Show us your ink! MARKED is our new series where we
ask locals of all ages, professions and backgrounds to roll up their
sleeves, pant legs, and so much more to reveal their marks. Here are
their stories:
Name: Ayesha Sumbal
Age: Currently 28, I was 25 and 27 when I had my tattoos done.
My Back Piece: I had them done at Living Canvas on Mill Avenue in Tempe. One is the crescent and the star from the Pakistani
flag on my back.
It fades from a light green to a dark green to
incorporate both the white and green in the actual flag. Below it is in
my name, Ayesha, in Arabic.
Read more about Sumbal's mark after the jump ...
My Shoulder Piece: The other one is a bird flying out of a cage flying towards the word truth in Arabic. The cage symbolizes Islam and the persistent lie that my parents wanted me to live, despite attempting to be honest with them about my true belief system (Atheism, as it turns out). Of course the irony is that the tattoo is my version of the truth will set you free, a biblical reference. This is on my right shoulder blade, and the word truth (hakeekah in Arabic) is on the back of my neck.
My tattoos are a reminder of where I came from -- being Pakistani, I've struggled with the whole "being too white" thing since I was raised in America. And the bird cage, well, happiness is found in truth. Even if people aren't willing to accept it, you can be at peace with yourself about who you are.
Next Tattoo? I don't have any current plans for another tattoo, but I'm sure there will eventually be another one!
Know of any interesting marks? Send us your photos/submissions.
