Alright, so I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while now, and I wanted something with a bit of meaning, you know? Something more than just a cool design. I’ve always been kind of fascinated by Buddhism, not in a super religious way, but more the philosophy and the whole vibe of it. So I started looking into Buddhist symbols, and that’s when I stumbled upon the Dharma wheel.
It was at first, to be frank, just a nice thing to look at. But I started to read more about it, and it was kind of like one of those rabbit holes, when you start reading, you can not stop. I kind of got obsessed with it. I learned it’s also called the “Wheel of Law,” which sounds pretty epic, right? And it’s basically a symbol of Buddha’s teachings and the path to enlightenment.
I found out that the most common version has eight spokes. Eight! That immediately made me think of a pizza. And when I found the meanings behind it, it was cool! I realized that it could represent the Eightfold Path in Buddhism, which is like a guide to living a good life. Things like right understanding, right thought, right speech – all that good stuff. I’m no saint, but those are definitely things I try to strive for.
I started digging deeper into the different parts of the wheel. I saw some pictures online where the wheel had a hub, a rim, and those eight spokes. Apparently, each part has its own symbolism. Like, the hub represents discipline, the rim is about mindfulness, and the spokes are wisdom. It’s all pretty deep when you really get into it.
- I spent hours just looking at different designs online.
- Some were really intricate, with lots of detail.
- Others were more simple and minimalist.
I even found out that the wheel can be shown in different colors, although I saw that gold is the color that is most commonly used. I have no idea if different colors has any meanings. But, just my guess, maybe different colors of the wheel also have different meanings. Maybe one day I will start searching it. Not today.
The image of the lotus flower can also be seen around the wheel. I have already known that the lotus flower has a lot of meanings in Buddhism, so that’s really cool.
After all that research, I decided I definitely wanted to get a Dharma wheel tattoo. It wasn’t just a cool symbol anymore; it actually meant something to me. It’s a reminder to try to be a better person, to follow the Eightfold Path as best as I can, and to keep learning and growing.
So I went to a local tattoo shop, talked to the artist, and showed him some of the designs I liked. We worked together to come up with something that was unique and that I really loved. I finally got the wheel with eight spokes.
The Result
And let me tell you, I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out. It’s right there on my forearm, a constant reminder of the path I’m trying to walk. It’s not just a tattoo; it’s a conversation starter, a symbol of my values, and a piece of art that I’ll cherish forever. And, honestly, it just looks really, really cool.
