Are tattoos and piercings a search for meaning in life?

Question

I often wonder if you can tell how deperate someone is for meaning in life by how many tattoos and piercings they have? Do you think there is a connection?

Answer 1

I got mine because I thought it would be cool, sexy and rebellious. I knew a tattoo would really freak out the people at my church that were constantly trying to tell me what to do - the tattoo was my way of saying, "you have no control over me!" I eventually left that church. I think about getting another one from time to time, but haven't seen a design I'm willing to commit to. Everyone has their reasons, that's mine.

Answer 2

I think the connection is the fact that some people seek validation through expressing visually some idea, image, or symbol and have it be permanently marked on them, even though no one might actually get to see it.

I think it's a problem with self expression the normal way, as in the way we are able to express ourselves which is through actions and speech. I see these as a form of a need to get some peice of information out without having to talk about it, or it's just been mindlessly put there to grab attention or amuse the tattooed or the audience of the tattoo.

To answer your question, I see using a tattoo or piercing as a sign of search for the maning of life as a rare and remote possibility which takes a warped mind to justify and make sense out of, or not.

Either way i don't see tattoos or piercings as good forms of expression and a search for, or answer to any kind of meaning.

Answer 3

My son happens to be completely sleeved and has several piercings. He does body modification for a living.
He is a very spiritual person. He is clean cut and a sharp dresser. He has a college education. He is a well rounded and balanced individual.
Please do not judge a book by its cover. You may miss out on a good read.

And to the person that made the comment about people with tattoos being trashy...I see plenty of people without tattoos that act like trash.

Blessings )O(

Answer 4

I don't think so. Piercings and tattoos are just that piercings and tattoos. It could be just a show of personality or an outlet for their frustrations. Like say an artwork or a musical composition. But meaning in life is usually found in places other than tattoo parlors.

Answer 5

I have one very small tattoo of a rose and my ears are pierced, two holes in the one and three in the other. My hair is so long I never even where ear rings anymore. So I would say no there is no connection. Now the radical piercings, like tongues and nipples is a cry for help.

Answer 6

Maybe for some. Everyone has a different reason for getting inked. I will get one, yes even at my age, when I finally decide what I want.. I want something that means something to me as it is a permanent artwork. I am not willing to put any old image on my body.

As for piercings I think some people just like the attention they get from them. I've worked with a few guys who were pierced quite a bit and they told me they got a kick out of the stares they get. As for myself, I two sets of holes in each earlobe and that is it.

Answer 7

It could be along the lines of cutters or mutilators, in that they feel the pain validates their existance as a human.

Others feel this makes a very definitive statement.

The status of tattoos moves in and out of societal acceptance. Queen Victoria had a tattoo.

Answer 8

good question i hadn't ever thought about that ... 4 piercings and 3 large tattoos with another one lined up next week .. i wonder what that says about me lol

ppssst jp they arent painful :o)


after thought ( from seeing some of the comments below)
i am deffinately not vain .. most deffinately not lonley .. and people dont see them generally unless i wear something that shows them so deffinatly not for attention
for me they are symbolic of times in my life .. ways to express my beliefs and personality and they are just beautiful

Answer 9

I have eight tattoos. If I don't tell people I have them they would never know. They represent times in my life, beauty and art. I love them and would not change ever getting one of them. To me they are just an expression of who I am. Nothing more nothing less. It may be different for everyone.

Answer 10

Tatoos are primative markings to identify the position of tribal members. Piercings are used as a way to keep from losing your precious items because as a primative native, you lack clothing with pockets.