Who doesn’t love Porky Pig? Between his iconic stammer and the hijinks he gets into with famous cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck, this character is a prime choice for a tattoo design.
When it comes to cartoons, Looney Tunes has always been viewed as one of the most funny and popular. So even though it isn’t hard to imagine why Porky would make a great addition to body art, I decided to research his history as a tattoo.
Let’s take a deeper look into Porky Pig Tattoos: history, meanings ; designs!
What is the History of Porky Pig Tattoos?
If we’re going to understand the character’s significance as a tattoo design, it’s best to understand his significance in pop culture, first!
Porky Pig was created by an artist named Friz Freleng at first, and then his design was given a makeover by Frank Tashlin and Tex Avery. He made his big debut in the animated short film titled, “I Haven’t Got a Hat” in 1935.
Afterward, Porky was added to the roster of characters that appeared in the cartoon series everyone knows and loves, Looney Tunes, in addition to Merrie Melodies, which at the time was a separate show.
Porky is known for being book-smart and plays the role of a straight man in most Looney Tunes depictions: he’s a sort of sounding board for more comedic characters. However, the thing Porky is most famous for is his characteristic stutter.
Because Porky stutters so excessively, he usually winds up having to replace the words he was about to say in order to get his point across. That results in his trademark slogan, “Th-th-th-that’s all, folks!” which ended most Looney Tunes episodes.
Porky is the oldest Looney Tunes character, and his iconic status as one of the most well-known animated characters of all time makes his an easily-recognizable face for tattoos!
What Do Porky Pig Tattoos Symbolize?
Porky is known for his stammer, but he is also often portrayed as smart, observant, helpful, and, of course, a little chubby!
These traits are what Porky Pig is known for, and since he is such an iconic character, a tattoo that features Porky will symbolize the same traits at first sight.
For example, when one sees a Porky Pig tattoo, they are likely to be reminded of his most well-known trait: stuttering out the ending line to Looney Tunes! Even though Porky can’t finish saying “The End,” correctly, he manages to find a workaround for his problem by saying, “That’s all, folks!” instead. This symbolizes optimism and perserverance.
For those who have a hard time speaking publicly, or getting their words out correctly, this is a great example of one of the ways Porky makes a great symbolic tattoo.
What Do Porky Pig Tattoos Mean?
Porky tattoos are usually examples of the character as he is drawn in a frame from his show, Looney Tunes. Porky has many roles, including a sidekick, a performer, or simply the secondary character to one of the other famous cartoon mascots, like Bugs Bunny or Taz. Check out this list of Porky Pig tattoos and their meanings.
- Porky and Foghorn Leghorn
- Boxing Porky
- Traditional Porky Slogan
- Chef Porky
- Porky and Looney Tunes Ensemble
These popular Porky tattoos all feature the symbolism that porky carries, such as optimism and perseverance, but let’s take a deeper look at their individual meanings.
Porky and Foghorn Leghorn
While Porky is a character known for his more quiet, unassuming nature, Foghorn Leghorn, a rooster character in the Looney Tunes cast is in many ways the opposite! Both are farm animals, but completely different in personality.
Some tattoos pair these two unlikely characters together. The meaning behind this could be that opposites make a funny pairing, or it could have meaning to the wearer, who may have a brother, sister, or friend they don’t always get along with.
Boxing Porky
Porky is many things, but tough-looking is not one of them! However, one animation still from Looney Tunes which makes a popular tattoo is Porky wearing nothing but boxing gloves, an anchor tattoo, and a fierce scowl.
This tattoo of a mild-mannered character trying to be intimidating and looking for a fight is not only cute, but can carry Porky’s usual symbolism of perseverance despite obstacles to a whole new level when it comes to what the tattoo means for the wearer!
Traditional Porky Slogan
One of the most popular Porky tattoos features the slogan “That’s All, Folks!” along with Porky himself. Porky may just be a way to connect the common slogan to the show it comes from; a visual aid, representing Looney Tunes. Usually, if you see one of these tattoos, it means that the wearer loves the cartoon!
Chef Porky
One of Porky’s earliest depictions in Looney Tunes was wearing a green chef’s outfit. This iconic look can not only mean that the wearer loves to bake, but also that they love to eat, since a pig is an iconic emblem for enjoying a meal.
Porky and Looney Tunes Ensemble
Finally, one of the most popular ways to see Porky on a tattoo is when that tattoo also features the Looney Tunes characters like Daffy Duck, Bugs Bunny, Sylvester, and Taz the Tazmanian Devil!
Looney Tunes was a part of the Golden Age of Animation, and still continues in popularity to this day. A tattoo of Porky with the rest of the Looney Tunes gang could mean that the wearer loves animation, or simply feels nostalgic for the good old days.
Characteristics and Styles of Porky Pig Tattoos
Porky tattoos are usually characterized by lineart of the character, often a full-body pose showing off the cartoon art style, or simply Porky’s easily-recognizable face.
Porky tattoos are often fully colored, thanks to the eye-catching look of Porky’s iconic pink skin and dapper blue vest.
Where Do Porky Pig Tattoos Usually Go?
Some Porky tattoos are common on the upper bicep, but the belly is also a popular choice because of Porky’s name and his chubbiness. Another popular choice for the location of a Porky tattoo, according to online models, is actually the feet, where he can face off on the top of one foot against another character adorning the opposite foot!
Summary
In summary, Porky tattoos, which are often located on the arms or belly, are symbolic of the character’s optimism and perseverance in getting around his iconic stammering problem. They are just as popular as the show Porky Pig comes from: Looney Tunes! That’s all, folks!
