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Recommended: Anthropology of tattoos
James Mergliano Lisa Barnes English-050 December 5, 2016 Tattoo History What is tattooing? It is a form of body modification, which is altering the body. It is a self expression by decorating the body with intricate designs (Michalak). Tattooing is when you permanently mark a specific part of your body by injecting the skin with ink through a needle creating a design. After ink has reached the second layer of skin, it begins to scab and heal (Michalak). After it is healed, the ink stays, leaving a beautiful design. Currently, it is very common to see people with tattoos. It is now viewed as an acceptable form of body art (Michalak). Throughout history, tattoos had many different purposes. In Ancient Egypt, tattoos were common mostly in women. Some people believe that women would get tattoos as protection from sexually transmitted diseases, or protection during pregnancy and labor (Ancient Origins Editors). In Ancient China and Japan, rather than being used for protective reasons, it is said that tattoos were a sign of shame (Ancient Origins Editors). Because tattoos are permanent, it was considered a life sentence for criminals, and for certain crimes they were forced to get facial tattoos (Ancient Origins Editors). …show more content…
Works Cited Ancient Origins Editors, Ancient Ink: How Tattoos Can Reveal Hidden Stories of Past Cultures , Ancient Oringins.net, January 30, 2016, http://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/ancient-ink-how-tattoos-can-reveal-hidden-stories-past-cultures-005274?nopaging=1, December 2, 2016 Michalak, Jodie, What is a Tattoo, About.com,October 17, 2016, http://tattoo.about.com/od/tatfaq/a/What-Is-A-Tattoo.htm, December 2, 2016 Study.Com Editors, How to Become a Tattoo Artist:Career Guide, Study.com, http://study.com/articles/How_to_Become_a_Tattoo_Artist_Career_Guide.html, December 2, 2016 Inkedmag.Com Editors, Tattoo Style Guide, Inkedmag.com, February 18, 2016, http://www.inkedmag.com/tattoo-style-guide/2/?ipp=3, December
A tattoo is a mark, on a person, with an unforgotten design by inserting pigments into punctures in the skin. Many people get tattoos because they enjoy designs that mean something to them, but don’t know what type of chemicals or products they put in their skin. Also many people don’t understand how a tattoo can last forever. Pigments and carriers are in tattoo inks.
Tattoos have been utilized in various ways for thousands of years, ranging from punishment, to status symbols and indications of religious beliefs. They have served as the ultimate illustration of cultural diffusion in America, and despite generally carrying a negative social stigma, perception of tattoos has continued to evolve into a more acceptable practice.
When anyone decides to get a tattoo, they usually think the ink will last forever. Unfortunately, time is always not on our side when it comes to us getting older and having tattoos. Blake Schwaller- a tattoo artist, states, “With each splitting of a cell to create a new one, a small fraction of your tattoo ink moves to another location in the new cell ”(Schwaller,Blake- Section 4). As this process happens more and more, fading will result to the tattoo. The ink will also break down in the tissues of the skin causing it to spread and fade. There is not really a way to stop this process as new skin cells have to regenerate constantly.
(2014). The Artification of Tattoo: Transformations within a Cultural Field. Cultural Sociology, 8(2), 142. Retrieved from http://www.galileo.usg.edu.
Body modifications, with the focus of tattoos, have existed in our society for centuries and the way in which it is perceived has changed somewhat over the years, yet certain dishonors still remain our modern day. Like most body modifications, tattoos are an often misunderstood form of body modification. Despite the stigmas, tattoos have become a unique object of desire to endless diverse groups of people. But are the popular assumptions of tattoos out of sync with the true meaning behind them? Further explanation and exploration of the history will reveal the social and cultural practices of tattooing and the causal connection between the mind and the tattooed body, in addition to providing answers as to why tattoos stimulate uneasiness and curiosity and create a challenge to discursive practices.
What is tattooing? Tattooing is a form of art that’s displayed on the human body. In fact, it is the oldest form of art known to man. Tattooing involves permanent, creative words and images. Some modern tattoos are quite simple while other tattooing is very complicated. Many different images can be a tattoo like a simple flower and cartoon characters to more ornate portraits and scenes. A professional tattoo artist is a person that applies tattoos onto individuals. Tattoo artists may also perform other body part modifications such as piercings and brandings.
Tattoos are defined to be “a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a proc...
Tattoos and body modifications have been around for many generations. They first began in 3370 BC and were used by Europeans and Egyptians. Both tattoos and body modifications are defined as a cultural representation of self-expression and sometimes even religion. In the article “Tattoos and Piercing: Issues of Body Modification and the Workplace,” Dr. Elzweig states, “Although tattooing is not a new phenomenon, the number of people who have tattoos has increased significantly and continues to rise. Life magazine estimated in 1936 that only 10% of me American population was tattooed in whole or in part (One out of ten Americans is tattooed, 1936)” (Elweig, Peeples).
Starting off as juices and markings, tattoos were nothing more than ways of identification and personalization. Rubbing juices extracted from plants onto your face and arms is the most notable to people. Also using bone needles and pigments to tattoo in a more modern fashion was common. Ancient descendants used what they had and although it wasn’t painless and easy, it worked.
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 American culture, tattoos have become a popular part of expressing one’s style and their differences. However, do those individuals consider the changed perceptions that people may have on them based on their tattoos? In America, people who have tattoos tend to be affiliated with gangs, are criminals, open minded, don’t have a professional job, and are modern. Tattoos can have lots of different meanings to their owners, some can be deep and for others it can be simple. Some tattoo owners are prideful of their tattoos, whereas some have a feeling of regret of getting a tattoo. I hold the following assumptions towards people who have tattoos in our culture.
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.
Jones, Jonathan . "Tattooing: Eye Catching- but are they art?." Guardian 23 September 2011, n.
Are tattoos a kiss of death at a workplace? According to Student Research Center, nearly 4 out of every 10 Americans in their 30s have been inked. ''In April 2000 15% of Americans were tattooed (which is roughly around 40 million people) (The National Geographic).'There are different types of tattoos, from color to black and white, even glow in the dark. Number of tattoo paralos in the U.S. is 21,000'' (Tattoo Statistics 1) and more is being added every single day. People spend about $1.6 billion on tattoos once a year. ''In the U.S. more women than men are tattooed, 36% of the ages is between 18-25 and 40% of those ages are 26-40 that have at least one tattoo.''(Random facts 1) People have been getting tattoos for a while now. It has been said that ''tattoos date back as far as the Neolithic era or around the fourth to fifth millennium BC.''(skinsight.com 1) Tattoos should be acceptable at a place of business because people get tattoos for significant purposes, tattoos can tell stories and build confidence, body art is a way for someone to express themselves, make up, and tattoos are reminders of life time experiences.
Tattoos have become more prevalent in our society over the last few decades. What used to be a social faux pa or a negative brand has come to be a more acceptable life choice in our culture. However, only those who have joined the inked-up club can describe the sensation of modifying one’s body with art. From the pain and tantric feeling from the stinging that is released as a person allows themselves to be marked for the rest of their life, and the hot pierce of the needle that gives a sensation of feeling alive and the desire to do this again. Tattoos have become a major social focus today, so the psychology behind their popularity warrants discussion. Ultimately, people who get tattoos yearn for individual expression through artwork, acceptance or adherence to some rite of passage, and the physical satisfaction that only the experience of tattooing can provide.