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Week 8: Tattoos

Who doesn't know what tattoos are? After all, this kind of body art dates back to ancient times. Many centuries ago people from primitive tribes used to decorate their bodies with various patterns, depending on the region. Nowadays, opinions on the art of tattoo making are divided. Styles and tendencies change all the time.

Tattoos were very popular among Polynesian people. Their meaning was symbolic and ritual. Not everybody could afford to have one. To deserve it you had to kill an enemy and cut off his tattooed head. This privilege was reserved mostly for chiefs and warriors. The word "tattoo" comes from
the Samoan language in which "tatau" meant correct, workmanlike. The best known are Maori face ornaments called "moko".



Julius Cesar mentioned Celtic tattoos in his letters and Ahmad ibn Fadlan wrote about Viking body ornaments. Also in Japan tattoos have a long tradition and wide use of symbols. At the present, they are associated with the criminal world.




The best known and the most characteristic criminal tattoos come from Russia. They're also deeply symbolic. Every pattern depends on the crime committed by its owner.




For exemple, mafia members deserved tattooed stars on the shoulders and knees. There's also some tattooing tradition in the Polish past. Usually they belonged to prisoners:



Sailors used to memorize every meaningful moment by tattooing signs like swallows and anchors which today we use for fun, led by trends. In that case, tattoos are just ornaments on the body with nothing but an esthetic function. Nevetheless, most of the people usually give meaning to their tats.






As we know, in the modern Western world, tattoos are becoming more and more acceptable. We don't associate them with something illegal anymore. People who get tattoos usually are young and work e.g. as freelancers in the art world. Corporation workers are not allowed to have noticeable tats. Nowadays, people making tattoos are being called artists. Talented ones become popular and are booked many months ahead. Sometimes tattoo artists both work and travel, going abroad for a "tournee" just like musicians and tattooing all around the world. Getting a tattoo by a world famous artist is not cheap. You also have to be quick to book a visit.
There's a TV documentary show about a tattoo studio, called Miami Ink. It's been created to tell viewers a few words about the tattoo world. Every person who took part in the show had a personal story and wanted a tattoo to commemorate it. You don't have to be a skinhead to have a tattoo. Sometimes you get it for a brother who died of from cancer or to commemorate a journey of your life.


You should think twice before you make a head tattoo!




1 What do you think about tattoos? Do you agree that perceiving tattoos has changed?
2 Do you have any tattoos? If so, do they have a meaning? Are they personal?

3 Is there any tattoo style that you would consider your favorite one?

Comments

Unknown said…
In my opinion perceiving tattoos has little changed to positive but still in many companies bosses pay attention to tattoos employees. Sometimes menegers accept tattoos sometimes don't. I think that it depends on position at work and type of company.
Unknown said…
You are probably right. I got a friend who is a lawyer. His body is all covered in tattoos except for hand, neck and face. Under suit his tattoos are invisible. Visible for sure would make problem.
Unknown said…
As far as i know in Japan you can't enter public bath (which are normal thing there and people go to bath a lot) if you have tattoos, cause it identify you with Yakuza.

Personally i never been against or proactive tattoos, i won't make one, but it doesn't bother me if someone else have. And yes, tattoos in workplace are common now. I guess mostly because there are many people that have at least one tattoo.
Also it's okay to have tattoo which you can hide with your formal clothing in case you are working in fine establishment which requires class, i can understand that. However i wouldn't hire someone like "Skeleton boy", maybe because i just don't have anything for skeleton theme, or maybe because after seeing him too many times i am bored.

I can't say if i have any favourite. I do find sleeves pretty radical. Or one that has some important meaning in that person life.
Unknown said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said…
I like tattoos and I have two of them. In my opinion, nowadays tattoos are no longer controversial. If you have a tattoo in a reasonable place you can work everywhere. In my family it is not a problem even for my grandmothers. Actually, my first tattoo I got as a Christmas present from my parents. The first tattoo has an important meaning for me because it describes my personality and the second one commemorates an amazing travel with my best friend.
As for my favorite tattoo style, I like minimalistic tattoos like www.tuszzarogiem.com .
Unknown said…
Yeah, my friend was at the swimming pool in Japan and three people from staff were trying to hide her arm tattoo with special bandage. Quite funny..
Unknown said…
Great! I think the same and I personally have two tattoos from there made by Grzegorz.
Julia Osiak said…
I agree with Dominika, tattoos are not as controversial as they used to be. There still are some designs and patterns that are directly linked or associated with different organizations, gangs etc. I think that people getting their tattoos are usually aware enough about the meaning of tattooed symbols to either get them on purpose or not get those symbols tattooed at all.
I also have a tattoo, and when I got it I was really surprised with my family's reaction. Even more more conservative grandma said that it is nice and that it doesn't bother her.
I took a look at Grzegorz's work, from Dominika's link and I must say that it's really nice and I'll remember this studio when planning my next tattoo. I can't say that I have one favorite style - I rather have some favorite artists that always add a unique touch to their designs.
Unknown said…
Nice article about genesis of tattoos.
You wrote about meanings of painting body in different primitive tribes or among criminal people. But now, tattoos are some kind of fashion. People makes it for fun, to get attention from other people, without any special meanings. Some weeks ago I wrote article about that.I dont understand why they painting for example infinity sign, any birds (swallow, owl) or bow on the back side of legs.

I haven't got any tattoos on my body and propably I will never have. Maybe in the future when something totally change my live I sign it on my body, but only for me, for example date. Then when I look at this tattoo it reminds me something important. I would never make it for fun, to be 'more beautiful' or to show off.
Unknown said…
What do you think about this kind of tattoos?

http://tinyurl.com/kg4unkl
http://tinyurl.com/lb2y2zf


Kinda funny and creative way tattooing with disability:)
Unknown said…
I’ve wrote a few times about tattoos (on the blogs), so maybe this time I’ll keep it short ;) I like tattoos but the idea has to be good, deliberate and the engraving itself is also very important. People often make stupid choices and their tattoos are bad but I've also seen some great ones that are truly a piece of art. People just should be smart and instead of letting someone inexperienced make their tattoo, gather some money and pay a professional to make it. I’m sure that approach to tattoos had changed and they are no longer affiliated with prison. Anyway I believe that people shouldn’t be prejudiced towards people with tattoos. I don’t have any tattoos (yet) but I think that in the future it’s highly possible that I’ll get one. I just have to find/think of the right one for me and I want it to be a well thought decision. I like minimalistic and geometric tattoos the most.
Unknown said…
In general, I'm not into tattoos. The idea of having something permanently scares me. Tattoos are a straight way to destroy skin, in my opinion. And you cannot be a blood donor if you own a tattoo..At least so I heard, I can be wrong... But there are for sure bad tattoos and really beautiful ones. I don't like tattoos, which are simply ugly and cower a large surface of the skin in no particular order. But if a tatoo is really nice I can for sure appreaciate. I enjoy tatoos, which are delicate or have some fun in them. Perceiving tattoos have for sure changed. In the past they were treated in a "bad way". Now they are somehow "neutral".
Unknown said…
I was quite sure that this subject was already discussed;)
Unknown said…
You have tattoos Dominika? I have never noticed! I'm interested, you must show me them;) Why did you decided to express your personality in this way?
Unknown said…
You're absolutely right Agata. This situation is very strict in places like law firms (as marek mentioned) or government offices...My friend has similar situation, she has to cover tattoos with fluid...
Everything is for the people, but face and head tattoo is an exaggeration for me. I don't have any problems with tattoos. In many cases, it's a beautiful art. Prison tattoos associated me with TV series "Prison Break", where the main character had a prison plan on his body. Personally I don't have any tattoos, maybe someday i'd dare.
Unknown said…
I have never thought what is a genesis for tattoos. I like the story about sailors, it makes an anchor a little bit understandable :) Interesting fact is, that tattoos were rather connected with something bad - prisoners and earlier warriors etc.
Very shocking were Polish prisoners' tattoos too...

According to this fact I absolutely have to agree that perceiving tattoos has changed dramatically. I agree with you that today it is mostly because people want to have something beautiful on their bodies, and it's understandable :) I really stand in absolute awe of what tattoo artists can do, in my opinion it is extremely hard - the responsibility is really high, and the picture must be simply perfect, there's simply no room for failure ;)
Unknown said…
But I think it is connected mostly with big, outstanding tattoos. When someone has something hardly visible it shouldn't bother anyone. I think it makes a difference if you have a rather "positive" sentence hidden under your bracelet or watch, or if you have tattooed sleeve :D
http://www.cuded.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/50-full-sleeve-tattoo.jpg

But okay, it could be problematic when you would have tattooed something like "i hate to work" or haha my fav one "never don't give up"
http://www.11points.com/images/grammartattoos/neverdontgiveup.jpg
Unknown said…
I think I have only seen the one with birds, it's really beautiful :) What else do you have? :D
Michal Kulesza said…
Thank you for bringing the history of tattoo. It was real pleasure to read it.
Perceiving tattoos has changed but there are still people who don't like it (like me).

No, I don't have tattoos and I'm not willing to make one.

However, when I would be forced to make one, I would probably follow Mexicans with tattoos on their fingers: http://www.timeslive.co.za/migration_catalog/The_Times/2011/06/12/796939_686304/ALTERNATES/crop_630x400/796939_686304. You can always wear goves to hide it :)
I love that funny images of homemade tattoos: "expectations vs reality" like this one:
http://img.izismile.com/img/img4/20110721/640/expectation_vs_reality_part_2_640_08.jpg
rf. said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
rf. said…
The general attitude towards any subject is mainly created by media I guess. I'd say that if someone was brought up to have a bad opinion about tattoos, that won't be changing anytime soon. On the other hand, people that are open to new ideas and less traditional can shift from one viewpoint to another more easily. I do believe that having a tattoo no longer implies criminal background . And as for some people tattoos are a way of expressing something, I'd rather see them as something intimate.
MartaSB said…
I don't have any tatoos, but I like them on other people and I'm sure that in right circumstances I would give myself one. Pretty tattoos are not bad :)

Perceiving tattoos has changed in Poland as well as in the world. For sure, they are no longer connected only with criminal background.
MartaSB said…
I really like some of the tattoos from the link you provided :) minimalistic ones can be really beautiful.
PrzemekM said…
Great lecture about history and types of tattoos

Tattoos are awesome, what is more the best one are those which describes perfect people. like this one:
http://blogandthecity.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/alice2-700x238.png

I don't have, maybe someday I will make one, cause i have some concept
Unknown said…
I think tattoos should be a private matter. It is your body and you should be

able to do with it whatever you want. Perceving tattoos has definitely changed to

positive. However, after reading this summarizarion of tattoos history, I can see

why some people are opposed to them, due to historical connection with killing

and crimes.
I don't have any tattoos and I'm not thinking about getting one. Similar to

Izabela, I am also a little scared of having something inked permanently on my skin.
I don't have any tattoo and I am not very into this topic. However, I don't mind if somebody has one or many of them even when they are very visible.

In my opinion tattoos should be treated more like clothes. Everybody should be able to have any tattoo they want and nobody should forbid them. Of course, ones with tattoo must be prepared to be judged because having tattoo always defines you somehow. People will always assess you based on your looks so before having a tattoo you should think about how is it going to affect your job, life etc.
Seisyll said…
I don't have any tattoos and I don't think I will get one. I think it's a personal matter, if you want one and feel good with it then why the hell you shouldn't have one? I personally don't like tattoos that cover a lot of skin. I can put up with a whole arm, but more for me is just a dirt. Though I won't say anything bad about person having it that way, it's his/her choice.

I agree that that things changed. Before tattoos ment something, like you wrote about Polynesian people, for them it was a symbol. Right now they are treated like an art. I don't think it's bad that way, but I like the previous idea better.

About the favourite style... I like symbolic and ritual with the emphasis on the celtic
I always thought that tattoos are cool. Obviously some tattoos can be good, but some can be really bad, especially with tattoos one must have a good idea for a tattoo and it has to be done well. Furthermore since it's something you'll be stuck with for the rest of your life it is a difficult decision to take, that's why I haven't got one myself.
Unknown said…
I'm rather generally more likely to be against getting tattoos than to support it (at least on my body). I'm fine with how do I already look like and I don't need any pernament visual enchancements on my skin. For me having a tattoo may be strong sign of weakness/mental illness. According to psychology, having a tattoo is related with patology.
Unknown said…
By chance I found interesting ranking with 3D tattoos, maybe it could be interesting for someone, so I decided to add it in this topis. Website is polish version, incredible how great body painting could be...

http://www.antyradio.pl/Newsy/Duperele/15-naprawde-niesamowitych-tatuazy-3D
1 What do you think about tattoos? Do you agree that perceiving tattoos has changed?

I think that this issue was already discussed few weeks ago.

2 Do you have any tattoos? If so, do they have a meaning? Are they personal?

Ok, it might be deja vu, I'll check the old topic... I am sure it is somewhere on this blog(I can't query my posts), but to answer the question: I don't have tattos and I am not planning to have any.

3 Is there any tattoo style that you would consider your favorite one?

No, I don't have any favourite style.
Marcin Lyzwa said…
I have never read history of tattoos, but I think it's quite interesting. The perceiving of tattoos has changed definitely in the last years the same as motivation of making them. Nowadays, having tattoos is not associated with belonging to a crime group or being in prison as it used to be in the past. It has become a way of expressing yourself, presenting your individuality to the other people.
In addition, graphic designs of tattoos are becoming a much more aesthetically pleasing - it became noticeable that patterns are derived from the contemporary design. They have become less schematic and also every tattoo studio has its own style. In spite of this, finding a job when you have a tattoo in a visible place on your body is still difficult.
I don't have any tattoos yet. Maybe in future I'll do some.
Sylwia said…
I completely agree that perceiving tattoos has changed. First of all now everyone can have a tattoo without any stereotyping. People are more and more open for this body. In the past there were meaningful it connect people with some particular social group or role. Often this bad side… Nowadays tattoos are more personal, often have some meanings, but not as general are they used to have.
I do not have any tattoos and I don’t want to have. Maybe one day I will change my mind and I will do a meaningful tattoo, but I do not see any reason right now. I prefer when there is a history behind tattoo, so for sure I won’t do any just because it looks nice.
Unknown said…
Yes Grzegorz is good artist and also really nice guy. Very interesting studio.
Unknown said…
I pretty sure you have right about blood donor. As I know you also cant take part in sperm bank system.
Unknown said…
For me the worst are portraits especially children faces..
http://www.babble.com/baby/25-failed-baby-photo-tattoos/
Unknown said…
It would be horrible feeling if just after making a tattoo owner realised its ugly!
Unknown said…
1 What do you think about tattoos? Do you agree that perceiving tattoos has changed?
Yes I agree that the perceiving has changed - back in a day it was associated with criminals, at leas in our culture. Im not interested in tatoos, but I agree that some of them are looking good.

2 Do you have any tattoos? If so, do they have a meaning? Are they personal?
I dont and almost certainly will never have. I never desired to express any "message" or "thought" on my body, I dont see the point of it. Also, the aesthetic value, which I find in other tatoos, is not enough for me to change my mind.

3 Is there any tattoo style that you would consider your favorite one?
No, Im not interested enough to tell.
Unknown said…
You are right I am really happy that I didnt decide having tattoo when I was a kid
Unknown said…
Thanks for the article, it is very interesting as you focus on different meanings of tattoos - in varoius cultures and times. Personally I like the Polynesian and sailor ideas of tattoos, they are either earned or done to remind you of something. I have one tattoo which reminds me that everything has to be earned somehow and we shouldn't quit if the thing that we're doing is harder than we expected it to be. I am planning on getting another one, but it has to be meaningful. I think that the meaning of tattoos is what is really important and without it they may become boring after some time.
I completely agree that perceiving tattoos has changed over time. When I got mine, my grandparents' friend was asolutely shocked and yelled at me that I had ruined my body and if I liked the design I should have had printed it and hung it on my wall instead of carving it in my skin. Nowadays tattoos are considered more of a body's decoration or a touch of uniqueness (it is a lot easier to say "that girl with a dragon tattoo" than "you know, that blonde, erm, the one with green yes... or maybe blue?") than a privilege or mark of your past actions (prison, war, etc.).
My favorite style is minimalistic yet meaningful. Of course it has to be easy to hide, as not all people are pro tattoos and it may occur that one of them is your future boss.
I remember seing an episode of "Grey's anatomy", there was a man that didn't want any black doctor on his case. Then they found out that he had a gigantic swastika tattoed all over his abdomen and he was full of regrets. People, you should really think your tattoo idea through, back and forth, maybe put it on in henna or permanent marker (they do come off!) and see if it is worth the pain and the idea of having it on you for the rest of your life.
Unknown said…
But they only look good in photos. It's because illusion stays only if you are watching at exact angle and correct lighting, and it would be better if you have just one eye ;) especially in 1st and 15th example
Unknown said…
I think my favourite are the yakuza ones, because they have meaning and look great. But I would never want to had one, as I'm not in yakuza and it would be just imitation.
Unknown said…
For now I dont have any tattoos on my body, but in my opinion if the tattoos are thought through and have a certain concept to the final outcome they can become a nice piece of art. I havent decided yet to get a tattoo yet, but in the future I have a plan to make one and it will definately be thought through and it wont be to big.
Unknown said…
No, it is absolutely not true. You are not allowed to donate blood for 6 months after having had a tattoo, but this is just because they use needles and it takes up to 6 months for some bacteriae or viruses to activate/show their presence and they have to check if you do not develop jaundice. The same thing is with piercings, serious dental procedures or surgeries. You may get back to be a donor after having waited for 6 months. I don't know about taking part in sperm bank system as it doesn't concern me;)
Unknown said…
Oh, I remember this story about the worst tattoo in the world. It pictured a smiling bride, she looked really hideous. Everybody was laughing at it and so was I. Some time ago I stumbled across the story behind it and I would like to share it with you guys:
http://gawker.com/5986166/ohio-ink-studio-fixes-infamous-worlds-worst-portrait-tattoo-for-free
TLDR: His wife died shortly after the wedding, he wanted to pay tribute to her, local tattoo studio made his mourning even worse making a tattoo so horrible that it has been circulating over the Internet ever since. A good guy tattoo artist from Ohio fixed it for him as a gift because he was touched by his story.
Unknown said…
I like tattoo when they are having some sense and not just a paint on the body. I think that tattoo is personal thing that could not be just a trend, as author of the article already mentioned - tattoos first of all were made to meen something and its pretty strange to see now how someone covers his body with paint just because it is popular.
I don't have any tattooes.
I like minimalistic tattoes, but at the same time I also like japanese one for their work with colour and attantion to the details. For me tattoo is an art with personal meening and I think that if you are going to do it, you have to feel what it takes to carry it - no painkillers and other things like that.
Mateusz Frycie said…
There was a privious discussion about tattoos... I'm gonna do myself one around February and I don't see any connection with prison stuff, Yakuza or things like it. It's a classy stereotype.
Unknown said…
I never liked tattoos and I will never get one. I don’t understand it but for sure perceiving tattoos has changed and it is still changing for the better I think.
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