While one of the common slogans attached to the city of Las Vegas is the popular statement that what happens there stays there, it is not always true or even desirable. And of course it refers to the potential for letting go and having the time of your life, while returning to your stable status quo lifestyle when you leave. While this is well and good, there are also things you can do in Vegas that will absolutely go home with you. The most famous of these is to get married while you’re there, and while that is common, there are also many others. One of the habits that continues to gain popularity is the decision to get a tattoo while you’re in the city. Meanwhile, some of the local tattoo artists are so skilled and successful that going to Vegas for the specific reason of getting a tattoo is also becoming more common.

And for many people who are enjoying the sights, sounds and various neon attractions along the Vegas strip, they are frequently tempted to stop in at some of the quality tattoo shops they find along the way. Some of the popular tattoo parlors located along the strip include Crown Electric Tattoo Shop, Club Tattoo and Hart and Huntington among a great deal of others.

Crown Electric is one of the locals’ favorite shops and this always attracts visitors when they discover this piece of information. Club Tattoo is located in the Planet Hollywood Miracle Mile Shops and is Vegas’ version of the hottest tattoo studio in the world. In addition, there is a Henna Tattoo non permanent version located in the mall, which is an option for those who wish to let your activities in Vegas remain there. Hart and Huntington is one of the city’s most respected and well known shops and attracts famous personalities among others. These and other shops are the perfect places to get a permanent reminder of your trip to Sin City and you can pick a design on the spot or dream up one of your own while you’re staying in one of the Las Vegas Hotels .

Christina Ricci is an accomplished American actress, Emmy Award-nominated, who first became known for playing as a child Wednesday Addams in 1991’s The Addams Family movie and 1993’s Addams Family Values. She’s played in dramas such as 1997’s The Ice Storm and 2004’s Monster, as well as independent comedies, such as 1998’s The Opposite of Sex. She not only has a Golden Globe nomination for that film, but also for 1999’s Sleepy Hollow. This is an actress who has been one of the few people to successfully transform herself from child star to adult actress, who runs her own production company, Blaspheme Films, which has made Prozac Nation and Pumpkin, and in the last few years has also appeared in films as diverse as 2007’s Black Snake Moan, 2008’s Penelope, and the Wachowski Brother’s 2008’s Speed Racer. But what people really what to know is this: What kind of tattoos does Christina Ricci have?

Often actors and actresses steer clear of tattoos because of the problems they can cause when trying to assume the roles of different characters. However, if the actor is strong enough or has enough fame, then the potentially troublesome tattoo may be covered up with make-up or CGI or adapted as part of the choice of the character, as was the case with Matthew Fox in ABC’s mind-bending television series, Lost.

Christina Ricci, however, while loving tattoos, must still be careful about where to place them on her body. Most of her tattoos currently are ones that may be easily covered by clothes. She hopes to get even more tattoos than the ones she already has, including one on her arm, if she reaches that level of fame.

For now, Chrstina has a lion tattoo mean to represent Aslan, who was the lion in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. On her back, she also has sweet peas arranged in a bouquet and tattooed by Thomas Lockhart, a tattoo artist in Vancouver, Canada, known for applying his work to celebrities.

She also has a tattoo of a Fairy, located on the inside of her right wrist, as well as praying hands, located on her left hip. The praying hands, though, used to be a bat. Tattooed on her right side are the words “Move or Bleed,” and on her right thigh she has the name “Jack” tattooed, memorializing a deceased pet. Her remaining tattoos are of a blue sparrow, on her right breast, and a mermaid, on her left ankle.

This shouldn’t be taken as a definitive list, of course, because by the time you finish reading this article, she may have a few more.

After examining the scriptures, it becomes clear that the Bible speaks both negatively and positively about tattoos. The main quote that is in contention with most Christians comes from Leviticus 19:27-28 ‘You shall not shave around the sides of your head, nor shall you disfigure the edges of your beard. You shall not make any cutting in your flesh for the dead, nor make marks upon you: I am the Lord.’ But, it is widely accepted among Biblical scholars the Leviticus 19:28 refers solely to the practices of people cutting themselves and rubbing in ash when they are in a period of mourning. The ash rubbed into wounds left permanent marks, the marks referred to here.

In Genesis, chapter four: God puts a mark on Cain, so when others find him, they won’t kill him. The mark isn’t described, but it does appear to be permanent. Under Isaiah 44:5, the Bible reads, “One will say, ‘I belong to the Lord’; another will call himself by the name of Jacob; still another will write on his hand, ‘The Lord’s,’ and will take the name Israel.” In Isaiah 49:16 – ‘”See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” In Ezekiel 9:4 – “Go throughout the city of Jerusalem and put a mark on the foreheads of those who grieve and lament over all the detestable things that are done in it”. These marks referred to in Genesis, Isaiah and in Ezekiel are both for the devout and for the troubled.

In the book of Revelations, tattoos represent that one has taken ‘the mark of the beast.’ But, also in Revelations, both non-believers and believers are marked, but for different reasons. It is written in Revelations 7:3 – “Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God.” In Revelations 19:16, it is written – ” On his robe and on his thigh, he has this name written: King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” Obviously referring to Jesus 2nd coming, his return to earth will be identified by his mark.

Corinthians 6:19 to 20 says, “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own: you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.” This verse is the most quoted by Christians as to why they tattoo their bodies, for them, they are displaying God’s ownership of their body and declaring his glory with the art they were everyday.

The history of body piercing is connected to the history of beautification or any kind of adornment, which is to suggest that it goes back much further than can be reasonably accounted for. There are some spectacular moments in recorded history when there were discoveries that helped to trace some of the origins, such as the discovery of navel piercings in ancient Egypt, and these might problematize the search for the origin rather than bring light to it. That’s because these stories do suggest that for all that can be known, there is certainly much, much more to it.

For example, it’s possible to trace the origin of the nose ring to the ancient Maya, or the Aztecs, who definitely had them, and quite likely their use was for adornment. This is particularly likely among the Maya, because of their great love for physical beauty, then as much as now. There are also other mentions of nose piercings among other indigenous groups in the Americas, and the origins could easily go back thousands of years, but it’s difficult to match the evidence of jewelry artifacts with their use since the skin is long gone.

But there is also plenty of evidence that relates the beginnings to India, when the Moghuls brought the tradition there in the 15th century, as a means to help decrease the pain of childbirth. In the Vedic scriptures they are also mentioned, and this places the date at 3,000 years prior. There are also Judeo-Christian biblical references to pierced noses, especially a mention of a nose ring as a gift to Rebekah in the old testament. This is not to mention the multiple origin stories of other piercings, like earlobes, lips, nipples, and genitals, and all of these have equally complex stories from all over the world.

The origin, then, could be in India, or possibly the Americas, or Africa, or any area where the practice of piercing was widespread. The trouble here is that is was widespread everywhere, and still is. There are many reasons for it throughout time, and they can include means of marking people as property, ways of controlling or enhancing sexual pleasure, for sheer aesthetic appeal, and a number of other reasons. The origins are spread far and deep into a common past, revealing a very common tendency among human cultures.

A human mummified remain, well over 5,000 years old, is the earliest known body piercing. The mummified remains was a man known as ‘Otzi the Iceman’, he had large plug ear piercings; plugs seem to be the oldest form of body piercing or body modification ever recorded. Egyptians, back around 3150 BC, enjoyed adorning themselves with body piercings, and only the Pharaohs and the royal family were allowed to have certain types of body piercings that would distinguished them among the commoners. The Pharaoh were the only ones allowed to have their navels pierced, if anyone else was caught with a navel piecing, they were put to death.

The Bible also references body piercing; Genesis 24:22, the servant of Abraham gave Rebekah bracelets and nose rings. In Deuteronomy – 15:12, body piercing marks a slave and in Exodus, the golden calf, which was created by Aaron, was forged from the earrings of the Hebrews. In ancient Africa, nose piercing was a common practice among the Beja and Berer tribes, which are the oldest known inhabitants of the Sahara Desert. In the Middle East, the Bedouins, who are the original dwellers of the Sinai Arabian area, denotes their wealth by the size of their nose ring, this nose ring is then given to a future wife as a dowry and can be used as security by the wife if the marriage doesn’t work out. In India, nose piercing became popular when Middle East introduced it as a status symbol worn by the Mogul Emperor. The Maya and Aztec civilizations were known for piercing the tongue during blood rituals. The Kwakiutul, Tlinglit and Haida tribes of Northwest America region, practice tongue piercing in a ritual to create an altered state in which the shaman could communicate with the spirits.

There are as many different styles of body piercings as there are cultures that embrace the practice. Body piercing has been used as a cultural, a symbolic statement of status and beauty or can denote when a person has become an adult, a wife, a slave or a rebel, for as long as humans have been around.

The job of body piercing is not for everyone, but if you’ve decided this form of body art is for you, then you may wish to become certified in body piercing.

A quick online search will provide a number of schools that specialize in piercing, such as the School of Body Piercing in California. You will also want to apprentice with a piercing and tattoo studio. The first step is to talk to as many tattoo artists with experience that you can find. When interviewing with the artist, remember that this is much like applying for a job. Mature behavior and a good appearance will allow you to make the best impression possible.

Take the time, too, to be knowledgeable about the field; discover trends in piercing, specific health information, and learn about the piercing artists who are well known in the field. This demonstrates a desire to be a part of the piercing community, and will increase your chances for being accepted as an apprentice.

Once inside the community, continue to study your field; you’ll also want to become certified in First Aid and CPR; any act that pierces the body requires knowledge of how to best handle safely such issues as blood cleanup, used needles, and medical waste.

There are different schools and course work offered for this practice. In the instance of the School of Body Piercing, they offer a three day course. Others schools may offer a degree. It may not be necessary to become certified in order to obtain a job in a piercing studio, but it won’t hurt to do so. While the certification process may not take long, it’s advisable to take nearly a year to go through the various steps of apprenticeship. Generally, you won’t be allowed to pierce a client for six months; you should be using that time to study the piercing world.

In every state, there are different laws governing body piercing, so it’s best to investigate the most recent regulations. Check with local tattoo shops for information regarding these regulations and learn about any required courses and tests to earn the certification.

Getting a tattoo is not as radical a move as it once seemed, as it has become fairly common for people from all walks of life to get a permanent image in their skin. That’s good news for those who fear the social stigma, but there is still some natural nervousness for those who are getting their first tattoo. Knowing the stages of the process can be enormously helpful in easing any fear or worry, so you can know that it’s all moving along just as it should.

The first steps, or preparations, are very simple. You select a tattoo parlor, or a particular artist, based on their reputation. Usually it’s best to have a good recommendation from a friend, so you can be sure the parlor has a good profile for courtesy and cleanliness. You can have a design selected ahead of time, or go in and look through their albums to find something you’ll want on your body. Next, you’ll fill out some paperwork, which is basically a release form, and decide on the price.

When these preparations are complete, it’s time for the big moment. You’ll be seated in the chair, usually one specially designed for your comfort, but also to allow easy access for the tattoo artist. The spot for the design will be cleaned, and often shaved, so that the artist can work cleanly on a blank canvas. If you know the spot ahead of time, you can do the shaving ahead of time. The artist will certainly appreciate it! Then they’ll start the work. They will transfer the design via thermal fax, and place in on your skin, so that they have a perfect template to work from. The artist will prepare the needles and the colors, so everything is ready and there won’t be any unnecessary pauses in the work. They start by tattooing the outline first, and then get to coloring it in. This can take awhile on larger, elaborate designs, and even with smaller ones it can seem pretty long. Understand, however, that the pain at first will eventually get easier, as you get used to the feeling, and the endorphins in the body kick in.

Last, the artist will clean the area, and place a protective bandage over it, to soak up the minor bleeding, and to insure that the colors stay bright and sharp. They will give you any special instructions on how to take care of it for the first few weeks. Before you leave, and after you pay, make sure to tip. 20% is generally a generous amount for good work.

There is an ongoing trend in the United States that has transcended cultural boundaries and social taboos. And for all of the worried parents out there, you can relax, the trend is in wearing a tattoo. And you might actually have one yourself. They have become extremely popular with people from all demographic backgrounds and considering that a basic design is relatively inexpensive, when put in the perspective that it will last a lifetime, most people can afford to get one. And while the cost of a tattoo is usually manageable, the idea does bring up one of the questions most people have when they are thinking about getting one. How much does a tattoo cost?

Unfortunately, the answer to that question is not so cut and dry. It is possible to get a basic tattoo for around fifty dollars, though they can also climb in price depending on how complicated the design is and also how big it is going to be. Also various estimates for a simple design indicate that a base price is sixty to seventy dollars. It is important to know that the price will quickly escalate into the hundreds when you start to add colors, size and intricate shapes. Other complicating factors include the amount of colors that need to be used and how they will be blended into the design. The cost of the tattoo can also be affected by where on the body they are going to be. There are numerous factors that can actually affect that cost of the same basic tattoo, and it is always recommended that you check with your technician and receive an estimate prior to beginning the work.

Another thing that is recommended when you are ready to begin looking for a place to have your tattoo put on is that you shop around for a specific artist, rather than look at shops. If you plan to have more than one tattoo, or even many, it is a nice feeling to have a solid relationship with a particular artist. However, it is also common to see the work of a particular artist and decide to experiment with a few different ones. Whatever you decide to do, just be sure to have a solid estimate before work begins and be sure of your design before you commit to it.

The most painful place to get a tattoo is the eyeball. Lips and pubic area come in a close second. Other sensitive spots include behind the ear, eyebrows, eyelids, and top of the feet.

The eye ball is usually tattooed in order to add pigmentation to a disfiguring blind eye. In these cases, an anesthetic is used so the patient does not feel any pain. The eyelids are also sensitive, but the artist will usually use a metal clamp to stretch the eyelid and provide a hard surface to press down on.

The lips are a popular place for women to have permanent makeup tattooed. If done correctly, in can give the illusion of plump youthful lips, but this area is extra sensitive because of all the nerve endings present. Similarly, eyebrows can also be painful to have filled in with a tattoo. The pubic area is another area concentrated with nerve endings. These nerves are usually used to send signals of immense pleasure under other circumstances, a tattoo in this area can induce severe pain.

Nerve endings are not the only culprits for pain. The top of the foot and behind the ear tattoos are painful because of the lack of fatty tissue in these areas. The fatty tissue under skin acts as a cushion, without this cushion, a tattoo can be painful. The lower back is a double whammy. This area has a low fat content and high concentration of nerve endings.

There are many myths surrounding tattoos and pain. Some people say they fainted while getting a tattoo. This is probably true, but not due to the pain. Tattoos do bleed, but the loss of blood is relatively insignificant. Aspirin should be avoided as a precaution since it thins the blood and will cause more bleeding. Other painkillers or topical creams can be used if needed, but most tattoos should not cause severe pain.

A teardrop tattoo under the eye does not only represent the number of murders you have committed. The teardrop tattoo under the eye originated in the 1940’s among Latino gang members. This tattoo represented murder, hard time (prison), or the loss of a fellow gang member to violence. The tear drop has since evolved into much more. As a symbol of grief and sadness it represents many things to those who have them. Latino gang members are not the only ones getting this type of tattooing on their faces. Many African American gangsters have also picked up the fad. Generally speaking, it can be said that the tear drop represents a tear that could not be shed because of a hardened heart.

Rapper Lil Wayne has a teardrop tattoo under his left eye (4 on his face all tolled). In interviews he has stated that it does not represent a murder that he has committed, it does however, represent death and loss. He has said that it is for the loss of his father and dead homies. Bird Man, rapper and founder of Cash Money record, has three teardrops below his right eye. There has been some controversy as to the meaning behind them. Rapper Fifty cent is having his lasered off. West coast rapper The Game Gucci Mane has one that signifies his gang affiliation. It is not only gang members who get this tattoo. Lars Frederiksen, of the punk band Fancid, has one under his right eye in memory of his brother who died from an aneurysm.

As one trend turns into another, many young teens are putting themselves in harms way. Older gang members expect to be dealing with a certain type of person when they see the tattoo. They have an expectation of a hardened murderer or criminal who has done time. Police will stereotype them as this way and treat them as such. Tattoos, especially those on the face, are still taboo in today’s society.