Rod of Asclepius tattoo too cliche?

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423206

Hey all,

I'm starting DO school this August. I've been wanting a tattoo for a long time but I have not known what to get. Since I am dedicating my life to medicine a tattoo of a Rod of Asclepius is very appropriate and perfect for me but I am wondering how popular/cliche it is for medical students and physicians these days.

I will of course do a couple things to make it somewhat unique but either way I don't want to be one of thousands of doctors out there with the same basic type of tattoo.

Anybody who can share some helpful information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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bluegatorade said:
Hey all,

I'm starting DO school this August. I've been wanting a tattoo for a long time but I have not known what to get. Since I am dedicating my life to medicine a tattoo of a Rod of Asclepius is very appropriate and perfect for me but I am wondering how popular/cliche it is for medical students and physicians these days.

I will of course do a couple things to make it somewhat unique but either way I don't want to be one of thousands of doctors out there with the same basic type of tattoo.

Anybody who can share some helpful information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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Tramp Stamp or go home
 
Get a tat because you want it, not because of what others might think of it. Cool idea and I think you should go for it.
 
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250515_1306785909059_374_500.jpg
 
It's like getting a tattoo that says "no regrets" spelled wrong.

Sent from my SGH-T889V using Tapatalk
 
That'll be real cool. I've seen a pin that also has "DO" by it
 
Is it cliche? Yes, of the docs I've seen with tattoos, I'd say 1/2 have the rod inscribed somewhere on them.

But is it worth getting? Yes, only if you can't think of anything else or plan on getting multiple tatts. (On a side note, I think it'd be helpful if you're on a beach somewhere and someone needs you, but then again, it might be more helpful to put "I'm a Dr." on your back.)

IMO, one medicine-related tattoo is enough, so I'd make it count.

SLC said:
If you have to ask if it's "too cliche" it probably is.

My general rule of thumb with tatoos is that if you feel the need to get someone else's input, it's almost certainly a bad idea.
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^ this
 
Just to play devil's advocate here, what if you end up failing out of DO school? What then comes of your tattoo? If you have to ask whether something is cliche, it probably is. Part of me feels like getting that tattoo is the equivalent of wearing your white coat to the grocery store or keeping your stethoscope on your rearview mirror. I would get a different tattoo, but hey, it's a free country.
 
Someone in my class has a large tattoo similar to what you're describing on his back. We all think it's hilarious since he's a first year. What if you fail out? Decide medicine isn't right for you? Personally, I'd at least wait to get that sort of tattoo until after I've secured my D.O.
 
scummie said:
Just to play devil's advocate here, what if you end up failing out of DO school? What then comes of your tattoo? If you have to ask whether something is cliche, it probably is. Part of me feels like getting that tattoo is the equivalent of wearing your white coat to the grocery store or keeping your stethoscope on your rearview mirror. I would get a different tattoo, but hey, it's a free country.
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Knew a guy that got a Marines tattoo before starting basic. They have him so much **** for tattooing himself with something he hadn't yet earned that he ended up getting thrown out for behavioral issues.

I'd say get the tattoo once you've earned the degree. Before that, you're just too tryhard by sporting it. Exception being if you've already got a ton of tattoos, in which case, why not one more.
a7495ff0b4a3bc299410808c50f9c5b3.jpg
 
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I think we can all agree that you should get a tattoo of A.T. Still instead.
 
Don't do it. It's a bad move because you haven't earned your degree yet. Also it's boring, if you're gonna do a medicine tattoo I would go for something more interesting that a bunch of other people don't already have
 
You should instead get a tattoo that says "particularly high yield" in Chinese, or a portrait of Papi Goljan.

EDIT: I just came up with the ultimate medical tattoo. A scene depicting Dr Sattar and Dr Goljan armwrestling, with Sattar saying "this is particularly high yield" and Goljan saying "you can't do dork to me".
 
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GUH said:
If you're going DO then tattoo big black circles on top of your T1 and L1 spinous processes and PSIS.
Your future OMM partners will thank you.
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True enough. Plus, that would be pretty interesting to see.

Maybe get every counterstrain point done? Lol
 
Consider other ideas as well, such as a heart or bones. I think that organs (anatomically correct ones of course) look cooler than the Rod. Just my personal taste since I prefer "artsy" tattoos rather than "meaningful" ones.

Anyways, here's some Google pics.
Don't get this: LINK
This is better but still not amazing: LINK
Get this (below), like omg love love LOVE!
Rod-of-Asclepius-Tattoo-by-Alastair-at-Stingray-Body-Art-in-Allston-MA.jpg
 
I too had the idea of getting a tattoo to signify medicine in some way.

But I was waiting till I graduate later this month 😉
 
Is that real? That had to take forever to complete. And a very talented tattoo artist.
 
Thanks for the feedback fellas. I'd get the tattoo on my lateral deltoid so it's easily hidden but it sounds like the general consensus is should wait until I graduate. I have every confidence that I will but I don't want to put off a cocky vibe, it's more for motivation and satisfying my long time desire for a tattoo.
 
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