By Celica Cook, SBM Student Life Editor
This week we are featuring Emily Koontz, a senior public relations major with a couple tattoos that hold significant meaning for her. Both of her tattoos remind her of who she is as a child of God, and as a human being. This is what she shared about her tattoos.
What tattoos do you have?
“I have a cross on my right wrist, birds on my right shoulder blade, and a quote underneath the birds that read, ‘She rules her life like a bird in flight.’”
What do your tattoos mean?
“The cross symbolizes Jesus’ love for me, and I specifically wanted it on my wrist, so when I’m going through a hard day I can look down and be reminded of His great love for me. I got the cross facing towards me for that reason as well. As for the birds, I love the symbolism of being free not being confined by society’s unrealistic expectations, so I wanted to get something that highlighted freedom- the birds. The birds remind me that I need to fly and be bold with my decisions. The quote is very special to me. It’s from my hero, Stevie Nicks’, song “Rhiannon”. First off, I love Stevie Nicks because she’s never afraid to be herself- and that’s a life lesson that I try to hold true to my own character, and these lyrics describe my life as a person. I am the only one in charge of my life and my fate. Like a bird, I too can fly into any dream, passion or calling and make it a reality. I never want anyone else to be in control of my life except myself, and Jesus of course. For me, this quote embodies who I strive to be everyday.”
What made you decide to get a tattoo?
“The meaningfulness behind the cross, the birds and the quote symbolize key attributes that I live by and I wanted to share these with others.”
What advice do you have for someone who is getting a tattoo for the first time?
“Make sure it’s something you’re one hundred percent in love with! I also like that my tattoos are in easy to hide locations, just in case an employer would have a problem with them. It’s just better to play devils advocate and air on the side of caution.”