Tattoos: Taboo?

Tattoos. Love them or leave them, they have been a hot topic for many. Personally, I proudly wear several. I think they are a form of [permanent] self-expression, mobile art, unique, and beautiful [as long as they are well done, but beauty is, of course, in the eye of the beholder].

For whatever reason there are still many misconceptions about this wearable artwork. People associate us ink-wearers with those who have been in jail, gangs, or other questionable association. It kind of really aggravates me. I had someone ask me once, after I got my first one, if it was gang-related. It's an anchor, with part of a fantastic quote wrapped around it. Pretty gangster and suspicious if you ask me.

There are lawyers, doctors, police officers, etc. with one tattoo or entire sleeves. Tattoos are no longer "exclusive" to individuals of questionable moral fiber.

Tattoos date back thousands of years, Here is an excerpt from Smithsonian Magazine:

"n terms of tattoos on actual bodies, the earliest known examples were for a long time Egyptian and were present on several female mummies dated to c. 2000 B.C. But following the more recent discovery of the Iceman from the area of the Italian-Austrian border in 1991 and his tattoo patterns, this date has been pushed back a further thousand years when he was carbon-dated at around 5,200 years old.

Read more: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/tattoo.html#ixzz1MvZy2pmd"

Tattoos have history. They always have a story behind them. They can have cultural, religious, or personal significance. They can also have a combination of the three, or other reasons. They are a form of self-expression, they truly are not hurting anyone. Our bodies are our temples, and what we choose to do with our flesh is our personal right. As long as no one else is getting hurt there is no issue.

I will be revisiting this issue from time to time. It's something I find particularly intriguing. Please feel free to share your thoughts..and have a GREAT weekend!

xoxo

bri