Is there some cultural basis for tattoos? What do you all think of body art, permanent tattoos, and is that a practice in Africa, and hence the desire to get tattoos by alot of African Americans.




Solomon

The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian "tatu" which means "to mark something."
[align=left]It is believed that the first known tattoo dates back 4,000 years B.C. to the body of a man found preserved in a glacier. Carbon dating and artifacts found near him suggests the man is over 5,300 years old. The skin bears a cross behind one knee and a series of lines above his kidneys, marks that some scientists claim to be the first evidence of tattooing.[/align]
[align=left]Tattoos found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies indicate that the art of tattooing was practiced around 2000 B.C. and as the Egyptian empire expanded, so did the use of tattoos. The ancient Greeks used tattooing for communication among spies, while the Romans used tattoos to mark criminals and slaves.[/align]
[align=left]In Japan, tattoos were also used to mark criminals. First offenses were marked with a line across the forehead. A second crime was marked by adding an arch. A third offense was marked by another line. Together these marks formed the Japanese character for "dog".[/align]
[align=left]In time, the Japanese escalated the tattoo to an aesthetic art form. The Japanese body suit originated around 1700 as a reaction to strict laws. Only royalty were allowed to wear ornate clothing. As a result of this, the middle class adorned themselves with elaborate full body tattoos.[/align]
[align=left]In Europe, Pope Hadrian banned tattooing as a barbaric custom in the 8th century. For roughly 4 centuries after that there was no mention of tattooing. Captain Cook brought news of the practice and the word to Europe after seeing tattoos performed 1771 in Tahiti. Cook refers to the operation called "tattaw", using for the first time the word "tattawing", before this, tattooing has been called painting or staining[/align]

I Love body art. I think it can look really sexy. trouble is it can also be addictive. I;ve never known anyone who has just one tattoo. They all say "No this is the only one I;m gonna have" but check them a year later....they have more.

Its strange though how So many people have tattoos now. You see some really ordinary white housewife type in the High Street, and she has a Celtic knot on her arm or some Chinese symbol on her ankle.

I Loved the facial tattoos on the Maori gang members in film "Once were Warriors". I think they looked So cool even though they were a bit scary!

@Yorubagirl

Your tattoos sound lovely! Did they change the way you felt inside?

I got four tattoos but they were all done for Initiation purposes. Each one reminds me of significant stages of my life.

Are your tattoos visible or are they in places easy to keep hidden?

@Fernando

Very Nice....

niceone.gif

I have got one tatoo and i have had it for 10 years - i got it done when i was 16 before everyone got into it. Yes..my mum was vex!!!! lol

I picked something that i would not regret and something that i felt even at 80 would still apply to me, so i put Nubian Queen written in upper case caligrophy and it has a nice crown above the writing, with pastel colours on myleft arm (upper).

It has not started to fade, but i am quite light so you wouldn't notice.

If i were to ever get any more it would have to be childrens names or something, but apart from that i doubt i would have another one.

Peace~

@IYALLAH

Sounds like even at the tender age of 16 you were very wise. Not many people of that age can project how they may feel about a decision made, and how it will affect them in time. niceone.gif

@Fernando

Nice Tattoo

Lovely Arm....banana.gif

@ Nando

I had to cuss off Cutie when she tried it with you, is Locsgirl up for some as well???

@ Locsgirl: Watch ya back and leave my mans arm alone!! ok? lol

Peace~

blkdevillol@ Locs Girl. U r bussin me up! Keep it up, mmmm, innit though, that arm looks kinda tick still. lol

@ Iyallah - nuh watch no face gal - healthy competition, lol, (ps: I know u dont wanna ressurrect that old argument, I know u dont lol)

Well @ Nando, nice tatoos love. I agree with whoever said they are addictive. I have a big, blackbutterfly with spread wings with a gaelic patternoneach side, on my lower back. I chose the location because I find the lower back sensual, it gets noticed (hipster jeans, tight top lol), and I chose the design of the butterfly as butterflies symbolise freedom and since I had just exited a 4 year relationship I thought the symbol was apt, as well as that I think butterflies are delicate and beautiful (like me) lol. I got this tattoo a year ago.

I also have a red rose with green stem on my breast, I got it about 4 years ago now and it didnt really have much significance at the time except to my personality (pretty to look at, but can hurt you when ready (thorns) lol.

I'm proud of and still love both of my tatoos and don't regret them. they are in places that can be covered up if need be, infact I am planning another, I would like a big black scorpion with a red sting on my back (shoulder blade), I'll probably get that soon and that will also be significant as its my star sign. It will also be my last. To broach the pain rumours, it depends on ur pain threshold and mine is high, while my friend was crying real tears and wincing at hers, (shes so cute) I soldiered it, didnt even make up my face when he got to the middle of my spine and the needle started vibrating on my bone, lol (anyone who's had an epidural? I guess you can relate, mmmmmm?). My advice is to get tatoos in fleshy places though, the breast was a piece of cake, but anywhere hard with bone, ie: back, shin, ankle is gonna f***ing hurt.

Tattoos can look nice, make girls that little more sexy, and men oh so more masculine and sexy. lol. My advice though is to be sure about what u want as a tattoo is permanent not just 4 christmas, and laser surgery costs some serious squilla. Also try and get something that symbolises something for you as it will be less likely that u'll regret it. AND NEVER EVER GET A PARTNERS NAME ON UR SKIN, NEVER, NEVER, even if ur married don't do it. If u ever knew how much girls I know have got cover ups (tatoos on top of tatoos) or want cover ups because of that dumb mistake?

ps: check out the state of the parloue before u sit in the chair. Check the floor, counters, sterilisers, how he cleans etc......... make sure u see him take out a new needle, never can hurt to be too safe..........................

One Love