Historias detrás de tatuajes...

(versión en español)

"The Southern Lighthouse"

Almost every time I travel—at least on special trips—I bring home a tattoo as a unique souvenir: a postcard and memory etched into my skin. So, for my journey to Argentina and Chile, it was clear that I would get a tattoo too. But the question was, what design?

Typically, my travel tattoos symbolize something characteristic of the countries I visit—sometimes it’s immediately obvious, and other times it reveals itself on a second glance. So, which design could represent both countries? A backpiece featuring the Iguazu Falls and the Atacama Desert? That seemed a bit too much, definitely not the right fit.

Then I thought about what I’d read about the southern regions of both countries—Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego—and remembered that lighthouses were a recurring theme. The lighthouse is also part of the coat of arms of Punta Arenas, Chile. But a lighthouse alone felt too simple, so I considered adding a bird.

And what could be more fitting than an albatross? It's a symbol of the Argentine city of Ushuaia, and it seemed perfect. Only later during my travels did I realize how much these two motifs reflected my own life. The albatross, always struggling to take flight but able to soar through storms when needed. And the lighthouse, standing as a beacon, guiding the way and offering a safe place to land—something I know I will always need in my life.

No tattoo has resonated with me more, and I’m incredibly grateful for the amazing tattoo experience and the warm, welcoming atmosphere at Caos Art Tattoo.

Judith 🇩🇪