Tattoo Meaning Of Identity

“Each of us has our own inner concentration camp…we must deal with, with forgiveness and patience as full human beings; as we are and what we will become.” (Pattakos, 2004). Despite the negative social stigma behind tattoos, many are able to find significance within the concept. A permanent marking, that, can either be shared with the world as a public statement, or hidden away as a personal mark of identity; whether it’s an expression of family, culture or values, to a certain extent, tattoos are an assertion of individuality. In his autobiography, ‘Man’s Search for Meaning,’ Viktor Frankl identifies that within the complex diversity of the human race, we all share the common experience of suffering. From Ah Xian, a Buddhist artist who experienced

In a world so inundated by technology and connectivity the feeling of meaning and identity has been forgotten. “It is the very problem of our times that people are caught by a persuasive feeling of meaninglessness…It is usually accompanied by a feeling of emptiness and since I described and denoted it as the existential vacuum in 1955, this feeling of emptiness has increased and spread literally all over the world.” (Frankl, 2003). Frankl’s “Existential Vacuum” is an explanation of the human feeling of futility and emptiness. The loss of meaning to one’s existence can cause an individual immense pain; however, Frankl’s framework provides one a sense of comfort and reinstates individuality and the idea of personal fulfilment (Frankl, 2010). Consequentially, an emphasis has been put on everything that makes us different; everything that marks our identity. The concept of identity is not one that everyone values or even comprehends. One can find it within their culture, nationality, religion, family, vocation and even their passions. Without identity, many feel as if they have no purpose and therefore land in a state of meaninglessness. In this state, many look to their religion for answers. As one of the smallest of the big five religions, Judaism’s following see themselves “as a family with their origin in the biblical patriarchs and matriarchs” (Heber, 2015). Despite being scattered

Through the understanding that we are more than just our DNA, many find significance in our individual experiences. By making these experiences permanent, tattoos act as a reminder of who we are and how we have grown to become the individual we are today. “You do not have to suffer to learn. But, if you do not learn from suffering, over which you have no control, then your life becomes truly meaningless…” (Pattakos, 2004). Not too dissimilar from the way Frankl has the ability to recognise the meaning in suffering, Buddhist artist Ah Xian and convert orthodox Jewish follower Ari Heber are able to endure negative experiences through creative and religious outlets. As a Jewish Holocaust survivor, the incomprehensible suffering Frankl experiences enabled him to develop his framework. Frankl observed that an individual’s attitude and spiritual wellbeing was either a source of unconquerable strength or the epicentre of their detriment. Through practicing “Freedom of Will” “Will to meaning” and “Meaning of Life” Frankl was able to endure the horrors of the holocaust and essentially come out of the experience stronger then before (Indinger, 2010). “Freedom of Will” is the basic understanding that all of humanity has the freedom of choice; however, in terms of Frankl’s framework this concept focuses on our freedom to choose how we react to certain situations. In regard to Frankl’s framework, this is the most important concept.