Karma

Since most tattooists in the West are not fluent in Chinese, one would think getting Chinese character tattoo done in Hong Kong would minimize the probability of screwing up.

That logic would be true only if the tattooist has passed primary education level.

It seems at least one tattooist (Gabe of Ace Dragon Tattoo) in Hong Kong can’t be trusted with Chinese character tattoos.


http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A60605/high/bmepb284466.jpg
http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A60605/high/bmepb284465.jpg
http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A60605/high/bmepb284464.jpg
http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A60605/high/bmepb284463.jpg
http://www.bmezine.com/tattoo/A60605/high/bmepb284462.jpg

因果 and 報應 are redundant phrases for “karma”. In the tattoo, left partial of 報 has two extra dots added to 幸, and 應 is missing one or two 亻depending on the font style.

In the karmic fashion, Erika H. has sent in an Engrish tattoo from Japan.


http://www.nicetattoo.co.jp/gallery.html

Update: June 18, 2006 - The owner of the "karma" tattoo, Jessica Lelovic, is upset about seeing her tattoo been commented on this site. She also claims that the two extra dots are added due to the font style (yea, right) and I have violated copyrights of these photos.

Since I have never claimed ownerships of these photos, plus all the photos are linked to their original sources, Lelovic's claim is so pathetic that it would not hold up in any court.

EFF, Electronic Frontier Foundation, has this to say:

Web Linking Need Not Cause Copyright Liability

So, I would like to make the following clear to Jessica:

1. Don't be stupid and get an incorrect tattoo.
2. Don't post photos of your stupid tattoo on the web to show off, especially third party sites (i.e. MySpace, Friendster, or BMEzine). Depending on these sites' terms and conditions, you may have already waived all your copyrights away once the photos are posted.
3. Don't be a bitch when someone else is mocking your stupid tattoo. Keep a low profile. The bitchier you get, more entertaining it is for everyone else.