Tattoos of Tibetan Refugees: Jigme A.

Jigme is 23; he came from Kham when he was 18 years old. He had his tattoos done while he was in Tibet, they were done by hand – a needle wrapped in thread was dipped into calligraphy ink.

On his upper arm he has a ‘yundon’ circled in flames, a “traditional old Buddhist symbol” he says. On his forearm he has a symbol traditionally painted in the kitchen at new years, a symbol to ward off obstacles.

Jigme tried to join the army after he graduated school in Tibet, but the army did not look well upon his tattoos. He commented how different he thinks it is in the US, where American soldiers have many tattoos.