Aum

My love 's first tattoo, he got a second the same day but it hasn't healed as much yet so I'll take pictures of it later. Isn't his neck gorgeous Anyway, what the tattoo means:

Aum, Om, or Ohm:

Aum (OM) is the sound of the infinite. It is the sound of the creation of the universe.


A stands for Creation
U stands for Preservation
M stands for Destruction or dissolution

The symbol Aum found throughout eastern religion, but primarily in Tibetan (Vajrayana) Buddhism consists of 3 curves, a semi-circle and a point and is a sound (mantra) and symbol not a word representing a manifestation of spiritual power indicating the presence of the absolute within, "maya". The supreme consciousness, experienced by those who have been liberated from illusion of the world of appearance is represented by the point which is highest above the semi-circle which symbolizes the infinite and lack of ability of finite thinking to grasp the depth and height of the point. The point is outside, above and illuminating the other 3 curves which represent the worlds of the physical (waking state), mental (dream state), and unconsciousness (deep sleep). it means no concept or object in the universe exists independently.

During meditation, when we chant Aum, we create within ourselves a vibration that attunes sympathy with the cosmic vibration and we start thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Mind moves between the opposites of sound and silence until, at last, it ceases the sound. In the silence, the single thought—Aum—is quenched; there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in the pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of Aum.


The whole world has evolved from Om;
The whole world is sustained by Om;
The whole world will merge into Om-
In Om resides my strength.
-Sivayave



Placement of Tattoo::
The tattoo is on the Vishuddha chakra.

Vishuddha is positioned at the neck region and it has sixteen petals corresponding to the Sanskrit vowels.

Vishuddha is associated with the faculty of higher discrimination, between choosing what is right and wrong, and it is associated with creativity and self-expression. It is known as the "poison and nectar" center, closely related to the Bindu chakra, and the secret of immortality is said to reside there. When Vishuddha is closed, we undergo decay and death. When it is open, negative experience is transformed into wisdom and learning.
Vishuddha chakra symbolizes the pure consciousness, and creativity. On a psychic level, it governs expression, inspiration in speech, eloquence, and perception of the archetypal models.