Friday the 13th can get a bad rap, as it's seen as an unlucky day. But there are those who see it more like a holiday and traditionally get tattooed with their friends.
The tradition started with a world-famous tattoo artist named Oliver Peck at Elm Street Tattoo in Dallas, Texas.
He started the Friday the 13th tattoo movement, and in the original tradition tattoo goers had to get a 13 within the tattoo for good luck.
Chris Melzo, the owner and an artist Black Cat Tattoo told us that times have changed. While many shops stick to tradition, others have their own way of doing things.
“A lot has changed since then, here at Black Cat we do palm sized $100 tattoos and negotiate from there whether the tattoo is going to be a little bit bigger or it’s going to have more colors,” said Melzo.
The day is always fun for tattoo artists and patrons, but it's also busy.
“I showed up here at 10 a.m. to start getting things ready and we had people shortly after 10 come in to check it out, to see if they can get in line," Melzo said. "We usually do first come first serve starting at noon.”
He also said some patrons wait outside the shops for hours at a time, and on Friday the 13th a tattoo can be anything you want for a discounted price.
Michael Vaquera, who got a tattoo on Friday, told us the story behind it.
“There's this one that I've seen. It was a ski mask lollipop tattoo, and I really wanted it," Vaquera said. "I saw it and was like 'oop' that’s the one I’m going to get. I’m going to get it on my leg.”
This was his first Friday the 13th tattoo, after being inspired by the excitement around the tradition.
“I’ve seen all the hype," Vaquera said. "I was like you know what, it’s Friday the 13th and Saturday is a solar eclipse... it's going to be a good year why not?”
Despite being an experience tattoo patron, Vaquera admitted he can still get nervous.
“You know I’m kind of nervous but it’s alright," he said. "I’ve got my arms blasted there's no reason to be nervous.”
For the first time tattoo patrons, Elizabeth Williams, a piercer and the Owner of Outlast Tattoo said today is the perfect day to get their first tattoo.
“It’s definitely a day for people who don’t tattoo to take advantage of it if they do like tattoos because they’re cheaper," Williams said.
