Persuasive Essay Tattoos

My senior project was over the History of Tattooing, I chose this as my topic because Tattoos really interest me with all the different styles and meanings behind them. Some things I already knew about Tattooing is a lot of tribes used tattoos to symbolize things, but I didn’t know what.

The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body art has been a part of this world for thousands of years. Tattoos and piercings have served as amulets, status symbols, declarations of love, signs of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 – 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of all ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this rise in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must first determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings.

Evidence of tattoos is found not only on mummies or in text, but on the objects left behind by ancient civilizations.

In our parents’ generation having tattoos were more frowned upon in society then it is today. Having tattoos back then gave you a certain persona for being a troublemaker, gang affiliated, or having a criminal record. When applying for professional job a resume might not even get a second look because the future employee has visible tattoos or piercings. Having tattoos back then was less common because of things like this, people didn’t want to have that appearance and worry about being associated with other that are nothing like them. Not many people want to look down on by others because the physical appearance. Except that is exactly what was happening, the higher class of people were looking down on anyone who was different from them.

Without a doubt, tattoos have been around longer than that. When the Egyptians empire expanded, so did tattooing. Civilizations like Crete, Greece, Persia, and Arabia learned and developed the tattooing art. It eventually made its way to China. Greeks used tattooing as a way of communication for spies. Certain markings showed their ranks and identity. The Romans used tattoos to mark criminals and slaves which is still used today. As years passed, so did the use of tattoos. Heavily tattooed people were known as freaks and travelled with circuses or freak shows. They were not used as religion or cultural purposes as much anymore. In the late 1700s, “the cultural view of tattooing was so poor for most of the century that tattooing went underground.” (http://www.powerverbs.com/tattooyou/history.htm) Tattoos first came to Chatham Square in New York City. It was the turning point of the century in the 1900s. The popularity of tattoos were declining across the world. Husband 's started tattooing their wives to display their best work. After losing popularity in Chatham Square, it made its way to Coney Island. Tattoo shops began opening up in places around the world that would accept them or people who supported them. At this point, tattoos became known as ‘travel markers’. “You could tell where a person had been by their tattoos.”

In accordance to Professor David Isaacs, body art originated in Europe nearly 7,000 years ago. Nearly 5,300 years ago, in the Otztal Alps, a mummified remain of a human called Otzi had be found with over fifty-seven tattoos from his neck to his toes. Since the remain of Otzi was found, tattoos took off and started developing generation to generation. In David Isaacs article, “Tattoos,” he states that tattoos have been able to show a societal impact within our society, such as how they have changed and adapted into today’s

Tattoos have been prevalent in Polynesian culture for over 2,000 years. (PBS.org) This is where the modern tattoo first originated, getting its name from the Polynesian word "tatau", and where it has thrived as a cultural tradition of honor and courage. In Samoa, tattoos are given by hand, and the trade is passed down from father to son after years of practice and apprenticeship. Tattooing begins when a male of noble rank, such as a chief, hits puberty and marks his status for all to see. This traditional ceremony leaves indelible marks symbolic of the courage and the dedication to the culture needed to endure the pain. Samoan culture marked any man a coward, forever marked with his shame, if he did not receive a tattoo or complete the one that was started. In Hawaii tattoos were used to represent levels of distinction and also to aid people in their spiritual well-being. Some of the most common tattoos or kakau were images of the lizard which was revered and feared by the Hawaiian people and the crescent fan that marked the highest ranking members of society. Many intricate woven patterns that mimicked nature were used, but the exact meanings of these markings were lost because of the secrecy involved in the art of tattooing. The idea that tattooing was a secret art shows the importance of this ritual to Hawaiian society, and the Kahunas who administered the tattoos

Tattoos allow for people to permanently remember things in their lives that have occurred. Even if other people cannot see the tattoos, the person who got the tattoo knows it’s there. Many people get a tattoo in memory of a loved one who has passed away or something they love in life

Reasons for getting a tattoo vary greatly. In some cultures tattoos were used as a way to mark bravery or a way to mark slaves. Other cultures used tattoos to signify wealth or status. Modern day reasoning for tattoos has changed greatly. Tattoos and Body Piercing lists several reasons people get tattoos, including enhancing beauty, identifying oneself, commemorating others, rebellious acts, and body makeovers. Individuals may use tattoos as an art form to express their personality or beliefs. Also, tattoos often carry a specific message or association. For instance, a person may get a tattoo as a way of remembering a loved one. Tattoos may even be a sign of risky or defiant behavior. Young teenagers, for example, may get a tattoo

Tattoos are not a new fad that grew over night. Tattooing has been a form of art that people have used to communicate with for ages. Whether it is a family crest, a butterfly, or a zodiac sign, all tattoos have meaning in which someone can tell a story. The history of tattoos goes as far back as the first people who roamed this Earth. Tattoos have been around for so long that no historian or archaeologist can precisely trace back to when and where tattooing began.

According to the Harris poll, one out of five adults have a tattoo. People get tattoos for the following reasons: to promote their identity, remind them of their religion, and show how much significant their love ones is to them. A person often publicize their identification by inking their family names; for instance, a girl tattooing her last name on the back of her neck. This shows that the girl is proud of who she is and where came from; the girl is glad for the fact that she is a part of this family. Another exposition why people get tattoos is to prompt devotion to their beliefs and or spirits; such as, a man tattooing a wing with texts saying, “only God can judge me” on his front right side chest. By designing this mark, this illustrates

Tattooing then became a version of sacrifice. It involved pain, fire and blood. Since bloodletting was a common way for the early humans to sacrifice to the gods, I suppose it is not too surprising that they viewed this new practice as such. These early tattoos symbolized the alignment to their gods will, the increase of fertility and a person 's virility, the preservation of one 's body after death and was the ranking system among the early tribes. It was considered bad luck for a common person to have the same tattoo as the chief.

Going along with what you said about tattoos becoming more popular each day, our textbook says that one in three college students have one or more tattoos (Tortora). I would guess that this number is quite higher than it used to be. The ink that is deposited into the dermis layer of the skin moves at a fast rate of 50 to 3000 times a minute. The dermis layer is deeper than the epidermis, making it more stable. It is more stable because the epidermis sheds about every four to six weeks (Tortora).

Tattooing has been an art form for thousands of years and is associated with a wide variety of styles and techniques. In fact, the oldest tattoo found to date was discovered on the body of Otzi the Iceman who died in 3345 B.C. Today, nearly 45 million Americans have at least one tattoo and that number is steadily increasing. After watching the Ancient Ink documentary, I realized that tattooing has more significance behind it than I initially thought. This realization showed me that my knowledge of tattoos is limited and that I wanted to learn more about them.

What used to be the property of sailors, outlaw and rock star is now become a popular body decoration for many people. It’s not just anchors, skulls, and spider web anymore, people have found plenty ways to express themselves with their tattoo. You might be thinking to get your first one, but fear of the unknown can sometimes hold you back from it. The best thing you can do is educate yourself about the process how the human skin is transformed into a beautiful work of art.