Tattooing in Qazwin

If for every wound you become filled with resentment, how will you ever become a polished mirror?
The story of a Qazvini who regretted a tattoo of a lion on his shoulder due to the pain of the needle.
Listen to this tale from a master of words, about the ways and customs of the people of Qazvin.
They tattoo their bodies, arms, and shoulders without harm, using the tip of a needle to create blue marks.
A Qazvini went to a tattoo artist, asking for a tattoo and some sweetness.
The artist asked, "What image should I draw, O champion?" He replied, "Draw the image of a fierce lion."
"My fortune is a lion, so draw the image of a lion. Make an effort to use a deep blue color."
The artist asked, "On which part should I draw the image?" He replied, "Draw it on my shoulder."
When the artist began to insert the needle, the pain settled in his shoulder.
The champion began to wail, "O master, you are killing me! What image are you drawing?"
The artist said, "You instructed me to draw a lion." He asked, "From which part did you start?"
The artist replied, "I began with the tail." He said, "Leave the tail, O my two eyes."
The tail and the lion's tail caused me pain, and its tail firmly gripped my shoulder.
"Make it a tailless lion, O lion maker, for my heart weakened from the bite of the needle."
The artist moved to another part without hesitation, without compassion, without mercy.
He shouted, "What part is this?" The artist replied, "This is the ear, O good man."
He said, "Let it not have ears, O wise one. Leave the ear and shorten the work."
The artist began to prick another part, and again the Qazvini started to cry out.
"What is this third part?" he asked. The artist replied, "This is the lion's belly, dear one."
He said, "If the lion doesn't have a belly, what need is there for a full belly image?"
The tattoo artist was bewildered and remained astonished, biting his finger for a long time.
In anger, the master threw the needle to the ground, saying, "Has anyone in the world ever experienced this?"
Those who have escaped existence, the heavens, the sun, and the moon bow to them.
Whoever has died within, the pagan soul obeys him, as do the sun and clouds.
When his heart learns to light a candle, the sun cannot burn him.
God spoke of the sun in the astrologer's words, mentioning how it turned away from their cave.
All thorns become gentle like flowers before a part that moves toward the whole.
What is the exaltation of God? To raise oneself by being humble and lowly.
What is the monotheism of God? To learn to burn oneself before the One.
If you wish to shine like the day, burn your existence like the night.
Your existence in the presence of that existence is like copper melting in alchemy.
With both hands, you have firmly grasped "I" and "we." All this ruin comes from these two existences.
The wolf and the fox went to hunt with the lion.
The lion, the wolf, and the fox went hunting in the mountains.
To load their prey on each other's backs, they tightly bound the burdens.
All three together in that deep desert caught many and remarkable prey.
Although the male lion found it shameful, he showed honor and companionship.
Such a king is burdened by his army, but the company of the group is a blessing.
Such a moon is shamed by the stars, yet among the stars, it is for generosity.
The command to consult them reached the Prophet, even though he did not see their opinion as valid.
In the balance, barley has become a companion to gold, not because barley has become like gold in essence.