Tattoos are more than just ink on skin; they are stories etched into our bodies, reflections of our journeys, passions, and identities. For me, my tattoos have become such integral parts of my personal narrative that they’ve organically evolved into brand icons for my website, tattooat.com. This wasn’t a calculated marketing strategy, but a natural progression of how deeply connected I am to the meanings behind each piece of body art. Let’s delve into the stories behind some of my most Unique Tattoos and explore how they embody individuality.
My journey into the world of unique tattoos began with the Eco-Footprint tattoo, now a recognizable symbol for my brand. Designed almost seven years ago and inked on my ankle, this tattoo started as an online avatar that deeply resonated with my values. Its redesign, crafted by a graphic designer friend during my time living in South Korea, infused an Asian aesthetic, adding another layer of uniqueness to its already personal significance. Getting this tattoo in Korea was serendipitous, as tattoo legality shifted just as my design was ready. With the help of a local friend, I found a talented artist who could bring my vision to life, language barriers easily overcome by his English-speaking assistant.
The Niackery Eco-Footprint tattoo, a unique blend of personal values and Asian design, served as the author's first brand icon.
Two years later, this Eco-Footprint design became my brand icon, a testament to the lasting impact of unique tattoos. Around the same time, the concept of “Natural Nomad,” born from my university studies in self-branding, began to take shape. “Natural Nomad” wasn’t just a tagline; it was an idea yearning for expression in ink. Initially hesitant, I waited, unsure about the permanence of tattoos. However, while backpacking through South America, the adventurous spirit took over, and I decided to get “Nomad” tattooed, a single, powerful word on my arm, simplifying the initial idea of “Natural” and “Nomad” on separate arms.
This “Nomad” tattoo became my first foray into deeply personal and somewhat controversial body art. My mother’s humorous comment about limiting my t-shirt choices was lighthearted, but the societal interpretations of a woman with a buzz cut and a “Nomad” tattoo were less so. An encounter with the Blue Knights motorcycle club at a fishing lodge in French River brought this judgment to the forefront. Mistaken for a motorcycle gang affiliate due to the tattoo, I was confronted with prejudice. Explaining the tattoo’s true meaning – my love for travel and hiking – surprisingly shifted their disdain to concern. They revealed the “Nomads” tattoo’s association with a biker gang, warning me about potential dangers and misinterpretations.
This warning proved prescient two years later in Australia. A tense encounter with a Nomad and a Hell’s Angel member highlighted the unexpected social weight a seemingly simple word tattoo could carry. Despite the intensity of the situation, the “Nomad” tattoo remains deeply meaningful. It commemorates my first multi-day trek, the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu, anchoring countless memories and experiences. Removing it is unthinkable; it’s a constant reminder of personal milestones and adventures.
While the “Nomad” tattoo carries dramatic stories, my Elements tattoo, inked on my back almost two years prior to the Eco-Footprint, represents a different kind of unique expression – cultural inspiration and artistic interpretation. It wasn’t initially intended as a brand icon, but it naturally became representative of the Arts and Culture section on my website. Inspired by indigenous crafts seen in Peru, blending sun and moon symbols as tributes to Pachamama (Earth Mother), this tattoo is my personal rendering of these cultural motifs. It incorporates the planet, rain, and wind, embodying a holistic connection to nature and culture.
Niackery Elements tattoo, a unique fusion of cultural inspiration and personal artistic expression, designed by the author.
Admittedly, the initial drawing was a rough draft, created during spare moments volunteering at Picaflor Research Centre in Peru. A miscommunication with the tattoo artist led to the exact replication of my sketch, rather than the refinement I had envisioned. Initially self-conscious, I quickly embraced its raw, personal quality. Years later, when it became a brand icon, I was motivated to refine the design, collaborating with a talented friend to create a logo-appropriate and tattoo-reproducible version. This journey, from a simple sketch to a polished logo, underscores the unique evolution of personal tattoos and their unexpected paths.
My Habannah tattoo is perhaps the most conceptually unique, a testament to personal history and linguistic curiosity. “Habannah” was my online handle since high school, born from a family trip to Cuba and the early days of internet anonymity. Years later, living in Busan, South Korea, I became fascinated by the Korean use of English words transliterated into Hangeul (Korean alphabet). This linguistic fascination sparked the idea for my next tattoo: an English word rendered in Hangeul. Choosing “Habannah” was a deliberate act, imbuing a personal, almost secret meaning into a visually intriguing design.
The Habannah tattoo, a unique linguistic piece featuring an English word transliterated into Korean Hangeul.
This tattoo, positioned visibly on my inner arm, often becomes a conversation starter. Its uniqueness lies in its blend of personal history, linguistic playfulness, and cultural fusion. Gifted as a Christmas present from my partner Marc, and inked at Canadian Red Dragon in Sudbury, it also holds a special place as my only tattoo done in Canada, further adding to its unique story.
Looking ahead, my next tattoo, years in planning, promises to be another unique and deeply personal piece. Inspired by colorfully painted eagle sculptures seen in Vancouver during the Olympics, particularly those with First Nations themes, this tattoo will be a phoenix rising from flames (symbolizing my Sagittarius fire sign). It will incorporate a blue background and pink water lilies (inspired by Korean water lilies), blending elements of nature, symbolism, and personal meaning. This future tattoo, like my others, is set to be a unique amalgamation of experiences and artistic visions.
Whether this phoenix tattoo will become a brand icon is yet to be seen, but one thing remains constant: each of my tattoos is more than skin deep. They are unique windows into my identity, serving as powerful and authentic brand icons for my online presence. They are living, breathing stories etched in ink, constantly evolving and deepening in meaning. My tattoos are, in essence, my unique autobiography written on skin.
