Why do people get tattoos?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Amy Cole on June 21, 2008 at 3:51pm

I don't think it has anything to do with rebelliousness (and I think it's kind of funny that most people who don't really "get" tattoos think that it is). Personally, I like the idea that you can indelibly put something that is important to you on your body forever and it becomes a piece of art that moves with you and changes with your body (movement, age, fading, etc.).

Some people think that they wouldn't want something permanent because they don't think they'll like the same things years from now that they like now. Well, in that case, whatever you have is a reminder of who you were at the time. I can't imagine changing SO MUCH that I would truly hate what I had, but that's just me. =)

My tattoos are more than just cool pictures, they all have some sort of meaning or at least a story behind them. I am hoping to find more meaningful art to put on my body as my life goes on and I grow as a person.

I hope that answers your question! =)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Suzy on June 26, 2008 at 9:06am

Mine are really just cool pictures that I love - The pictures are important to me because I picked them for the beauty ... but that's it. I think my skin looks better in color :)

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dana on June 21, 2008 at 4:45pm

I had a personal meaning/ reason to get my tattoo and I'm glad that i got it. Not only does it remind of it's initial meaning it now makes me feel more beautiful and I love having art on my body. From now on I imagine my tattoos will be similar, have something to do with my life/ passions/ etc, but a lot of my reasons have now shifted to just wanting to be beautiful art!

It's funny how many people, usually the non-tattooed see it as a sign of rebellion. When I told my family I was going to get it, a rather large first tattoo, they thought I was rebelling (at 24!) and following my friend/husband who are tattooed....my grandmother asked me if I was drunk. To which my response was...do you know my at all?? I've never been a follower and I think long and hard about permanent decisions, but apparently by getting tattooed even those closest to me questioned who I was and lumped me into a stereotype...it really prepared me for some of the responses I have and will recieve towards my tattooed skin.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Gordon B. on June 22, 2008 at 9:18am

Mine is symbolic. I got it at a time when I felt like I was at a crossroads, when I had to decide to either deal with depression or else give in. My choice of a design had to do with the symbolism of dogs in Celtic mythology -- they're protector spirits and shapeshifters (the Irish hero Cu Chulainn was able to turn into a dog at will, and his name means "The Hound of Cullen"). So they're symbolizing that I'm being watched over, and that I am powerful -- simultaneously being protected, and capable of protecting myself.

Plus, at the time I had two dogs (one of them has since died).

Plus, I love Celtic art.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Sarah on June 22, 2008 at 10:56am

mine are all pretty symbolic, and mean something to me. but the reason i ever considered getting them in the first place was because i love art, and i feel we were all given a blank canvas, so why not paint it?

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by David on June 25, 2008 at 7:51pm

I agree with you. That sums up more or less my thoughts as well.

My tattoos are not for any special someone or any special time in my life; they are just artwork that I love. My tattoos are, however, of specific themes that are important to me and that are some of the things that I love the most.

One theme is Joan of Arc; another is the Stainless Steel Rat; and another is the Lady of the Lake (and King Arthur, et al). I also love flowers (did ever since I was a boy); I plan to get many.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Kelly on June 25, 2008 at 8:51pm

Well, I was curious and it was something that I thought about for sometime. Now I want another one, a tribal arm band.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Inktman on June 29, 2008 at 3:26am

Mine mean nothing to me (1 exception). No symbolism and deep thoughts. They are (or are supposed to be) decorative. A wallpaper that I'll live with. One style, one flow (or big blob). When I was 17, tattooing was almost unheard of fortunately or I would be covered in my limited adolescent ideas.
If i would have followed up my hobbies, ideals and interests with tattoos, I'd look like a carboot sale (garage sale to you Transatlantics).

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Nil on June 30, 2008 at 11:53am

Hi! I like your sincerity... Sometimes it just for decoration... I hate when people assume that every tattoo must have a deep meaning, symbolism, etc. My flowers are for decoration... and my big piece on my back is to celebrate certain times of my life... but I'm planning to do some more decoration!!

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Valley of Bones on June 30, 2008 at 1:20pm

Sorry, but I'm addicted to meaning. I totally respect anyone who gets tattooed simply for aesthetics, for fun, for rebelliousness, or whatever reason. But my whole life, I've been obsessed with meaning. I remember the Janway Street and Alta Loma drive mudball wars when I was in elementary school in El Paso. When they ended in the fourth grade, I pondered the meaning of it all, saying to my friends, "Just last year, we were throwing mudballs at each other, now look at us!" Those were also the days when I was trying to use "the force."

When I first started getting interested in tattoos, I was a voyeur: I could not think of anything I wanted to have inscribed on my body for all time. Looking back, that was because I had lost myself in a bad relationship and in constant pursuits of degrees.

Now that I know who I am, I have a lot of meaningful ideas that I am pursuing.

As for my first tattoo, it is symbolic of new creation or a second life. You can read about the historical/communal meaning for it in my blog. On a personal level, it marks a second chance at life and love. Of course nobody probably would know that by looking at it -- I also dig mystery. -- Did I mention that I am a total cheeseball.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by James Wm Ball III on July 6, 2008 at 4:57am

I have 4 pieces all have meaning. They are all larger than life as well. I waited until I was 40 to get my first tattoo because my whole childhood I was told that if I got one I'd regret it. I figured that if I still wanted one at 40 I probably wouldn't regret it. My first was a fleur de lis with a celtic knot arm band. Because I live in New Orleans, everyone thought I was a big Saints fan because of the tatt (I wasn't then but am now) and now everyone is sporting them because of the hurricane.

My latest piece is a back panel done by Donn Davis. I've posted pictures on my page. Donn took what I wanted and brought it to life. He is one incredibly talented guy.

▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rider on July 6, 2008 at 4:14pm

My tattoos vary between meaning and simple appreciation of a design. One tattoo has my son's name and another has Mom & Dad. My latest is simply an adaptation of an original sketch the artist had done. That one has no specific meaning other than the fact that I loved that sketch. Future tattoos include characters from favorite movies, so they are more representative of my love of film.

▶ Reply to This

• 1
• 2