Tattoo Love

I love tattoos. I love looking at the artwork, but I especially enjoy learning about the symbolism behind why someone was compelled to place a particular piece permanently on his or her body. Tattoos have served as rites of passage, marks of status and rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans, protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves, convicts and political prisoners. The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures. The art of tattooing goes back in time as far as the oldest European mummy found. The iceman, discovered around the border between Italy and Austria, dates back to between 3350-3100 B.C.E. and had 57 carbon tattoos on his low back, behind his left knee and on his right ankle. Isn’t that fascinating?

It’s also been reported that when Columbus arrived here, most of the natives were inked. They most commonly used burned ash, placing it under the skin. It was a process so painful that tats were considered a badge of honor and thus the more one had, the braver one was considered. A decline occurred when Christians attempted to convert aboriginal and indigenous people to Western religious and cultural practices that considered tattooing to be a “pagan” or “heathen” activity.

While I appreciate the artistic expression of something like sleeves (full arms), I find a few strategically placed tattoos far more appealing. But like everything in life, I think moderation is key. Besides, it isn’t just the artwork itself that I love, but the ink standing out against the flesh. If I notice that you have them, I’m going to want to know what they’re of, what they symbolize, translate to (if they’re characters), and any other info you’re willing to share with me about them.

I love that people are getting wings! Dusty of Angel City Tattoo Parlor did this:

I’m a sucker for the hint of a tattoo peeking from beneath a shirt sleeve. I often find myself compelled to know what lies beneath the fabric. And, really, what’s wrong with that? But, however does one uncover such a mystery without looking like a total weirdo stalker chick? Let’s face it; unless you have a legitimate reason for talking to the person, it’s going to end in embarrassment. So, I’ve been trying to get clever at beginning innocent conversations with strangers, which just happen to lead into, “I hope you don’t mind my asking, but I’m really curious about that tattoo.”
At the video store recently I managed to both get really great rental advice, and find out about another patron’s tattoo. In fact, when the clerk couldn’t recommend any videos, said patron valiantly stepped in to offer his advice. I didn’t even know about the tattoo yet. But, once I zeroed in on it, I took leave of all reason and propriety. Before I could stop myself I had reached up and pushed back his shirt sleeve to reveal his inked bicep. Even the ultra liberal California girl that I am wasn’t prepared for what I saw. It was a naked woman! Hmmmm. I’m all for the human form in its natural state, but I wasn’t sure how I felt about it displayed in this style. I needed to know his motivation for getting it before I could decide. His uncreative answer left much to be desired. He sheepishly admitted to me that he had seen it on the wall at the tattoo shop and didn’t know what else to get. Dude! They’re permanent! Shame. He seemed really sweet, and the movies he recommended were quite good.
The next time I pulled off this little caper, (and yes, there was actually a “next time” and I’m actually copping to it) was at a store where I occasionally shop. I had been crushing on this super cutie guy for a while and there was definitely a mutual flirtation between us. Of course I had noticed that he has characters tattooed on his wrist and wondered what they stood for and how they might unlock the mystery to this hunky guy with the smoldering gaze. One day I brazenly approached Mr. Cutie, ran my red-laquered nail across his branding and asked him what they meant. After a few “ummmm’s” which left me wondering if he, in fact, knew the answer to this question, he told me that it was Sanskrit for “Demon”. I seriously questioned my hearing and incredulously asked, “Demon?” Surely he was joking! Alas, he embarrassedly admitted that, yes, I had heard him correctly. I considered myself fairly warned and subsequently lost my crush.

Here’s another tattoo by Dusty that I love:

I could easily go on and on about tattoos and the cool designs I’ve seen, but I’ll wrap it up for you by giving you a few statistics I find interesting. Tattoos are currently most popular in America, Europe and Japan. An online poll taken in 2003 estimated that 16% of people in the U.S. have at least one tattoo. They are also more frequently seen in the gay community, in the age bracket of 25-29, with thirty-something’s coming in a close second. Not surprisingly, they are more common on the West Coast (US) and on Democrats. They’re more frequently seen on men by the narrow margin of 16% to 15%. The most popular designs that I see are tribal, characters, stars and skulls, but Dusty of Angel City Tattoo Parlor in Studio City, CA tells me that flowers are the current most popular design. Thank you for the pictures Dusty! I actually have a couple of stars myself, but I’ll tell you the highly entertaining stories about my ink in my next post.