Well, howdy there! Let’s yak a bit about them Chinese zodiac tattoos, you know, the ones with all them critters on ’em.
What are these Chinese Zodiac thingamajigs?

Now, I ain’t no scholar, but from what I hear, it’s like this: They got this whole system, see? Twelve animals, each one for a year. It goes like this: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, and Pig. Just like them animals on the farm, but a bit fancier, I reckon. Each one’s supposed to mean somethin’ different, you know, like the Rat’s clever and the Ox is strong.
Why folks gettin’ these tattoos?
Beats me why some folks do what they do! But I hear tell it’s ’cause they wanna show off their birth year animal, or maybe they think it’ll bring ’em luck or somethin’. Some folks just like the way them critters look, all fancy and whatnot. Like that Dragon, all coiled up and lookin’ mighty powerful. Or that there Rabbit, lookin’ all cute and fluffy.
- Rat: Them born in Rat years are supposed to be smart and good with money.
- Ox: Strong and steady, like a good workhorse.
- Tiger: Brave and fierce, like a wildcat.
- Rabbit: Gentle and kind, like a little bunny.
- Dragon: Powerful and lucky, the big shot of the bunch.
- Snake: Wise and mysterious, kinda sneaky-like.
- Horse: Energetic and free-spirited, like a wild stallion.
- Goat: Peaceful and artistic, kinda gentle.
- Monkey: Clever and playful, always up to somethin’.
- Rooster: Confident and hardworking, always crowing about somethin’.
- Dog: Loyal and honest, a good friend to have.
- Pig: Kind and generous, always happy-go-lucky.
What do them tattoos look like?
Oh, they can be all sorts of things. Some folks get just a little picture of the animal, real simple-like. Others get these big ol’ things, with all sorts of swirls and flowers and whatnot. I seen some with the animal’s name written in them fancy Chinese letters, too. Can’t read ’em myself, but they look purdy.
Is it okay to get one?

Well, that’s up to you, ain’t it? It’s your body, you can do what you want with it. But I reckon you oughta think about it first. Don’t just go gettin’ somethin’ ’cause it looks cool. Make sure it means somethin’ to you. And for goodness sake, make sure you go to a good tattoo fella, one that knows what he’s doin’. You don’t want no scratchy, messed-up lookin’ critter on your arm, now do ya?
What about the culture stuff?
Now, I ain’t one for all that fancy talk, but I heard tell that these animals mean a lot to some folks. It’s part of their history and their beliefs. So, if you’re gonna get one of these tattoos, maybe do a little readin’ up on it first, you know? Show a little respect. Don’t just go slappin’ somethin’ on your skin without knowin’ what it’s all about.
And another thing…
I heard some folks sayin’ you gotta be careful what kinda symbols you put on your body, ’cause folks might get the wrong idea about ya. Like if you get a tattoo of some spooky-lookin’ thing, people might think you’re into all that weird magic stuff. So, just be mindful, that’s all I’m sayin’.
So, there you have it. A whole bunch of jabberin’ about them Chinese zodiac tattoos. Hope it made some sense to ya. If not, well, that’s just too bad, ain’t it? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go feed them chickens.

Tattoo placement
And where you put it, well, that’s your business too. I’ve seen them on arms, legs, backs, even necks! Just remember, it’s gonna be there a spell, so pick a spot you won’t regret. Some folks like to show ‘em off, others keep ‘em hidden. It’s all the same in the end, I reckon.
Finding a good tattoo artist
Now, this here is important. Don’t just go to any ol’ place. You want someone who knows their stuff, someone who can draw a decent pig or a dragon that don’t look like a lizard. Ask around, see who folks recommend. Look at their work, make sure it’s clean and the lines are straight. And for goodness sake, make sure they keep things clean! You don’t want to catch nothin’ nasty.
Taking care of your tattoo
Once you get that tattoo, you gotta take care of it. The tattoo fella will tell you what to do, but mostly it’s about keepin’ it clean and putting some ointment on it. Don’t go scratchin’ or pickin’ at it, and keep it outta the sun for a while. If you take care of it right, it’ll look good for a long time.

In conclusion
Well, that’s about all I got to say about them Chinese zodiac tattoos. They can be right purdy, and they can mean somethin’ special. Just make sure you think it through, find a good artist, and take care of it proper. And most importantly, don’t let nobody tell you what you can and can’t put on your own body.
Tags: Chinese Zodiac, Tattoos, Animal Symbols, Culture, Body Art, Astrology