What does Ling's Tattoo represent?

Ling's tattoo is symbolic on several levels, including her trust in the Japanese artist, Aritomo. The tattoo also symbolizes the region as Aritomo saw it, complete with directions to the prison camp where Ling was held. The tattoo also came to symbolize Ling's effort to come to peace with the years of imprisonment, Yun Hong's death, and the people who failed to protect her.