Daniel Collins wanted a tattoo with meaning, so he went with his family crest. Embodied with historical meaning, it is also a portrayal of his love for his family.

Collins’ tattoo is modeled after the physical crest that hangs in his family’s living room. The Latin words on Collins’ tattoo are “vincint pericula virtus,” which mean, “virtue conquers danger.”

Historically, medieval knights wore the coat of arms in battle to cover, protect and identify themselves. However, it has evolved as a symbol of the family name. Collins is one of the most popular surnames in Ireland, with the origins of the name in County Cork and County Limerick.

At the age of 18, Collins’ father immigrated to the United States from Ireland and attended Salem State University in Massachusetts. His family resided in Bishopstown, a southwestern suburb of Cork, Ireland.

“My parents did such a great job of raising me, so it’s a tribute to them and to where my dad comes from,” Collins said.

Both of Collins’ parents are teachers and inspired him to pursue a career in teaching. He is an English and textual studies and education dual major with the hopes of becoming a high school English teacher.

“I want to be a teacher to give back to the great teachers who have influenced me,” Collins said.

Collins has been to Ireland four times, and his father travels back frequently to visit friends and family. His father’s family owns a summer home in Baltimore, Ireland. Views of fields, boats and the sea stretch for miles beyond the home, Collins said.

“It’s like something out of a Robert Frost poem,” Collins said. “It’s old and everyone in town knows each other. It’s in the middle of nowhere.”

Collins got his tattoo shortly before his high school graduation when he was 18 years old. He got it when he knew his parents were going to be away, and they did not find out until their return.

Published on February 24, 2015 at 12:01 am

Contact Gigi: gantonel@syr.edu