Help Me Design A Tattoo: Visual Symbol For Health/Longevity

I'm looking for a visual symbol for health/longevity for a tattoo as a daily reminder to exercise and eat properly and I appreciate any help locating it. Originally I was hoping to find either a Viking or Anglo-Saxon icon, but I know I don't want a Viking rune or an ankh, which are all I've found so far. I'm open to other cultural symbols for the same thing should there not be any visually pleasing options in the Viking/Anglo-Saxon arenas. Thanks for the input.

John

 

Have you thought of a Celtic knot?

 

I guess you don't want a Thor's Hammer done then?

 

I haven't, no. Are there any masculine varieties for health? They seem a tad visually effeminate for my liking.

Doesn't that mean war and loyalty?

 

What about a health fairy from Zelda?

 

I think it was to represent protection originally.

You could interpret "protection" in many ways.

 

I've already got a tattoo for protection. Well, "protector" specifically, but close enough.

 

I'm toying with the idea of a back piece some buddhist thing.

 

Caduceus?

 

Haha, no. That would be a bit too cliche' and obvious for my tastes. Visually I like the symbol but it's been adopted by the crappy American healthcare system. I actually changed my plans for patient care medical studies because of how poorly the US healthcare system treated me as a patient while I was a premed student, even with my private health insurance.

 

Then how about the Aegis? Anyone is going to look good with a gorgons head on a shield....

(I'm having a Greek night it would seem.)

(No, not that sort of Greek)

 

Here you go

 

The perfect tattoo...

 

Classic, I have the staff of Hermes tattoo'ed just below the nape of my neck...

LOL

Dan

 

Visually I like it but then we're back into the "I already have a symbol for protection" tattoo area I'm afraid. I'm curious to know if I'd absorb moderator powers with that one though, 'al a Highlander style.

Is that healthy smurf? Haha.

Well don't come to the US, they will paralyze your ass for the sake of irony.

 

I actually really do like some of these Celtic knots. Particularly the ones with more right angles. Like this one:



I wonder if that one means health.

I like this one too:



Do we have any Celtic knot experts here? The meanings can vary widely I'm reading so I'd want to make damn sure I knew what it represented.

 

Have you thought about finding a tattooist in your area who specializes in Celtic work and asking them for ideas?

 

Longevity eh....

How about a portrait of Barbara Cartland? She seemed to get to about 261 years.

 

I've been contemplating a simplified (and unlabeled) version of this as a back piece:



I think I might do it soon!

 

I doubt there are any. I'm in a smaller community with predominatetly uneducated artists. The clowns here would try to sell me on stock art if I did that. It's a low grade above prison tats 'round these parts.