My hands by Christopher Onstott for Buddhadharma magazine summer issue 2015

I had a pleasant surprise to see my hands pictured in this summer's issue of Buddhadharma magazine. Christopher Onstott took this photo while Maitripa College was preparing for HH visit and during our meditation class on emptiness. I am really happy my hands are making their way around the globe tattooed, scarred and with love. Thanks to whomever is responsibile. Cheerfully, M unnamed-4image.aspx

Mahakala at Fortune Tattoo

Six-Armed Mahakala

The Six-armed Mahakala is favored by the Gelug order of Tibetan Buddhism, and in this manifestation is considered to be a fierce and powerful emanation of Avalokiteśvara, the bodhisattva of compassion.

He is adorned with the following symbolic attributes:

  • A crown of five skulls: This is worn by all manifestations of Mahakala and represents the transmutation of the five negative afflictions of human nature into positive virtues.
  • The Six Arms signify the successful completion of the six perfections, which are practiced and brought to perfection by bodhisattvas during the course of their training.

The arms hold various implements each of which has a symbolic significance. The first right hand holds a curved knife. In Mahakala's symbolism the curved knife cuts through the life veins of enemies such as oath-breakers and hindering spirits.

The skull cup in his primary left hand is filled with the heart-blood of these enemies. The crescent shaped chopper of the right hand corresponds in shape to the cavity of the skull cup and functions to make 'mincemeat' of the hearts, intestines, lungs, and life-veins of enemies hostile to the Dharma, which are then collected in the skull cup. A similar crescent shaped hand cleaver is used in oriental cuisine to chop meat and dice vegetables.

The next right hand holds a damaru - the hourglass-shaped drum, signifying the primordial sound from which is said to have originated all manifested existence. Its rattle is also said to emanate the sound that arouses us from our ignorant state, coaxing us on to the path of Dharma.

The uppermost right hand holds a rosary of skulls. The continuous counting of the rosary is a symbol of perpetual activity, which Mahakala achieves on a cosmic scale.

Another left hand holds a trident which represents the Three Jewels of Buddhism, the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha.Finally there is the noose for lassoing those of us who have strayed away from the path of the Dharma.

His left leg is outstretched while the right is bent at the knee. The former symbolizes his accomplishments for the benefit of others and the latter those for himself. An elephant-headed entity lying crushed under his legs represents our instinctive, primary animal force and urge, which when unleashed can prove to be extremely destructive. The sun-disc on which Mahakala stands denotes his illumination of the darkness of ignorance, and the lotus on which this disc rests signifies his undefiled purity.

The blazing fire surrounding him demonstrates his powerful energy out to consume all neurotic states of minds. Further, his three organs of vision express his ability to see the past, present and future. That he stares at the world with wide eyes signifies that he is incensed at the current state of affairs.

Snakes slither across his body as ornaments and also as the scared thread of Brahmins. The writhing serpent is a metaphor for the stirring of our psychic instinctive and primordial energy and Mahakala's wearing them as adornments expresses the fact that rather than impede our spiritual progress, such emotions have been tamed and harnessed, becoming in the process, crowning glories of our spiritual achievements. Mahakala

Star of Texas Tattoo Art Revival 2014

Hello there, Just want to let you know the ladies of Fortune Tattoo will be at the Star of Texas Tattoo convention that is happening January 24-26 2014.

Appointments are still available.

If you would like to set up a time with one of us, please contact the artist of your choice via their email that is listed under each of our names on this website.

We are looking forward to making memories with you and all that Austin has to share.

Cheerfully yours, the Fortune crew

 

 

Tattoo Road Trip - The Best Of Oregon Book Signing

tattooroadtrip

Join us Monday November 18th from 5:00-7:30

to celebrate the release of Bob Baxter and Mary Gardner's book, Tattoo Road Trip - The Best of Oregon.

The authors will be on hand with books for sale and ready to sign copies.

We will be hosting the release of the book with Atomic, Thee Little Tattoo Shoppe, Freaks and Geeks, Above The Pearl, No Hope No Fear, New Rose, and Dermigraphics who are all featured with us in the book.  Music will be provided by Justin Kagan and catering by Painted Lady Coffee House.

Monday November 18th

5:00-7:30

Fortune Tattoo

1716 E. Burnside St

Portland, OR 97214

"Blame it on Rio"

Rio_BenefitAugust 19th at the White Owl Social Club

 

Please come join us to honor Rio DeGennarro.

We are having a benefit to raise some money for Rio and his family.
He was recently diagnosed with terminal lung cancer.
Entertainment:
Poison Idea, Witchburn, Justin Kagan and friends(members of the oregon symphony), the Peacock's Eye belly dancers.
There will be a silent auction and raffle.
Rio DeGennaro started tattooing in 1962 under the watchful eye of his father, Lou Lewis, and legendary tattooer, Bert Grimm. Over the next 50 years, Rio travelled from the Pike on Long Beach, to San Diego, to San Jose, and New York, until finally settling in the Pacific Northwest. In 2002, he joined former student, Don Deaton, at Sea Tramp Tattoo Company, After taking over the Sea Tramp Tattoo School in 2003, and renaming it the Oregon School of Tattoo Arts, Rio continues to educate and instruct the next generation of Oregon tattooers, He encompassing all aspects of the tattoo history, process, and business, and helps new tattooers lay their ground in Oregon.