European By Day

Full design

I got the outlining done on my latest¹ tattoo this weekend, it wasn’t nearly as painful as I remember, possibly because my last one was on my leg, ankle and top of my foot. This was on my arm, a much less sensitive place.

Linework. I can't wait until it's filled!

The design is fairly complex– at least I think it is, it took me two years to finish it. It’s a salmon, reminiscent of NW tribal art, but which transcends² that single artistic style to encompass more of what I am– or at least what resonates within me.

This design, at least the meaning and the symbolism behind the design, is important to me. I sometimes think that tattoos are always important to the people who get them, but that’s not the case, so it bears stating. I spent 2 years working on this design, and virtually every aspect of it  contains meaning. For that reason, it’s difficult for me to imagine quickly jotting down a post answering a question like “What’s it mean?” This is what people, on Facebook and otherwise, have been asking me. I’m not sure they’re prepared for such a lengthy response.

There are a few more posts in this series for those who are interested. Those posts detail more of what went into this image. There’s a lot there, but we live in a fast culture, so I’ll run through a wee bit of it quickly– at least as quickly as I can.

‘sup with that Celtic shite in the tail, man?

The most notable part is Salmon’s tail. I’m working on another post in the series detailing this, but the short story is that it’s not Celtic. Well, at least it’s not just Celtic. Knotwork was prevalent throughout Northern Europe, and Pre- and Post-Christian Germanic culture had complex and detailed knotwork as well. This knotwork is part of an ancient stone representation of an important and powerful Heathen symbol: Mjölnr, Thor’s Hammer. This particular one was a piece of stone artwork that showed Mjölnr in the shape of a whale’s tail. I modified and embellished it so that now, taken by itself, it’s Salmon’s tail that is Mjölnr.

Now, why the heck would this Black Indian dude have Mjölnr on his arm? Why the heck would he disgrace a piece of Native American art with a symbol that’s commonly used by Neo-Nazi wackos? Well, this is the short version, so I won’t get into the history.³

One of my plans was to have the placement such that this Northern European part, this Germanic symbolism, is the part that’s visible when I wear a shirt. “European by day,” or something of that nature.

When I use the word “European” in this context, I’m mostly using it interchangeably with “White.” I mean European in the context of cultural heritage and ancestory. From the perspective of a culture such as Native American,⁴ White Americans are European. I don’t see a large cultural difference between White America and Europe, it just seems more respectful often to say European, rather than White. I mostly forget, but I’m trying to be better. One emphasizes a depth of history and culture, the other the pain of race differences.

So I’m not saying “European by day” to insinuate that I’m “cosmopolitan” or anything else. It’s more along the lines of what my father taught me when I was very young, words that resonate with me to this day. “You can speak the White Man’s language, you can wear the White Man’s clothes, but don’t pray to the White Man’s gods.”

Funny that I’m finding so much comfort in learning about the old religions of Europe– the topic of the next post in this series– Please don’t tell my dad

What's visible most of the timeThe Placement

I’m a mixed race person living in White America. Every day I interact with this culture, but I have other cultures, other pieces. Inside me, they are equally– if not more– important, but the broader culture is mostly what drives my actions and interactions. For the most part, I can’t have conversations with people as an Indian, I can’t live by time as Indians define it. That part of me is hidden away, because there’s no room within our cultural context for it.

So I have Salmon on my arm. He’s mostly in a Native artistic style, but there’s a European part showing most of the time– while I’m wearing the clothes, while I’m speaking the language.

For most people, this European part is the only part of my tattoo that people will see, just as it’s the only part of me that they will see…

… and most people will be happy with that, and never want, or need, to see anything more.

1. Jessie calls it “last.” I imagine she’s right. It seems as though I have a choice: another tattoo or another anniversary. [↩]
2. A bit melodramatic, perhaphs, but that’s the word I’m choosing to use [↩]
3. It’s good stuff though, I’ll tell you that much. [↩]
4. or Asian, or African, or … [↩]

One Response to “European By Day”

1. karol says:

   May 4, 2010 at 12:40 pm

   I do not know what you think about it but i would like to take it for me, i mean can i use it for my tatto. it's realy great idea this tattoo means a lot neve touhgt that would be possible to find this gold core to describe who am i and here it is simple and perfect.