Tuesday, May 28, 2013

My Tattoo

I'm 24 years old and I finally got my first tattoo! I knew I'd wanted one for a long time; I also knew my first tattoo would be influenced by Harry Potter.



Go ahead, you may think it's silly, but Harry Potter has been more than just a series of books to me. I will be forever grateful to JK Rowling for writing the books that carried me through my childhood and adolescence.

Harry Potter gave me my love for reading, something crucial to being a teacher. I used to dread reading anything unless it was a Nickelodeon Magazine, until my mom bought me that first Potter book. Since then, I've loved to read in my spare time which is something I'm proud of in this day and age of video games and electronics.

It's been even more than that, though. Adolescence is a crazy, confusing, scary, and sometimes terrible time in a person's life, especially for a person who doesn't have any older siblings to confide in. I can remember no matter what was going on, I could pick up one of the books and escape. I learned lessons from so many of the characters' experiences, examples, and choices that I'd like to share with you.

James Potter: Mistakes from your past do not define who you are.
Lily Potter: There is good in everyone, no matter how dark someone may seem.
Rubeus Hagrid: Love all creatures of the earth (Ron and I are still working on appreciating spiders...we're trying, Hagrid!)
Molly Weasley: You don't have to be a child's biological mother to give them the motherly love they need.
Dobby: Be loyal.
Ginny Weasley: The best things in life are worth waiting for.
Fred and George Weasley: There is always a reason to smile.
Sirius Black: It's okay, and sometimes even wonderful, to be different from your family.
Voldemort: Through his mistakes, I've seen that there is no life without love.
Severus Snape: Heroes don't always look like Superman.
Albus Dumbledore: "It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." 
Neville Longbottom: Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing up to your friends.
Luna Lovegood: She is my favorite character. Embrace yourself and all of your quirks. Never change for anyone.
Hermione Granger: Treat everyone with kindness, compassion, and respect.
Ron Weasley: No matter what, your true friends will always be there for you.
Harry Potter: More often than not, doing what is right is not what is easy.

 These characters have made me who I am today.

 Now to explain the chess pieces. I didn't want a tattoo that everyone else has...we all know the ones I'm talking about. I don't mean to be offensive because I love them all! However, like Luna, I take pride in my differences so I wanted an original idea. I began to think of how I could represent the Golden Trio when I remembered the chapter "Through the Trapdoor" in The Sorcerer's Stone.


 There you have it. Harry the Bishop, Ron the knight, and Hermione the castle.



 If you took the time to read this, I deeply appreciate it, and I'm happy to have shared this with you.

xoChristie

25 comments:

  1. I don't think I've ever come across such a unique Harry Potter tattoo. It's pure genius. Wish I would've thought of that since I was traveling for chess at the time that I read HP.

    By the way, I love your compilation of some great quotes. Makes getting a quote tattooed much easier.

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    1. Thank you so much for your compliments! They really meant a lot to me. You could still get chess pieces as a memory of your tournament and reading the books! They would probably be more suited to you Than they are to me because, though I know how to play, I'd never be good enough to enter a tournament. You're like Ron!

      Just so you know, only the Dumbledore one was a direct quote. The others were just things I'd learned from the characters :) feel free to use them, though!

      Christie

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  2. Christie,

    I am also an educator - I teach middle school social studies, and I can echo nearly everything you mentioned about Harry Potter and how formative it was for my adolescence and the growth of my love for reading. If it were not for Rowling and Brian Jacques (author of the Redwall series featuring anthropomorphic animals), I doubt that I would have begun to make many of the decisions that ultimately led to my decision to pursue a career in teaching. I am so thankful to have found your blog accidentally. Your writing is beautiful and so are your tattoos. Just know that this post has really been a blessing to me. Best of luck in your teaching!

    -Joe

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    1. Joe,
      I'm sorry it took me so long to reply, how rude of me! Thank you so much for your kind words, I was truly moved. The effect Ms. Rowling has had on the world never ceases to amaze me. Loads of thanks for reading my post, I'm thrilled it brought you so much happiness. Good luck with your middle schoolers, and enjoy the rest of your summer!

      Christie

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  3. Loved the meaning! It isnt obviously Harry Potter, but still, you can tell they are there. And even if you look metaphorically, Harry is special, almost a saint for some people. Ron is our king and a king ought to have a horse. And Hermione has a strong personality which makes her the perfect person to lean on, just like you would do with the strong walls of a castle.
    I would love to have this tattoo on me, but i don't like chess so it doesn't really fit me. But the idea is per-fect.

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    1. Thank you Marleen! I love the metaphors, you are so right! I never thought about it that way. Thanks for bringing a whole new layer to it :)

      Christie

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  4. love the tat and Harry Potter. you got a tat that means something to you, I've heard that's what it's all about.

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  5. Really great tattoo idea. Not common and very personal. Haha would you mind if maybe I stole your idea. Its the first Harry Potter tattoo I've seen thats given me goosebumps.

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    1. Of course you may! Thanks for the comment and for reading :) Potter on!!

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  6. This made me tear up. :)

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  7. I stumbled upon this while looking for Harry Potter tattoos :)
    I am glad I did. You have a wonderful tattoo and even better views on the characters our Queen has so well portrayed.
    I am getting a tattoo next year (when I am 21) and so far I have decided on 'always' and 'until the very end'. Wish me luck.

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    1. Best of luck to you!!! Thank you for reading and commenting on my post :) I would love to see your tattoo when you get it!

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  8. I followed the link you posted on Buzzfeed :) Great tattoo!

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  9. I love this SO much. I can't wait to get my Potter tattoo!

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    1. Thank you :)I'd love to see it when it's done!

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  10. wow i've just seen this and i think it is truley amazing how many lives have been changed by HP
    im soooo proud to be part of this fandom because of people like you who've put time and effort into something they love
    you've shown me that there is beauty in being different
    thank you :) x

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    1. Thank you so much!! Thank you for reading, too. The Harry Potter Fandom is the best there is! ✌❤⚡

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  11. Thank you for your text. Now if anyone makes fun of me for wanting to get a HP tattoo, I can just show this perfectly well written and understandable explanation to them ! Anyway I think that it speaks to many potterheads :)

    And btw, great idea for a tattoo !

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    1. Thank you! Don't let the Muggles get you down! ✌❤⚡

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    2. Thank you! Don't let the Muggles get you down! ✌❤⚡

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  12. That's really wonderful! <3

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