Kokopelli Tattoo Design

If you are interested in getting a Kokopelli tattoo, make sure to select a tattoo artist who makes safety and hygiene a top priority, so you don’t risk infection.

Tattoos are created by using an electric powered tattoo gun that has a needle going up and down very fast. The ink is injected under the skin every time the needle punctures your skin.  The tube system, needle, electric motor, and the foot pedal are the major components of a tattoo machine. The needle should be sterile in order to prevent infection of the skin.

To control the work of the tube and the needle a foot pedal is used by the tattoo artist. So, if the pedal is pressed the needle moves up and down and punctures the skin. This is somewhat similar to the way a sewing machine with a foot pedal operates.

Sanitary conditions are essential! Using the same needle on two people must be strictly avoided. This can cause the spread of infections and diseases such as HIV. For this reason you are advised to go to a tattoo artist only if you are sure that the equipment is sterile and materials are disposable and won’t be reused.

Make sure the tattoo artist opens up the material in front of you and double check it before it is used on you.  It is all is sold to them in sterile packaging and it is stated on the packaging that it is for single use only. The materials that should be used only once are: needles, gloves, ink and ink cups.  Also, the hands of the tattoo artists should be washed before touching you or the equipment.

Next, the skin area where the tattoo will be applied must be disinfected. After that, the skin is shaved and then disinfected a second time.

The pain of getting a tattoo depends upon your tolerance and the location of the tattoo.   A tattoo on a sensitive part of the body can be quite painful. Also, the pain depends upon the experience of the artist. If he is more experienced this can mean that you might not feel as much.

After the tattoo is applied, the area should be disinfected again in order to avoid an infection in the punctures. Also you should be given instructions from the artist on how to care for the tattoo. The instructions will likely be printed out so you can take it home and follow the instructions without forgetting.

Find the perfect Kokopelli tattoo designs at Chopper Tattoo, TattooMeNow, and Tattoo My Brain.

A strange lonely figure stares out of the past
where engraved by an artist in stone
Held firm by the sand in which he is cast,
these last thousand years quite alone.
Could he be listening, trying to hear
moccasins scuffing the butte?
Bringing the people once again near
to hear Kokopelli’s sweet flute?

His image inscribed on a thousand rock faces
from east to the great western sea;
From Sonora’s hot sun to the north glaciers bases,
proclaiming this loved tutelary.
Though powers possessed and methods employed
are often in open dispute;
One thing is agreed, the people did love
to hear Kokopelli’s sweet flute.

This stick figure man, with a hump on his back
seemed always to cast a good feeling;
His magic perhaps, taken out of his pack
would comfort the sick and do healing.
Whatever his talents, they surely were grand,
a fact no one cares to refute,
As people would come from afar in the land,
to hear Kokopelli’s sweet flute.

Source: http://www.indigenouspeople.net/kokopelli.htm

Kokopelli comes alive tattoo by ~surreal32 on deviantART
Artist’s Comments: I had to do a traditional Kokopelli tattoo design, then I got the idea for this one.

Many Southwestern Native American cultures have some variety of the Kokopelli deity, and Hopi natives often depict this deity in Kachina dolls. The Kokopelli spirit is thought to have control over fertility, both human and agricultural. Although the modern icon has been altered and commercialized, for the most part, throughout its history it has included a phallus as a symbol of its powerful fertility. To a lesser extent, the Kokopelli symbol has sometimes been associated with trickery and music. Although the exact depiction of the Kokopelli differs from group to group, the common belief is that this deity was transferred down from the Anasazi Indians.

The power of the Kokopelli is thought to be immense by believers; so much so that shy young women would avoid the symbol for the implications of ensuing childbirth. Many Pueblos depicted the Kokopelli as visiting villages and depositing newborns. In this way, the Kokopelli very much resembles our Western idea of the Stork! Kokopelli symbols were often found surrounding wedding ceremonies, as well-wishers blessed the new couple and prayed for fertility. More explicit Kokopelli depictions involved a removable, exaggerated phallus that implied enormous virility; both in human reproduction and agricultural abundance. Many cultures would call to this deity to bring successful corn and grain harvests, as well as livestock reproduction. In fact, the Kokopelli is believed to chase away winter and bring in spring.

The humpbacked flute player that is commonly recognized as a symbol of Southwestern cultures comes from the less widespread characteristic of Kokopelli as a musician. Some native groups believed that the deity wandered between villages with songs on his back, spreading seeds along with music. Modern uses of the Kokopelli vary, but most often stand as an icon that represents Southwestern Indian culture. The symbol makes a unique design for a tattoo, but where can you find one? The 3 largest, most original websites to browse for the perfect Kokopelli tattoo designs are Chopper Tattoo, TattooMeNow, and Tattoo My Brain.

Are you a fan of Kokopelli tattoos? Are you considering getting your very first Kokopelli tattoo? If so then you need to check out the three online tattoo galleries below. Don’t rely solely on your local tattoo artist when choosing your kokopelli design. Look for a resource which will give you several different tattoo designs to choose from.  Below you will find the three most popular online tattoo galleries to find Kokopelli designs and we review each one for you.

Chopper Tattoo

Chopper Tattoo is the largest tattoo gallery on the internet, providing you with thousands of award winning tattoo designs.  Chopper Tattoo currently offers over 4000 tattoo designs for just about every part of your body.

The search option on the Chopper Tattoo website is a great tool which will help you find your design much quicker. You can find tattoos according to size, color and keywords.  Once you have found the perfect Kokopeli tattoo design you can print it out and take it to your favorite tattoo artist.  If you don’t know where a tattoo artist is in your area Chopper Tattoo gives you the ablility to search for tattoo parlors near you so you can bring your printed tattoo design to them.

If you are an artist, you can create your own page on Chopper Tattoo that showcases your work and informs people of how they may get a tattoo from your parlor.

Click Here To Visit Chopper Tattoo For Instant Access To Over 4000 Tattoo Designs…

TattooMeNow

TattooMeNow provides members with 5 great resources for people who love Tattoos.

Design Gallery

- 3,523 designs (and growing!) in 40 categories.
- Combine 2 tattoo designs into one and print at home.
- ”Bookmark” your favorite designs and get back to them later.

Members Gallery

- Tattoo photos in 38 categories, ratings & reviews
- Get inspiration from other people’s tattoos.
- Get to know what others think about your tattoos.
- Showcase your newest beauty after you had it done.

Studio Directory

- Find a great tattoo studio in your area with 10,000+ studios in 38 countries.
- Read reviews from other members before making your choice.
- Share your own experience with a particular tattoo studio or artist.

Discussion Forum

- Ask other members & artists for feedback before you get your tattoo.
- Make new friends and get answers to your most burning tattoo questions.
- Ask other members & artists for feedback before your get your tattoo.

Media Gallery

- Full selection of FREE Tattoo eBooks, audio books, videos & resources.
- Tattoo related videos in 12 categories.
- FREE download to your computer.

It does not matter if you are getting your first tattoo or making an addition to your collection, TattooMeNow is a great tattoo resource center that truly inspires. What makes TattooMeNow unique is that it is also a community where people can interact and share photos and videos of their tattoos. TattooMeNow stands out not from having over 3,500 good quality tattoo designs but because of the additional tattoo information provided.

Want to know more, check out TattooMeNow for yourself!

TattooMyBrain

TattooMyBrain is hosted by Dean Cameron. Tattoo My Brain is one of the largest tattoo art websites I have ever seen, it is absolutely full of tattoo photos. Not all of it is flash. Tattoo My Brain is the result of many years of collecting tattoos from all parts of the globe, so you get a wide variety of categories to choose from. Select from over 6,000 Tattoo Designs in over 30 different categories. All the Best and Most Sought after Tattoo Designs are all in the Ultimate Tattoo Collection.

TattooMyBrain also provides FREE “The Tattoo Mini Course”. This course includes:

- The Ancient History of Tattoos
- Hints and Tips For Selecting A Tattoo You Love
- Finding The Perfect Tattoo Location
- Choosing A Skilled Tattoo Artist

Sign up TODAY, Finally Revealed… Thousands of The Most Sort After Tattoo Designs!

The short answer is maybe. If you are respectful of native cultures and traditions it is probably acceptable to get a Kokopelli tattoo as a way of honoring the traditions of the Southwestern Indians. Although Kokopelli was known as a prankster and is a unique design for a tattoo, like all native religious symbols, Kokopelli should be respected and honored. Before you place a tattoo of Kokopelli permanently on your body you might want to run the design by a native historical society to make sure the context and design are appropriate and you won’t offend anyone. Find Kokopelli Tattoos…

Black and blue Kokopelli tattoo on left calf from Rate My Ink

Kokopelli tattoos are very popular Native American tattoos, but make sure you know a little something about Kokopelli tattoos before you decide on getting one.  The Kokopelli figure represents renewal and fertility.  He is a hunchbacked, flute-playing deity that is found in ancient rock art in the Southwest. Kokopelli tattoos are a great tattoo choice for someone who wants a unique design that symbolizes hope for increased growth.  Here are some ideas on how to find Kokopelli art work that translates well as a tattoo.

One way is to search online for pictures of Southwestern petroglyphs to find authentic images of Kokopelli. You can use these images to come up with your own unique tattoo designs.  Experiment with different colors to really make your Kokopelli tattoo stand out.  

Another way to find your next Kokopelli tattoo is to search through different online tattoo design websites and galleries.  To get the best possible Kokopelli tattoo designs join an online membership tattoo gallery.  This way you will be able to find several different Kokopelli tattoo designs and other images to add to your design.  Instead of having just the flute player figure, maybe add an image that represents hopes, dreams or life.  With a membership tattoo gallery you get unlimited access to thousands of high quality designs and unlimited downloads.  You can also get ideas on where you want to place your new Kokopelli tattoo.

Kokopelli tattoos have the advantage of being unique, yet are widely recognized and spiritually meaningful. If you are thinking about getting and image to use for a Kokopelli tattoo, take the time to look around at the different options available before you settle on one.  Choosing a tattoo can be a hard decision.  If you are going to spend money for a good tattoo, you should make an investment and get a good tattoo design.  Don’t focus on free designs because you will ultimately be disappointed. More Kokopelli Tattoos…

Tattoo by Sonya - Whisky Dicks
More Kokopelli Tattoos…