Inked skin grabs attention and makes a statement. Sometimes it's a good statement, other times, not so much. But either way, the tattoo decision- and what and where to tattoo, isn't always made in a drunken stupor when it sounds like a good idea to tattoo your ex-girlfriend's name on your butt- until you wake up with a pounding head, a burning butt, and the sight of your current girlfriend walking out the door- with her bags and your dog. Well, her dog now.
Centuries ago, Ptolomy- devoted to the Greek God of wine (see below), had vine leaves tattooed on his skin, so the alcohol-tattoo connection is nothing new. But mostly- aside from those spontaneous and fabulous Freudian moments- a great deal of thought goes into tats- where to put them and what image, symbol, or words. But if you can figure out why you want a tattoo- or a particular one, the details often fall into place. Humans have been inking since forever, and some have their reasons figured out.
The Meaning Of Tattoo
So, something weird. The word “tattoo” means a military marching band or rhythmic tapping. But until recently, tattoos were taboo in the military although some now just say no visible body tattoos- nothing on the head, face, neck, hands, wrists, or in fact, anywhere above the t-shirt collar. But there’s more.
The word "tattoo"- a derivative of the Tahitian word 'tatau', which means "to mark," or the word 'tattaw' which appeared in the record of Captain Cook's first voyage1769 may be more descriptive of what we non-military band members know as tattoos, ink, or tats. Tatau is especially relevant as an onomatopoeic word- which names a thing or action by imitating natural sounds (words are sounds) and suggests the sense, such as poetic effect. Sounds about right.
In The Beginning: The History Behind Tattoos
In their article, The Worldwide History of Tattoos, the Smithsonian Magazine sets out the fascinating history of this ancient art which has been around for hundreds of thousands of years. In years gone by, the significance of a tattoo differed across a myriad of cultures- protection from evil, a declaration of love, a visual statement of status or religious belief, or just as an embellishment or decoration. Tattoos have even sometimes been inked as a form of punishment or to stigmatize.
Early tattoos revealed on mummified Ancient Egyptians- long thought to be the work of the first tattoo artists, have been knocked off first place by the discovery of Ötzi the Iceman, a 5,200-year-old, frozen mummy adorned with ink, who was excavated near the Italian-Austrian border in 1991. His tats were dots and small crosses on his ankle joints, lower spine, and right knee which correspond to areas of strain-induced degeneration, suggesting that he was inked to alleviate joint pain- a therapeutic purpose.
Joann Fletcher, an honorary archaeology research fellow at the University of York in the United Kingdom, studies the mark (pun intended) made by tattoos on history and culture and has seen that many of the reasons for getting a tattoo haven't changed in millennia. Springing up independently in various places across the world, body art appears to have been something that human beings have applied since they discovered they had bodies to ink.
Sometimes a permanent placement of therapeutic or protective symbols, often simply as a means of self-expression, and occasionally as a fashion statement, there’s evidence on figurines and tomb scenes that women had tattoos on their bodies and limbs from 4000-3500 B.C.E. through to 1200 B.C.E. Identified as tattooing tools, small bronze implements were discovered at the Gurob site in northern Egypt and dated to circa 1450 B.C.E. But perhaps the most well-known tattoos are on the Egyptian mummies, and several later examples of female mummies- with similar forms of permanent marks, were later found in Greco-Roman burials at Akhmim.
Evidence from more recent times- the 5th century B.C.E, is a Scythian male found preserved in ice in the Altai mountains in Siberia, with his torso and limbs covered in ornate tattoos of mythical animals. He was found in 1948 and this was followed by the find of a woman with tattoos of mythical creatures on her shoulders, wrists, and thumbs, in 1993 in a tomb in Altai. Both have been confirmed to be members of the Scythian Pazyryk who- according to the Greek writer Herodotus circa 450 B.C.E., used tattoos as a mark of nobility, and the absence of tattoos was an indicator of low birth status.
Conversely, Ancient Greeks and Romans called tattoos stigmata identifying a person as belonging to a particular religious sect, belonging to a particular owner in the case of slaves, or as a criminal. Later things changed, when Ptolemy IV (221-205 B.C.E.)- a member of the dynasty of Greek Macedonian, was rumored to be tattooed with ivy leaves to symbolize his devotion to the Greek god of wine and the patron deity of the royal house at that time, Dionysus. Adopted by Roman soldiers the practice spread across the Roman Empire until the rise of Christianity, when Emperor Constantine (C.E. 306-373) banned tattoos as they were seen as “disfiguring that made in God’s image.”
Whatever the historical purposes, there's a reason for each individual having tattoos, and having a particular tattoo. And there's meaning behind it too, other than that whole marching band, onomatopoeia thing.
Reasons Why People Get Tattoos
The obvious reason- it looks cool, is only one of a myriad of reasons why people get a tattoo. The reasons for getting a tattoo include:
Personal expression
Peer pressure
As a fashion accessory
Media influence
As a sign of belonging to a group
Because I want one is also a perfectly valid reason, but giving some thought to the details- like where and what. And what does it mean, or what message are you trying to convey?
Meaning Of Tattoo Symbols
Finding the right symbol can be a bit like trying to crack the Da Vinci code and often there are particular symbols with personal meaning, like an infinity symbol, or specific Chinese, Japanese, or Arabic words (make certain you have the right translation). Other popular tattoos and their meanings are:
Angel tattoo: Offering divine protection, angels also symbolize faith and the spiritual connection between Earth and the heavens. Meaning can often be found just by looking at the stars, where the angels fly.
Spine tattoo: A symbol of strength and determination, tattooing a spine metaphorically shows you have a backbone- or grit. A spine tattoo on the spine, ironically, is often relatively less painful than tattooing on other parts of the body.
Butterfly tattoo: The transformational nature of a butterfly, starting life as a worm and emerging as a magnificent butterfly, is a meaningful symbol for those who have gone through challenges and emerged better and stronger, or as inspiration for life that lies ahead.
Gemini tattoo (or other zodiac sign tattoo): Because of the identity that zodiac signs attach to a person depending on the date and time of birth, these inborn traits are metaphorically amplified or embraced in their symbols. Astrology may tell us our purpose and reveal the meaning of life, making these symbols intensely personal and meaningful.
Heart tattoo: For love, romance, and passion, a heart tattoo- or matching heart tattoos, are an outward symbol of the emotions of the person whose tattoo it is.
Broken heart tattoo: Also an expression of emotion- like the heart above, but when a heart is broken, it's painful. Keeping a painful remainder may not be the best way to mend your broken heart.
Dad and daughter tattoos: Sometimes also depicted as a lock and key tattoo, these represent the lifelong connection and inherent trust of a father-daughter relationship. Dad usually gets the key while the daughter keeps the lock, symbolizing the important role they play in each other's lives.
Mom and daughter tattoos: Symbols of love and affection in the form of interlocking hearts, two hands in a pinky promise, or letter combinations, these tattoos are a symbol and reminder of their lifelong connection.
Mom and son tattoos: A Celtic motherhood knot or matching hearts- the mother's with the son's name and the son with "mom," it's a reminder of the eternal love, no matter how far apart mothers and sons may be.
Evil eye tattoo: Four concentric circles to ward off negative energy or evil intentions, for some the evil eye has negative connotations, as they believe its intention is to inflict pain or cause harm.
Angel numbers tattoo (recurring numbers): It’s thought to be an auspicious sign when you keep seeing recurring numbers and particular angels give guidance in particular numbers. A 444 tattoo for example signifies divine protection and these angels carry a message of love and support.
Bumble bee tattoo: Bees hives are busy places, with the worker bees always laboring to keep the queen safe and fed, producing vast amounts of sweet, smooth honey in the process. Their work ethic, love and loyalty for each member of a hive, and their way of living in harmony with each other demonstrate the selflessness of bumble bees.
Bee on a sunflower tattoo: Gezinta has attached a particular meaning to this combination in this article: Bee on a sunflower.
But the most important question will always be: What does the symbol mean to you?
Where To Ink A Tattoo
Different parts of the body will align better with certain tattoos. The genitals probably aren't a good fit for the face of a parent and while a spine could conceivably go anywhere, it looks really good over the actual spine.
Heart tattoo: The ultimate symbol of love, our hearts fill with overwhelming joy when we feel love and loved. The heart symbol or the symbol of anything close to your heart metaphorically connects it closer to the heart.
Eye tattoo: Teardrops next to the eye are a natural fit, and are a popular choice in gangs and prisons, depicting sorrow or loss.
Hip tattoo: Flower designs often work well or- because it’s a pretty private area, sensual tattoos or symbols add to the mood- or conversation.
Face tattoos: The one place with the biggest tattoo regrets, it's a good idea to think about where you hope your life will be in a few years- and if the message you're announcing on the most visible part of your body will still be meaningful or if you may have regrets. If in doubt, don't.
Head tattoos: Head tattoos can be hidden when hair grows out, or tattoos that look like a brush cut are useful for disguising bald spots.
Leg tattoos: Because of the length of a leg, there are many design possibilities. Test what it will look like with your knee bent before committing your design to ink.
Neck side tattoo (military- above t-shirt collar): Intricate designs that include images such as leaves are good options, especially because they can later extend further down onto the back or chest.
But the right place to ink is whatever place resonates with you- but give future you some say in it too!
Tattoo Artists And Artistry
Body art takes many forms and tattooing is no different, except that it's more permanent than most other forms. Finding the right tattoo artist can be the difference between a Picasso and a preschooler’s painting, a Banksy and a blur.
Tattooists work in dots, not pen lines or paintbrush strokes. A masterful artist can recreate the look of a work of art, but not the artwork itself. There are also limits to the number of colors and colors present their own problem because they fade differently over time. A red rose may just be a black outline of a rose years later, and black flecks over a color may eventually just be a starburst or some random things that look like commas.
Choose your tattooist carefully.
The Meaning Behind The Meaning Of Tattoos
Giving people the chance to express who they are as individuals or giving a sense of belonging, tattoos and their meanings have deeper, intensely personal meaning.
Underlying the motivation for getting inked is sometimes more about wanting to feel unique and stand out from other people, and it’s a way to announce to the world who you are- if they can decipher the symbolism. Or perhaps- like the members of the Scythian Pazyryk, you just want to show the world your social status.
Applying the Theory of Self-Determination (SDT)- a theory related to human motivation that drives their choices in the absence of distractions and external influences, suggests that the very human needs for relatedness and self-autonomy can be satisfied by tattoos. The psychology of tattoo extends to personal growth and self-discovery. Searching for the right symbol or image takes substantial introspection and self-reflection to delve into the tattoo that will best represent the essence of the person, or what they are feeling.
Discovering meanings attached to symbols and images takes us on a personal journey of discovery as we reveal not just the meaning of the symbol, but also the meaning of a particular emotion it invokes. Helping us cope with difficult emotions, and find ways to cope, tattooing can be a kind of therapeutic release.
A study shows tattooing inoculates the immune system. The pain of the needle is also thought by some to provide a cathartic experience, together with a form of healing something along the lines of acupuncture. Ötzi the Iceman's ink points to a therapeutic motivation too, but it appears he was seeking relief from physical pain rather than emotional turmoil.
Healing from and coping with personal trauma can benefit from a tattoo. Immortalizing a loved one can help us reach closure and by inking your symbol on your skin, it’s a powerful act of taking control of your body. Similarly, when you feel like you don’t have a voice, a tattoo can make a very loud statement for you. Mental health tattoos can be beneficial, especially if the focus is on healing, rather than just adding an extra element to remind you of your suffering.
Happiness, it seems, is also one of the side effects of getting a tattoo. The respondents with four or more tattoos in a study, had significantly higher levels of self-esteem than the respondents with fewer tattoos- particularly those who had suffered depression.
Maybe you just want to stand out and make your voice heard, maybe you can benefit from the therapeutic benefit, or maybe you're looking for the sense of control over the self a tatau gives you. Or maybe you just want it because you want it. Whatever the reason, if it gives your life meaning and makes you happy- and some researchers say it will, who is anyone to judge?
If Ptolemy could celebrate the Greek God of wine with his vine leaves tattoos, why should you not celebrate you?
(Just don’t forget that tattoos can also give negative impressions that could negatively influence your life, so think hard about where you ink before you actually ink)
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