Tesseracts

Here's some masterful fine line black and grey work too:

Ah -- you guys beat me to the punch but this is from the Perseverance book.
But saying "fat black wind bars with scalloped edges" will suffice I think.

Here is an encouraging picture of a full back tattoo over acne scarring. I'm a little reluctant to post it, since it's not an uncontroversial style of tattooing here, but I'm mostly posting because it's a pretty extreme example of tattooing over acne scar tissue. It all seems to be older and lighter-colored, though.
I have some (pretty minor in comparison) back scarring from compulsive picking and can't wait to cover it up.

I haven't really wanted to participate in this thread, I don't know, it seems like sometimes we are forcing an issue, even though I wholly understand the idea of power dynamics and cultural appropriation. I just believe some aspects of tattoo imagery are definitely cross cultural, especially when you think of where they came from. Would I get traditional Maori tattooing (something I know nothing about)? No. But I would get something in the vein of Leo Zulueta because of how he transitioned it. The same with the idea of an pretty young lady in a Native American headdress. It is wearable because I a) like pretty women b) like history. But that also comes through the adoption of images that were developed by the classic tattooers.
I have a Confederate General tattooed on my leg. I'm not a bigot or sympathizer, nor do I want the South to rise again. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person who has this person tattooed on them either. But, J.E.B. Stuart is a relative of mine, and I grew up in southern Virginia, on a tobacco farm. As stated before, it resonates with me, on some level, plus the dude had the best beard.

I don't think there are concrete answers to be found. I just think people should do what they are comfortable with.

I take the point regarding the difference between cultural appropriation versus cross cultural sharing, that's fair.
I would be curious to hear someone like Gloyne's take on the issue of things like Indian lady head war bonnet tattoos etc.
I've got to admit that when it comes to any kind of pin up, whether it's an Indian, geisha, sexy genie or whatever that I don't think of it as saying that much about the sexual predilections or views of the wearer. I kind of think of them as being tattoo iconography probably removed, at this point, from their original meaning. In the same way as a Rock of Ages might rarely have a Christian undertone for people wearing them these days.
If I see, for example, that awesome big Valerie Vargas Indian dancer backpiece I am not thinking of it as a sexualised image in the same way as I would a really realistic black and grey tattoo of a nude. I'm thinking more about the history of traditional tattooing, flash, etc than anything else.

I think people just like the imagery. It's powerful. Natives are a reminder of your wilder more human side I guess. Reminds us of a time when hunting and living off the land was the norm, as opposed to the TV pop culture trash that most of the world has been turned into.
I'm into these Navajo or southwestern style Native designs that Chad Keoplinger has been doing. I'm not sure if I'd get one tattooed, but I'd totally consider a small piece if I was around him or knew him.

.... Is that Buddha pitching a tent?

I think there is a certain nuance that gets lost in discussions about cultural appropriation. There's a difference between cultural exchange (e.g. Western people getting Japanese-style tattoos) and cultural appropriation.
There's more to it than just, "did this design come from another culture?" That alone isn't offensive. Does this design have specific spiritual / cultural significance that is lost on outsiders (the Maori Tā moko)? Is this tattoo inaccurate in a significant way that shows a lack of respect for the culture (Native American women in a headdress)? Is the subject of the tattoo from a cultural group that is subjected to oppression or violence today in a manner depicted in the tattoo (gypsy head tattoos [beheading], Native American pin-up girls [sexual assault])?
From what I understand, dreamcatcher tattoos generally aren't offensive because they don't have a specific spiritual meaning and have been given to outsiders for decades. Whereas a sexualized woman in a headdress is offensive because the headdress had specific cultural meaning and because Native American women are subjected to sexual assault at an incredibly high rate.
Deciding what tattoos you're comfortable getting is a very personal choice... I would not judge anyone here or speak badly about anyone's tattoos. I am only critical about what I would get on my own body. Even if I don't fully understand why a tattoo is offensive to members of a culture, I prefer to err on the side of respect (even if it's "over-PC") than offense.
Sorry this got so long, and sorry in advance if I offended anyone. This is something I have thought a lot about.

I have a big nasty keloid scar on my shoulder from surgery. It's an old scar, but still big, ugly and raised.
You can still see it, but it's totally covered by the sharks tail. I did make the artist shift the tail to fully cover the scar, so the tattoo does look a little off. This picture is immediately after getting the tattoo. The scar is a little less raised now. I'm happy with it.

I'm looking for good healed examples of good tattoos by good artists that have been made on imperfect skin. When I say imperfect skin I'm thinking surgical scars, burn scars, cutting scars, road rash scars, acne scars, stretch marks, moles, freckles, birthmarks, and anything similar.
I ask because I have a pretty decent sized surgical scar along with some stretch marks on my back and I'm curious to see how skin imperfections look covered by tattoos. I know scars and stretch marks tend to "blow up" immediately after tattooing so healed examples would be better than fresh.

Sri Lanka to deport British tourist over Buddha tattoo | World news | theguardian.com

I don't like the Native American pin ups either, they look like stereotypes. I don't judge anyone who has them, but if I was going to get a Native American tattoo I would want something that seems more real.Yeah, now that I think about it, I've known a couple of white guys who decided they want an "Asian girlfriend" without any thought about what the Asian girl is actually like as a human. I've also known genuine interracial relationships though so I try not to judge based on appearance.

I don't like the Native American pin ups either, they look like stereotypes. I don't judge anyone who has them, but if I was going to get a Native American tattoo I would want something that seems more real.Yeah, now that I think about it, I've known a couple of white guys who decided they want an "Asian girlfriend" without any thought about what the Asian girl is actually like as a human. I've also known genuine interracial relationships though so I try not to judge based on appearance.

For those who are interested in this sort of thing, the problem with cultural appropriation is not simply borrowing from another culture. The problem comes from an imbalance of power in that relationship. When a dominant group starts appropriating the sacred traditions, symbols, icons, and cultural artefacts of a subject culture, then it is not uncommon for those in the subordinate group to be offended by that use of their heritage. Some will care more than others, and some will care not at all. That said, I think the issue of power relationships between groups has been missing from this discussion. The use of other groups symbols may cause insult or offense, regardless of intentions. Some don't care, others care a great deal, and likely many have never even thought about it.
Do whatever you like, and get whatever tattoos you want. I have no horse in this race, and I don't care what anyone gets tattooed or who tattoos them. I have a sugar skull that many would consider appropriative. I'm simply trying to highlight the root of the debate about cultural appropriation.

Some people can detect anti-semitism even when its a mile below the surface of the earth in a top secret bunker that doesn't exist.

Davelang, it's great to have you here - I'm a big admirer of PNW Native art. Your bear/salmon carving would be an incredible inspiration for a full back piece!
I saw this piece by Rory Keating earlier in the week, it's a large scale orca which I found interesting.

@davelang Great post, man.
I came across something really interesting when reading up about Bill Reid and formline drawing, which is that a lot of what we see in terms of carvings, jewellery, and paintings originated from Reid's study of traditional Haida tattoos:
So, in a sense, tattooing these designs is really taking it full-circle. There are a few really cool things online about Haida tattoos as well, like this: Haida Tattoo - The Bill Reid Centre - Simon Fraser University
I grew up on the West Coast of Canada, and I love this style of art, but as a whitey I have a hard time getting it as-is on me so I've been trying to find ways to take some of what I find powerful about Haida art, as well as myth and legend, and interpret it in a way that doesn't feel so appropriative. My (in-progress) sleeve is an interpretation of the Raven myths, and because it's being done by Thomas Hooper it's interpreted through a sort of hermetic lens with some sacred geometry, Ernst Hackel references, and so on. The eye of the raven is referenced directly from Bill Reid's drawing on the cover of the book The Raven Steals the Light. I'm thrilled with it. I've been also thinking of one day getting a gagiid mask, maybe done sort of in the style of a hannya. I'm still figuring that one out though.
- - - Updated - - -
And just because I love to geek out on this stuff, here's a picture of a print I bought last summer by an artist named Jonathan Erickson. From what I understand, he's mostly working in jewellery right now, but the guy at the gallery said that he's also done tattoo designs...kind of figures that I'd be drawn to art done by a guy who also designs tattoos. Anyway, I think it's super cool. I need to get it properly framed still.

I can understand being offended for a group of people that doesn't include you. For example when someone goes on an anti-gay rant, I am offended without being gay myself. We are all human, so we can sympathize. I also think a lot of people are just very easily offended these days. When something is beautiful (like a Native American lady head tattoo) it doesn't offend me.
I think some images depicting Native Americans are more offensive than others, like this:

Perhaps...?

Couldn't help myself... sorry guys.

yes! And read this bullshit
We’re going to talk about racism now
Because 90% of the opinions that end up in my inbox aren’t critical of my critiques, tattoo history, or anything else I feature. They’re denials of racist imagery. And when I call someone out on racism, the anger is always directed at the accusation of racism—not the racism itself.
Now I disagree with the theory that white people, including myself, should feel bad about something our ancestors did (ie: slavery, genocide, etc). There is not some mystical racist gene that we are all born with. My family are immigrants, so should I feel guilt over slavery which “my people” did, while my gene pool was in backwoods Eastern Europe until about 50 years ago? I don’t think so.
But that isn’t to say that I have cart blance to say or do racist things. The idea of “white privilege” it that we still benefit from racism every day because of what has happened historically.
Let’s go through some examples of how, as a white person, your tattoo imagery cannot only be incredibly offensive, but you yourself benefit from such offenses:
Sugar Skulls: Sugar Skulls are fucking cool. There is no way around that. It’s a really expressive religious ceremony that, for other cultures, we have no equivalent too. But to use them in tattoos without meaning or history is to absolutely privilege your own ideas over another culture’s. Does their intent not matter compared to your own? Even worse, these “sexy” sugar skulls are a way of turning a religious tradition around and sexualizing a caricature of that culture’s women. And how do white people benefit? By making Mexican culture some “other” that can be used or discarded however you like, you are undermining the agency and humanity of the people who created it! This may not hit as close to home for non-American leaders, but white Americans benefit in huge ways because of Mexican immigration. Mexican workers are hunted by the police, the FBI, and even by vigilantes with guns. They are forced to work dangerous, low-paying jobs to subsidize everything from food costs to childcare. White bosses make huge profits off of farm workers working for less than minimum wage, and white women are returning to the work force post-child birth because they can hire someone of color to watch their children for less than they make.
“Sexy Indians”, Dream Catchers, etc: The portrayal of Native American cultures as homogeneous (warbonnets or dreamcatchers as broadly “indian” verses culturally specific) is to deny that they were separate, independent nations. To deny this is to deny the illegal invasion of those lands when we massacred their people and took their land. The idea of creating a caricature of that culture portrays them as a dead thing—something in the past that no longer exists. And how do white people benefit? All the natural resources we take from the US belonged to someone else. They were taken by our government. If we were to pay back all that we stole, prices for everything would go up. Hell: if the government were to give it back to the people they stole it from, what would happen to us? Native “reservations” are also one of the only places where you can gamble legally in the US, yet many remain some of the most impoverished places in the continent. Just like European Jews were allowed to money-lend during Medieval Catholicism, they serve a social function now but can be easily disposed of when needed.
Kanji or Chinese Symbols: Once again, it’s not your culture. These, in my opinion, aren’t as outrightly appropriative as other symbols taken from other cultures because they don’t involve caricatures of that people. But when, in fact, the majority of symbols put on as tattoos are incorrect in part or entirely—what’s the difference between this and saying something like “chee chong chee” and claiming your “speaking Chinese” as a joke? It’s a bad, tasteless imitation. But how do white people benefit? Once again, viewing a language or people as “other” dehumanizes them. Imagine a factory, in your state or providence, where workers are locked in by management, paid less than a living wage working 10+ hrs a day, often denied pay, are in unhuman conditions… there would be a fight against it! And yet, these same conditions are the day-to-day lives of most people who make our clothes. But they’re often portrayed as “lesser” and, if worthy of any attention, worthy of pity. Racism is used to keep us from respecting their rights and supporting their labor fights while we benefit through cheap commodities produced at their expense.
Confederate Flags, Nazi Symbols, White Power Symbols: These are racist, right? Everyone can pretty much agree here! The difference is they are overt: they state, I believe I am better than other people because of my race. But I’m listing this here because, as outlined above, claiming “I can say/do as I like” ALSO puts your own wants or interpretations over those of another culture. You might not be announcing “I am better because I’m white” over a loud speaker, but your actions certainly do.
However, white people also suffer because of racism. Not in the way that people of color do, but economically—yes. For American readers, think about how badly racism has affected minimum wage laws. Everyone makes less, across the board, because if “we don’t work for less then we can’t compete with the Mexicans.” Like there is some American “we” and non-white, foreign “they.” I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’d rather see undocumented immigrants making a living wage than I’d like to continue seeing these CEO’s paychecks get fatter and fatter. And yet, this division is justified entirely by racism! Fight it now before it comes back to bite you too.
Lastly, “reverse racism” is bullshit. “Your’e being racist against white people.” It’s the same logic that claims a minimum wage worker is being unfair for hating the CEO of their company while the CEO profits off of their work. Don’t blame the victim!
If you want to seriously learn more, I recommend reading news from BlackAgendaReport.com; picking up the book How a Minority Can Change Society; the book 1491; or hit me up and I can give you some more specific recommendations.
Someone get this girl off her white horse and white guilt. Jesus fucking Christ!

Yeah, you really never see opinions as well-considered and informed as @cltattooing 's pop up in these discussions.
There's a lot of excellent writing about social justice-related topics online, and a lot of people who seem to show up for these discussions mostly to parrot or police other people.

So I decided to join. I'm also really bored at work and my husband has been on my case to join for awhile. So hi! I think I met a few of you when we visited SF!

Tripped across this on my FB feed this morning.
Beards: Too Hip For Their Own Good | I Fucking Love Science

I would like to quote this post I made, and say that my little sister finally seems to be coming around to good tattoos. So stoked to see her get some work.