Help with Tattoo design

[becsta]

I need your help I am in the process of designing my next tattoo. I want to create my own family crest type design. My heritage involves 4 countries Ireland, England, Lebanon and Australia.

I was originally going to create this using the my family crests from Ireland (O’Sullivan) & England (Robinson) and creating my own for Lebanon & Australia.

After my last appoint with my Tatt guy to discuss the design he thought I should just take components from the 2 family crests and not use the whole thing (I already have them in another tatt anyway). I am now thinking instead of using parts from the crests I should use a symbol from each country.

The design will be a shield (am happy to take suggestions of the shape of this) I really like the armour helmet that is on a lot of family crests and was maybe thinking about putting a motorbike helmet on the top of the shield instead (depending on how it looks of course). Inside the shield will be the 4 symbols with the flags for the countries on the outside of the shield.

This is where you guys come in. What is the symbol that most represents Ireland to you and does it have a meaning? I know that a lot of the celtic knots & tree designs have a meaning so I am after a design that I like visually as well as being able to relate to its meaning.

If there are any Poms, Lebs or Aussies out there I am also after ideas for symbols for these countries (no roos, koalas or hills hoists though). It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be to come up with ideas even for Australia.

Thanks in advance for your ideas. I am hoping I wont get to many weird suggestions.

 

[GerryC]

The harp - it's on our coins & because nothing happens in Ireland until a few strings are pulled.

 

[Buttso]

The harp - it's on our coins & because nothing happens in Ireland until a few strings are pulled.

LOL I have never heard that expression before.. very good

 

[sparkplug]

I've started doing a bit of work on this...

I always really like working on tattoo designs

Have you decided where this one is going to go? Any pics of existing tats you'd like this one to 'fit in with' or 'stand out from'?

 

[Padge]

Here ya go...
The most recognisable symbols of Ireland, England, Leb and Oz..
that'll be fifty quid please..

 

[Jockser]

Harp or shamrock

Or 'Aidan'

 

[Firefox]

no harps

NOT the harp That was the English symbol for Ireland
Something Celtic.

 

[Shep]

Here ya go...
The most recognisable symbols of Ireland, England, Leb and Oz..
that'll be fifty quid please..

Looks like a foxes glacier mint!

 

[sparkplug]

OK so this is very much "in progress"

I don't like the helmet - but you can see where I was going with it.

I've incorporated the Irish and English elements from the family crests and the Australian elements are also from the Aus crest. Lebanon didn't really leave to many options - but I rather like the tree

I was going to add some scrollwork to offset the helmet (to be redrawn) but don't know what wording you might put in - or I could just do something decorative.

My work in progress then - I call it "Lebausengirl"

 

[Padge]

Looks like a foxes glacier mint!

Ozzie run drinkers are spinning in their graves

 

[becsta]

OK so this is very much "in progress"

I don't like the helmet - but you can see where I was going with it.

I've incorporated the Irish and English elements from the family crests and the Australian elements are also from the Aus crest. Lebanon didn't really leave to many options - but I rather like the tree

I was going to add some scrollwork to offset the helmet (to be redrawn) but don't know what wording you might put in - or I could just do something decorative.

My work in progress then - I call it "Lebausengirl"

I like your design.

It is going on the top of my left leg. I currently dont have any tatts there to work around.

There will be a scroll at the top containing 3 names. There will also be written through the leb part my last name written in Lebanese.