The flamingo is the unofficial symbol of Florida, and of travel to tropical destinations and leisure in general. The flamingo is a status symbol for trailer park residents throughout America, and in it's plastic, lawn-ornament incarnation, is the Icon of kitsch and bad taste par excellent.
"THINKING PINK MAY HELP FOLKS GO GREEN; Flamingo may become a sign of recycling."
That's a headline on (2007) announcing a potential new role for the flamingo as a symbol in America. In Ashland, VA, a group demonstrating against the intrusion of Wal-Mart into their community deployed the flamingo as a poke at the company's aggressive and crass commercialism. Soon, the town became a virtual flamboyance of pink plastic flamingos sporting signs announcing "Small is Beautiful". Alas, the battle was lost.
But from the ashes of defeat, the flamingo has survived to stand for all preservation battles. To many, it is now a symbol for improving a community's quality of life, and for preserving a location's sense of place. One man's trashy icon has become another man's treasured symbol of a better life.
Below you will find a gallery of inspirational images that will help you in your quest of creating the perfect flamingo tattoo.
Also Check out: Bird Tattoo Index.
