Akshaya Chinapa

The Tattoo: A Lotus and a Peacock

What is the significance of the Lotus and the Peacock?

Being from India, I decided to get symbols of my heritage. The Lotus being the national flower of India and the Peacock the national bird. They are respected symbols of beauty, which are represented in a lot of traditional Indian art. So it's my, rather untraditional, tribute to India.

Why do you love them?

I love that they mean so much more than people think they do. They're unique, just like me! :)

Where did you get inked?

The lotus I got when I was 18, in my first year of university in Maryland, USA. I wanted a lotus, but I couldn't find one that I liked online. The tattoo artist just happened to have a sketch of a lotus which I loved.

I got the peacock at New Tribe on Queen W., about 4 years ago. Again, I couldn't find a peacock that I liked, so the tattoo artist designed one for me, keeping within my budget. He blended elements of a phoenix and a peacock to give me something very different.

New Tribe
222 Queen St. W, second floor
www.newtribe.ca