Junior communication and rhetorical studies major Tiana Flores had early yearnings to sit under the tattoo gun, and she constantly buzzed about getting inked throughout her high school days. Living in Maryland, the law permitted Flores to receive a tattoo at the age of 16 with parental consent, and on her 16th birthday, she asked her parents to take her.

Her reluctant parents refused her requests to get a tattoo. She had to wait two more years until she was able to get one legally without her parents.

And on a trip to New York City during the weekend of her 18th birthday, that’s exactly what she did.

“My cousin and I were visiting her girlfriend, and on the way there was a lot of talk about getting a tattoo in New York. My cousin just happened to know an artist and shop that did good work so we finally decided to go ahead and do it,” Flores said.

Flores and her cousin Erika arrived at the Jackson Heights tattoo shop, KundalinInk. In the next two hours, they both sat in the chair of premier Queens artist, Momia.

Flores received a tattoo of her last name, “Flores”, written in a custom cursive font down her entire right side. Her inspiration for the tattoo stems from her passionate vigor to represent her family.

“For a long time, I didn’t know what to get,” she said. “Obviously, I wanted something that was very meaningful, and eventually it made sense.”

Getting her last name tattooed across her body, Flores said, is a true testament to her family, and to her it is something of great permanent importance.

“My last name, meaning ‘flowers’ in Spanish, is a representation of who I am. I take pride in my name and covet my independence. It’s who I am and consequently where I come from. I don’t believe in marriage, but if I were to ever get married, I would keep my last name,” she said.

After receiving her side piece, Flores’ cousin Erika received the same memento on the back of her neck. Since then, two more of Flores’ cousins have been tattooed with the same script reading “Flores.”

Though others in her family have received the same tattoo, Flores keeps hers secret from her parents. And though she may not consider herself a trendsetter for the family, thanks to Flores and her cousins, the family name will be shared forever in blood and permanently by ink.

Published on February 19, 2013 at 12:43 am

Contact Ian: imfeiner@syr.edu