In an effort to include a wide range of genres and authors, I've decided to post about fantasy. That's right, the often overlooked and ridiculed genre of fantasy. As a fantasy-lover myself, it is a little frustrating how often great novels are ignored because they do not fit into the common faction of general fiction and they include non-human creatures.
Personally, fantasy and sci-fi, though fantasy more so, are two of my favorite genres. I am in no way saying that all fantasy works are great nor am I saying that a work being fantasy constitutes it as a fantastic novel. Also, I realize that many scholars are finally beginning to accept fantasy into the literature cannon. However, I wish to acknowledge that the genres of fantasy and sci-fi are often received with more resilience and hesitation than other genres as if they are not worthy of critical acclaim.
Regardless, I wanted to include my favorite genre and what better way than to use my favorite quote?
Personally, fantasy and sci-fi, though fantasy more so, are two of my favorite genres. I am in no way saying that all fantasy works are great nor am I saying that a work being fantasy constitutes it as a fantastic novel. Also, I realize that many scholars are finally beginning to accept fantasy into the literature cannon. However, I wish to acknowledge that the genres of fantasy and sci-fi are often received with more resilience and hesitation than other genres as if they are not worthy of critical acclaim.
Regardless, I wanted to include my favorite genre and what better way than to use my favorite quote?
"All that is gold does not glitter; not all those who wander are lost." ~ J.R.R. Tolkien
No, I don't love this quote because it's popular.
No, I didn't include the quote here because Lord of the Rings is arguably one of the original and most famous works of fantasy.
I love this quote because it speaks to me. I understand exactly what this quote means. Even in my verbosity, I cannot adequately explain how much I understand and connect with this quote. However, I will try.
To me, this quote is the epitome of the misunderstood, the misjudged, and the open-minded. Just because something is not conventional does not make it worthy. Something can be equivalent to, or even surpass, the value of gold, without actually being gold. Someone can wander from the traditional path without being lost. People can choose to let their minds roam, for any reason, without being lost. Lost implies that there is one journey and one destination. This quote implies the exact opposite. There are countless journeys and countless destinations. Let yourself find the one that is right for you. Do not let someone else's opinion of what is "gold" determine what path you should take. Worse yet, do not let someone else's opinion of the right path lead you astray from the correct path for you because they think you are "lost."
No, I didn't include the quote here because Lord of the Rings is arguably one of the original and most famous works of fantasy.
I love this quote because it speaks to me. I understand exactly what this quote means. Even in my verbosity, I cannot adequately explain how much I understand and connect with this quote. However, I will try.
To me, this quote is the epitome of the misunderstood, the misjudged, and the open-minded. Just because something is not conventional does not make it worthy. Something can be equivalent to, or even surpass, the value of gold, without actually being gold. Someone can wander from the traditional path without being lost. People can choose to let their minds roam, for any reason, without being lost. Lost implies that there is one journey and one destination. This quote implies the exact opposite. There are countless journeys and countless destinations. Let yourself find the one that is right for you. Do not let someone else's opinion of what is "gold" determine what path you should take. Worse yet, do not let someone else's opinion of the right path lead you astray from the correct path for you because they think you are "lost."
The tattoo pictured above can be found here.
Simplistic tattoo with beautiful line work. I love it. Also, the symbolism of mountains is immense, just like mountains themselves, so, I love that, too.
Simplistic tattoo with beautiful line work. I love it. Also, the symbolism of mountains is immense, just like mountains themselves, so, I love that, too.
Another take on the famous quote by Clara Sinclair in London. There are many tattoos with just a compass that I believe represent this quote; however, I decided to include one that had both the compass and the quote. I like how the tattoo looks more like well-drawn sketch (hmm, oxymoron anyone?) rather than a realistic compass.
One final representation of the quote, I promise! This time, the quote itself is in Elvish, the language that the author, linguist, and translator, Tolkien, created himself. Personally, I think the script of the language is beyond beautiful and one day, I will learn how to write in it. (I'm not joking, it's on my bucket list).
Anyway, I love the filigree, but I'm not a fan of the Yin-Yang symbol. Personal preference, that's all. Nothing is wrong with it or it's execution; I just don't like it.
What do you think of Lord of the Rings tattoos? Better yet, what do you think of quote tattoos in general? Leave a comment and let me know!
If you know anything else about these tattoos, their owner, their artists, or if you have any questions, please visit the contact link at the top of the page and send me an email!
As always, remember - ink tells stories on skin as much as it does in books!
Kayla
Anyway, I love the filigree, but I'm not a fan of the Yin-Yang symbol. Personal preference, that's all. Nothing is wrong with it or it's execution; I just don't like it.
What do you think of Lord of the Rings tattoos? Better yet, what do you think of quote tattoos in general? Leave a comment and let me know!
If you know anything else about these tattoos, their owner, their artists, or if you have any questions, please visit the contact link at the top of the page and send me an email!
As always, remember - ink tells stories on skin as much as it does in books!
Kayla