Tattoos And Its Effects On Society

The word “tattoo” is actually the combination of words from two different cultures. The Polynesian word to strike something, “ta”, and the Tahitian word meaning to mark something, “tatau” (Designboom, 2010). The form of body art known as tattooing has developed artistically, improved technically, and changed stylistically throughout the past two centuries. Not only has the public perception changed over the years, but the methods and machinery used to create these wonderful pieces of art has also changed drastically. Once viewed as only acceptable for sailors, criminals, and circus performers; tattoos, have taken a giant leap from their humble roots. However, they couldn’t have become as popular as they have without the inspirational

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.

Now that I’ve told you about some of the evidence of tattoos in history, I will next discuss how that history has been kept alive.

Before one can truly understand the stance of an argument, you have to understand the topic. After carefully reviewing reliable resource it was discovered that the art of tattooing can easily be dated back to the 4th millennium BC (Before the Common Era) mummified bodies discovered in ancient Egypt. Archeologists found themselves identifying tribes as well as historical information the marking and body tattooing. It became clear and concise that ancient rulers would brand their bodies to inform others of their rank and accomplishments, whereas other royal family alleged that tattoos meant magical talents. On the other hand, tattoos replicate a standout amongst the most trustworthy known categories of communication.

Tattoos have been around throughout our history, from Egyptian times to the present day. Many people may say they know the history of tattoos, and where they originate from, but do they really? Does one know that there were reasons that some people had tattoos? There may be people who know the actual history of tattoos and body art and why one would decide to get one; however there are people who do not. To be able to understand the idea of tattoos, one should educate themselves to the history of tattoos. Although tattoos have been considered taboo and a stereotype, history reveals that this particular form of body art has been used for self expression, status and

- In ancient Greek and Rome tattooing was used in order to brand slaves and criminals. Greeks also used tattoos to identify and communicate with spies. It was during this period tattooing spread to central Europe and tattoos were used for medical purposes such as acupuncture which would later on influence the Chinese acupuncture society.

Tattooing is not just a recent fad. Tattooing has been around for a very long time. "The current first proven incident of a tattoo dates back 4,000 years B.C. a traveler was found in Italy near Austria, preserved in the permafrost of a glacier. Carbon dating and arte facts found near him suggest that he is over 5,300 years old" (Tattoos and Design). Tattoos have been used

A tattoo is a mark with an intricate design on the flesh by inserting pigment into the skin. In “Tattoos Gain Even More Visibility”, Trebay discusses how tattoos and body modifications are progressively becoming the norm in today’s society. Trebay is an author at the New York Times and writes mainly about fashion. He discusses the potential affects markings and piercings pose on everyday life.

Tattoos have likely been at the top of the list as the most discussed topic amongst the different social classes. There is a divide between societies understanding of tattoos, those who oppose them identify tattoos as being a form of “taboo” and is associated with a type of body modification that is seen as distasteful in nature. Others believe tattoos are a form of one’s own self-expression. Although tattoos are subjective to each person, we should not completely rule them out altogether because they are perceived and sometimes deemed inappropriate, that is a form of stereotyping.

The tattoo is a very old form of body modification, but in spite of that there is still a certain rejection towards those who carry them in a visible area of the body, for some it disfigures what has been created in the image and likeness of God while for others associates this with convicts or gang members mainly because they were one of the first groups to use tattoos to differentiate themselves from the rest of society. But also it is true that there is a very limited understanding about this corporal modification that could be one of the reasons why it can not be appreciated as for how it should be. However, modern society reflects the current popularity of tattooing because it has acquired an entirely artistic meaning to a social expression and a way of identity.

Thesis Statement: People have different reasons for getting tattoos, but it does not matter what reason they have, good or bad, they will have to live with this decision for the rest of their lives.

Tattoos have dated back thousands of years. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian “tatu” meaning to mark something. Tattoos have been prevalent in Eastern and Western cultures. These body markings represented different meanings. These marks indicated membership of a particular tribe, warrior caste, community of believers, or social group. In Western

Among other things, popularity, acceptance, art expressionism, religion, swag factor, and identity assertion are a few reasons why people get tattoos. Another reason could be because kids under eighteen are not

Tattoos have become more prominent in recent years in American Culture, as well as all over the world. Approximately one out of every five Americans have a tattoo. The American Heritage Science Dictionary defines a tattoo as “a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment”. Many individuals choose to utilize their own bodies as an artistic medium to create visible bodily expressions of their inner selves. For many years, humans have used tattoos to adorn their bodies for multiple reasons - personal independence, religious beliefs, in remembrance of a loved one, showing allegiance to a country, or gaining involvement in a social organization, club or gang. Historically, tattoos date back over thousands of years and were created to beautify, shock, humiliate, or narrate. Tattoos can vary by design, employing words, images, or a combination of both. There are thousands of fonts to choose from, varying from basic to highly ornate. Pictorial tattoos are chosen by an individual to represent a personal event, relationship or connection. Tattoos vary in size, shape, and color, and can be very influential and meaningful. Aspects of the tattoo depend on the preference of the individual. Two people could have the exact same tattoo, however, the tattoo could mean something different to each individual. Often times, individuals even get matching tattoos as a way to show affection or love for one another. Tattoos have become more