Tattoos

Have you ever wondered where tattoos came from, why they were made and more importantly, why the art still prevail among modern individuals? It might be because it looks cool, or because it is an uninhibited form of expression. Whatever it is, today’s practices may still be a reflection of a past culture we have inculcated in our lives.

The practice of tattoo art has been around since the fourth or fifth millennium BC. Tattoos are basically markings made by inserting ink into the layer of skin. Today, modern tattoo equipments make the process of creating tattoos less dragging and more sanitary. Before, those that had tattoos in their body had to endure years of bodily torture. And often times, they are subjected to sepsis and unluckily contract blood diseases.

Different cultures usually give different meanings to the practice of tattoo art. And different symbols signify different things to different people. Some pursue tattoo art to decorate their bodies or express themselves. For most, tattoos are a form of body augmentation. Tattoos applied on animals, on the other hand, are mostly for identification or branding.

The indigenous people of Japan wore traditional facial tattoos and so did natives from other parts of the world. Tattoos, in the past, were associated with religious practices and a part of cultural heritage. The number of tattoos a warrior has indicate the number of battles he has won. And it also indicates his position in the tribe. For our ancestors, tattoos are a rite of passage. It stands for status. It is a symbol of spiritual devotion, a mark of bravery and even used to pledge love.

Nowadays, the meanings of tattoos are mixed up with other preoccupations, however, the reasons still remain familiar to the past. Some wear tattoos for fashion. Some get one to display their affection for another person. In prison, inmates are forced to be tattooed for identification purposes, like in Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust. Often times, tattoos are identified with prisoners and criminals and are used to indicate membership to specific gangs. Even the army is using tattoos to indicate their military units, the battles they have taken part of and even the number of kills they have made. Now, in addition, tattoos are also presently being for cosmetic reasons, usually to make make-up permanent, to hide skin imperfections or neutralize skin discolorations. It is commonly applied to enhance eyebrows, eyes and lips.

However, in spite of their significance, tattoos do pose some health risks. This is because of the process entails breaking the protective barrier of the skin and introducing a foreign substance into it. Among the frequently encountered health problems include allergies and infections. I would suggest that if you want to be tattooed, first think about the future. Put in mind that tattoos leaves a lifetime mark so you’d have to deal with it for most your life. Choose your design carefully; one that you think you’d still love when you’re 80. And lastly choose a good tattoo shop that is licensed and practices sanitary tattoo application. Search the web for tattoo forums and communities.