The Story of My Tea Tattoo

My mother and I have talked about getting tattoos ever since I turned 18. It took us more than a decade but we finally made it happen a few weeks ago. She got the rose that she always wanted and I got a botanical print of a tea plant. In many ways, I’m glad that we waited for so long because I doubt my younger self would have chosen something that would stand the test of time.

For years I’ve been trying to find a design that would capture my passion for tea. I even made a Pinterest board dedicated to it! Ultimately I settled on this botanical print of the Camellia Sinensis plant. It was done by Franz Eugen Köhler for the book Köhler’s Medicinal Plants, which was published in 1887.

I went this route for a few different reasons. It is one of the most beautifully done illustrations that I have seen. The fact that the image is old enough to be part of the public domain was a big plus. I also like the idea that it is a tea tattoo in disguise. Someone who isn’t familiar might just think it was a pretty flower but for those who know, it is quite obviously a tea plant. 

I’m really happy with how it turned out. The artist did a great job of capturing all of the little details. I must admit that I did not handle the pain well at all. This is my first tattoo and it is likely to be my last. I am glad that I did it though. Tea will always be a constant in my life so this is not one that I will regret in the future.

This picture was taken right after it was completed. I’ll be sure to update this post with a better one once it is finished healing. My new tattoo has already sparked some great conversations. Inevitably people ask what kind of tea it is and they are always shocked to hear that all tea comes from a single plant. Mission accomplished!

So there you have it, the story of my tea tattoo. Do you have any tea tattoos? Would you ever get one? Share your thoughts in the comments below!