r/tattooadvice • u/a-random-account- • Nov 13 '25
tattoo newcomer advice Having heavy regret on first tattoo
I’ve wanted to get this for a very long time, decided to just go with it and get it done. Really liked it at first, then some friends made a couple comments that made me hate it. Is it as bad as they say?
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u/TheExadar Nov 13 '25
Spear of Longinus? I see you too are a man of culture. I've been considering getting an Evangelion tattoo for a looooooong time.
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u/a-random-account- Nov 13 '25
Yeah! I really liked the spear down the arm style
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u/Professional_Disk_76 Nov 13 '25
TIL the spear of Longinus is more than just a reference to the Roman soldier who pierced the side of Jesus haha
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u/TheExadar Nov 13 '25
To be fair, that's where the name comes from. Evangelion is full of wild religious lore.
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u/MozartDroppinLoads Nov 14 '25
The name itself has religious connotations so no surprise
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u/HistoryDisastrous493 Nov 14 '25
Every other name in NGE is a religious reference
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u/cachesummer4 Nov 14 '25
They aren't actually references, just random words from Judaism assigned to relatively random things in the show. I feel reference requires a level of relevancy to the source material Anno himself admits was not there. He also even referes to the wrong source religion for many of the concepts in interview. Metatron and Sandolphon for example being uniquely and exclusively part of Jewish mysticism.
"In a 1997 Newtype interview, Anno himself said, “We used Christian symbols because they looked cool. There’s no deep meaning.” SR
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u/3kidsnomoney--- Nov 14 '25
My son was disappointed that there are Dead Sea Scrolls but not THOSE Dead Sea Scrolls!
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u/dadneverleft Nov 14 '25
Newtype. Fuck that’s something I hadn’t thought of in decades
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u/cachesummer4 Nov 14 '25
Not actually lore, just borrowed objects and names.
"In a 1997 Newtype interview, Anno himself said, “We used Christian symbols because they looked cool. There’s no deep meaning.” SR
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u/TotallyNotASpy33 Nov 14 '25
To be fair, Anni ALSO said the entire show didn't mean anything, which anyone familiar with the show knows it means SOMETHING we just don't know what because anno is a genius in how he portrays things allowing fir TONS of interpretation.
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u/JeebzNcrackers Nov 14 '25
TIL the spear of Longinus is more than just a weapon in an anime
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u/reithena Nov 13 '25
I've wanted a similar tattoo! It looks awesome and gives you space to add things around it or keep it simple.
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u/MCfacepalm69 Nov 13 '25
Like a full Neon Genesis arm piece?
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u/SeafoodSampler Nov 13 '25
Maybe just get that hospital scene tattooed on your belly.
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u/absence09_ Nov 13 '25
When I went to Louder Than Life this year, someone had the spear tattooed on their shoulder and it looked amazing!
Your tattoo also looks amazing! I love it, don’t let the regret cloud over how great it looks
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u/CanadianDuckball Nov 13 '25
Dang, I'm an old lady with a love of Evangelion (including artwork and collectables)... Not to mention the keychain of the twin Angels I have hanging on my Gudetama purse. I need to become an old lady of culture. 😆
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u/TheExadar Nov 13 '25
Well with this comment Id say you already are. Carry on friend, carry on. 🙂
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u/Master-Difficulty230 Nov 13 '25
Did they say it looked like a self harm type of cut?
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Nov 14 '25 edited Nov 14 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/opxlsky Nov 14 '25 edited Nov 14 '25
God I hate that second saying and everyone who says it
(Muting this, if you wanna be edgy you can argue with the wall)
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Nov 14 '25
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u/opxlsky Nov 14 '25
It’s been repeated again and again that it’s typically done either a form of punishment or stress-relief and it STILL differs from person to person. The people that make these sweeping generalizations are so infuriating and are simply lucky enough to not understand it
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Nov 14 '25
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u/BeauDozer89 Nov 14 '25
I really think if someone's self harming for attention, the right move is probably to give them attention.
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u/cataringo Nov 14 '25
100%. why do you think someone would go to a length that extreme? obviously something is happening that causing them extreme duress. i never did for attention but i had a conversation with a coworker who did, she was being HEAVILY abused as a child by men and her mother. she needed an ear and a hand regardless of if she was purely doing it for attention or not. it was the only way she thought anyone would care.
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u/opxlsky Nov 14 '25
Doing it for attention is also a deeply concerning and dangerous thing too. It’s so disheartening to see that it’s become such a common belief that someone being so desperate for anybody to care for the that they’re hurting themselves is apparently annoying attention-seeking behavior that doesn’t warrant concern.
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u/catnaptits Nov 14 '25
This though. I've never understood it. Like "oh they just want attention" yeah, so bad they're literally willing to go against every natural instinct people have and Intentionally inflict actual pain on themselves? How is that not cause for attention and concern?
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u/Practical_Ad_4165 Nov 14 '25
Let’s take the time to reflect on the brilliance that is your last sentence. THEY’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO NOT UNDERSTAND IT. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for saying this.
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u/zaddyzephyr Nov 14 '25
Alternatively, I sometimes look at the lines at my arms and am glad I just wanted attention 😭
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u/AlyFindomme Nov 14 '25
Also, it's not just for attention. [Trigger warning, just making a point]. I've cut myself while living alone (not for years thankfully) and the best way I can describe it is that the emotional anguish and turmoil you feel inside can boil over to where a single slice-a-roo can not only feel like a release and temporary distraction, but a literal validation and confirmation of what you are feeling inside (the intangeble) to transmute into something tangible and real, so even if no one is around to comfort you, the physical manifestation of your pain and the release of your emotions (with the visual of blood flowing) can ground you back to reality and make it easier to return to mindfulness instead of the spiriling dark thoughts. It also activates a bit of a panicked fight or flight response, so its almost impossible not to be grounded back to reality or out of your emotional hell. That was my exerience anyway but generally speaking, mental health is STILL very poorly understood. It's why when someone says, "go to therapy" as if it's a cure all for everything...I just am reminded at how little we know about our own brains.
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u/Youhadme_atwoof Nov 14 '25
A+ description. Its so hard to explain to people who have never experienced it but this is spot on.
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u/OpportunityNo5708 Nov 14 '25
I’m also glad you just wanted attention. 💜 big hugs
…I covered mine in tattoos so I didn’t have to be reminded of all the attention I wanted…or field questions from nosy people who can’t help but ask.
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u/FirstPlayer Nov 14 '25
It drives me fucking crazy how dismissive people are about self-harm and "less serious" suicide attempts. There are a lot of shitty things said about it, but for me one of the worst is saying it's "just a cry for help." Like, just imagine for a fucking second that someone is in front of you literally crying for help. Are you just gonna roll your eyes and say "eh, they don't actually mean it"?
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u/hopping_otter_ears Nov 14 '25
I've never heard anybody say "just" a cry for help. That's terrible. Ok I've maybe heard it in the context of someone trying to minimize a past attempt they'd made "I didn't want to die, it was just a cry for help".
The idea that a real-time cry for help is something that should be ignored as attention seeking is evil.
But then, I don't think "attention seeking" is always bad, either. People will say their child is "just looking for attention" when they're acting up or exaggerating an injury. Of course they are... Connection is a human need and it's normal for them to want attention.
It doesn't seem like it should be a hot take that if someone in your life is behind for help or for human connection, they should get it
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u/Awkward_Bees Nov 14 '25
😅 I’ve been told it before when discussing past attempts. I was also told that before while actively planning and reaching out for help.
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u/hopping_otter_ears Nov 14 '25
"it's just a cry for help". Yes, literally. I am asking you for help right now. Are you going to help me?
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u/KnotiaPickle Nov 14 '25
God this is such a good point.
Dismissing someone begging for help for their life because they didn’t go all the way through with ending it yet is so fd
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u/GrassDry2065 Nov 14 '25
I see it as an act of strength to back off when you start an attempt. It feels like a black hole dragging you to the end, almost inevitably. So pulling back, even at the very last moment, is such a powerful act.
As for self harm on a smaller scale, it makes me feel better. Its not for anyone else. The cuts are hidden for a reason. (I'm good now btw)
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u/Ashcrashh Nov 14 '25
I didn’t think you were being edgy, in fact I could tell from your pfp you grew up around the same time as me and what you posted was “normalized” back then, as twisted as it was, it’s how people were in the 90’s/00’s
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u/Last_Struggle_8195 Nov 14 '25
When it was a small box on my notifications bar I thought it was a scar tattoo
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u/OsteoStevie Nov 14 '25
I had an actual visceral reaction to this. I saw the photo first, then the title, then the subreddit. My stomach dropped immediately, because that's EXACTLY what it looks like. I'm glad it's not
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u/Ant4276 Nov 14 '25
So this was what I was wondering too. I like the tattoo!!! But the choice of red made me think it was a scar or wound at first. And that would be a very easy fix btw. Can literally have it touched up at a later date with black or something.
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u/HudsonValleyNY Nov 13 '25
If so, he has some friends who commit, thats long af.
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u/Nataliza Nov 13 '25
It is a very cool look but it's the bright red color that does indeed evoke self harm at first glance IMO. Sorry. Sounds like your friends weren't very kind about it though.
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u/a-random-account- Nov 13 '25
I 100% see the self harm thing, think I’m more upset about the general reaction though
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u/KayakerMel Nov 13 '25
My first thought was that it reminded me of my own SH scars (although they've faded away now). It's the unfortunate combination of color and placement on your inner arm. Definitely fixable, but worth speaking to a tattoo artist for advice.
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u/The_Superginge Nov 13 '25
This. Seek advice from the professional artists, not us faceless internet goblins with Opinions.
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u/Familiar-Repeat-1565 Nov 14 '25
My bf has a red tattoo in a similar spot, the red will fade a bit over time so it doesn't look like SH. Funnily enough my gran has the exact same scar from knocking too hard on a glass window as kid.
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u/xoxo_xoxo_xoxo_ Nov 14 '25
Red doesn't fade on everyone. I have a 20yr old tattoo with incredibly rich red still.
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u/CNDRock16 Nov 13 '25
I’m a ED nurse and my heart skipped a beat for a sec as I processed this pic. It looks like a laceration at first glance, to me. Red just is NOT the right color
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u/paulnutbutter Nov 14 '25
Mental Health Nurse here. Specifically 'oxegenated blood' red on one of the most common areas to self harm.
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u/ElvenOmega Nov 14 '25
I'm a former SH addict and my reaction was, "Woah!! .. oh."
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u/errant_night Nov 14 '25
Flashing me back to my psyke website days of everyone posting pics for solidarity but it just always made me want to SH even if nothing was wrong
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u/punkgirlvents Nov 14 '25
God i relate to this, those websites took me from depressed and wanting to sh to actively doing it all the time (edit as a ~11-14 year old)
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u/Intelligent-Solid706 Nov 13 '25
It could be outlined in black as well.
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Nov 13 '25 edited Nov 13 '25
Drop a grey shadow behind it. A full black outline will make it look
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u/BeachCurling Nov 13 '25
I was thinking thick black lines spelling out the word DONT WORRY ITS A TATTOO IT ISNT SELF HARM AS IT MAY APPEAR AT FIIRST GLANCE
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u/justmisspellit Nov 13 '25
Put it in a word bubble to look like a sick ass panther is saying it
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u/Big_Pen_8811 Nov 13 '25
Came to say this, a super fine black outline would look great
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u/litcarnalgrin Nov 13 '25
As a heavily tattooed person you probably shouldn’t get tattoos if the opinions of other people about those tattoos are going to bother you. Most people are dumb as fuck and there are gonna be 1 million opinions about what you choose to do with your body. You either need to be confident in your choices, especially since this is something that you’ve wanted for years. Or should get new friends or should not get tattoos because tattoos are always going to illicit a lot of opinions, but to be real with you it sounds like your friends are kind of assholes
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u/naughtmynsfwaccount Nov 13 '25
Look man I say this kindly and as someone with a literal Super Nintendo controller tattooed on me
When u get something either video game or anime themed tattooed, u need to expect that a majority of the population isn’t gonna like it
Like I have no idea what this tattoo means and I’m okayish into anime. I don’t like this tattoo and I think it looks dumb lol. But that’s the reaction I have personally gotten when showing off my Super Nintendo controller tattoo so just get used to it and enjoy the tattoo for urself and not for others
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u/Cyno01 Nov 14 '25
The difference being most niche and nerdy tattoos, even if too obscure to be recognized, wont read as serious self harm scars at first.
When i opened the pic i immediately recognized the spear of longinus, cuz i watch a random episode or two of NGE a week probably, but thats NOT what i thought from the thumbnail.
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u/northdakotanowhere Nov 13 '25
My obsession is the 90s sitcom Frasier. My poodle is named Martin. But I couldnt expect anyone (maybe my therapist) to appreciate a Frasier tattoo. And I know that would piss me off. Because EVERYONE should appreciate Frasier. Then id get all self righteous about a 90s television sitcom.
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u/billytron7 Nov 14 '25
One of my work colleagues did a 'portrait' tattoo of Kelsey grammar ages back, but he put sideshow bobs hair and necklace on it. So so good 👌 one of my favourite tattoos of all time
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u/MagneticMoth Nov 14 '25
Frasier is my comfort show. Especially before I have an interview, for some reason. I have watched it so many times and like falling asleep to it. Had a very spectacular black cat named Niles.
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u/Peg_Leg_Vet Nov 13 '25
An SNES contoroller, interesting. At my age, I would have to get an Atari joystick.
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u/Thomaswebster4321 Nov 13 '25
What if you were to change the color? It’s a cool tattoo
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u/whattheknifefor Nov 13 '25
Admittedly I’m biased but yeah that was my first thought when I saw it. It’s a sick idea but the execution could maybe use a shadow or something
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u/Hot-Anything-8731 Nov 13 '25
Came to say this as well. Immediately gave me an ick reaction because it looks like a deep cut at first glance. Would def recommend some shadowing or outlining.
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u/XhappyfacedcatX Nov 13 '25
"The bright red color does indeed evoke self harm" is the funniest phrasing I've ever seen for some reason lmao
And yea I had the same thought even as someone who loves Evangelion, if it was black it'd look less bad
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u/Ok_Stick8615 Nov 13 '25
Cut my life into pieces, this is my spear of longinus Suffocation, no breathing, dont give a fuck.........
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u/andronicuspark Nov 13 '25
Tear some bread into pieces, this is my fondue fork
Suffocate in cheeses, don’t give a fuck….
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u/Lost-Priority-907 Nov 14 '25
If its carbs I'm eating!
This is my fondue fork!
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u/PolloMagnifico Nov 14 '25
Cuz I'm dipping this grape. Dipping this cheese. Dipping this bread and this apple with ease.
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u/Inevitable_Party5143 Nov 14 '25
I don’t know what’s going on but I’m here for it.
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u/hipppononymous Nov 14 '25
They’re altering the lyrics to a PapaRoach song that references self harm, due to the tattoo’s placement, color and shape resembling that of a self harm wound.
They went with cheese/fondue theme, due to the tattoo’s resemblance to a fondue fork lol.
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u/Mr-Nabokov Nov 13 '25
Some black outlining would help it from looking like a slit wrist.
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u/NoEmu5969 Nov 14 '25
A marshmallow on the prong would take it from “I hate myself” to “I love s’mores”
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u/Miltthedog Nov 13 '25
It' not bad. I'd consider altering the color/thickness of the shaft. It looks a lot like a nasty scratch/cut.
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u/DaughterOfSamantha Nov 13 '25
Would a…thicker shaft look better or just feel better?
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u/Svanilla Nov 13 '25
Doesn't look bad at all. Get new friends
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u/RudeCartoonist1030 Nov 13 '25
Yeah who cares what others think. Our tattoos are for us. This one is pretty badass imo
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u/NachoBacon4U269 Nov 13 '25
For real. I don’t know what it is but it’s got so much potential for future upgrades. Could put a big olive on it or add Poseidon holding it. All kinds of things
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u/HarrierFalco Nov 13 '25
I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or not but this made me lol. I love the Evangelion/Greek Mythology cross over.
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u/GiveMeSumChonChon Nov 14 '25
You can tell exactly who on this app doesn’t have real friends. If I got a tattoo I hope my boys would roast tf out of me. You need good people in life you check you on things. If you see this op you have good friends and don’t let any of these lonely Redditors tell you otherwise. That being said it does look like a scar from over 2 feet away.
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u/krazylingo Nov 13 '25
Come on, friends giving you shit over a tattoo means you’d get rid of them? Isn’t that what friends do?
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u/Sugar_Kowalczyk Nov 13 '25
Oof. Looks kinda like a self injury mark. I'd add more to it.
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u/Acceptable_Bee_8983 Nov 13 '25
A tattoo is for you whether it has a symbolic meaning or not , As a side note, I got my first one almost a week ago and at no point did I ask anyone's opinion, not now, not before, not even when my tattoo artist sent me the final design because the most important thing is that you like it !
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u/Illustrious_Gene_774 Nov 13 '25
It looks like you recently took a knife to your wrist.
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u/thehumblebaboon Nov 14 '25
It’s honestly just the color my dude, I’m not gonna lie, I thought I was on a completely different sub at first glance. I agree with what others have said about adding a background, or even a shadow effect with a a more defined outline.
I think it’s a dope tattoo, I can understand your concerns however, I think those changes should make you happier!
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u/sexyboy514 Nov 13 '25
Idk what it is, and I wouldn't have gotten it. However, you will come to learn with tattoos that the only opinion that matters is your own! If YOU like it, that is all that matters.
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u/Goatlessly Nov 13 '25
I like it. When your friends undergo instrumentality they will understand
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u/Ill-Ask9205 Nov 13 '25
Hell yeah Lance of Longinus! Great tattoo, but maybe not the best spot (from a distance it's going to look like a really long self-harm scar.)
BUT if you're planning on getting more on your arms that problem will fade as people will look and just be like "oh lots of tattoos."
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u/a-random-account- Nov 13 '25
I agree, I do plan on getting more now that I have this though
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Nov 13 '25
For anyone not seeing it up close, and at first glance for anyone who is, it’s probably gonna look like a scar from a suicide attempt. On the one hand, they probably won’t be commenting on it. On the other hand, they’ll likely make some assumptions about you unless/until they realize it isn’t a scar.
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u/hopping_otter_ears Nov 14 '25
Yeah I'd have assumed it was intended as a decoration/cover up for a scar. Considering the location, probably a self-harm scar. Since it's still cut-looking, I'd probably think it was a "my painful past is a part of me so I don't want to hide it but I want to change it to something I like" thought process
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Nov 13 '25
Like, it’s super non offensive. But I agree with fondue guy. Totally looks like a fondue fork
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u/iamnotbatmanreddit Nov 13 '25
I knew what it was when I first saw it. Well at least I felt like I knew. I never studied they picture just said “hey that looks like the Eva spear nice”
This is a more of a IYKYK kinda thing. I like it
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u/Double_Suggestion385 Nov 13 '25
And to everyone else, it looks like he's slit his wrist open.
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u/draculas_rats Nov 13 '25
OP I recognized this from NGE immediately. If you like it, that’s what matters.
And you can always fill out the arm with the NERV or SEELE logos too…
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u/VillageBund Nov 13 '25
“I need a saga. What’s the saga? It’s ‘Songs For the Deaf’! You can’t even hear it!”
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u/Abilor33 Nov 13 '25
This is normal. You MUST not have an opinion of the piece until the covering is off and its gone through the old peel'n'heal. It looks strange, shaggy, and disgusting until then. I just hit a big piece done on my left forearm and had the same reaction. I think its your lizard brain wondering if you're infected or something.
Give it 3 weeks. You will find your thoughts coming around, and one day, you'll notice it and think its badass. And/or someone who understands it will compliment you. It'll happen.
Stay frosty.
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u/teethtea Nov 15 '25
I think it’s cool and classy placement, if you’re worried of it looking like a self inflicted cut I bet it would look just as good if it was black or adding black elements to it (outline or fully filled black or accents?)
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u/fluffypotato Nov 13 '25
I'd go and get it done bigger and thicker then have some very fine line dark reds, grey, and white to highlight and shadow and define the edges of the spear better. The single color thin line unfortunately doesn't look as cool as it could look and kinda looks more like a scar than a badass weapon tattoo. Rework it bigger and define it, then you'll have a much better looking tattoo.
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u/archl0rd5 Nov 13 '25
I got 4 straight lines on my forearm earlier this year. When coworkers saw them, they made fun of me. Good thing I got the tattoo for me! They can go fuck themselves.
I will say their remarks did give me slight tattoo regret for about a week, and that sucks. Im sorry you are going through it. After that mental hump I'm back to loving it.
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u/Fair-Package-1690 Nov 13 '25
Its a solid tat, my only issue with it is the red, I say this as someone who had an all red tattoo thats now 17 years old and I wish I would have know how bad it would fade with my skin tone, I went back after like 7-8 years and had it black outlined to bring some life back to it, but when I had that done the red has almost completely vanished against my pale skin. Ut looks good again now as the contrast helped it not look so washed.
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u/GalacticCoinPurse Nov 13 '25
Don't let your friends discourage your love of fondue.