Art is admired all around the world. It's a language that everyone speaks, no matter where you're from. If it's on parchment, it's considered priceless. If it's framed in a museum, it's a sacred artifact. But if it's on a human body, it's considered irresponsible and an eye sore.
Let me tell you why that's ridiculous. But first, one must go back to where tattoos originated.
(Above picture is of a tattooed right hand of a mummy. Credit to Smithsonian.com)
Tattoos originally were dated back to 2000 B.C, but because of a recent discovery of an Iceman that was found in the Italian-Austrian border that had, what seemed to be, markings on his lower back and ankles, the earliest form of tattooing has now been moved back to over 5,000 years ago. (credit to Smithsonian.com)
Different cultures receive tattoos for different reasons. In Borneo, for example, the women there tattooed symbols on their forearm that indicated the specific skills that they had. It was also believed that tattoos around the wrist and fingers kept the person from becoming ill.
(credit to http://www.powerverbs.com/tattooyou/history.htm)
Tattoos also have a dark past as well. Romans were known to mark their slaves while they were imprisoned. Another, more well known example would be during the Holocaust, when Nazi's tattooed their captured Jew's with their prison number. (shown above)
Tattoos have been used for evil, but in today's times, it's used more as a form of expression. I have six tattoos myself (about to get my seventh one: a rose with the quote "Tale as old as time") and I don't regret a single one because each one represents a part of my life.
Some people get tattoos that have a inner meaning to it, and some people get tattoos that they simply think is cute and that's as deep as it goes. If you do not agree with tattoos, that is your opinion and you have every right to express and own that opinion. What you DO NOT have a right to is insulting someone that has tattoos, just because you don't like tattoos yourself.
Another point to make is this: if you see a tattoo on someone and it seems weird or out of the ordinary, don't outwardly state "That's a weird tattoo. Why in the world would you get that?" I've seen so many unique tattoos during my 21 years on this earth. Never once have I ridiculed the tattoo owners on their unique taste in ink. If you see a tattoo that you find baffling, you can always ask politely what the meaning behind the tattoo is. If they say it's for their deceased grandmother, don't continue to question their reasons behind it. If they say that they simply like the way it looks, don't roll your eyes in return. Even if you don't agree, just accept it and move on. It's not on your body anyway!
The wolf/music infused picture above was my first tattoo! I got it on my right calf and to this day, I love it so much! You wouldn't believe though some of the grief I've gotten about it. I've heard everything from "That makes you look less beautiful" to "That makes you look like a thug". Even though both statements couldn't be more false, it still hurt quite a bit to hear people insult something about me that I loved so dearly. Once someone get's a tattoo, whether it's a half sleeve or a tiny star on their foot, it becomes a part of who they are.
Yes, there are some VERY distasteful tattoos out there. I'm not rooting for ALL tattoos. Obviously there's a big different between a butterfly on your wrist, and a curse word on your neck. Even if you see someone with an unsavory tattoo, there's no point in telling them how much you dislike it. What're they going to do, wash it off?
This article is dedicated to everyone who has looked at my half sleeve and thought of me as a thug, even though "R.I.P. Dad" is clearly there. This is dedicated to anyone who is ashamed of a tattoo they have, just because close minded people insulted your art. Art can be spray painted on a building and hung up in a museum.
But it can also be worn. Show your art off proudly! Whether you're tattooed or not, YOU are a masterpiece!
