How many tattoos do you have, what do they mean, and are they all about writing?

Q&A With Shay Each Sunday

I have quite a few tattoos. They are another outlet for expression of artists and creatives, and really everyone. Wearing art each day and having it in my life constantly helps me to stay inspired and observant. I’m sure I’ll get more tattoos, but I haven’t in a few years—though I have some ideas for future ones. You always hear that tattoos are addicting and I guess that might be kind of true, but I see it more as having a constant amount of ideas and a way to breathe meaning into what is important to oneself.

Q: How many tattoos do you have, what do they mean, and are they all about writing?

A: I have never actually really counted, especially because some of them were added onto, kind of becoming big pieces and I’m not sure how many they’d be considered as. I have a really big tattoo on my ribs that I have added to four times, so I’m not sure if it counts as one or more than that?

I’ll try to go in somewhat of order minus the order of additions. My first ever tattoo was on my hip—the roman numeral for 45. That’s my house number; the house I grew up in, which is very special to me. I was actually born in my house (on purpose). I had four blue roses added to it years later, which represent my family members.

My second tattoo was a random swirly design that I got when I was 19 (I just wanted another tattoo so the design didn’t mean anything). I added a quote from the poem “Jabberwocky” by Lewis Carroll around the design: “Twas Brillig and the Slithy Toves.” So, yes, that one is literary. I love that poem. It’s all written in a nonsensical language but as you read it, it makes sense based off the rhythm of the words and you can put your own story and imagery to it. In keeping with the Jabberwocky/writing theme I added a sword that turns into a fountain pen below it, a dragon wing around it (or a Jabberwock wing—read the poem), and an ink well below the sword/pen. This was all added years later in different sessions.

My third tattoo was a small outline of a seagull on the inside of my wrist. It is actually the seagull from Jonathan Livingston Seagull, so it is a literary tattoo in a sense, but it’s also because my last name is Siegel, and I grew up by the beach where there are tons of seagulls. I like the sentiments from the book about striving for more and reaching beyond your confines, but it is also an ode to myself and my home.

On the outside of my other wrist I initially had the word Silence tattooed with the “S” as a clef musical note. I wanted to add tree branches and maple leaves to it because “silence” is my roots. I also believe that silence is found in nature and it leads to introspection and reflection that we all need. Fall and maple trees and changing leaves also bring me comfort and solace. We can find strength in silence, in the ability to listen and take in rather than to extravert. I initially liked music playing a role in my idea of silence, but I stopped liking the musical note in the tattoo, so I decided to cover it with the tree branch and still add the word “Silence” to the middle with leaves flowing around it. If you have read my blog on selective mutism or my essay “Don’t Quiet Down Please” then you might understand why I need to believe in strength from silence. It is a part of me I haven’t been able to easily escape, and instead of constantly trying to, the tattoo is a reminder to a deep rooted part of myself that makes me me.

I have my cat Licorice’s fluffy paw prints tattooed on my leg with an infinity sign connecting them to a heart. I got the tattoo when he was still alive because our bond was so special. I had him since I was four years old, and he lived to be twenty-two. He was a huge part of my life and the best writing partner.

The word “Omnipotence” is on my ankle. Obviously, it has to do with God, but it’s more the idea of being all-powerful—strong. It’s also somewhat connected to a song I love, “God Called in Sick Today” by AFI.

The last tattoo I got (for now) was a matching tattoo with my sister. We both got interwoven triangles on our biceps with our birth years next to them. Triangles represent balance, and in turn, strength.

Tell me about your tattoos! I love them and hearing about their meanings. I have a couple more ideas for future ones, but no immediate plans.