Choosing a Tattoo Design Choosing the Right Design For Your New Tattoo

You?re thinking your appearance needs some spicing up, and that you wouldn?t mind adding a little color to a secret place. But you also know that, if you?re going to invest your money in a permanent bit of body d?cor, you need to put some thought into its design.

So you head for your friendly neighborhood tattoo parlor (with the skyrocketing popularity of tattoos you?re bound to have one) to look for inspiration. You know that whatever you select will become a permanent part of your existence. You can cover it up, but you can?t escape it. So you will need to choose carefully.

The first thing you may notice when you enter your tattoo parlor is just how many designs there are. It?s not unusual for every nearly square inch of a parlor?s walls to be covered with posters, nearly every square inch of which is covered with designs. You are experiencing ?flash?, and not because all of those designs and colors make your eyes feel like that a flashbulb just nailed them.

Tattooing was a staple of traveling carnivals in the early to mid 20th century, and carnival barkers were notorious for the shelves and shelves of cheesy gaudy prizes which they used to lure players to games completely rigged to relieve them of their money. Those prizes were known, among the barkers, as ?flash?, and it may be that the carnival tattoo artists adopted the term for their selection of tattoo designs.

But however they came by the name, those posters covering the walls at your tattoo parlor are called the ?flash.?

So, if you find yourself overwhelmed by the sheer number and variety of tattoo designs, it might be a good time to step back from the flash and do some self-evaluation. Decide what you want your tattoo design to say about you, or what you want to say to the rest of the world with your tattoo.

Tattoos originated as ancient, symbolic art forms, and many of them retain their symbolic meanings today. So you could choose a tattoo based on its meaning.

Or, you could just want a tattoo that commemorates something or someone important to you.

You can start by returning to the flash and seeing if there are any designs which keep catching your eye. Narrow your choice to those that have the most appeal, and then do a little more digging. Find out if one of those tattoo designs says something about you, and you?ll be much closer to getting one you won?t eventually regret.

If you are female, you may instinctively be drawn to the butterfly tattoo designs. You wouldn?t be alone; butterfly tattoo designs are the most-often requested by women. And they have an enchanting history; butterflies have, from ancient times, been seen as the perfect symbol for the human struggle to move from the lower to higher realms of existence, like the butterfly emerges from its cocoon. A small butterfly tattoo can make a big statement!

Women are also drawn to floral tattoos. Cherry blossom tattoo designs, although they are generally used just as accents for much larger tattoos, are reminders, in Japanese culture, of the beauty and impermanence of human life.

Peonies, floral tattoo designs even more showy than roses, represent luck and prosperity in Oriental cultures. If you are a male with a risk-taking nature, not afraid to sport a peony tattoo, it would certainly be an appropriate choice; it represents to the Japanese a gambling nature.

And, of course, there?s the rose. It?s the most popular floral tattoo design and the best-loved flower in Western culture. The rose has come to represent the epitome of beauty. But roses are not without their thorns, so you can communicate a double message with a rose tattoo.

Even the color of the rose tattoo design you choose will say something. Red roses are a symbol of passionate love; white roses are a symbol of purity; and yellow roses are a symbol of friendship. There are even black rose tattoo designs, for those with an antiauthoritarian streak.

Then there are the animals. They can range from a tiny frog to a U.C. Marine Corps Bull Dog, or a psychedelic Dragon. If you have a love for a particular kind of animal, or identify with the traits which we usually assign to different species of animals, you might find the perfect tattoo design in the tattoo flash zoo.

If you see yourself as sleek, independent, and powerful, a panther tattoo design might communicate your self-image to the world. If you identify with the wild and free American mustang, your tattoo artist can accommodate you. You may be as shy as a deer, smart as a fox, or hor** as a toad. All doable tattoo designs.

If you have the money and the available skin, in fact, you can have an entire menagerie of tattoo designs, providing an animal totem for each of your personality traits.

There are also tattoo designs to appeal to those of a religious or personal nature. One of the most widely known is the Celtic Cross, which has its origins both in the Christian Cross and Celtic fertility symbols. Other popular Christian tattoo designs are Praying Hands, the Rock of Ages, and, of course, images of Jesus.

If you are into astrology, you are sure to find your Zodiac sign in a tattoo design. And if you believe in Tarot cards as predictors of the future, you will be amazed at the breathtaking Tarot tattoo designs available. There are twenty-six of them available, one for each card, so you can pick the ones that you think hold the most favorable outcome for you!

Tattoo designs, in other words, are art forms appealing to the artist in each of us. So give your imagination free rein, and it will carry you to the tattoo design that says exactly the right thing, both to, and about, YOU!

Author: Matt Garrett - ? 2007 http://www.TopTattooDesign.Com

Discover how to avoid being the one in four who Hate thier new Tattoo, including simple Tattoo safety tips, in our your free Tattoo Guide : -

Free Tattoo Guide

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Earth Wind and Fire the Signs of the Zodiac

FIRE SIGNS

Positive attributes:

United as they are by the element of fire, those born under the zodiacal signs of Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius are said to have certain characteristics in common.

Just as we are drawn to a fire when we are feeling chilly, or gather around this bright focal point, so fiery people are said to be warmhearted, generous, and magnetic, to relish being the center of attention (notably Sun-governed Leos), and to be stimulated and energized by contact with others, particularly airy individuals, whose ideas act like oxygen on fire, as well as their fire-sign fellows.

When their imaginations are fired up, they can be highly creative, and when their enthusiasm has been kindled, their vitality, exuberance, ardor, and passion enlivens those around them.

Like fire's unpredictable, leaping flames, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius individuals are adventurous, outgoing, impulsive, and spontaneous, and often inspirational, experimental trendsetters who are blessed with a masculine confidence and the courage of their convictions.

If a headstrong, fiery character's flame is to burn brightly, he or she needs self-autonomy and freedom of action. However, watery or earthy influences may dampen or suppress a fiery type's high spirits.

Along with having a gift for making things happen (and Ariens are spirited initiators), those whose element is fire are furthermore typically honest and optimistic (particularly jovial Sagittarians).

Negative Attributes:

Fire can be dangerous, however, for it can swiftly burn out of control, damaging or consuming everything in its path.

In the same way, when fueled by excitement, a fiery temperament can often either become overstimulated and then rashly and unthinkingly overstep certain boundaries, or else a spark of annoyance may rapidly escalate into furious rage.

Fiery individuals may therefore lack self-control, and are prone to burnout if they are unable, or unwilling, to rein in their energies. They may be hot-tempered, but their heated outbursts are usually short-lived, and once vented, their fury generally quickly subsides.

Further unappealing fiery traits include a tendency to be aggressive and domineering, (particularly Mars-ruled Ariens), arrogant and egotistical (especially Sun-governed Leos), and abrupt and impatient (notably mutable Sagittarians).

Indeed, despite their often heart-warming demonstrativeness, all have a tendency to be the exhibitionists of the zodiac, which others may find tiresome.

THE EARTH SIGNS

Positive attributes:

The earth signs are Taurus, Virgo, and Capricorn, and, as their element suggests, all have fundamentally down-to-earth natures.

These are level-headed individuals, who, like their element, are stable and supportive. Even when an earthquake, in the form of personal catastrophe, rocks the very foundations of their existence, their resilience and practical approach generally soon reassert themselves, enabling them to rebuild their world steadily, patiently, and productively, in typically earthy fashion.

Those born under earth signs are furthermore logical and straightforward, and prefer to deal with facts rather than waste their time on others' flights of fancy or abstract notions (especially Mercury-governed Virgos), which is why they sometimes find airy types unsettling.

Additionally hardworking, loyal, and dependable, they can be relied upon to see a job through to the end, and, once committed, to remain faithful to their friends and loved ones.

From this description, it may sound as though sensible, earthy people are rather boring, yet while their constancy and love of routines may make them predictable, it is no coincidence that earthy can mean sensual, or lusty, and, indeed, Venus-ruled Taureans have a pronounced relish for indulging their senses.

All earth-sign characters enjoy spending time outside, too, be it lazing around, hiking, or tending their gardens, for they feel grounded when they are in physical contact with their element.

And if you think of the way water seeps into the earth, encouraging growth, it is clear that despite their imperturbable appearance, earthy personalities have a lot going on under the surface, which those whose element is empathetic water have a talent for bringing out.

Negative Attributes:

Some of the disadvantages of having earth as an element include the passiveness that it bestows on its children, a characteristic that is compounded by having a feminine polarity, which means that Taureans, Virgoans, and Capricorneans can be somewhat stolid and inactive, and, because they are naturally prudent and cautious too, may do little on joyous impulse (which is why they frequently disapprove of spontaneous, fiery individuals) and may rarely take the initiative.

They can also be hard-headed materialists (especially saturnine Capricorns) who sometimes take greater pleasure in working hard to accumulate the money and possessions that make them feel secure than in simply having fun, which is why they may seem depressingly upright, serious, and ambitious to playful, air-sign individuals, and miserly to generous, fire-sign people.

Another trait that may irritate others is their slow, considered, plodding approach and refusal to be rushed, even if their thoroughness, attention to detail, and tenacity bring concrete results in the end.

THE AIR SIGNS

The zodiacal signs of Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius all have the element of air in common, and because air is associated with the intellect in astrological thought, they are believed to be united in their analytical, logical, and rational way of thinking.

These coolly cerebral people are stimulated by ideas, be they those that they think up themselves or those that spring from the minds of creative, fiery characters, artistic, watery individuals, or their ingenious, airy brethren (they often consider practical, earthy types unimaginative and uninspiring, however).

Indeed, they themselves tend to come up with the most inventive of concepts, and none more so than groundbreaking, Uranus-governed Aquarians.

And just as the air in Earth's atmosphere is both everywhere and moves around freely, so do they, partly because they are constantly in search of new and interesting viewpoints, partly because they are curious about others and enjoy evaluating their personalities, and partly because they are fluent and articulate communicators who feel the urge to impart their news and views to others.

About the Author

Clare Gibson is the author of numerous books on dreams and astrology. This article is part of an extract from her book: The Ultimate Book of Relationships. The full extract can be read at http://www.browsebooksforfree.com/books4-4

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Find out If your Compatible

Horoscopes can be a great way to see if you and your partner are a good match. Now I know that that might seem a little crazy but it really can tell you allot about the relationship your in.

Horoscopes don't give you the complete truth or future that you necessarily want to here. What they do is give you a solid understanding of why your partner does certain things or are the way they are.

It can really help you to get a good horoscope reading to see just what sort of things that your partner is bringing out in you. Maybe some of these things will be good and others will be bad.

Maybe you are feeling very frustrated with the relationship your in. You just cant understand your partner's actions. Horoscopes can really help you get a better understanding of things.

I know horoscopes don't sound all that realistic. I mean what does something that has to do with the stars and moon reflect who you are compatible with. It doesn't really.

What horoscopes do is explain to you your partners actions. It helps you understand why certain things that you do drive each other nuts.

Don't underestimate the power of astrology. It just might give you some peace of mind about your current relationship.
About the author:

Learn more about your Horoscope Zodiac sign at http://www.horoscope-zodiac-signs.com

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Annual Forecast & Feng Shui Remedies for 2007: Yin Red Fire Pig Year Rat Sign (Chinese Zodiac)

The Chinese Zodiac Astrology is ancient, interesting, accurate and loved by millions across the world. The Chinese Zodiac is based on cyclic concept of time: a cycle of 12 years, repeated again and again. The 12 Years are associated with 12 Celestial Animals : Rat (or Mouse on Mongoose), Ox (or Buffalo or Bull or Cow), Tiger, Rabbit (or Hare or Cat), Dragon, Snake (or Serpent), Horse, Goat (or Sheep or Ram), Monkey, Rooster (or Hen or Cock or Chicken or Phoenix), Dog and Pig (or Boar or Hog). The animal names occasionally differ with the Oriental Country they originate. The Chinese Yearly Horoscopes are basically built around these 12 Animal Signs.

Your Chinese Astrological Zodiac Animal Sign is directly based on the Chinese Lunar Year of Birth that you were born. The Chinese New Year is mobile and could start anywhere between 21st January and 20th February, depending upon the year. If your Date of Birth falls into any of the following Chinese Lunar Years, then, because you are born in the Year of the Rat (or Mouse or Mongoose), you are symbolically identified by your Celestial Animal, the Rat (or Mouse or Mongoose):

From 31 Jan 1900 to 18 Feb 1901

From 18 Feb 1912 to 05 Feb 1913

From 05 Feb 1924 to 24 Jan 1925

From 24 Jan 1936 to 10 Feb 1937

From 10 Feb 1948 to 28 Jan 1949

From 28 Jan 1960 to 14 Feb 1961

From 15 Feb 1972 to 02 Feb 1973

From 02 Feb 1984 to 19 Feb 1985

From 19 Feb 1996 to 06 Feb 1997

In Chinese Hsia Calender, 2007 is the 4704th year and significantly, is also the fourth year of the New Feng Shui Land Luck Cyclic Period 8. The forthcoming new Chinese Lunar Year is from 18th February 2007 to 6th February 2008. The next Chinese New Year, the Yang Earth Rat will begin on 7th February 2008.

Enjoy the Annual Forecasts and learn about the suggested Feng Shui & Crystal Remedies that you may need for the coming New Lunar Year 2007 : Ding Hai, the Year of the Yin Red Fire Pig :

CAREER

2007 is an year of recovery for you - an year filled with promising changes, good developments and new positions. If you are an employee, chances of a good promotion and a reasonable monetary increment are quite high. Some of you may even branch out into your own profession or business. Open minded approach towards new opportunities, strategic planning, sustained hard work and timely implementation will fetch you more rewards. Controlling your temper and becoming more flexible at work place should be your top priority, apart from staying motivated. Expect troubles in unexpected situations and practice perseverance. Avoid getting into squabbles or conflicts, however petty. Arguments could lead to very unpleasant scenes or even back-stabbing.

If you step on anyone's toes this year, you will face a very nasty revenge. Display a Rooster figurine in your North West. If you have a male as your boss, consider yourself double lucky. If you are onto business, stop dreaming about mega projects as you will neither be able to mobilise resources nor the time for implementing it. If you have projects at implementation stage, you may have to redraw timelines and be prepared with contingency plans. Only your adaptive abilities and business management techniques can rescue you from frequent emergencies. Prepare yourself well for a better 2008. Accept the workload that you have to do, but don't get stressed out because of it. Carry a set of three Wou-Lou Coins with you. In the meanwhile, stay out of trouble with your business partners, team associates and office politics of the employees. Better be motivated, guided and protected by the Great Kuan Kung by placing his statue or photo in North West, lest you run out of steam quickly. Rats doing trading or in entertainment industry, beauty parlour, health accessories will do better.

MONEY

A rewarding year, as far as income is concerned. Some of you may attract windfall luck too. But do not get adventurous and get involved with risk-money. Read the fine prints deeply before signing up contracts and agreements. Stay away from illegal money transactions and unorthodox practices or else you could get into trouble with the long arms of the law. You could gain immensely from wearing the auspicious Sun Pendant, if possible in Crystal. Some of you would be spending lavishly because of shifting your home or office. Travel bills will shoot up. Plan your purchases. Do save money, as you would be needing it shortly.

HEALTH

Fatigue and lack of proper sleep due to workload will be a major concern. Indulge yourself with the crowds during the weekends (without overdoing it) and do some exercises when you find the time. Relax and unwind. Many of you will experience disorders related to stomach, intestines, digestive system, blood circulation and kidneys. It is high time to shift to quality food. Some could attract skin allergies. Beware of social diseases. The female of the species should take special care regarding rheumatism and gynecological ailments. If you are pregnant, be on your guard 24/7. Hanging a real, natural Chinese Wou-Lou near the head-board side of your bed would be of help in removing the sick energy. If you are a male born in the year 1948, you might suffer from accidents. If you were born in 1936, and if you have a medical history of heart disease, stroke or hypertension, this could be a critical year for you.

LOVE

Quality in personal relationships and new found friendships will bring joy and content. Activism in social circles will give you more strength and support. There will be many occasions to celebrate, including the addition of a new member to the family. Enjoy without over-burning yourself. As the Flower of Romance rules your Animal Sign, singles will be flooded with proposals. Pick and choose the ideal partner. If you are married, make sure of the harmonious equation with your spouse and avoid flirting with others. Use your head rather than your heart. If you were born in the year 1960, guard against triangular love. Spend quality time at home and wriggle out of arguments and conflicts there. Consider yourself as blessed, if you are part of a joint family. Installing the icon of a Rooster in the South West of your bedroom would also help.

STUDIES

Keep away from swaying emotions and love affairs, especially if you were born in 1984, as your Peach Blossom luck is quite strong and could drastically affect your morals and marks. To balance your chakras and emotions, wear a Black Tourmalene Crystal Pendant around your neck. If you were born in 1996, you could either change school or enroll into several after-school classes. Accept the parental wisdom with surrender. Group studies would do wonders this year.

Birthstone: Emerald
Good Relationships with: Rat, Dragon, Monkey, for 2007
Conflicts with: Horse, Rabbit, Goat, for 2007
Polarity Force: More Yin
Lucky Numbers: 1, 4, 5, 10, 11, 14, 41, 45, 51 & 54
Zodiac Protector: QuanYin or Avalokiteshwara (Sanskrit)

A NOTE ABOUT REMEDIES:

The above analysis has suggested some remedies/cures for reducing the impact of negative energy and has recommended certain enhancers for increasing and improving upon the beneficial energy of the year. For the remedies/enhancers to be effective, they should be cleansed, energised, blessed and programmed not only for the particular individual/family but also for the specific purpose/problem. They should also be placed in the indicated location, to derive the maximum benefit. Any or all of these remedies can be reused for the forthcoming new years, but they may have to be repositioned according to the specific new year.

Janarrdhana Guptha is an Energy Consultant, Kabbalah Energy Numerologist, Crystal Master & Clairvoyant Karma Reader. His speciality is permanent Karma Energy Correction through custom-built Crystal Energy Fields. His E-Mail: crystalvaastu@yahoo.com. His websites: http://www.crystal-vaastu.com/home.htm & http://www.newage-kabbalah-numerology.com

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Vedic Numerology VI

Astrology, the Science of Time, was revealed to the Sages in yogic flashes of heightened Consciousness. Numerology was developed by Pythagorus and Vararuchi. When the two sciences combine, we have the beautiful science of Vedic Numerology.

Six - ruled by the Fair Planet of Love & the Poet of the Solar Logos, Venus

Effects of Fadic Number Six

If the Sixian is YOU!

( Fadic Number is the number got after adding all the digits comprising your date of birth ).

Your numerological number is 6 and you are ruled by the fair planet,Venus. Venus represents the aesthetic element and hence your tendencies will be towards drama, music & cinema poetry and the arts. Venus represents the poet and philosopher. Venusians love material life and the pleasures of the mundane. Venus is defined as the fair planet that hearteneth to love by Dante. Attractive to the other sex , you will be endowed with personal magnetism.

As you are under the sway of Venus, the arts will have a tremendous influence on you. Poetry will flourish under your guidance.

You are temperamental and moody at times. Venusians are generally gentle and persevering people.

Your ability to talk your way through and influence people will pay large rewards as many people will be influenced by you. The personal magnetism which you generate will be felt by one and all.

Your best and lucky day is Friday. Venus is known as Freya in Norse Mythology and Freya's day became Friday. ( from the Latin Dies Freya and the Sanskrit Sukravar ).Friday was consecrated to Venus.

More quality information about Astro-Numerology and a free Astro- Numerological Report can be had from http://www.astrologiavedica.com/html/numerology.htm

Personality Overview

CONTROLLER OF LIFE - VENUS

You are controlled by the planet of love Venus. Venus rules all the material and the sensual aspects of life.

Venus rules gambling and business. Tendencies towards business will manifest during Venusian influence. Venus inclines one to the pleasures of the senses in no uncertain degree.

Remarkable resilience is another Venusian characteristic.

The opposite sex will be attracted to you in no uncertain measure. Your good nature and gentle habits will win the admiration of all around you.

The grace and the dignity which you are endowed with will win friends and influence people. Your charming manners will be worthy of admiration.

Poetry and the fine arts will have a tremendous influence on your life. Venus is known as Kavi ( poet ) and hence his tendency towards verse & the bashful Hippocrene is universally recognized.

One of your drawbacks are that you are too dominated by the senses. Your love of parties and the sensual pleasures of life will take its toll depriving you of saintly wisdom. Your courage in the face of adversity will be remarkable. Prosperity will grace you in middle age.

Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures is another chara- characteristic of this fair planet. Music, cinema & dance will attract you in no uncertain measure. Love for gambling, jackpot and the stock market will grip you at times.

Your another drawback is that you are subject to the influence of the opposite sex. Wealth, wine and women will have their sway despite all saintly counsel.

In Vedic Astrology Venus represents Poetics, Aesthetics & Rhetoric. Research shows that great poets have powerful Venus dominating their horoscopes. In the horoscopes of Tennyson, Byron, Aurobindo, Omar Khayam & Tagore, Venus was well positioned in the second house. Venus rules over three constellations of the Sidereal Zodiac, 41 Arietis ( Bharani ), Delta Leonis ( Pubba ) & Delta Sagittari ( Poorvashada ).

An Analytical Review

The zodiac sign representing this planet is Libra ( Do not confuse this with the birth-sign in Astrology). Librans are basically down-to-earth practical people. Libra is an earthly sign and hence its mundane nature manifests itself as down to earth practicality.

Librans are generally all-rounders. All-round excellence in all fields is the characteristic of the Libran.

You will suffer from diseases of the stomach. Fasting on Fridays will pave the way for the cure of many ailments.

Your materialistic outlook on life will be detrimental as far as happiness is concerned. The best way out of this lack of fulfillment is to indulge in yogic practices.

Librans even though love the pleasures of the mundane have a penchant for poetry and philosophy. A flask of wine, a book of verse and Thou singing with me in the wilderness is their basic philosophy.

Negative Aspect

Venus is a mundane planet giving you all the pleasures of Life. Carnal gratification of the senses and momentary pleasures he will give you in plenty. The main spiritual aim of Life will be thwarted and blocked by Venus. His movement is against Moksha or Self-Actualisation.

Mantra

Hima Kunda Mrinalabham Daithyanam Paramam Gurum Sarva Shastra Pravartharam Bhargavam Pranamamyaham

This sloka if recited 108 times daily can ward off the afflictions arising from Venus. This is the moola sloka of Venus.

In Vedic Gemology, Venus represents Diamond. Wearing this stone on a Shukla Paksha Friday ( fifteen days after the New Moon ) will enhance the luck of the Sixians. The Sanskrit text, The Jataka Chandrika assigns Diamond to Venus.

Lucky color Green Lucky Stone Diamond Lucky Days of the Week Friday Lucky Day 15 6 24 Lucky Month June

If you wear these stones and colours as per the dictums of Astro-Numerology you stand to benefit a great deal.

Please wear Diamond on Friday in the bright fortnight. Green should be worn at important occasions.

In Transcendental Philosophy the Number Six is considered very sacred. The sixth state of Consciousness in Transcendental Meditation is the Glorified state of Cosmic Consciousness or God Consciousness. Six main sciences and six auxiliary sciences constitute Indian Philosophy. Astrology,grammar,science of definition ( Nirukta ), Phonetics, Poetics & Rhetoric are the six subsidiary sciences. Yoga, Vedanta, Sankhya, Poorva Mimamsa, Vaisesika & Logic ( Nyaya ) are the six main sciences. In the Supramental Dialectic, the sixth principle is the all important Chit-Shakti ( the knowledge aspect of Being ).

AstroNumerology & Religion

The Bible assigns 666 as the number of the Anti-Christ and 888 as the number of Christ. When we add 8 + 8 +8 , we get the Fadic Number 6, which is a Venusian number. The planet of Love , in other words, repre- sents the prophet of Love, Jesus. Lord Krishna in the Geetha says Among the poets, I am Venus ( Kaveenam Usano Kavih ).

In the next article we will deal with the Sevenians - those who are ruled by the South Node ( Ketu ) or the Ascending Node of the Moon.

Article by G Kumar, Astrologer, writer & programmer of http://www.eastrovedica.com He has 25 years psychic research experience in the esoteric arts. His Astro blog is up at http://www.zodiacastrology.blogspot.com & his Philosophy blog is http://transcendentalphilosophy.blogspot.com Mobile 091 9388556053

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