Appreciating the Resurgence of Tattoos
In recent years, there's been a remarkable change in how tattoos are perceived in our society. It was not all that long ago that having a tattoo meant that you were a sailor, a carny, or just bad news.
Tattoos, of course, have a very long and storied history, going back as far as 5000 years. Mummies and bodies preserved in ice for centuries have been found with evidence of tattoos (although nary a bald eagle or Rolling Stones lips among them).
Tattoos, of course, have a very long and storied history, going back as far as 5000 years. Mummies and bodies preserved in ice for centuries have been found with evidence of tattoos (although nary a bald eagle or Rolling Stones lips among them).
Tattoos came to the western world in the 1700's after sailors observed the practice in Polynesia. For a time, tattoos were considered quite fashionable among the social elite, because they were expensive and unusual. That began to change in 1891, when Samuel O'Reilly invented the electric tattooing needle.
Suddenly, it was easy to get a tattoo. Regular folks took up the practice, and the elite dropped out (it's no fun being elite if you do the same stuff that everyone else is doing). This change led to the perception of tattoos being 'crass' or 'vulgar.’
Slowly, though, tattoos have experienced a resurgence, gaining exposure during the counter-culture movement of the 60's, through the rock and metal scene of the 70's and 80's, until now. Really, since the 90's tattoos have become fairly ubiquitous and commonplace.
Almost all of the stigma once associated with them has dissipated. Tattoos are increasingly employed now as a means of self-expression, wherein the designs are chosen to reflect personal tastes and interests. Then again, there will always be the guy who thinks it's a great idea to tattoo his girlfriend's name on his chest, only to inevitably regret that decision later.
You'd think that the thought of etching an image into one's body, forever, would cause people to reflect on the potential hazards of getting 'I Love Rhonda' in cursive script from nipple to nipple. You'd think that, but you'd be wrong.
Of course, tattoos still have their detractors today. Older people tend to be somewhat baffled by why anyone wants one, which is understandable; they're looking at it from the perspective of a generation ago or more. While age may play a role in the perception of tattoos, it's hard to say that tattoo opinions fall along liberal/conservative lines, which is the standard we're all wont to use these days.
A good ole' boy from Tennessee is just as likely to get a tattoo as a GenX-er from Seattle. Religious faith may prove to be more of a reliable predictor of who would or would not get one. For example, Orthodox Judaism prohibits tattoos, per Leviticus 19:28:
“You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.”
I don't know why God felt it necessary to reiterate who he was at the end of that sentence, since he already had said it 9 TIMES prior in the same chapter. The early Israelites must have had the collective memory capacity of a goldfish.
Anyway, now that I've veered off the track, Judaism is not the only religion with a dark view of tattoos. There are some conservative Christians who view tattoos as 'the Mark of the Beast' mentioned in Revelations. Indeed, some of these Christians see the proliferation of tattoos in modern culture as yet another sign that the End Times are near.
Wait a minute, my co-worker's Winnie the Pooh tattoo is the Mark of the Beast? Damn, that Devil is a sneaky one! To be fair, however, Christianity has no official prohibition on tattooing. The whole End Times view is merely interpretive and, as far as I know, being tattooed is not enough to send one to hell. Yet…
Detractors aside, tattoos are enjoying sort of a golden age. Improved techniques, hordes of trained artists, and increasing demand have led to better quality tattoos that are true works of art.
Because of the increase in quality and ease of availability, you're as likely to see a tattoo on a mom with two kids buying groceries as on the bass player for the metal band playing the local club.
As long as people use a modicum of common sense and don't put something ridiculous on their foreheads, I think tattoos are great. It's an investment in something truly unique that lasts for your entire life. Personally, I favor putting them someplace that can be covered if necessary for weddings and job interviews, but that's just me.
Suddenly, it was easy to get a tattoo. Regular folks took up the practice, and the elite dropped out (it's no fun being elite if you do the same stuff that everyone else is doing). This change led to the perception of tattoos being 'crass' or 'vulgar.’
Slowly, though, tattoos have experienced a resurgence, gaining exposure during the counter-culture movement of the 60's, through the rock and metal scene of the 70's and 80's, until now. Really, since the 90's tattoos have become fairly ubiquitous and commonplace.
Almost all of the stigma once associated with them has dissipated. Tattoos are increasingly employed now as a means of self-expression, wherein the designs are chosen to reflect personal tastes and interests. Then again, there will always be the guy who thinks it's a great idea to tattoo his girlfriend's name on his chest, only to inevitably regret that decision later.
You'd think that the thought of etching an image into one's body, forever, would cause people to reflect on the potential hazards of getting 'I Love Rhonda' in cursive script from nipple to nipple. You'd think that, but you'd be wrong.
Of course, tattoos still have their detractors today. Older people tend to be somewhat baffled by why anyone wants one, which is understandable; they're looking at it from the perspective of a generation ago or more. While age may play a role in the perception of tattoos, it's hard to say that tattoo opinions fall along liberal/conservative lines, which is the standard we're all wont to use these days.
A good ole' boy from Tennessee is just as likely to get a tattoo as a GenX-er from Seattle. Religious faith may prove to be more of a reliable predictor of who would or would not get one. For example, Orthodox Judaism prohibits tattoos, per Leviticus 19:28:
“You shall not make gashes in your flesh for the dead, or incise any marks on yourselves: I am the Lord.”
I don't know why God felt it necessary to reiterate who he was at the end of that sentence, since he already had said it 9 TIMES prior in the same chapter. The early Israelites must have had the collective memory capacity of a goldfish.
Anyway, now that I've veered off the track, Judaism is not the only religion with a dark view of tattoos. There are some conservative Christians who view tattoos as 'the Mark of the Beast' mentioned in Revelations. Indeed, some of these Christians see the proliferation of tattoos in modern culture as yet another sign that the End Times are near.
Wait a minute, my co-worker's Winnie the Pooh tattoo is the Mark of the Beast? Damn, that Devil is a sneaky one! To be fair, however, Christianity has no official prohibition on tattooing. The whole End Times view is merely interpretive and, as far as I know, being tattooed is not enough to send one to hell. Yet…
Detractors aside, tattoos are enjoying sort of a golden age. Improved techniques, hordes of trained artists, and increasing demand have led to better quality tattoos that are true works of art.
Because of the increase in quality and ease of availability, you're as likely to see a tattoo on a mom with two kids buying groceries as on the bass player for the metal band playing the local club.
As long as people use a modicum of common sense and don't put something ridiculous on their foreheads, I think tattoos are great. It's an investment in something truly unique that lasts for your entire life. Personally, I favor putting them someplace that can be covered if necessary for weddings and job interviews, but that's just me.
In case anyone is wondering, yes, I have several tattoos of course. I have wanted to get more work done for a few years now, but I’m busy working as a professional tattooist! Also at this point, I have better things on which to spend my money. Someday, though, I aim to be back in the chair!
What about you? Do you have tattoos? If yes, of what? If not, how come?