In honor of the bizarre history of the tattoo industry, we discovered the most amazing tattoo and piercing stunts ever completed by human beings as listed (or soon to be listed) in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Record: Most Tattoos in 24 Hours

This new category in the Guinness Book of World Records is set to appear in the 2009 edition. A number of tattoo artists from all over America have already attempted to make it to the book list. Some of them have already set record-breaking feats, even surpassing the 500-tattoos-in-24-hour mark.

In order for a tattoo to be counted in this particular category, the tattoo artist needs to make sure the tats have a dimension of at least 1.25 x 3 inches, a minimum of two colors, and every tattoo must be recorded for Guinness Book eligibility.

Some notable tattoo artists who attempted to create a world record for the category Most Tattoos in 24 Hours include:

Derek Kastning, a tattoo artist from Tyler, Texas who works for Rat-aTac-Tat Tattoos set a new record of 726 tattoos in 24 hours in October 2008.

John ‘Joker’ McManus, a tattoo artist from West Monroe, broke the record set by Kastning by making 775 star tattoos in 24 hours on November 2, 2008. He also broke the 8-hour record of 240 by completing 331.

However, McManus’s celebration was short-lived as Hollis Cantrell from Phoenix, Arizona broke the former record with Cantrell’s 801 ‘AZ’ tattoos in 24 hours in November 2008. Apparently, Cantrell is the man to beat this year. Will another tattoo artist take the challenge and ink a much higher feat?

Record: Most Tattooed Person

This word record was once held by a controversial dude named Tom Leppard who is more popularly known as the Leopard Man. Apparently getting the inspiration from his last name, Tom covered his entire body with leopard-like spots.

Leppards’ impressive tattoo covering was surpassed by an Aussie tattoo enthusiast, Lucky Diamond Rich, who literally covered his entire body with ink. Yes, he is a certified tattoo freak, covering every inch of his skin with tattoo. I don’t think anybody could beat a 100% tattooed man in this category. This is the ultimate level and anyone trying to do the same would just be a poor copycat.

Lucky underwent over 1,000 hours of tattoo sessions by hundreds of tattoo artists. He once tried to collect colorful designs from around the world and tattooed them over his entire body. Not satisfied with the already extraordinary feat, Lucky decided to have a 100% covering of black ink that included his eyelids, skin between the toes, down into the ears, and even his gums. Still not contended with the whole thing, Lucky decided to cover the black ink with white designs, and colored designs on top of the white.

Record: Longest Tattoo Session

At 43 hours and 50 minutes, Stephen Grady and Melanie Grieveson of Australia are holding the world record for the longest tattoo session. Grady and Melanie are from Twin Cities Tattooing studio, and both broke the record by 1.5 hours.

Grieveson entered the book records not only as a record breaker but also the first woman to ever attempt the feat.

Record: Most Body Piercings

If you think your proud local body-piercing buddy who’s gotten a Prince Albert, and a number of other jewelries planted on his body, is the king of body piercings, think again. Robert Jesus Rubio from United States of America is holding the world record for the most number of body piercings on a human being with 900 surgical needles inserted into his body. These 18-gauge surgical needles are 1.2 cm long - inserted on May 29, 2008.

Record: Most Pierced Woman

Elaine Davidson may not land on the list of Most Powerful Women in History or in any list with Oprah or Hilary, but she currently holds the world record for most piercings on a woman. Elaine has a record of 720 piercings; 192 on her face and 462 on her body. She has been holding the record since May 2000.

Record: Most Body Piercings in One Session

So you think getting one piercing is tough enough? But for Kam Ma, from UK, getting one piercing in one session is child’s play. A real man gets 1015 piercings at once. That’s exactly what Kam Ma did on March 4, 2006 at the Sunderland Body Art with Charlie Wilson. Both performed the feat in 7 hours and 55 minutes.

Learn more about the crazy body art and tattoo lifestyle here.

This is Kari Smith, a mother from Bountiful, Utah, who decided that the most industrious and auspicious way to come up with ten grand for her young son’s education was to sell her forehead as advertising space to the highest bidder on eBay (it’s probably best that she stopped procreating after one child).

Smith’s auction attracted more than 27,000 hits before lucky winner Goldenpalace.com, a Canadian Internet gambling company, scooped up the prize with a “buy-it-now” bid.

“I really want to do this,” Smith said before getting inked. “To everyone else, it seems like a stupid thing to do. To me, $10,000 is like $1 million.” Too bad $10,000 is not like $1 million, it’s more like $10,000, and with the skyrocketing costs of private education, this money should last her son 3-4 months.

Regardless of the motivation behind this doting mother’s tattoo endorsement, the important thing to note is that she got paid for it. There are many slogan-inked folks schlepping around without any kind of restitution being drawn from the company they are promoting. And there is nothing like free advertising that make corporations high-five from coast to coast.

Check out twenty corporate slogan and logo tattoos that have christened their owners into human billboards:

Intel

McDonald’s: Are you lovin’ it?

Popeye’s

Google

Guinness

Budweiser

Jameson Whiskey

Nike

Mr. Peanut

Scion

Ford

Apple

Sony PS3

Nintendo

Microsoft

Dell

Firefox: Firefox, indeed.

Zune

Coca Cola

Piercing for Coke Zero: And one for the road.

Are you the next great human billboard?

For those looking to use their skin as a corporate shill, companies such as leaseyourbody.com and tatad.com connect advertisers with folks who want to be paid for sporting tattoo advertisements. Selling your skin to tattoo a brand can actually pay hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the size of the advertisement and the location on the body. And if you are a tattoo virgin getting sticked for the first time, this will pay much more.

Want more? Check out Top Video Game Tattoos, Top Geeky Tattoos, and Top Science Tattoos.

In many countries around the world, tattoos developed as a way to identify prisoners and ostracize them from law-abiding society. Tattoos were imprinted on inmates to not only identify them as felons, but also to identify the crimes they committed. Prisoners capitalized on the fear and stigma associated with body art and used that as a source of pride.

Tattoos came to symbolize both the gory and the glory associated with gang life. Today it is not uncommon for gang members to tattoo their hands and arms, necks and even faces, as a demonstrated refusal to acclimate to social norms. Tattoos in gang culture represent a commitment that stays with the body even after life. Gang members are committed to the gang for life and shared tattoos are a way of unifying members of a gang.

From tear drops to religious and cultural images, check out these incredible gang tattoos.

Tear drops

This is one of the most commonly recognizable gang tattoos. While it can be symbolic of a murder committed, more often than not it is meant to memorialize a loved one lost.

Religious images

Prevalent religious imagery is very common. A cross is often used to represent resurrection. Here is an intricate depiction of the Last Supper. View more religious tattoo photos.

Theatrical masks

This image of the smiling mask paired with the crying mask underline the motto “play now, pay later.”

Weapons

Not surprisingly, weapons are a cornerstone of gang tattoo imagery. This realistic looking tattoo depicts a gun. Check out more gun tattoo photos.

Cultural images - Yakuza

The Yakuza have been around longer than the Sicilian mafia, and are known to be responsible for the largest organized crime phenomena in the world. The modern day Japanese mafia’s anti-social behavior, odd clothing and style, and distinctive Japanese tattoos continue to gain the attention of mainstream society. View more culture tattoo photos.

Clocks

This image of a clock with no hands is an example of a tattoo a gang member would get in prison to represent serving time. Generally, the clock would have no hands to symbolize being locked up until the end of time.

Gates and windows

Another prison tattoo is the image of light coming through the cell window or gate. This means that the time in prison will be over soon. The tattoo across this man’s belly depicts a gate and a gate keeper.

Hometown pride

Because much of gang culture revolves around loyalty to home, area code and city name tattoos are common. Here is one man’s Chicago tribute.

Skulls

A skull tattoo, such as this one, is not uncommon. It is an omnipresent reminder that death is part of gang life.

Spiderwebs

This tattoo is usually found on the hands or elbows. It can represent time in prison, murder, or simply struggle.

While serving to unify members within a gang, tattoos are used as a means of self-imposed segregation: segregation from other gangs and segregation from mass society. They are meant to instigate fear and serve as a “body of truth” documenting gang life. This entails everything from tallying crimes committed to memorializing the loss of a loved one, to representing a hood, to serving as the hallmark of a life-sentence in prison.

While certain designs and symbols are universally recognized as gang tattoos, most tattoos vary drastically from gang to gang. Tattoos amongst members of the same gang will often differ significantly, carrying familiar elements but in a personalized way, thus highlighting both a group mentality and an individual identity. Images of cultural pride and religious devotion appear in striking contrast with the blood, guns, and daggers which are often coupled on the same body canvas.

Gang tattoos are a study in contradictions; they reflect a culture where life is fleeting but tattoos make the record of life, and often life-record, immortal.

It is a commitment that subjects the tattooee to more judgment and possible controversy than any other tattoo choice. Wearing your religion on your skin takes resounding faith, unshakeable conviction, and yes, balls. But it is refreshing and in fact admirable in these days of the prolific slut-stamp and lifeless tribal sleeve to see folks stepping out of the ink herd and choosing to physically profess their religious devotion … loud and clear.

Luckily for religious tattoo enthusiasts of today, the artistry of time-honored religious imagery has made leaps and bounds from our forefathers chiseling petroglyphs onto stone. Expressive, beautiful and subjective, check out the incredible artwork that makes up the top 30 religious tattoos.

Jesus: The central figure of Christianity, Jesus, aka Jesus of Nazareth, Jehovah, the Messiah, the Christ, Savior of man, the Son of God, was a prophet and teacher born in Bethlehem and crucified to bestow eternal salvation among mankind.

Mary: Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, and is also referred to as the Virgin Mary, the Blessed Virgin, the Holy Virgin, the Holy Mother and the Mother of God. Mary is especially honored in Roman Catholicism and is considered the most elevated of the saints.

Cross: The cross is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It is the primary religious symbol of Christianity and represents the crucifixion of Jesus.

Rosary: Traditional in Roman Catholicism, the rosary is a set of beads that provides a physical method of keeping track of the number of prayers said, as the fingers can move along the beads as prayers are recited.

Angels: In Christianity, Judaism and Islam, angels are believed to be messengers from God who are sent to guard over subjects (hence, Guardian Angel) and carry out the tasks of the Divine. Superior or higher-ranking angels are known as archangels; famous archangels include Michael, Gabriel, Raphael and Uriel.

Crucifix: A crucifix is a cross with an accompanying image of Jesus’ crucified body. It is a principal symbol of Christianity and Catholicism.

The Last Supper: In Christian Gospel, the Last Supper (aka the Lord’s Supper) was the last meal Jesus of Nazareth shared with his Twelve Apostles and disciples before his death.

Praying Hands: The held-together, praying hands image is a traditional gesture in Christianity and Catholicism. This photo is from RankMyTattoos.com user Rod Fam. Rank this tattoo here.

Krishna: While many Hindu groups recognize Krishna as the incarnation of Vishnu, some consider Krishna to be the Supreme God. Krishna is the speaker of the Bhagavad-Gita, and is often depicted as a baby or as a youthful prince playing a flute. Krishna is believed to personify the loving relationship between God and humans.

Sacred Heart: A traditional symbol in Roman Catholicism, the Sacred Heart represents Jesus’ physical heart. The Sacred Heart is usually depicted as a flaming heart surrounded by a crown of thorns and bleeding. The crown of thorns alludes to Jesus’ death, while the fire represents his love for mankind.

Scripture: Although “scripture” is generally defined as the sacred writings of religious texts, it has been traditionally associated with the writings of the Bible.

Triquetra: The Triquetra is used by Christianity as a symbol of the Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), but is also used in Neo-Pagan religions.

Star of David: The Star of David is a six-pointed star emblem, commonly associated with Jewish culture and Judaism. It is named after King David of ancient Israel and is also present on the state flag of Israel.

Pentacle: Neo-pagans, especially Wiccans, use the pentacle as a symbol of faith, similar to the Christian cross or the Jewish Star of David. As a representation of the elements, the pentacle is an amulet used in magical evocation, summoning the spirits of the four directions (with the spirit as five) at the beginning of Wiccan ritual.

Triple Moon Goddess: In Pagan and Wiccan tradition, the Triple Moon Goddess represents the three stages of life: Maiden, Mother and Crone, as well as the three phases of the moon.

Baphomet: The Baphomet was first depicted by nineteenth century occultist Elipas Levi as a symbol of harmony, redemption, and union with the Divine. A simplified version of the symbol (the Sabbatic goat) was adopted as the emblem of Anton Lavey’s Church of Satan in 1966. These two figures are now both synonymous with Satanism.

Pentagram: Traditionally a symbol of a 5-pointed star, an inverted pentagram with two points up, often inscribed in a double circle with a depiction of a goat head in the middle, is referred to as the Sigil of Baphomet among Satanists. It is used as a sign of rebellion or religious identification; the three downward points symbolizing the rejection of the holy Trinity.

The Devil: The Devil, aka Satan, Lucifer, the Beast, the Antichrist, Beelzebub, etc., is a fallen angel in Christian and Catholic tradition who rebelled against God and was cast down into the pit of Hell. The Devil is usually depicted with horns and a serpent’s tongue.

666: The Bible’s Book of Revelation asserts 666 to be “the number of a beast.” In modern culture, 666 has become one of the most widely recognized symbols for the Antichrist, and a symbol for Satanists.

Upside down cross: The reversed cross is traditionally the symbol of St. Peter’s refusal to be crucified in the manner of Christ, preferring to be hung upside down, as a gesture of humility. In modern times, the reversed cross is most commonly associated with Satanism and a rejection of the Christian doctrine.

Brahma: Brahma is regarded as the creator of the universe in Hinduism, and was believed to be self-born in the lotus flower which grew from the navel of Vishnu. Brahma is traditionally depicted with four heads, four faces and four arms, representing the four directions.

Shiva: Shiva, the God of destruction, is the supreme God in the Shaiva tradition of Hinduism. He is generally represented as immersed in deep meditation, and has a third eye. Shiva is often depicted as blue, referring to when he drank poison churned up from the earth’s ocean.

Vishnu: Vishnu is regarded as a major God in Hinduism, and is believed to be the preserver of the universe.

Ganesh: Ganesh is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in Hinduism. Ganesh’s elephant head makes him easy to identify, and his reverence extends to Buddhists and beyond India. He is regarded as the Remover of Obstacles and Lord of intellect and wisdom.

Buddha: Siddhartha Gautama (563 BC-483 BC, approximately) was an Indian spiritual teacher and the founder of Buddhism. He is generally recognized by Buddhists as the Supreme Buddha.

Kuan Yin: In Buddhist culture, Kuan Yin is known as the Bodhisattva of Compassion. It is generally accepted that Kuan Yin originated as the SanskritAvalokiteśvara, which is her male form.

Yin and Yang: Although found throughout Chinese culture, the Yin and Yang symbols are often associated with Taoism, as they represent the dynamic force of the Tao - two energies constantly interacting with each another: the sun and the moon, femininity and masculinity, birth and death, etc.

Rastafari: Rastafarianism isa religious-cultural movement that began in the 1930’s in Jamaica as a reaction to the European colonialism and slavery of Africans. Central themes of the religion attempt to explain the future of the African race by looking to Ethiopia for an African King.

Atheist: Atheism is defined as the disbelief that deities exist and/or the lack of belief in gods.

Darwinian Fish: Charles Robert Darwin (1809 -1882) was an English naturalist who taught that all species of life have evolved over time from common ancestors through the process he termed natural selection. His theory of natural selection came to be known as the primary explanation of evolution in the 1930’s, and now forms the basis of modern evolutionary theory.

Good vs. Evil Duality: These images represent religious duality.

Jesus/Satan:

Mary/Evil Mary:

Angel/Devil tattoo from RankMyTattoo user DeadGirl666. Rank this tattoo.

Whether denying the existence of God(s), altering the perception of God(s), or embracing God(s), religious tattoos encapsulate a personal and cultural honor that no other artwork can match. Check out and rank more tattoo photos here.

But then again, not all lower back tattoos project the same negative and, dare I say, skanky, image. I think, aesthetically, a tramp stamp looks great when done in minimalist fashion. The intensity and reputation of the tramp stamp is determined by the quality of the tattoo design.

These twenty ladies could have scored more hottie points if they resisted the urge to be bold and didn’t overdo their oh-so-permanent tramp stamp tattoos.

1. The ‘eye’ design at the bottom would have been enough to attract attention without that huge and distracting design on top of it.

2. The “Buzz Tramp Stamps” phrase just ruined everything on this edgy design.

3. There’s something about bat wings that’s just not sexy, unless you’re an animated bat woman femme fatale.

4. This tramp stamp has a good design, but its huge size makes it look messy and unappealing.

5. To have the entire Bible verse written at the top of this hot chick’s bum is just plain blasphemy. Sorry, the Bible isn’t hot.

6. Strutting your stuff at the beach in your tiny bikini with a beach tat on your lower back is kinda redundant, isn’t it?

7. This ‘angel and demon’ tat design is supposed to be fiery and hot but, sadly, it isn’t.

8. The hot tramp stamp is ruined by the helix-spinal-cord tragedy on top of it.

9. Since when did we consider a Biblical commandment hot tramp-stamp material?

10. What did I say about bat wings earlier? Nuff said.

11. Eww! This is just too big to be sexy.

12. Smile Now, Cry Later. I bet $5 this girl is on the Cry Later stage at the moment.

13. Uh, graves and skulls - what could be less sexy?

14. If the tat was inked on a smaller scale, this would have been way hotter.

15. I love the pistols. They are very well done. It’s those annoying vine-like things that put me off of this stamp.

16. What a shame - the girl is so hot, but her tramp stamp is just not.

17. Way too minimal to be significant. Probably symbolic of what’s to come.

18. Oh, tattooing your surname (or your boyfriend’s) on your lower back is hot, as long as it’s Jolie, Pitt, Aniston, or even Obama.

19. Thanks to the real banana, this bizarre tramp stamp looks acceptable.

20. Oh, redundancy in full color. (see tat #6)

Have a fetish for tramp stamps and tribal tats? You’re in luck with this lower back tribal tattoo photo gallery. Check out more hot (and not) tattoo pictures in our body part photo gallery here.

1. Tribal

This is the most requested tattoo design ever. I am not sure why folks really want tribal tattoos in this modern world, but perhaps the contrast of savage design and the new-age body gives a certain level of charm. Besides, tribal designs are quite intricate and attractive, offering rich choices for the tattoo enthusiasts.

Tribal tattoos consist of an exciting array of tattoo design possibilities, ranging from the traditional tribal designs of indigenous and aboriginal cultures to the latest in graphic design for the ink-hungry body.

2. Star / Nautical Star

There is something about stars that is very pleasing to the eyes. Aside from the fact that stars symbolize fame, guidance, and luck, these striking symbols create exciting tattoo designs that even celebrities can’t refuse. Victoria Beckham and Rhianna are two of the most well-known celebrities rocking star tattoos.

3. Cross

The cross tattoo is very popular not only among Goths but also with those who want to express their religion, and those who just love how the design looks on their skin. The most popular cross designs include the Celtic Cross, Maltese Cross, and the Iron Cross.

4. Angel

Angels are religious symbols that are believed to be winged spirits intended to deliver the word of God to mankind. They are considered higher beings and therefore a nice niche for a cool tattoo design. Angel tattoos are very popular among all cultures in various forms. They can also take the form of an archangel like Michael or Uriel.

5. Wings

This is a tattoo design that is both magical and spiritual. In many legends and myths, to have wings is a reward given to those who have proven their worth. And aside from the aesthetics a pair gives to any design, knowing that it is associated with speed, elevation, and freedom is enough to make wing tattoos among the most requested tattoo symbols and designs.

6. Maori

Of all the tribal tattoo designs, Maori is one of the most famous. Some love this tattoo design so much that they would even try to offer their entire face for the craft. Take a look at the Top 20 craziest facial tattoos ever attempted.

7. Dragon

Dragons are symbols of power and mystery. Legends of both Eastern and Western origins depict dragons as creatures to be feared and worshipped. We can’t really deny the coolness of a dragon tattoo so that makes this one quite popular.

8. Phoenix

If you think it’s cool for a bird to rise from its ashes, then you’re not alone. In fact, all of us are thrilled by that mystical act, yet only the Phoenix has the ability. The Phoenix is a mythical bird and the Phoenix tat is a much inked reality. A phoenix tat is also rumored to express one’s hunger for immortality. Don’t we all want to live forever?

9. Butterfly

The butterfly tattoo is really popular among the female population. I have yet to see a guy with a butterfly tattoo, but I’m sure they’re out there somewhere. Mariah Carey really made this one very popular during her ‘Butterfly’ days. And it sure clicked.

A butterfly tat can represent beauty, metamorphosis, freedom, happiness, and fragility. And those are elements women can definitely relate with.

10. Fairy

For those who like magic and magical creatures, a fairy tattoo is always the most common choice. Knowing that fairies have the power of flight and can make wishes come true, it surely is fun to have a fairy tattoo, especially if the design is elaborate and fanciful.

11. Lion

Whether you are a leader or follower, a lion tattoo can instantly project an image of strength and leadership on any ink collector.

12. Celtic Knot

A Celtic knot symbolizes the eternal and intertwined nature of the human soul. This tattoo symbol is usually worn as an armband. Whether you’re appreciative of its meaning, or you’re entirely clueless, no one can tell. Celtic Knotwork can look really impressive as a tattoo design.

13. Kanji

There’s something about Kanji tattoos that makes everyone an instant fan. Every time I see a tattoo consisting of Chinese characters, I usually like it, despite the fact that I have no idea what it means. And most people, even those who own the tat, might be clueless of their tat’s true meaning. Well, as long as the people around you don’t understand it either, there won’t be any problems. Just enjoy the view.

14. Tiger

Much like a lion, a tiger is the epitome of strength. The distinctive coloring makes the tiger tattoo a very attractive design. A tiger tattoo seldom looks bad. I haven’t seen a bad one so far.

15. Rose

Dubbed as the most powerful and seductive among all flowers, who could resist the beauty of a rose? The quintessential flower of the West, a rose can mean a lot of things - beauty, deception, femininity, love, or even passion and lust. A rose tattoo is always something that attracts attention, and this is one of the reasons why this tattoo symbol and design is very popular.

16. Heart

Oh, I guess this one needs no explanation. Who still hasn’t seen a heart tattoo? They are everywhere. From our relatives to famous celebrities, a heart tattoo has a place in everyone’s errr … heart. It symbolizes life, love, and passion.

17. Zodiac

Zodiac tattoos are popular because everyone can personally relate to them. If you use and believe in the Gregorian calendar, your personalized Zodiac tattoo will represent who you are.

18. Skull

The skull is a recurrent symbol in tattoos due to its unique appearance. Menacing and scary, skull tattoos can take different forms and themes depending on the creativity of the tattoo artist.

19. Flowers

Well, flower tattoos are quite famous regardless of the species or color. Though the rose is a popular choice, others opt for other varieties and use them as design motifs.

20. Pin-up Girl

Beautiful girls never go out of style, do they? And this tattoo design is proof of that. Pin-up girl tattoos are very popular among male body art enthusiasts.

21. Eagle

Powerful and majestic, the eagle is one mighty bird. And a fierce eagle tattoo always rocks.

22. Crown

A crown tattoo represents one’s sovereignty over his own life, feelings, thoughts, and actions. It symbolizes self-control, and serves as a reminder to use power and authority wisely. I don’t know about you but I think I just love the meaning of this tattoo symbol.

23. Sun

The sun is the giver of light and life. Without it, everything will perish. Well, at least that’s what is said about the symbolism of sun tattoos. Nobody wants to perish, I suppose.

24. Anchor

An anchor tattoo symbolizes safety, salvation, and hope. People must have been getting anchor tattoos in order to be anchored onto a safe and stable ground. In a world that’s chaotic and violent, who wouldn’t want such refuge?

25. Ankh

An Ankh is an Egyptian symbol representing the key of life. I must admit I fell in love with the ankh tattoo’s unique appearance. The looped cross just looks beautiful and definitely would look great as a tattoo.

26. Barbwire

Barbwire tattoos are popular in prisons and other places that scream ‘confinement.’ However, thanks to Pamela Anderson, the barbwire tat is now mainstream.

27. Om

The Om symbol is believed to be the sound of the “breath of God.” The symbol is placed at the beginning of most Hindu texts as a scared exclamation to be uttered at the beginning and end of every prayer or mantra.

28. Bat

I’m not sure if Batman has a bat tattoo, but I presume he must, as bats are generally considered creatures of good luck in the Far East.

29. Swallow

A popular choice among sailors, swallow tattoos generally symbolizes good luck and homecoming.

30. Spider

Spider tattoos can be deadly images, with malignant meaning. Beware of women wearing spider tats. They’re black widows. Nah, just kidding.

31. Compass

For those without a sense of direction, a compass tattoo might be the ultimate solution.

32. Cupid

Crazy about love? Or ,you’re just a plain home-wrecker? Well, a cupid tat might do the trick of hiding your real intentions.

33. Cherubs

These little angels are just so cute that we just can’t resist creating a tattoo design with them as the main motif.

34. Snake

Snake tattoos mean renewal, taken from the snake’s ability to shed skin. They may also mean temptation and knowledge. So if you think you’re hot, then you will definitely look hotter with a snake tat.

35. Fleur de Lis

This is a stylized design of either an iris or a lily; a very stylish and decorative tattoo. This symbol is associated with Joan of Arc and represents liberty.

36. Haida

Haida tattoo symbols are among the most popular tribal tattoo designs. The bold lines of the Haida designs are very much tattoo material because of their complexity and aesthetic quality.

37. Sword

A sword is commonly associated with valor and justice. It can also be magical in the sense that legends and myths often portray swords with magical powers. Add He-Man and She-Ra to the equation and you have a very nice sword tattoo to show off to your buddies.

38. Dolphins

If you failed to ace your exams, getting a dolphin tattoo might help remind you that you are still the most intelligent mammal on the planet.

39. Dragonfly

Aside from fairy and butterfly tattoos, dragonfly tats are also popular among women. They are associated with good luck and are considered as the power of light. Whatever that means, dragonfly tattoo designs can look really cool, which explains the popularity.

40. Fish

Fish tattoos can have varied meanings depending on the design employed. They can be symbols of fertility or wisdom. The Koi or Carp fish are very popular fish tattoos.

41. Flames / Fire

Fire is all-consuming and destructive but it can also mean purification and renewal. It may also mean change, and passion. See if your hotness factor increases once a fire tattoo is inked on your already hot bod.

42. Gun / Pistol

Of course gun tattoos are popular in both sexes. Though initially they are worn by those who have served time in prison for violent crimes, they are now worn by those who think getting eagle or fire tattoos is for wimps. They opt for a more killer tattoo design and gun tattoos give them that need satisfaction. Check out 12 Killer Gun Tattoos.

43. Harley Davidson / Motorcycle

The Harley Davidson motorcycle has been an icon of American freedom, popular amongst bikers and Harley riders around the globe. Here are 10 Cool Harley Davidson tattoos for your viewing pleasure.

44. Lotus

Alongside roses, lotus flowers are among the most powerful of all the flower symbols. In many religious systems, lotus represents spiritual purity because of their beauty and their ability to grow in the murkiest of water.

45. Luck / Clover

Tattoos are deemed to be powerful amulets and talismans of protection. At least that’s what our ancient ancestors believe. Clover or Luck tats then become popular to embody such belief. There is nothing wrong with hoping you win the lottery or the girl of your dreams with that nicely done clover tat.

46. Musical Notes

Music lovers show their deep passion for the art through these attractive musical note tattoos.

47. Scorpion

Scorpio tattoos are said to protect the bearer of the tattoo and ward off a scorpion sting or an evil spirit.

48. Yin-Yang

There is a yin and yang in all things. One is said to be incapable of existing without the other. Yin-Yang tattoos are popular among men and women from all walks of life who believe in this popular Chinese philosophy. .

49. Dagger

This symbol represents danger and betrayal. So be wary of a friend who has a dagger tattoo.

50. Love / Pierced Heart

A pierced heart is a quintessential symbol of being in love. A love tattoo design showing a heart shot from the arrow of Cupid can also suggest penetration and physical love.

However, one cannot deny the fact that this particular Nintendo game, as well as other early video games, has forever left a mark on our hearts. Super Mario isn’t called the best-selling video game of all time for nothing. Thus, people tend to choose these cute characters as the main themes of their tattoo designs, paying geeky ink homage to that era. You think video game tattoos are weird, they’re completely acceptable when compared to these nerdy science tattoo photos.

Below is a list of the top twelve video game tattoo photos. From Pac-man to Space Invader and Mario’s mini mushroom, these video game tattoos prove that, regardless of age, we all are kids at heart.

Find a Pac-man console replica image, and paste it onto something round and fleshy - the inked recipe for a huggable tattoo combo.

I’m not sure if getting a Bob-omb tattoo on your leg makes you hot, or funny, or manly, or enjoyable to be around. But congrats, buddy, you made our list of wacky video game tattoos.

We hate it every time this Piranha Plant suddenly appears to ruin our game, especially when we are about to finish level 2. Mario Brothers meets Little Shop of Horrors. The idea that its sharp teeth are going to sink deeper into that skin is just plain cool.

A powerful Space Invader tat on a built arm is just enough to make the ladies take a second look. Or, wait…

Why hide the little mushroom man as a shoulder tattoo design? Be proud of your gaming enthusiasm.

This tattoo photo epitomizes the article as a whole: video game industry meets tattoo industry, innocence of childhood meets the tramp stamp of young adulthood.

This ‘digitized’ bat tat is probably inspired by those flying robots of Galaga or other similar video games.

These gaming characters are all from the famous Super Mario video game. Who needs colorful bangles when you can accessorize with your tattoos?

Ya, I’m sure you did think that Blooper tattoo was pretty cool, just before it stung you and killed your game. Literally, dude. But, really, did it sting you, or why is your arm so freakin’ red?

Who wouldn’t want to be Mega Man? With superhuman strength and special powers, this youthful inked hero will always protect its skin master.

Go ahead and shove trusty, beloved, good ol’ Mario in a raccoon costume and ink him on your neck. I dare you. I mean, really, do you think this tattoo design would make Luigi proud?

Start with a bum tat, end with a bum tat - what does that say about video game tattoo enthusiasts? Hmm. Couch potato lifestyle goes glam with a new line of ass tats? I just don’t know.

Check out more funny and stupid tattoos in the RankMyTattoos.com tattoo photos directory.

And while I am here worried about getting a speck of ink on my face, some daredevils don’t think twice before putting a shit-load of ink on their faces. These tattoo collectors go to such extremes that their entire face actually becomes a canvas for the art they so love and long to profess.

And you thought foot tattoos and breast tattoos were weird body areas for tattoo designs. No location, and I mean no location, compares to the severity of a full face tattoo. If you’re a fan of crazy tattoo photos, then put on your hard hat and get your eyes ready for this mind-blowing, eye-popping lineup of insane facial tattoos.

One question that may wander the minds of mere mortals is, “Will they still love the all-encompassing face tat after 10 or 20 years?” Well, we certainly hope they do.

Let’s start off the list with this really cool-looking facial tat. Yeah, outrageously cool if I may point that out more correctly. I must admit, I really like the glasses.

David Clinger is a cyclist who was told to remove his facial tat because it’s against the rules of cycling. Well, the tat needs to go, not just because of the rules, but because it quite doesn’t suit his remarkably handsome face.

This one is still an unfinished tat, but I think we already get the picture. More black ink. More sharp edges. More curves.

This tattoo appears pretty mild, when you compare it with the rest of the collection. Thanks to the piercing, the tat has somewhat blended with the whole facial structure.

If you are confused whether the design of the facial tat is a constellation or a barbwire, then you’re either not looking hard enough or you haven’t met the wrath of Frankenstein.

This pic actually has a nice background story by its photographer. I don’t want to ruin the mood, so click here to know more about it.

Thanks to the pink hair and matching piercings outlining her neck bones, our attention is not as focused on her creepy forehead tattoos. Oh, her skin is so flawless. What a waste.

A Maori tattoo if I am not mistaken. This looks good when you are donning an ethnic costume, but a tuxedo, a hat, and a staff? I don’t know.

The tattoo design looks like a maze to me. I’m lost looking at his face. And, I’m lost trying to figure out why he would ever choose this tattoo design.

I bet this is still unfinished, but if I were this guy, I would keep it as is. Not the best in the face tat lineup, but I sure would like to save that vacant space while I still can.

Okay, things are going to get hardcore from this point forward. How hardcore can you get when you are actually trying to cover your entire face with ink, from your forehead down?

I am not sure if this guy is good at playing chess or he is just simply scaring his chess buddies away. And, I’m not really sure I care.

A multi-colored facial tattoo, huh? This is quite a feat. The fact that he is smiling and so happy about life is beyond me. More power to you, and your crazy face ink.

Now this one’s scary. I actually thought I was looking at one of those villains in a teen horror flick. What a minute, is he rockin’ the high-tech piercing glasses?

The tattoo and piercing look really just err … outrageous. Staring at this pic really made me speechless.

Did he actually get this tattoo ten years ago? I don’t like to think this tat used to be on the small face of youth, and has just expanded when he entered the graceful stage of facial skin sagging.