What is the point of having a tattoo?

Question

A long time ago there was a point to tattoos because it told you that that person was either in the navy or had been in prison,but now everyone has got one
Look at Beckham he is beginning to look like an Iron Maiden album cover.does anyone else think they are stupid?

look where i live all i see is trendy young folk with the chinese symbol on their arms.What does it mean to them?probally not alot.exept they think that they look the bees knees I see lots of girls with hearts and lizards and dolphins etc usually just above their **** cracks.mean a lot to you does it?even though you cant see it.give me a break. i accept that many people believe it to be self expression.well here i am expressing my views i dont care if you like it or not frankly

Answer 1

It's a form of self expression. I doubt he thinks he looks stupid and I doubt that he cares about what you think.

If you don't want a tattoo, don't get one and don't hate on the ones who do.

Answer 2

I myself have quite a few tattoos, but to a certain degree I do agree with you!

Tattoos do seem to be the in thing at the moment - I know my tattooist is reaping the benefits!

Although I do think that in all honestly, do on the whole, don't have a clue what you are talking about!

The origins of tattooing as an art form are to be found in societies all over the world where it was first used for magical purposes. The finality of being tattooed gave it a seriousness and a social importance no longer seen on the globe today. In ancient Egypt, among Native Americans as well as in Africa and in the Pacific Basin tattooing assured control over the supernatural, as well as the forces of nature. Both the form and placement of designs were used to achieve the maximum intended power. The tattooed person's age, marriage status, prowess as a warrior or membership in a specific group were in this way identifiable in this life. Often, too, the tattoos were intended as a sort of passport in the afterlife.

For the Maori of New Zealand they kept the dreadful hag who appeared after death from devouring the eyeballs and thus blinding the soul from finding immortality. The face with bared teeth that is common to tattooing as an animal, either grotesque or demonic, serves the purpose of anticipating and averting evil. More recently the nautical 19th century pig and rooster on the instep of each foot guards against drowning. The swallow on the chest denotes news from home.

I'm sure your bored reading by now, and they do say that ignorence is bliss!

Wether people choose to have a tattoo or not, effects your life in no way!

The way I see it 'If you don't like it, don't look'!

Answer 3

I love tattoos, how ever I actually couldn't agree more about people getting crappy little tattoos the size of a pinprick and chinease symbols they can't even read (and would realise it said soy sauce if they could). All my work is custom work, whats the point in walking in somewhere, pointing at the wall and saying, i'll have one of those please. May as well be ordering a takeaway, not something thats gonna mark you for life.
So yes alot of tattoos are stupid (especially the guy i saw on the net with 'stupid' tatood across his head) but don't tar everyone with the same brush.
We are all different and so are all allowed to express ourselves differently, as long as it does not cause undue offence to others. If you don't like it find somewhere else to live that doesn't have that freedom of speach thingy you convieniently mentioned earlier.

Answer 4

Well, for me it's to celebrate something meaninful to me...the birth of my daughter. For me, I am putting it in a place where I have to actually show it to you. I am getting it for ME....not for anyone else. Really don't care if people like it or not. To me, it leaves a portrait on my body that is something special to ME. So if you're asking me the point of my upcoming tattoo...that's it...

Also - when you make the point that an individual looks "stupid" with a tattoo.....isn't that being a bit prejudiced? Makes me kind of think of race issues and the way that some closed minded individuals view other ethnicities and races. If you don't like tattoos, then that's it...you don't like them. Don't date or marry someone with a tattoo then. No biggie....

I'm sorry if Beckham let you down or disappointed you looks wise....his "thing" is soccer though and he's noted for that, not his tattoos. Maybe that will help you "overcome" your heartbreak?

Took a look at your new addition and you seem angry. Also, alot of the notes seem to be made at points I made.

Ok, so, my tattoo is going to be a side portrait of my daughter looking out from me. Lower back on the side...nopes, not a flower, dolphin or fairy....designed the tattoo myself and it's a one of a kind. If that's dumb to you, then it's dumb to you. :)

I respect that you don't like them and that's you....there are some tattoos out there that I don't feel were very wise decisions and some appear that the individual just didn't do their homework re: artists.

If you don't like the tattoos, then fine, you don't...but don't stereotype people with tattoos just because you made the decision not to get one.

isn't debating on this thing fun?

Answer 5

i thought tattoos originally come from tribes, you know the whole warrior thing but i could be wrong.
I have a few tattoos, all of them mean something to me, i have a Pegasus of my leg for example which i had done after my daughter was born to remind me of my little girl even when she isn't with me...not that i could forget her anyway!
I think its bad when people get a tattoo to look "cool" or copy one they have seen on a celeb etc unless of course they really like the tattoo not the person its on! i much prefer self designed ones, that way you can express yourself however you want.
I think its the same with fags, drugs and drink. A lot of people esp. if they are young do it to fit in and look cool only to realise 10 years down the line when their liver is f*cked and their brain turned to mush that maybe it wasn't such a good idea!
its always the ones who do things to fit in that end up regretting their actions. so yes i think some tattoos are silly but not all.

Answer 6

not everybody who used to have a tattoo was in the navy or in prison. and why did those people "need" a tattoo? also, what about the maori people of new zealand? were they all in the navy or all prisoners? i'm pretty sure they were not. samoans too i guess? the point of having a tattoo is different for everybody.

i am an art collector. i collect art in the form of paint on canvas, hand made quilts, photography and ink in my skin. i'm sorry if you are too closed minded to realize that but it's really not my problem or concern. if you don't like them then don't look.

Answer 7

I entirely agree with you, it makes no sense at all! I have
a very cute ivory skinned daughter, ideal for tattoos, since
the colours show up much stronger. now she has gone to the
extent of having a large dragon all the way down her back!
I have warned her of the problems but to no avail. So, with
little space left for a tattoo, she has turned to piercing which
is worse, ears, nose, eyebrow which landed her in hospital
from an infection. Tongue and I don‘t know about the rest.
This is absolutely crazy, but she lives with her mum who does
everything to control the 22 year old. What this will become with
age will not be very nice? Anyway I did want to give you an honest
and sincere reply from a worried father, perhaps to alert others
of consequences which can be serious. I suppose I will have to
adjust my mind and consider this to be "normal" but find it
impossible to accept. So to all worried parents, you have my
sympathy. If you can curb this tendency, please do so.
And, thanks for asking this question which will get thumbs down
from many youngsters. I suppose I am a little square.

Answer 8

Tattoo's are not for everyone. I am getting a new one on my back of Winnie the Pooh and Tigger. This is for my sister and I. When we were growing up she was really quiet like Pooh and I was hyper like Tigger. We didn't get along until after high school and she is now my best friend. To me this tattoo will symbolize us as sisters and how we have grown.

Answer 9

Tattoos, as well as piercings are a fascination and a way for me to express myself and accessorize, so to speak.

I have 26 piercings, a good deal of them visible, I see them like most people see necklaces, rings, bracelets, etc. I wear them to add to my daily style. I also have a liking for the piercing procedure from start to finish, which is why I'm a professional piercer.

My tattoos are my art. They all hold a personal and significant meaning to me and that's what matters. I don't care if you don't like them. I don't live my life to make ignorant, stuck up pricks happy. I live my ONE AND ONLY life the best I can and the way I wish to.

That's fine you don't like tattoos, but I don't sit around and harp on you all day for not having them...Why do people do anything? Because they freaking can.

Answer 10

Skin art is ok. And it is more than your Western Capitalistic mindset can comprehend.
The Tahitians and many other Pacific Island Nations used Skin Art as a mark of Respect or Tribal alliance.
Today it is a mark of self expression, many of us feel so lost in the 2 class system that we have created that a tattoo is the only real separation mark of a society gone mad.

Answer 11

They are NOT stupid. It's all art! It's self expression! It's in memories! It's whatever the tattoo means to the person wearing it.Not everyone has to like tattoos. But you shouldn't judge the people that have them either. To each their own.