The Origin and the Flourishing
for Henrique Galvão
Henrique contacted us to create a tribute to the four most important women in his life: his grandmother and godmother, his mother, his sister, and his niece and goddaughter.
1 / The initial conversation
During our conversation, Henrique told me more about the history of these women, and what his relationship was like with each of them.
Grandmother/Godmother: A hardworking woman, she was abandoned with four children in São Paulo. She raised all the family members.
Mother: A partnership relationship; they faced together the period when she dealt with cancer, which she has since overcome.
Sister: Her best friend, they grew up together and cultivate a friendship of trust and loyalty.
Niece/godchild: His only niece, the family's darling, extremely attached to Henrique.
In this project we had one condition: Henrique already has many tattoos in an oriental style, and he wanted to maintain that same theme for our project.
2 / The research
Before I start drawing, as usual, I begin with research. My intention was to find representations of feminine archetypes present in Japanese culture, rather than choosing direct elements (names or photos of them).
In my research, I found 3 possible paths:
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4 seasons (In Japanese culture, the seasons have enormous symbolic significance.)
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4 deities (Mythological characters usually carry a deep meaning)
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4 species of Japanese flowers (subtle and elegant)
Conclusion: One of the precautions we took was to avoid making the design's aesthetic too delicate and feminine, since it's a tattoo for a male body. In this case, we opted to mix themes to create aesthetic variety.
3 / The result
Goddess Izanami
Izanami is one of the most important deities in Japanese mythology, revered as the goddess of creation. She carries meanings such as: ancestral mother, origin, and primordial feminine strength.
We chose her to represent the personality of her grandmother, the woman who not only gave rise to the entire following generation, but also cared for and educated them.
Small Kodamas
Kodamas are tree spirits in Japanese folklore. They personify the vital and growing force of nature. They carry meanings such as: innocence, purity, and nascent energy. We chose them to represent the pure spirit of your niece and goddaughter.
Goddess Benzaiten
Benzaiten can be represented by Sarasvati's aspect as the "Mother of the Vedas" and source of knowledge. In this dynamic, the archetype reflects the transmission of wisdom, the encouragement of education, and the cultivation of intellectual and artistic virtues passed from mother to child.
Japanese Crane
Cranes are birds that form lifelong pairs and travel in very close-knit flocks. This symbolizes complicity, lasting companionship, and the natural bond that exists between siblings.
The Sakura flower
The sakura flower primarily represents the ephemeral beauty of life, renewal, and transience. Its flowers bloom and fall quickly, poetically reminding us to live intensely in the present moment and appreciate the beauty of each instant. We had it span the entire tattoo (from the lowest point to the highest point) to represent this feeling that transcends generations of the family.
Kanji for Love
It needs no explanation; love governs this entire project, every memory, every gesture of care and reciprocation from a man towards those who are fundamental parts of his life. A profound feeling, encompassing affection, gratitude, and selfless or enduring love.
