top ten tattoos

1. Tribal

As the world progresses with modernisation and technology the number of enthusiasts for tribal designs has increased. Maori Tattooing is a popular type of tribal art based on curvilinear and straight line geometric patterns. These Polynesian designs have an ethnic charm of their own.

2. Star Tattoos

Especially in demand by Celebrities and wannabes, star tattoos say ‘I’m a star’. A particular star will have a particular meaning. The number of points, have a meaning of their own. Stars and darkness are a symbol of truth. They symbolise guidance, luck, and of course fame. Celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Rihanna sport star tattoos. They often represent fighting against darkness. Stars can have anywhere from five to nine points.

3. Crosses

Popular among those who want to express their faith and belief in Christanity, they are extremely popular as body tattoos. They are often tattooed in the memory of a lost or departed loved one. The symbol represents Father and Mother Nature with the four arms representing the four elements of nature. Also popular among the Goths, symbols like the Celtic Cross and iron cross are extremely popular.

4. Angel Tattoos / Wing Tattoos

Angel Tattoos represent God’s presence and deliver the word of God to mankind. It is a symbol of devotion and spirituality. The tattoos are considered higher beings, they are used as the centre in a tattoo that is intended as a memorial for something.

Wing Tattoos represent birds and are associated with freedom, speed and aspiration. Spiritual symbols associated with elements such as earth, sky, wind and fire. They allow people to attain a previously unattainable state. They are associated with magic and alchemy.

5. Butterfly

An overwhelming choice by female tattoo enthusiasts, popularised by Mariah Carey, It represents beauty, metamorphosis, freedom, happiness and fragility. Among ancient beliefs, the Butterfly represents the qualities of the lower human soul because of their short life and moving from flower to flower seeking nectar. They are also considered somewhat unstable. The Greeks represented the butterfly as a symbol of the human soul and psyche.

6. Fairy

Another popular design among females, the fairy represents magic and magical creatures. It represents fun and also the power to make wishes come true. Associated with feminists mostly, and being delicate, fairies bring love and joy to others. They are often fancy and have elaborate designs.

7. Love Tattoos

They express love and devotion. It symbolises life and passion. It shows the heart is the seat of our emotions and has spiritual beliefs associated with it. Various love tattoos are the heart, lips, heart pierced by arrow, broken heart, cupid, eros and roses. Most of those who are in love, or have loved and lost want to immortalise the feeling. It is probably among the strongest emotions experienced by man which can bring immense joy or intense pain. It is often a life altering emotion and popular as a tattoo.

8. Dragon Tattoos

It shows the influence of the Chinese and Japanese culture. Popular with both men and women. They are creature to be feared and worshipped in eastern cultures. They represent the four elements like earth, water, wind, fire. They also represent the four points of the compass, North, South, East, West. They are symbols of fire, under water, earth and sky. The dragon’s temper according to mythology is neither good nor evil. Nature renews and destroys so does the dragon. They are also considered ‘cool’ tattoo designs.

9. Phoenix

The mythological bird of fire, the phoenix is known for its ability to burn itself and then rise from the ashes. It represents rebirth and resurrection. The phoenix myth is known to Middle East, India, Greek and Roman empires. It also expresses one’s hunger for immortality. The mythical and mystical nature of this bird makes it even more appealing to tattoo enthusiasts.

10. Kanji Tattoos

Most people like these tattoos, irrespective of knowing what they mean. Even those who have themselves tattooed with this design are often clueless of the meaning. These are mainly for aesthetic appeal more than anything else. They are Chinese words that have a meaning but are liked more for their shape and design rather than their meaning.

Top 10 travel destinations

Trying to boil down the top 10 travel destinations in the world is a daunting task - but there are definitely a handful of them that every intrepid adventurer should attempt to visit.

1:Morocco
This northern African country has widespread appeal due to more than just its generous exchange rate. Morocco runs the gamut of tourist attractions: from the endless souks and winding streets of Marrakesh, to the blue walls of Chefchaouen to the snowy peaks of the Rif Mountains to the outskirts of the Sahara, spread wide and intimidating from the casbah of Ouazarate - this country's wild landscape and stately people make Morocco one of the best travel destinations in the world.

2:Portugal
Just across the Atlantic is one of Europe's unsung gems. While many tourist flock to Europe every year, Portugal is often the odd man out in most tours of the continent; a shame, as Portugal is easily one of the best travel destinations throughout Europe. There's the colorful, lunging streets of Lisbon, one of the continent's most culturally significant capitals; the wineries of Porto, with their hundred year old brand sitting stately in enormous casks, just waiting to hit the palate of discerning visitors; and the sleepy surf towns of the Algarve coast, where English is just as prevalent as Portuguese, and just about everyone wants to buy you a drink.

3:Czech Republic
Another of Europe's best travel destinations, tourists often overrun the stoic walls of Charles Castle in Prague, but the rest of the country is what makes the Czech Republic so wonderful. Nearby Plzen is the birthplace of Pilsner beer (and has the bars to prove it), Cesky Krumlov has long been a backpacker's paradise, the city of Telc is a shimmering trip through time and, of course, there's Prague - quickly becoming one of the most visited cities in Europe, its beauty and extensive nightlife alone makes the Czech Republic one of the top travel destinations - not only in Europe, but all of the world.

4:Paris
But no trip to Europe is complete without a stop here. Paris is widely regarded in both legend and song, and for good reason: the entire city is like a swirling circus of famed sights - the Louvre and Eiffel Tower are the most obvious attractions here, but the rest of the city is just as grand.

5:Dubai
Camels walk the streets beneath enormous skyscrapers. You can venture into the desert, into boisterous nightclubs, into just about anything you want. Like the Vegas of the Middle East, Dubai is the playground for the world's rich and famous.

6:Fiji
Resting quietly in the South Pacific, Fiji is well known for its laid back atmosphere, dedication to luxury, and relatively cheap prices for the region. Whether you want to stay in all-inclusive resort or explore the nooks and crannies of the island, Fiji is guaranteed to be one of the world's top 10 travel destinations.

7:Machu Picchu
Regarded as one of the top tourist destinations in South America, it does not disappoint. Hike the fabled Incan ruins cast onto the mountaintops of the Peruvian frontier and you will see why millions descend on Machu Picchu each year.

8:South Africa
The most visited country in Africa, just talk to anyone lucky enough to see the fascinating wilderness here. Whether on safari or just backpacking through the hinterland, South Africa does more than just amaze with its natural beauty - it engulfs and rearranges you.

9:Cambodia
While anywhere in Southeast Asia could make its way onto the top 10 travel destinations, Cambodia does so by staying off the beaten path. Most tourists will head directly to Thailand, but smart travelers will discover Cambodia, whose highlights include Angkor Wat, one of the great man-made triumphs in the world and the dissolving French architecture of Phnom Penh, one of the fastest growing cities in the world.

10:Costa Rica
Monkeys hang in trees while you sip fruity drinks on the turquoise shores of the Caribbean. You are enveloped by wild rain forests, green beyond belief and full of exotic animals peering curiously at your presence. You dance until 3 am in a sweaty club blasting tropical beats that seem to mesmerize the crowds. Costa Rica is one of the best travel destinations in the world, and it's just south of the border - ready, waiting.