Dice are small cubic objects used to randomly generate numbers or symbols. They're used for gambling, especially craps as well as table top games. A traditionally die is usually a cube with the corners rounded. Each side is marked with a different number of circular pits called pips. Although they are normally made of plastic now, they were originally made from the ankle bones of hoofed animals and known as knucklebones.
Throughout time, gambling has been an important part of many cultures. There were many professional gamblers in ancient Rome. Some of the first "loaded" or fixed dice were found in ancient Roman ruins. Playing dice was a favorite pastime of knights and ladies in the French middle ages. Today dice are a common sight in gambling institutions as well as less risky board games. When someone says the expression "to roll the dice", it means to take a big risk. Another common expression is "the die is cast" and it means that once the dice have been thrown or a course of events have been set in motion, you no longer have control over the results.
Dice games are more about luck than skill. Dice tattoos are worn by those who either consider themselves lucky or want to draw luck to them. Dice tattoos can also be worn ironically, as if to say "Take a chance on me". A pair of dice also means that wearer is a risk taker themselves. Dice tattoos are often incorporated with other gambler's symbols orlucky symbols like playing cards, drugs, and loose women as well as the number 7 or a four leaf clover.
