Thanks for the quick reply! and Yeah the same as Wu Wei, but at the time I was even considering getting someone to design a an actual small block uncarvled with chisel on its side.

Getting some verses would actually be a pretty awesome idea, too. I’m considering
“The wise are not learned; the learned are not wise.” — Lao Tze <– it kind of follows the philosophy of education I’m being taught as well, so it has some concrete meaning to me.

Craig

It’s safe to say that you’ve already considered the yin-yang, so we’ll skip that one. You could consider the image of a Taoist deity, but it seems to me like you’re more of a philosophical Taoist than a religious one. How about one of the trigrams from the I Ching that you would most relate to (like the flag of South Korea or Empire of Vietnam)?

I’ve also seen some people with entire verses from the Tao Te Ching tattooed on their bodies. You could consider your favourite line or verse in the original Chinese (or in a translation/interpretation you trust).

Otherwise, I’m afraid you’re out of luck. Part of the concept of Taoism is that symbols are very simple because they’re all-encompassing; there’s no need to segregate things, so there are very few symbols. Of course, I’m sure there are still others who have a vastly superior knowledge of Taoism to me, so they may know better.

Let me know what you decide on eventually. I’d love to see it!

I have no idea how I stumbled across equivocality.. but since coming across it, I haven’t been able to stop reading. I was exposed to Hoff’s, The Tao of Pooh in university and that was what originally sparked my interest into Taoism. Since reading I have had the chance to learn an introduction into the arts of Tai Chi and Qigong.

Anyhow, for a while now I have wanted to get a tattoo related to Taoism — the way of which I try to live by. I really struggled on what I wanted to get done; I am not one to get a tattoo with little meaning to me and realize it was a mistake a few months later. I originally wanted to get done the symbol of The Uncarved Block.. but still didn’t feel it suited me enough to mark it on my body.

Going into teaching, I feel a principle of Taoism related to education would spark meaning for me. I can tell you know your Taoism much more than myself; do you have any recommendations of what I’m searching for? I realize a tattoo of this nature is very personal and subjective…but if you could perhaps suggest anything along this topic I would be so appreciative.

Many Thanks,

Craig

P.S. your tattoos turned out incredible!

Water makes a lot of sense too. I would consider that as well, if it didn’t have so many other connotations for me.

it still needs touching up, and that’s the day after I got it. my tattoo artist wasn’t really good with chinese caligraphy, and got some of the strokes a bit wrong, and so I’m finally healed and going in tomorrow to have it touched up to my original: http://forums.randi.org/imagehosting/4421497eadb28e952.jpg

I like the fact that you got the word “tao” on your other wrist. I plan on the symbol for water, as it, to me, is the best representation of the tao, and that will remind me that I can flow or creep or drip or I can crash.

It nourishes and yet it dwells in the places men fear to tread. that is why it is so close to the Tao.

@Liz — Thanks!

@Uncle Joe — In the end, there wasn’t any other style of Chinese calligraphy I was satisfied with, even though it may fall more in line with Taoist beliefs. I’m very thankful to feel like I’m part of both cultures, which is unlike most Chinese born Canadians I know.