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Are Tattoos More Acceptable Now?

When tattoos first arrived in the 1800’s they were dedicated to criminals and seen as deviant. However, today they are becoming more common on your typical citizen. What made people more comfortable about getting tattoos and changing the stigma behind the ink? A study by psychologist Luzelle Naude and her team at the University of the Free State in South Africa investigated why people are getting tattoos. Her study more specifically focused around why college students would or would not get tattoos since roughly 38 percent of 18-29 year olds have at least one. Naude utilized a survey to gain insight on the participants opinions about tattoos but also their personal experiences with them. First, Naude needed to know how many of the participants themselves had tattoos, how many had parents with tattoos, and who had friends with tattoos. The results were striking, 78 percent did not have tattoos, 92 percent said their parents did not have tattoos, but 74 percent said they had friends with tattoos. More shockingly 47 percent were considering getting a tattoo.

 In the study Naude found that the reason people do and don’t get tattoos were fairly equal between negative and positive opinions/reasons. Most of the participants who have tattoos said their tattoos have personal meanings behind them and that it's a mark of a significant experience or struggle they pushed through. One participant said that their tattoo “presented what I was going through at a certain time of my life”. Tattoos give someone the ability to materialize their struggle in a creative and permanent way that can sit as a piece of art, a reminder of strength, or beauty on their skin. Participants also believed that their tattoos were an extension or expression of who they are. One participant stated that their body was simply a book and their tattoos were their chapters telling a story. 

However, even with the negative stigma around tattoos decreasing the participants who said they would not get a tattoo said it was based around social and cultural factors. The main reason being religion. Most participants reflected on the fact that they viewed their bodies as temples and they would like to keep their temple clean, and respect their bodies. Other reasons for not getting tattoos included fear of disapproval from their family, friends, and incurring negative views at work. Surprisingly, 10 percent of the participants shared concerns about how permanent tattoos are and how unattractive they may look on older skin. Some even went as far to say “I wouldn’t get one (a tattoo). Would you put a bumper sticker on a Ferrari?” 

13 percent of total participants had negative opinions about tattoos on other people. In their own words they stated that tattoos were ugly, trashy, messy, cheap, filthy, and that tattooed individuals were evil, stanic, dangerous, rebellious, ungodly, stupid, reckless, unprofessional, weird, non-christians, bereft of morlas, and defiant of society. Some of these participants said that those who get tattoos are just rebelling and seeking attention or a sense of belonging, and that they want to be feared or appear to be badass. Almost the exact opposite was reflected by the 54 percent of participants who had a positive feeling towards people with tattoos. These people said they see the tattoos as attractive, cool, trendy, fashionable, interesting, spontaneous, creative, free-spirited, open/accepting, brave, strong, unafraid of commitment and pain. One participant even stated “People with tattoos are the realest people [you] ever will meet”. 

https://www.ufs.ac.za/docs/librariesprovider26/university-of-the-free-state-business-school-documents/y-research-documents/my-body-is-my-journal-an-my-tattoos-are-my-story.pdf

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Buddhism Symbols as Tattoos

Those who follow Buddhism don’t believe in an ultimate god or deity. They focus on achieving enlightenment which is a state of inner peace and wisdom. Once followers have reached the spirit echelon they are declared to have reached and experienced nirvana The path to enlightenment is a long one, but simply put it is attained by utilizing morality, meditation, and wisdom. Awakening the truth by meditation allows people to avoid self-indulgence and denial.There is no single symbol that represents Buddhism, but as the beliefs evolved so did images that represent different teachings. There are eight famous symbols that are commonly used in the tattoo world; the Parasol, two Golden Fish, Conch Shells, Lotus, Banner of Victory, Vase, Dharma Wheel, and the Eternal Knot. 

The Parasol or also known as an Umbrella can protect individuals from different elements like rain or shine. In the buddhist belief it can represent protection from suffering and harmful forces, but also provide a cool comforting shade. Through interpretation and time the drawing of two fish representing the Ganges and Yamuna rivers have come to mean luck and fortune, and the courage and fearlessness to face the ocean of sufferings, and to be able to swim freely like fish. The Conch shell was used in different countries as a traditional battle horn, and in Buddhism the white Conch shell that specifically spirals to the right has the profound and joyful sound of the Dharma teachings. The shell’s sound represents the awakening that individuals experience when hearing the teachings. The lotus is used in Buddhist teachings as an example of the true nature of all mankind. Lotus roots grow deep into the ground of murky water but the plant blossoms into a gorgeous, sweet-smelling flower. The lotus plant can be used as an analogous to how people rise from sufferings to reach enlightenment, beauty, and clarity. 

The banner of victory represents how Buddha won over the demon Mara, who is the demon of passion, lust, and pride. The banner of victory is used to remind individuals that they must win over their own pride, lust, and passions to reach enlightenment. The vase can represent a showering of wealth, health, prosperity, and all good things that come with enlightenment since a vase can be filled with many different things. 

The Dharma wheel/Dharma chakra/Dhamma Chakka is used to represent Buddha himself since the wheel has eight spokes which represent Buddha’s eightfold path. The eternal knot symbolizes how everything is connected with it’s intertwining lines. The symbol can represent how compassion and wisdom are united along with religion and secular affairs.

https://www.ancient-symbols.com/buddhist-symbols.html

https://mandalas.life/2018/buddhist-tattoo/?_=1615980627215

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Japanese Tattoo Culture

When you think of Japanese style tattoos you think of dark, colorful, flowing lines that mimic the natural elements or mystic beings rooted in asain culture. However, would you guess that people in Japan don’t favour tattoos? Due to Japan’s history with dominant anti-tattoo views any traveller visiting Japan may find their experience to be more difficult and complicated if they flaunt their body art. Mainly, people with tattoos are not allowed in public pools, spas, gyms, or traditional environments such as the ryokan (1). 

Stigmatization of tattoos and their representation of criminal activity and filial piety is strong in the Japanese culture due to their history of marking criminals with permanent ink to symbolize their disobedience. During the Kofun period of Japanese history (300AD-600AD) tattoos lost their social acceptability and were seen now as a form of punishment that could be used to brand a person for life (2). These markings started small but were placed on the forehead and arms of the criminals so that they were easy to spot. The markings led to individuals being outcast from their families and friends as well as being denied participation in community life. This caused a large community of criminals to form together and begin gangs or mafias.  With body art becoming increasingly popular around the world decorative cover-ups were available for criminals to hide their previous markings. 

The rise of the Yakuza also brought the rise of public fear associated with tattoos. Their tattoo trademarks became a sign of strength, courage, toughness, masculinity, and a sense of solidarity with their fellow gang members (2). With the Yakuza population and criminal activity increasing the stigma between crime and tattoos only continued to increase as well. However, due to the government decreasing the Yakuza population more members are opting to forge full-body tattoos in order to integrate with the society better. 

Confucius doctrines quote that “body, hair, and skin we have received from our father and mother; not to injure them is the beginning of filial piety. To preserve one’s body is to reserve god” (2). Filial piety is an important element of Confucianism and asian culture, consisting of filial duties to parents like obedience, responsibility, and loyalty. Changing or marking your body is an insult to god and your parents. This teaching lays within criticism of tattoos as well.

Japan is an interdependent culture that focuses its teaching, laws, and morals around respect, responsibility, and honor of your elders. The culture also sets rankings among individuals and groups based on body art and criminality before getting to know you as a person. This quick judgement is rooted in the culture and push for change is being met with a stone wall, unmoveable.  

(1) https://taramoss.com/visiting-japan-tattoos/#:~:text=Rules%20are%20very%20important%20in,t%20go%20to%20those%20environments.

(2) https://sites.wp.odu.edu/bodylore/2018/02/28/inked-and-exiled-a-history-of-tattooing-in-japan/

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Tattoo Techniques and Ceremonies

Each culture around the world has their own story or history of how tattooing started and why it was used. This post will show varying techniques and their backgrounds. Each culture portrays tattoos differently and sees them as either a representation of strength, and loyalty or criminality. 

First is the polynesian technique called ‘Tatau’, which is where the english word tattoo came from. It is thought to believe that the eastern explorers mispronounced the word when they returned from the polynesian islands. The technique is carried out using handmade tools made from bone fragments that have been attached to a turtle shell and then wrapped around a piece of wood that is used as a handle. The ink is made from burnt candlenut soot which is kept in a coconut shell. Another piece of wood is used as a mallet to tap and push the bone fragments into the skin as the ink drips into the wounds. The design of the tattoo is just as important and representative as the technique itself. The person being tattooed is not able to choose their design or placement, instead the design is created by the artist spontaneously. Tongan warriors were tattooed from their waist down to their knees with intricate geometric shapes, large black areas/bands, and repeating triangle motifs. The tattooing is conducted in a ceremony where friends and relatives surround the person being tattooed to show community and support. The process is painful and the person being tattooed is seen to be highly courageous, strong, and respected. Men who cannot finish the tattooing or do not start the process are seen to be shameful, cowards and naked. This process takes months to complete even though the person being tattooed is typically enduring the pain from dawn to dusk. Once the process and tattoo has been completed the family and community celebrate by throwing a party and the tufuga (the tattooer) smashes a water vessel at the persons feet, marking the end of the painful ordeal.

“The Sak Yant tattoo is a traditional tattoo applied by a holy man, while chanting prayers using a steal needle in either ink (visible) or oil (invisible) that is ended with a magical blessing. The Sak Yant tattoo offers protection to the wearer and serves as a talisman of affirmation for a personal quality, quest, or goal.” Sak Yant Chiang Mai. Sak Yant is the Thai name for the Tattooing of Sacred geometrical designs on the skin. Yant is only to be tattooed by Buddhist monks, Brahmin Holy men, or Sak Yant Ajarn Masters. Sak Yants are seen as the best form of protection against bad forces, spiritual and physical. Also, they are used as a personal Talisman for creating change in life circumstances, achievement of goals, and personality. Sak Yant tattoos have become ingrained into the Thai culture as a way to provide protection and good luck through Buddhist influence and the mystical side of traditional philosophies. Sak Yant is not exclusively Buddhist, but Buddhism does influence the style of the tattoo. The process of getting a Sak Yant tattoo is spiritual, prayers are administered as the tattoo is being made, and a final blessing to charge and activate the tattoo with the power of the Sak Yant Masters is given. The only people present during the process is the person being tattooed and the Monk or master giving the Sak Yant. The Sak Yant is engraved into the skin using a bamboo stick or a metal stick. This technique is comparable to the stick and poke tattoos we see common today. Like the technique used by Samoans this is also very painful and the person receiving the tattoo must be able to endure the process. 

While the two techniques in these cultures are similar, their process and ceremonies differe. The polynesian culture is community rooted, and the tattoo ceremony and after-party are full of family, friends, and people in the community. The tattoo is given to show strength, courage, and family heritage. The Thai’s ceremony is quiet, peaceful, and done for individuals to look inward. The tattoo is given to protect the wearer from bad energies and forces, or to help the person find change in their life. Individuals receive tattoos for different reasons, but these cultures view their tattoos differently, and view the reason for getting them differently. One culture is community rooted, deep respect and presence. The other culture is focused on the inner soul; the spirits and natures of each individual person. Each culture asks for the person receiving the tattoos to endure pain, and to become a new person once the process is over. 

https://www.zealandtattoo.co.nz/tattoo-styles/polynesian-tattoo-history-meanings-traditional-designs/

https://tattooing101.com/2018/05/10/historical-hand-methods-of-tattooing/

https://www.sakyantchiangmai.com/what-is-a-sak-yant-tattoo/