Upping your workout schedule, going for a solo vacation, getting drunk with your buddies, mindlessly watching back-to-back episodes of a sitcom are just some of the classic break-up rituals. Here is the ‘not-so-classic’ latest addition — break-up tattoos for a new beginning! We speak to tattoo artists about this unconventional way of getting over your ex, and some meaningful designs to opt for a fresh start.
“People are generally devastated after break-ups. Some find it extremely difficult to cope with it and look for ways of venting their feelings. Break-up tattoos are a great way of boosting one’s morale and self-confidence after a failed relationship,” says tattoo artist Vikas Malani of BodyCanvas Tattoos.
Such tattoos mark a new beginning and help people in moving ahead in their lives. “With progressive times, people are finding innovative ways of dealing with their emotions and coming up with creative ideas of dealing with their feelings. Tattoos done post break-up have a probability of being a lifetime reminder of personal and spiritual development, positivity and strength,” believes Vikas.
Some break-up tattoos designed by BodyCanvas Tattoos
Break-up tattoos are quite a rage with youngsters in the age group of 25-30. “Clients often come up with meaningful designs for such tats. Boys mostly go in for symbols or scripts related to peace or tattoos inspired by Buddhism and signifying the idea or essence of life. We have often seen girls dealing with break-ups more positively and hence, they mostly opt for designs that signify freedom, liberty and inner peace. The popular break-up designs are quotes that signify strength and positive outlook towards life, birds in the sky, the phoenix, mandalas, feathers or flowers in different shapes and sizes,” adds tattoo artist Mickey Malani.
Cage and birds tattoo
Sharing some unusual ideas for concealing unwanted tattoos of the past, tattoo artist Lokesh Verma of Devilz Tattooz puts forth, “We often have clients coming to us who have moved on in a relationship and wish to hide a tattoo (initials/symbols/twin tattoo designs done during the relationship) to leave past memories behind. Laser therapy is not really the option of getting rid of your tattoo, as it leaves behind scars or burn marks. Cover-up tattoos are one of the best ways to conceal an unwanted tattoo but this is very challenging, as the existing design has to be transformed into something completely new without looking shoddy. Cover-ups are never bright or colourful. Since one has to hide the original tattoo, we are left with limited colour palette of black, grey and white to create a new design. So, cover-ups can never be your dream tattoos but a good alternate to walk past your old memories.”
Agreeing with Lokesh, Vikas adds, “Blackout tattoo is another way of covering up your older memories. It is a tattoo where solid ink, mostly black, is applied to cover large areas of the body like the chest, back, arms and legs.” Vikas adds, “Getting a tattoo during an emotional outburst can be risky and a bad idea, so take your time and ideate with a calm mind, as relationships come and go but tattoos remain with you for a long time.”
