Contrariwise: Literary Tattoos

This tattoo was submitted by SpiffySilpion, and is “the word ‘strength‘ spelled out in J. R. R. Tolkien’s Elvish script Tengwar.”

This tattoo was submitted by Seraph.

ellipsis \i-ˈlip-səs, e-\
n.
A mark or series of marks ( . . . or * * * , for example) used in writing or printing to indicate an omission, especially of letters or words.

This tattoo is the owner’s full name in Elvish.

- Inspired by The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

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This tattoo is a word - “bruises” - in Shelley Jackson’s Skin: A Mortal Work of Art.

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This tattoo is a word - “the” - in Shelley Jackson’s Skin: A Mortal Work of Art.

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This tattoo was submitted by Sarah Bohr:

My tattoo is a tribute to J.R.R. Tolkien, whom I’ve had a lifelong relationship with through his books. I first read The Hobbit when I was four and five (it took me a while) and Tolkien has been a major influence in my life ever since. It’s also a tribute to my family - the outer ring of the tattoo is the language Quenya written in the Tengwar script, and is the first and middle names of myself and my immediate family. I included my own name because I am named after a close aunt and great grandmother. I translated and designed the tattoo myself, and my baby brother (a 23 year-old professional tattoo artist) did the inkwork.

The Shakespeare tattoo.

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This tattoo belongs to Donna:

The tattoo is written in Sindarin using Tengwar (Tengwar Parmaite font) and reads:
Eru cân vanadh nîn
‘God commands my destiny’

- From The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien

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Poetry.

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heart (härt) n.
The vital center and source of one’s being, emotions, and sensibilities

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Tattoo of a book.

The tattoo’s owner says:

i wanted the book because i really like to read, and i think there is such power in written word. its really one of the few ways that peoples ideas live on past their mortal bodies, and words give so much to people… knowledge, entertainment, instruction, comfort. i just think its powerful, i guess.

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The alphabet.

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I’m a fountain of blood
In the shape of a girl
You’re the bird on the brim
Hypnotised by the Whirl

Drink me, make me feel real
Wet your beak in the stream
Game we’re playing is life
Love is a two way dream

Leave me now, return tonight
Tide will show you the way
If you forget my name
You will go astray
Like a killer whale
Trapped in a bay

I’m a path of cinders
Burning under your feet
You’re the one who walks me
I’m your one way street

I’m a whisper in water
Secret for you to hear
You are the one who grows distant
When I beckon you near

Leave me now, return tonight
The tide will show you the way
If you forget my name
You will go astray
Like a killer whale
Trapped in a bay

I’m a tree that grows hearts
One for each that you take
You’re the intruder hand
I’m the branch that you break

- Bjork, Bachelorette

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Braille Tattoos by Klara Jirkova:

body modification which purpose is not just to decorate the skin but to be touched and read. opportunity for blind people to have a meaningful body alteration, but also something what could be used by those who live or work with blind people as a new attempt to their way of perceiving

(excerpt from her site)

bibliophil(e (’bib li eu fil). [a. F. bibliophile, f. BIBLIO- + Gr. bilos friend.] A lover of books. (O.E.D.)

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