I've been feeling for a long time that I'd like to get a tattoo. Some of the symbols and images people put on their bodies are kickass, and I would like to have something similarly kickass on mine, even if it's only that good to myself and those close to me.
However, the idea of permanency of the image is off-putting. I feel like I must be certain of wanting to see this on myself every day of my life to put it there. Naturally, it means that only things dear to my heart are going to be on my body. It will never be Chinese hieroglyphs or symbolic images (a butterfly, a dolphin etc.), and neither will it be a reproduction of a photograph of a loved one, for neither of those bear any reason for me personally (and most of them are tasteless besides).
Are there other guidelines I should know before I put ink under my skin?