In the world of tattoos and tattoo art, there are a number of sub-genres and styles that stand out from the rest. One such niche is the ambigram tattoo, which combines calligraphic principles with optical illusions to create designs that are both elegant and eerie. An ambigram is a word or phrase that can be read in more than one way when viewed from different angles. The most common type of ambigram is one where the same word or phrase is written in reverse, so it appears to be reflected. If you’re thinking about getting an ambigram tattoo or want to learn more about this unique art form, you’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about ambigram tattoos and calligraphy as a whole:
What is an Ambigram Tattoo?
A word or phrase is written in such a way that it can be read in more than one way when viewed from different angles. The most common type of ambigram is one where the same word or phrase is written in reverse. Many ambigram tattoos are also examples of optical illusions, where the design appears to change as you move around it. Because ambigram tattoos are so visual, the best way to understand them without actually seeing them is to think of them as a verbal puzzle. You’ll need to not only choose a phrase that you like but also find a way to read it. Some ambigrams are more straightforward than others. For instance, the word “TRUST” when reflected looks like “UTS”. Similarly, the word “LOVE” when reflected looks like “EVOL”. However, more complex ambigrams can take hours to solve, and often require moving around the design multiple times to get the correct answer.
Why Get an Ambigram Tattoo?
There are a number of reasons why someone would get an ambigram tattoo, but the most common is probably because it’s a lot of fun. After all, ambigram tattoos are essentially puzzles that you get to live with for the rest of your life. When it comes to choosing your design, there are no hard-and-fast rules. You can choose a word or a quote that you love, or you can even ask the artist to design something based on your favorite book, poem, or work of art. Of course, there are a few other reasons why you might want to get an ambigram tattoo:
- Express Your Personality – Tattoos can be a great way to express your personality and values, and ambigrams are perfect for this. Whether you choose a seemingly random phrase or write your own word, the ambigram tattoo can help to visually express your personality and values to the world.
- Keep a Loved One Close – If you’ve lost a loved one, your tattoo can be a way to keep them close to you. By choosing a word or phrase that has significant meaning to you and your loved one, you can create a design that will last a lifetime and will always be there to remind you of them.
- Mark a Special Moment or Date – Whether it’s a significant birthday, anniversary, or even the day you got married, ambigram tattoos can be a great way to mark these significant moments in your life.
- Make a Special Place Feel Even More Special – If you have a special place that means a lot to you, an ambigram tattoo can help to make it feel even more special.
How to Find the Right Artist for Your Tattoo
While there are ambigram artists who specialize in calligraphy, most tattoo artists have enough experience to do ambigram tattoos. That said, they do have a few special requirements that you should be aware of before visiting one:
- Make Sure They Have Experience with Ambigrams – While tattoo artists who specialize in calligraphy can do ambigram tattoos, it’s probably not a good idea to go to someone who doesn’t specialize in ambigrams. This is because you cannot be absolutely certain that the artist will know how to create the kind of visual puzzle that you want.
- Find Someone Who is Creative – Since ambigrams are more about visual puzzles than realism, finding someone who is willing and able to go beyond just copying and pasting your word or phrase is crucial. You don’t just want someone who can write your sentence in reverse; you want someone who can actively engage with your design and make it come to life.
- You’re Probably Going to Need More Than One Session – While it’s possible to get an ambigram tattoo in one session, it’s usually going to take multiple visits and a lot of patience. This is because the ambigram artist has to literally re-write your word or phrase in reverse, often going over the same letters several times to create the desired effect.
Calligraphy and Ambigram Tattoos: Are They the Same Thing?
Absolutely not. First and foremost, calligraphy is an art form that has been practiced for thousands of years. While it has evolved a bit since then, it’s still used in a variety of different ways today and has been used to create everything from tattoos to book covers. While ambigram tattoos are a specific type of calligraphy, they are not the only type of calligraphy that exists. In fact, ambigram tattoos are a very specific type of calligraphy that requires you to write a specific way: in reverse.
Where to Find the Best Ambigram Tattoos
While it’s possible to create your own ambigram tattoo design, you’re probably not going to be able to recreate the complexity that an experienced artist can do. For this reason, it’s always a good idea to find an artist who specializes in ambigram tattoos and can help you design a beautiful and creative piece of ink. Where you find such an artist is up to you. You can scour the internet, visit tattoo conventions, or even check out your local tattoo shops. While you’re there, make sure to ask a few questions about the artists, like how long they’ve been tattooing, how many tattoos they’ve done, and how much their tattoos cost. These are not only good questions to ask, but they’ll also let you get a feel for the artist and will help you decide which shop to visit.
Conclusion
As you can see, ambigram tattoos are a unique type of tattoo that requires more than just a basic understanding of calligraphy. This means that it’s important to find an artist who specializes in ambigrams. While it’s possible to create your own ambigram tattoo design, it’s important to make sure you have the skill and knowledge required to do so.
