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Tattoos and how they express
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It isn 't uncommon to see people walking around with tattoos permanently stained on their body. It is also uncommon to know that they usually have a meaning. From Chinese symbols to images devoted to the flying spaghetti monster, people love to keep these tattoos to remind them of a message or a special someone. According to the World Book Advanced Dictionary, a tattoo is "to mark (the skin) with designs or patterns by pricking a line of holes and putting in colors. ' ' And the meaning of an individual 's tattoo can vary depending on where you are. In this essay, I will discuss contrasting elements in prison and in tribal tattoos. This will be done by doing a cross sectional study of their history, meaning and methods. Are prison and tribal tattoos similar or different? Going back throughout history, tattoos have long been associated with criminals. Unfortunately, there is not specific date when tattoos where first performed (McCarron 86). You may say that it all started when Cain was "marked" as a murderer by God (DeMello). It is true that there are links to certain tattoos, gangs and …show more content…
Tattoos can be a way to communicate to other criminals about their status, gang affiliation, religious beliefs, and so on (Wolheim). According to Arkady Bronnikov, a criminologist, the more tattoos a criminal has, the longer he has been in prison; therefore, more respect is given to he or she (Banerjeee). Some examples are a cat tattoo which shows that the person is a thief. Another example is a star which shows how long they have been in prison by each point of the shape (Organized Crime Section). There are also tattoos to show a hierarchy of prison gangs. Some leaders include: president, vice president, lieutenants and sergeants (Fong 40). Although, usually women do not get tattoos in prison (Bales 22). White collar criminals are also excluded from getting any markings on their body ("Telltale Tattoos in Russian
A controversial topic today is whether or not body piercings and tattoos should be accepted by professionals working in health care. Currently, tattoos and piercings are allowed in health care as long as they are not visible. According to one of the studies, “Body piercing is defined as a piercing of the body anywhere other than the earlobes” (Westerfield). Therefore, the only visible piercings allowed are small studs in the lobes of the ears for females. The reason body piercings and tattoos are not suggested in health care is that they keep someone from looking professional as well as making them look intimidating. Not everyone sees them that way. The opposing side is that they do not affect
In the twenty-first century, where people want to express themselves and their art, getting a tattoo isn’t all about representing gangs or committing crimes anymore. Times have changed and what people might consider normal nowadays wouldn’t be considered normal in the past. In the article, Secret Ink: Tattoo’s Place in Contemporary American Culture, states that, “The expanding popularity of tattoos seems to be based on the fact that these can serve various purposes for different individuals. Some use them as a fashion tool whereas others use them as a method of identity formation, such as commemorating a lost loved one or representing one’s neighborhood.” (Roberts 163). This challenges my assumptions because it argues that not all individuals that own tattoos don’t always get them for the intention of being perceived as criminals but rather for something that is very personal to them. My assumptions are influenced on what tattoos used to mean from the past more than what they mean in this era. For example, not all people who have tattoos are affiliated with gangs. “Perhaps some of these historically negative connotations have permitted the subconscious thoughts of society and perceptions o f modem day tattoo.” (Foltz 593). This quote challenges and proves that people still hold these perceptions towards those individuals that have tattoos because they still think of them on how they were
There are many different jobs in this world for young black men my age. They can either choose to be a fireman, a police officer, a writer, or a singer, but that’s not what I want to do. I know of a career that I think that would be great for me to do and that will help me and support me and my dreams. My dreams is to become a tattoo artist because I will gets the chance to meet new people it’s every exciting, and tattoos are fantastic art.
1 Tattoos, once a badge of rebellion, now make a common fashion statement. A generation ago, a tattoo suggested prison inmates, biker gangs, and strange, perhaps unstable, people. Today, according to a recent Harris Poll, 36 percent of adults between the ages of 25 and 29 have at least one tattoo. Like wearing the most recent clothing or hairstyle, a tattoo is the cat’s meow for the fashion conscious. However, a tatoo is a permanent statement that doesn’t wash away when a new fad bursts onto the scene. Unlike a fashion design or a hairstyle, each tattoo design is unique to its owner because not only is the canvas or skin different from individual to individual, but each tattoo artist leaves his or her own stamp on each design. These designs are as different as the people who wear them. they may represent significant life events, special relationships, or simply a favorite flower or literary character. Whatever the design, today’s tattoos give individuals a sense of self-expression and style.
Certain patterns were applied to more wealthy or ranked individuals but also to the common man, just in a more subdued version. Not only was it about wealth and power, tattoos also served as a form of spiritual armor or protection. It is almost like wrapping the body in spiritual armor. Another example is priests who were very much trained in this art form applied the tattoos during rituals, chants, or ceremonies. The Marquesas Island tattoo involved black, carbon-based pigment under the skin with a bird-bone tattooing comb or chisel and mallet.
Organic inks, which are my personal professional preference, are the safest on the market. These types of inks are typically derived from plant matter. Vegan inks are also in the same class as the organic inks as well and are also ranked just as safe as organic inks.Organic inks are also safe to digest. I personally have no plans on digesting tattoo ink, but if I planned on doing so at least I know that it is safe.
Incarcerated Criminals versus Tattoos; a display form of artistic creativity, tattoos have been associated with criminals that have been incarcerated. In today’s society, convicted males and females who display their tattoos are assumed to be “hard core”. Tattoos are a representation of a person character or characteristic. Tattoos are reputations that criminals withhold that marks there place in society and while they are incarcerated. That is the reason, why many criminals have tattoos? But then again, tattoos don’t always represent toughness or hard core. There is a part of society that has a different representation for displaying art/tattoos that does not mean “hard core”. For the non-convicted criminals of society, it means beauty,
Symbolism and meaning is by far one of the most important aspects of the tattoo industry. “The abstract emotions and human awareness of emotions show what really is going on in ones life (Johnson)”. For that reason tattooing is a form of self-expression, and can stand for literal interpretations. For the most part these interpretations are the conveying of spiritual meaning, or marking milestones such as life or death” (Johnson). For those who think tattooing is just for looks or put a bad judgment on it, should also realize that ones personal interest reflects upon their lives. “Many individuals get their first tattoos during adolescence or young adulthood.”(Bravermark) Due to the mainstream culture, these traditions traditionally associate with stereotypes. Stereotypes defiantly have a huge impact on life. Which leads to the next point? Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or brought out on a whim, the tattoo has left a huge impact on generation after generation.
In the past, tattoos were common only amongst sailors, criminals, and bikers, but recently, they have become just as commonplace with everyday people (Steed). As the number of people with tattoos continues to rise, so does the discussion of how stigmas associated with tattoos affect people regarding occupation, within gender, and within social status? Also, where did this stigma originate and how did it change throughout history? The word tattoo originates from the Tahitian word, “Tautau” (Fedorenko, 105). Bougainville, a French navigator, first introduced this word when describing the “body decorations from Tahitian natives”(Fedorenko, 105). The definition of the word stigma is, “a prick with a pointed instrument, a distinguishing mark . . . cut in to the flesh of a slave or criminal; a mark of disgrace or reproach” (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Based on this definition, it is obvious that the word stigma itself is associated with the process of tattooing and is given a poor connotation. Even the Latin word for tattooing is stigma (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Dating back to the writings of Plato, it was said that only individuals guilty of sacrilege should be tattooed and then banished from the republic (Greek and Roman Tattoos). Fast forward to current times, the amount of people getting tattooed is growing exponentially with 38% of 18-29 year olds and 32% of 30-45 year olds already having tattoos (Steed). This equates to one in five adults having at least 1 tattoo (Stevens). So, what is the reason for this boom in the tattooing industry? Tattoos are becoming the new art form, as people are beginning to use their ...
The history of tattooing goes back as far as 3000 B.C or further, the oldest example of tattooing is Otzi the Iceman, his body bears the oldest examples of tattooing and he was found frozen in the Alps and was discovered in 1991. The origin of the word tattoo comes from the Polynesian word ‘ta’, this means to strike something, but it also comes from the Tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means to mark something. Polynesia is known for its intricate tattoos and is considered to have the most skilful tattooing history of the ancient world. In Polynesia the position of a tattoo and the symbol is it, is very important as tattoos are a display of a person’s manna, which is their spiritual power, they are also a way of showing a person’s character, making the men more attractive to the women. Throughout an individual’s lifetime geometric tattoos are added to their body until their entire body is covered, these tattoos are renewed all throughout their lifetime so that none fade or disappear but before getting tattooed a person had to experience a long period of cleansing, during this time a person wasn’t allowed any contact with the opposite sex, they also had to fast for a certain amount of time. In Samoa the tradition of tattooing shows your rank and title, the tattooing ceremonies for young chiefs, which are normally at the beginning of puberty are key parts to their journey to being a leader, these tattoos celebrate their loyalty to cultural traditions. Tattoo masters are very important in Polynesian tattoo culture, they know the meanings behind certain tattoos and they know how to create more meanings through combining tattoos, sea creatures are the most common symbol in Polynesian tattoos. Tattoo styles v...
A persons’ image is vital when meeting someone for the first time. Our peers, employers, family, superiors, even strangers that you walk past can automatically judge someone, and imagine how they present themselves to the world. Tattoos have been predominantly linked with a rebellious attitude and pictured on out of control stereotypes such as rock starts, bikers, sailors, and disobedient teenagers who want nothing more than to hack off their parents. With a new coming of age generation and a step into a more lenient and liberal society these types of patrons still participate in body art but so do doctors, lawyers, or just the run of the mill house mom. Tattoos signify religious beliefs, cultural influence, or each individual’s sole style. Body art is no longer socially offensive, employers are more apt to hiring tatted hopeful applicants, parents are warming up to the idea of their children inking their body and no longer a stranger on the street with a tattoo is necessarily prejudged as a criminal or safety hazard. Tattoos have become more evolved over the years because they have become more of a socially accepted element of the general public.
There’s always a good and bad side to everything, tattoos included. Since tattooing has been associated with everything from high rankings in certain social statuses to a symbol of criminality, tattoos definitely have some serious pros and cons in modern times.
It is believed that the most wide spread tattoo is the one which was developed in Polynesia and then spread all over the world via the sailors. There is another kind of tattoo that is made In the same way and called "daqq" you find this tattoo mostly in Egypt, India, Iran and Iraq, the word "daqq" means "strike" or "knock" and is the way of making the tattoo by puncture, this tattoo was mostly found among Beduins and then got divided into two kinds of tattoos. The first one is decorative tattoo where the name says itself, to adorn the body. And the second is "Magic" or "therapeutic" tattoo and its reasons are to heal, this means that they did a tattoo for example to remove a prolonged headache, or if they had fertility problems then they tattooed points .at the appointed place. This kind of tattoo is rarely observed among the upper class and its despised by city-dweller of the lower class as well the tribe people still estimate it.*** Todays tattoo can also go under two groups, the first one is decorative and the second esthetic. estethic tattos is the ones people do for exapl to fill their eyebrows or lip countur, even to hide scars can help with a tattoo. Decorative tattoos today is a way of expressing their views, position, love for something or somone or to carry a fond memory of beloved ones
“If people are honest with themselves when they choose a tattoo, the art will represent them better than anything that will ever come out of their mouth. The things that are most important to me are represented in the art that covers my body.” Quoted from a man named Troy Holloway, he is one of many in today’s world that looks at tattoos as an expression of self. This view, however, is not the only view in our modern society. Though tattoos are becoming more popularized, they are still viewed as deviant by many today. Tattoos are more than just ink in your skin, they are words, they are feelings, they are a commitment; viewed once as a way of expressing these things, they are now
The practice of tattooing exhibits far more meaning than meets the eye. This fuels my interest in the practice of tattoos as I personally have a lot of tattoos and I have several friends who have tattoos and also practice tattooing. I am curious to understand how a person’s tattoos connect with the self and the associated perceptions of groups in society. Tattoos have a very personal nature and the meanings are widespread which motivated me to explore the intense history of body modification which was tied to my personal journey to understanding tattoos. As mentioned before, my family raised me with the idea that tattoos are unacceptable in society and linked to destructive consequences which was also a motivation into the exploration of tattoos. My awareness of tattoos kept growing as I grew up and I became more and more conscious of the complex meaning associated with tattoos. Once again, as pointed out by literature on tattoos (Atkinson 2003, Kosut 2006; Sanders and Vail 2008; Vail 1999), tattoos are acts of negotiation of identity and the management of public impressions. Our perceptions of our identity change as time go by, so does the ideas of ourselves and personal choices and orientation. Therefore, the