Millions of people, in recent years, have tuned into the very special art of tattooing as a way to have something of permanent meaning placed on their bodies. You're one of them, and you think having a tattoo would be absolutely mind-blowing, but you just don't know enough about what kind of tattoo to get, or even more importantly, which part of your body you want tattooed.

The first thing you should decide is whether you want a tattoo that can be hidden. It depends largely on your own personality. If you approach the world with an ?in-your-face? attitude, you may want a tattoo positioned so that will be visible most of the time.

On the other hand, if you are somewhat shy or just like to keep secrets, having a tattoo on a place you normally keep covered may make you feel unique, and even a little sexy.

And keep in mind that a tattoo which seems perfect to you when you are in your twenties may leave you asking ?What was I thinking?? in later years. So don't commit to a first tattoo positioned where you will be forced to look at it every day for the rest of your life.

Think about your social life. If it calls for you to attend very many upscale events, and you are female, are you going to want your tattoo visible when you wear a strapless dress?

But even if you are aristocracy, you can still can manage a tattoo. Lady Churchill sported a wrist tattoo which she simply covered with a diamond bracelet on state occasions!

Will having a plainly visible tattoo cause friction between you and someone close? For example, would you husband or wife see your tattoo as a come-on to others? If so, put it where it will be a secret for just the two of you.

Then there's the work situation. Will your current or potential employer be OK with you sporting a visible tattoo? Many of them aren't.

And then there's the problem of weight gain or loss. The odds are strong that you will not remain at the identical weight you are the day you get your tattoo. And even if you do, the human body has an unfortunate tendency to reshape itself during middle age.

A tattoo which looks great on the flat stomach of your 20s may be an embarrassment when you get middle-aged spread.

The same holds if you lose weight after your tattoo is in place. Your skin may become loose; how will that affect your tattoo?

You should also consider your pain threshold when deciding where to place your tattoo. The most painful tattooing occurs on designs close to the bone, like shins, elbows, and knees. If you are someone who breaks into a clod sweat at the thought of going to the dentist, you should probably limit you choice of tattoo locations to the more padded areas of your anatomy.

But once you've sorted through all the tattoo positioning pitfalls, you can get some visualization help at http://www.bmezine.com. They have several pages with photographs of recently completed tattoos which will give you a much clearer picture of how you might end up looking.

The photos cover everything from foot and ankle to breast and collar bone designs of every possible size and intricacy.

Where you position your tattoo says nearly as much about you as your tattoo itself. So be sure to choose a spot which will let you enjoy your tattoo for the rest of your life!