location of the tat are nice.