japanese symbols for death
 

hi there,
I was wondering if someone knows some other japanese symbols for death, besides falling cherry blossoms. thx for ur help!

I don't think falling cherry blossoms represent death in Japanese eyes, as much as fragile and temporary state of beauty. The final flower on the tree can be seen as "death" but the falling cherry blossoms have a happy and beautiful image.

Death is seen in the number 4, crows, Chrysanthemums...

The number '4' is symbolic of death. Same way '13' in our culture is said to be unucky.

yeah I knew about the number 4... same as avoiding 4 colors in food or sticking chopsticks into rice... but thank you for the tip with the chrysanthemums!

does somebody know some other symbols besides the ones already mentioned?

What is this for?

well, it's actually for my next tattoo session :marusmile:

Can you give more details? Please tell me you are not including the kanji for death.

nope, I am not considering to include a kanji. that would be kinda lame.

umn ok... do you want to elucidate that mr. smartypants?

At least you know that much.

It sounds like it might be a yakuza-style tattoo.

I probably don't need to tell you that this would be bit of a red flag to any Japanese you might meet.

So a tattoo with the number four, some chrysanthemums, and chopsticks sticking out of rice?

I don't get it.

I'm quite aware that when you have a sleeved arm, be it in old school western tattoo-style or traditional japanese, you might be considered as offensive or reminiscent of yakuza thugs when walking around in nippon or visiting an onsen. yet as far as I know, tats are getting more and more accepted there these days.

yeah, that'd be purrfect!! :happybunny:

A: why do you think that is stupid? death is all, but definitely not "stupid".
B: as I said before, to the older generation, tats seem offensive. but the japanese are getting more tolerant for this form of art.
C: maybe you are thinking of tats as foolish, well that is not my business. perhaps you have some shitty tribal on your shoulder and that is the reason why you're so pissed.

I think western-style tattoos are getting more accepted there among young people, but you still cannot get into onsens.

However, for the older generation tattoos are seen as disrespectful to one's parents. The body they give you is marked up with graffiti.

On top of that you are purposely choosing images that represent death. This is the same as saying "I want to die" as it could be seen as a death with. You are tempting fate. Another big red flag.

But what you do is your choice, I just thought you should know as much as you can before going under the needle.

I believe that goes for most parents in western countries too... back in their days, tats were some kind of stigma for jailbirds. but this has changed since the 1990s, and the same development has at least started in nippon as far as I know. the recently published book "tattoo in japan" (from 2008) shows a lot of young artists who are getting more aware of the traditional tattooing as a national heritage... its kinda interesting.
I do not want to say "I wanna die", I only want some complement to the rest of my arm, that is tattooed in a rather life-affirming style.

Discuss...don't bicker.

why do you slander me as ignorant, and why are you tying to taboo death? that is what most people do, and I don't want to talk in platitudes, but it IS a part of life. it is even disrespectful if you ink a harmless koi on your body in nippon, yet what do you thing all the severed geisha heads and hanya masks are standing for? it is a mandatory part of that culture, which is not accepted by some as a whole.

It is such a big part of that culture.
Well are you even Japanese?

who, me? nope I'm a kraut! hahaha
I think so too. but I don't want to get a hanya mask, I'm trying to find some inspiration for something more original...

I would say google is more help,
I've never seen a picture of anyone on this forum with a tattoo anyway.

Besides the tribal on Salvs shoulder that is..

really? well, for example, I didn't know about the chrysanthemes as symbols for death, and now I get it why there are so many tats with this flower xD

Well if we can do anything as long as it doesn't offend ourselves - then I'm TOTALLY getting one of the Mohammed Drawings on my butt cheek. My local pizza guy is gonna LOOOOVE me for that one <3

as long as it's nicely done... why not xD

Get a tattoo and tell me how it feels D:

Hahaha! I doubt it's gonna be like an orgasm, so don't expect it to be pleasant, Jay : P

Well of course not, thus the 'D:' face!
If I thought it would be nice, I would've so used the ': D' face :/
Who knows, maybe one of these days I'll pop up in face with a tattoo =O

In face? : O omg.. And srsly.. if u ever get a tattoo.. don't get one of those lame ones that look like a birth certificate.. If you need your personal data TATTOOED on you.. it's time for an Alzheimers checkup.. >_>

In *facer D: My R seemed to disappear, I guess it was scared of you :|
LOL are you kidding? God, I thought it would be a bit more obvious that I was slightly a bit more creative than that? Come on now D:

Hahah! Yeah maybe.. I do tend to frighten the 'RRRRRR's xD
Hahah! No I'm not kiddin' : P U better not be an Aznnn TEEeeEniiY BoPp£Rrr.. cause if you are... I will molest you.. with 'shi'-tattoo. And I don't really know you.. >_>'' So how am I to know? You seem to be expecting quite a lot from me, man..

Well, because! Because I take interesting photos with creative lighting!
Therefore I can't be an AzN TeEny BopPp3r!
It would definitely be something creative, I strive to be artistic D:
No molesting will be taken place on my watch!