Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Tattoo or Taboo?












The word tattoo is said to has two major derivations- from the Polynesian word ‘ta’ which means striking something and the Tahitian wordtatau which means ‘to mark something’. The history of tattoo's began over 5000 years ago and is as diverse as the people who wear them. Tattoos are created by inserting colored materials beneath the skins surface. The first tattoos probably were created by accident. Someone had a small wound, and rubbed it with a hand that was dirty with soot and ashes from the fire. Once the wound had healed, they saw that a mark stayed permanently. Despite the social sciences' growing fascination with tattooing, and the immense popularity of tattoos themselves, the practice has not left much of a historical record.

The one thing I have learned is that tattoo's more often then not nowadays are about memorials. 85% of all tattoo's done these days are done to help people with a difficult time and more often than not about the loss of a loved one...a healing process of sorts. They aren't as negative as they were years ago when they were only worn by sailors and bikers!

So do "you" have tattoo's? Would you get one? If yes what, why and where? If not why? I think our culture has changed drastically over the years when it comes to tattoos..I think they are accepted much more now then ever before...just my thoughts;)
PS Donna couldn't help but think of you as I did this my heart is with you!

French;)

13 comments:

artis1111 said...

People do it for so many reasons now. The artI so diffrent from what it use to be . Now ,the tat can be beautiful, because the tat artis has come so far in their profession. Kathy

Kathy said...

Hey French, Personally I would never get a tattoo but only because I cannot stand pain anyway, anyhow. I kinda like Vicky's one but I think hubby David Beckham has gone a bit over the top now, I saw a guy on the tube and he was quite literally covered head to toe, very artistic in some ways and very brave that must have hurt like hell. Great post, KAthy.

Justine said...

I for one totally adore tattoos. Have four myself; one on each ankle, one on my back and a big one on the front of my right shin. To me there's nothing sexier than a tattoo on the side of a man's neck. Yummy!

Justine :o )

Anonymous said...

Good Morning French!!! Yikes!!! Tatoo's??? OUCH!! I am too much of a sissy... LOL. I have never felt one way or the other about tatoo's just as long as I had none...LOL.

Thanks for thinking of me!!! My Boys and my other nephew went out and got Tatoo's as a memorial for Jazz. For me.... My memory lives on in my mind and my heart!

Donna

Penny said...

They say never say never, but in this case I have to say never. They don't bother me at all on someone else, but I'm too fickle to have anything permanently decorated on me.

Raxx - A day in the life said...

Tattoos are popular here too, too be truthful I am still condsidering having one done, but most likely I wont.

Raquel

twintoo10292 said...

I don't think you said-Do you have one? I personally don't mind if people have one. I hear they are addicting and some people don't know when to stop. When they get to be a cluster or when they are on someones neck I don't care for that at all. Some tatoos are not as professional and can look like a blob. My girlfriends daughter is gorgeous with beautiful skin and she didn't know when to say enough and now it has gone from cute to ugly. I would never get a tattoo because I am not a forever girl. I am constantly changing the decor in my home and would have trouble making a decision for anything that is a forever thing. It is funny when I watch Miami Ink and someone comes in to get a tatoo for all they've been through and they are about 22. And I think how much life have you experienced? lol Wait til you're in your 40's, you'll have an even bigger story. Twin

Buffie said...

I'm with Rax, I want a little one but I don't know...ya know? If I did it would be a red dragonfly in memory of my mom. Yes, I do think it's become more acceptable...I think Hollywood stars getting them helped in that sense... Justine's frog is really cool though. You should get her to put a photo on her blog!

onlymehere said...

Do stretch marks count? They tell a story in themselves of each child I've had. As for tattoo's I can't see where I would ever get one. My mother-in-law shows us her's but it's not unusual. During WWII their blood type was tattooed (sp) on their biceps in case of attack. I found this blog very interesting though!

Bridget said...

I've seen several episodes of LA Ink and it is very touching how so many people get tattooed in memory of a lost loved one. I myself do not and do not plan on ever having one but who knows. I wouldn't even have pierced ears if I could do it over again. I am not a fan of altering the body. I've seen people that have regretted the tattoos they got when they were young but other people are very passionate about theirs.
I prefer tattoos that are place in discrete locations so that they are not visible on a daily basis.
I'm pretty old fashioned still when it comes to this subject!

onlymehere said...

French, you gave me a good laugh at myself. I clicked on your comment on my blog to comment on your blog and noticed that you're from South Carolina? Why, oh why did I think you were from Canada like Tootsie?!!!! You're a fellow American! Must be the start of dementia on my end! Anyway, my mother-in-law said that everyone had their blood type tatooed on their arm. I don't know if that was all across the country but at least it was done around here. My father-in-law was in the army but I think his was done as a civilian, I've never really asked!

Anonymous said...

I grew up seeing waaayy too many tatoos(biker dad)and not only has the novelty of it never been there for me, although I have seen some beautful artwork, I don't think that there is anything that I would permanently put on my body that I may regret. I tell my 19 year old who now wants a tattoo, that if I had've gotten one as a teenager it would have been a unicorn because I was really into them, but now at 40 it would just be a meaningless unicorn and I'd have regrets. Do you have a tattoo, or are you contemplating it? One of my schoolmates just had Frenchie tattooed on her arm. Jem wants an oriental scene on her back. What do you think?

Lisa (aka) French said...

I think she needs to wait about 15 years before she decides!~~(smiles) Love you girl and miss you so much (hugs) kiss those girls for me and tell them i miss them so much too!~~Lisa;)

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South Carolina, United States
Never say what if... Just do. Live life without regrets...RN /Author/Interior Decorator