Taison, good advice so far, do alot of research and soul searching before you get inked, one book I highly recommend for "newbies" as you mentioned to the tattoo world is "The Tattoo Encyclopedia" by Greg James. It's a general guide to the meaning and history of lot's of tattoo's here's the book
http://www.amazon.com/Tattoo-Encyclopedi...TF8&s=books

however this website has alot of the information from the book too

http://www.tattoosymbol.com/


And you mention japanese work, you might enjoy this site, it's one of my favorites, some of the japanese meanings are explained and the artwork is done by Horiyoshi-3 One of the best and most well known japanese tattoo artists in the world.

http://www.irezumi.us/eg/index.html

hope this helps!

Crash, you've just changed my mind.

http://www.irezumi.us/eg/tora.html

I'm going for something like this. Hopefully, they'll be able to make it a white tiger. Not the same design, but similar.

That site is fascinating. I like irezumi, it's awesome.

I've always considered myself a white-tiger. It's a play on the word "White Thai". Thais worship tigers and identifies themselves with tigers. Me being half-caucasian, which thus makes me a "white tiger".

-Taison out

Just understand that white is the hardest color to do. They have to grind it in several times over to keep your natural skin color from showing through. Very painful, from what I'm told. (all of mine are black ink only)

I hope it'll hurt.

Don't forget, I'm a sadist. I <3 pain.

-Taison out

Well, the only jobs I'll be getting is probably white-collar jobs. You know, teacher, business man, consultant, PR, guide, ambassador?

It'd be like hell if I got one only to know my whole future and education was thrown down the toilet because of having a picture on your body.

Well, I mean, I wouldn't tattoo myself so everyone could see, but I am scared they'll ask "you got a tattoo? where? show me".

Oh, and happy chinese new year!

-Taison out

Soon as possible I'm getting a nice big yin-yang symbol somewhere, either upper arm, or maybe the back, and possibly with the Tiger on one Side and dRagon o nthe other. The yin-yang has a huge amount of philosophical significance to me and The Japanese Tiger (my nickname is The Tiger however the Bear would be almsot a better fit but oh well I'm known for the Tiger now and it still fits) and Dragon represent some of my qualities and some qualities that I am always trying to develope better. they are the perfect combination to me. However I'm not totally sure on that yet for the animal symbols too.
When I go into the Marine Corps I'm getting the insignia on one upper arm as well with the American and USMC flags by each other, Semper Fidelis under or on part of thee banner on the insignia, and USMC on some part.

Zombie-those tattos are so friggin awesome. Any story behind them?

You do know, having a tiger on one arm, and a dragon on the other is a symbol of Hong Kong mafia, right?

-Taison out