My Everlasting Jewel

Your necklace may break, the fau tree may burst, but my tattooing is indestructible. It is an everlasting gem that you will take into your grave.
~Verse from a traditional tattoo artist's song

I always love jewelry. Especially earings, pendants, and watches. But mostly in silver material, cause I always thought that my skin is too dark for gold. I also enjoy crystals jewelry so much. I don’t have that much of jewelry, but you can say I don’t go out without any.

In the other hand, I always have this obsession of mine, to get myself tattooed. Since high school, as far as I can recall. I don’t know why, but I always have kind of fascination about tattoo. Heard the process was painful, but it doesn’t make me scare or something.

I tried to consult with my closest friend(s) and boyfriend, and I always get the NO answer. Many reasons was explained to me, from the danger of the skin infection and its possible diseases to money issue. So, I end up bury my obsession to get myself tattooed.

Until one day, on a cloudy Saturday, I, impulsively, contacted a friend that has a tattoo for a tattoo studio reference in Jakarta. And he, kindly, offered himself and his friends to accompany me checking one of tattoo studios in Jakarta on Sunday. And I was so exciting! Can’t wait!

And finally, on that fine Sunday, we went to one of tattoo studio in Central Jakarta. The studio was so cool. I, immediately, decided that I want get tattooed in this studio. Though turned out, I had to make an appointment before I can get tattooed. A little disappointed, but that’s okay. I booked an appointment for the next Tuesday.

But on that Sunday, I was ‘interviewed’ intensively by one of the studio employee, which is a tattoo artist too, specialized in old school images and freaky-freaky thingy. His first question was, why do I want to get myself tattooed ?

He reminded me, that tattoo is permanent, and can only be erased by plastic surgery. Even laser surgery can’t remove tattoo completely. So, he needed me to be 100% sure to get myself tattooed. He didn’t want me to regret anything.

And I was pretending to be sure in front of him. But the real thing is actually I brought that question in mind, and made it as a ‘homework’ to think deeply about. And turned out, surprisingly to me too, I can’t answer that question. Any reason that came up in my head sounded so fake. I just want to get myself tattooed. I just simply want it. No reason.

And the second question was, am I sure about the picture/symbol that I want to get tattooed with. At first, I was so sure about getting the cat paws tattoo in my breast. But later on, when he explained that tattoo is Permanent!, I began to rethink my decision.

And finally I came up with ongkara symbol. But still, I don’t just want the usual ongkara symbol. I want the unique one. And I have 2 days to decide which symbol I wanted to have. After browsing here and there, I decided to have an Ongkara symbol on siddham sanksrit.



Ongkara tattoo. Ongkara represents one without beginning, without end, embrace all that exists. It will reminds me always where I come from and where I belong. Every single breath is to embrace all that exists.

And Tuesday finally came! And not more than an hour, the tribal tattoo-specialist artist do me up. And voila!

And funny thing, I thought I would have great pain of getting myself tattooed (and somehow I was expecting it). Turned out, it didn’t hurt. Not as much as everybody told me, at least. Even not as hurt as if I had my facial. But then again, it’s maybe because I choose rather small and uncomplicated one.

Once I saw the tattoo in my upper back, the feeling was indescribable. So fulfilled and satisfy. And I can’t remember when is the last time I feel so fulfilled like this. I am happy for myself. Truly happy. And then I realize, that this tattoo will define me for the rest of my life. My everlasting jewel.