Arabic Tattoos

nice, interesting, even if pictures are of very uneven quality.it's a bit like a cool blog, but printed on paper (rather than a hi-quality art book)

the book is a decent read. nice shots of tattoos, a little on the small side but thats fine. a fine book indeed

This book has been out for many years now, and I think it is time for a retrospective look at the subject matter. I am one of the Arabic calligraphers prominently featured in this book. I must say that when I first received my copy I was alarmed by the front cover. I grew up in the Middle East and "Kafir" is hardly ever a positive epithet. Nevertheless, a quick Google search will show that the number of US servicemen that have had this word tattooed on their bodies has continued to increase since the times this book was first put into print. It is part of the culture of tattoos that they inhabit an in between space between acceptability and rebellion. I have been a professional calligrapher for many decades, but when I first started getting orders from people who did not want the physical artwork--just a digital file--I was baffled. Finally I asked someone what was going on. Why do you only want this art by email? Oh, it is for a tattoo. That was a revelation to me. Since then, of course, I've designed hundreds and hundreds of tattoos in Arabic, Farsi (Persian), Dari, Urdu, Sanskrit, Hindi, Gujarati, Latin, French, English, Greek, Hebrew, etc. Islam and Judaism may prohibit tattoos, but a great many members of the faithful not only get tattooed, but tattoo very sacred phrases on their bodies in an act both rebellious and religious. Americans who cannot read Persian have stretches of the Farsi-language poetry of Rumi on their skins. The Pali words of the Buddha are very popular. Tribal tattoos with the most sacred words of Sanskrit mantras are inscribed on first generation immigrants from India, much to the amazement and chagrin of their aunties, uncles and parents. In short, since this slim, groundbreaking book was compiled, the scope of World Calligraphy in the realm of tattoos has exploded. -- Stewart J. Thomas, Calligrapher (palmstone.com, farsicalligraphy.com, sanskritcalligraphy.com)

Although the Islamic faith prohibits tattoos, Arabic script and its various forms of ornamental calligraphy lend themselves to tattoo designs that can have a hidden meaning (or not so hidden, if you read Arabic.) This book has examples of tattoos on women and men done in various forms of Arabic script, from simple to very complex designs. Some of the complex designs are reminiscent of tribal tattoos, but always represent a word or a name.One problem the artists point out in this book is that, most of them not knowing Arabic will not know if the design you bring them is written accurately or not.The most beautiful designs in my opinion were the rondelles, where Arabic words are written out from a central spoke. I am not a tattoo fan myself, but if you are and you are looking for some new designs that are different from the Japanese kanji, Hebrew letters or just every day things, this book may spark your imagination. Lots of photos, well done to show the designs on all kinds of body parts and skin, from bare to hairy. (Nothing obscene.)

Nice idea arabic temporary tattoos but why here the worst designs and bad word in the first pic not acceptable word 4 public

This is one amazingly put together book. I was contacted to have one of my photos in the book and received a review copy today. VERY impressed. My photo is page 110.