A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Life and Death

This multi-portrait family tree tattoo comes from Malaysia, I especially like the mythological characters (which I’m sure I don’t need to explain) that were added at a later date..

By Simple Lim of Simple Tattoo 4u, The Summit Subang U.S.J., Selangor, Malaysia.

See more in Portrait Tattoos (Tattoos)

Comments

19 responses to “Life and Death”

  1. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    hehe I like how the belly button forms the shape of a knot on the tree 😀
    … like that one cat butthole one!

  2. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    Brittney – My favourite part’s his left nipple!

  3. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    Erm, right nipple.

  4. oppositronic Avatar
    oppositronic

    why is there mythological creatures?

  5. RooRaaah Crumbs Avatar

    oppositronic – Characters, not creatures 🙂

    They’re above the tree in the second image.

  6. Pidge Avatar
    Pidge

    I love the little man hanging from the tree for some reason.

  7. mung Avatar

    the belly button is my favourite part of the tattoo!

  8. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    ROO! I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE THE NIPPLE!!
    hahaha 😀

    my mom’s old tattooist had a bull tattooed around his nipple so that his pierced nipple made the nose… I dunno lol speaking on the topic of this…

    hehehe ^_^

  9. bob Avatar
    bob

    I’m stupid i dont know who the mythological people are.i know its the two above the tree but is it like god and the deliv or something else?

  10. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    BOB – I BELIEVE it’s Thor and Loki… but I’m not completely sure.

  11. Brittney Avatar
    Brittney

    … which pretty much is god and the devil – but in Norse Mythology.

    🙂

  12. joie Avatar
    joie

    omggg this tatttooo is so awesome!!! hah!
    im not sure but to me… the characters looks like Kuan Kung/Kuan Ti [god of war] and the other one the devil

  13. Squig Avatar

    hehe i like the guy in the tree!

  14. CrimShuffle Avatar

    Original and sweet

  15. natalie Avatar
    natalie

    Brittney (#1) that’s the very first thing I noticed as well.
    This tattoo’s awesome.

  16. oppositronic Avatar
    oppositronic

    yes i see the ones to which you refer, yet i cannot comprehend their significance thus necessitating explanation

  17. marc Avatar

    the left one is a chinese diety if im not wrong and the right devil?

  18. Xenobiologista Avatar

    Based on the portraits of family members I’m pretty sure the person’s Chinese. Don’t know if the god is any specific one though.

    Anyway this is a really nice tattoo, I’ve been wondering where I would go for ink once I move home from the USA.

  19. peter Avatar
    peter

    Wow, this was my tattoo…thank man for posting

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
    One of the most powerful things about being at a convention like OSC is the sheer concentration of experience, creativity, and capability in one place. When you’re surrounded by people who not only understand the technical complexities of suspension but are excited by the challenge… Read more: Skin and Strings: The Art of Human Puppetry
  • Twelve Points to the Sky
    There’s a particular kind of magic that happens at your first big suspension gathering when you arrive with nerves, an open heart, and the quiet hope of flight. Guided by the encouragement of mentor Lynn Loheide and driven by the quiet confidence of belonging, Alex… Read more: Twelve Points to the Sky
  • Ontario SusCon 2025
    In March 2025, BME attended the Ontario Suspension Convention in Hamilton, hosted by the Kevin Donaghy and the Ontario Suspension Collective. We had the pleasure to take part and help document the event, but also run a booth to sell a bunch of old (but… Read more: Ontario SusCon 2025
  • Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
    Dear BME Community, We’ve been gone far too long, but BME is back to give people a voice, a space, a community. With time everything evolves, and BME may be different than you remember. Our goal is to stay true to Shannon and Rachel’s values… Read more: Welcome Back to Body Modification Ezine
  • BME Social Media
    Word of mouth has been our method of reuniting the community, and it has brought a substantial amount of us together. I am inspired by your loyalty and I want to remind more people of BME’s existence. In 2020 we gained control over @bmezine on… Read more: BME Social Media
  • BMEShop
    Despite the hurricanes in 2015 which destroyed almost all of what Rachel owned, she managed to save the original inventory from BME. We have relisted some of the stock on BMEShop.com with the hopes you may be interested.  Our first drop includes a selection of… Read more: BMEShop