Tattoos.. yay or nay.

[J. Crawford]

History lesson burn.

Ouch.. Where is N/A with the Ashton burn?

 

[warwick.hoy]

Think of what those symbols might mean 50 years from now?

By that time we could be saying...."Yes; the koi fish sleeve tattoo was a late 20th century popular culture art form..."

 

[CrispyDelicious]

I find people with ink are more interesting.

I'm just going to pluck this one out and ask you to elaborate a bit.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

It's a funny thing, most symbols have changed hands/meanings over time, through the likes of gangs, prisoners and wars etc, but who gets to judge what era/belief the work represents but the wearer themselves?
Does the swastika represent evolution or involution like the Hindus believe, or perhaps the seventh saint in Jianism, or even eternity, or if I get a swastika tattooed on me, am I a neo-nazi?
Skulls can mean celebration to some, death to others. The two theatrical faces of comedy and tragedy are used by prison in-mates, does it make me a drama geek or a killer if I have it on me?
List goes on and on.

This is true, it's still best to be aware of a symbol's history as well as it's current context. Sure the hindu swastika might mean something positive, but if you get that tattoo because you like the symbol original meaning, or just one meaning (when it might have many despite the current context), you will still be forced to explain it to everyone who sees it and makes a comment, not to mention face the judgement of those who don't and see it in it's more modern negative context. Obviously the swastika is an extreme example, but my point is that the decision for a tattoo should be well thought out. If you're going to put something on your body, you should know the symbolism in and out to make sure this is something you can live with until you die. It's your responsibility to know ALL contexts of something before you get inked, because you're not always afforded the luxury of being able to explain it to everyone that sees it. Otherwise here in lies the beginning of the old tattoo's that you might come to regret.

 

[D Rokk]

Without me going to nutzo into psychology theories, don't let it fool ya, some people want to be judged. Very few things taste as good as the forbidden fruit. If the taboo weren't there, would there have ever been a goth scene?? Not to pick on the gothic lifestyle, but I've developed a few theories based on some interactions n' stuff.

With me, I'm not against 'em, but my profession basically requires them to be covered. As an avid cyclist, I get entirely too much sun even though I always use lots of sun screen. Having something covered up seems to lack utility for me.

i believe you.. however i cant speak for anyone but myself.

Alright I have to bring up the koi tattoo. You're talking about old school and new school and the reasons why you like it without one mention to something that is a centuries old tradition. The koi as a tattoo has been around since the 1600's in japan. Koi ponds have deep spiritual mean and significance with Buddhists as does the koi itself. For instance, albino koi that have a red dot on their head are considered especially nice because they are symbolic of the japanese "rising sun" flag. But all that aside. There is a long history of the koi tattoo and what the koi symbolizes within Japanese history culture, as well as how the meaning has shifted as it became adopted by the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. It's much more than just a pretty picture. Even if your reasoning was because you have a garden with a pond and some plants in it, when you put that tattoo on your body you are wearing the history of the koi and all the symbolism it entails. It's a history you should be aware of before you make it permanent on your body. You might not like what you find. The Yakuza in Japan are notorious for being ruthless thugs, and despite how we glorify the mafia here in the states (in the media), they are not glorified in Japan. If you go to Japan, a white (gaijin) with a koi tattoo, might not be taken too kindly. Some food for thought.

i actually WAS aware of most of that. also that in japanese mythology koi can grant wishes, mean good fortune, and evolve into dragons pokemon style (i think you gotta use the moon stone on them)

my example, however, was me making a point that reasons beyond individuality and trendiness existed for people who get tattoos

History lesson burn.

that's a stretch

It's a funny thing, most symbols have changed hands/meanings over time, through the likes of gangs, prisoners and wars etc, but who gets to judge what era/belief the work represents but the wearer themselves?
Does the swastika represent evolution or involution like the Hindus believe, or perhaps the seventh saint in Jianism, or even eternity, or if I get a swastika tattooed on me, am I a neo-nazi?
Skulls can mean celebration to some, death to others. The two theatrical faces of comedy and tragedy are used by prison in-mates, does it make me a drama geek or a killer if I have it on me?
List goes on and on.

i believed that was the point maki was trying to make with his post; the fact that, unfortunatley, a stigma may be attached to a symbol or image you attach to yourself whether you are aware of it or not, and how one should make themselves aware of any history it may have. but in the end it is still my choice.. i'll just wrap it in gauze if i go to japan..

 

[popinfresh]

i believed that was the point maki was trying to make with his post; the fact that, unfortunatley, a stigma may be attached to a symbol or image you attach to yourself whether you are aware of it or not, and how one should make themselves aware of any history it may have. but in the end it is still my choice.. i'll just wrap it in gauze if i go to japan..

I was just pointing out that to the person it's tattoo'd on, it can mean pretty much what they like as these symbols often change hands

Maki - totally agree there. I do just find it funny that a symbol can have different meanings and interpretations depending on the context or even where you are

 

[EricF]

I don't think there is a design or emblem that I could live with & look at the rest of my life.

If that's the case, I would conclude that a tattoo might not be for you.

 

[J. Crawford]

If that's the case, I would conclude that a tattoo might not be for you.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

I was just pointing out that to the person it's tattoo'd on, it can mean pretty much what they like as these symbols often change hands

Maki - totally agree there. I do just find it funny that a symbol can have different meanings and interpretations depending on the context or even where you are

Yeah, it is.

 

[username n/a]

Alright I have to bring up the koi tattoo. You're talking about old school and new school and the reasons why you like it without one mention to something that is a centuries old tradition. The koi as a tattoo has been around since the 1600's in japan. Koi ponds have deep spiritual mean and significance with Buddhists as does the koi itself. For instance, albino koi that have a red dot on their head are considered especially nice because they are symbolic of the japanese "rising sun" flag. But all that aside. There is a long history of the koi tattoo and what the koi symbolizes within Japanese history culture, as well as how the meaning has shifted as it became adopted by the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia. It's much more than just a pretty picture. Even if your reasoning was because you have a garden with a pond and some plants in it, when you put that tattoo on your body you are wearing the history of the koi and all the symbolism it entails. It's a history you should be aware of before you make it permanent on your body. You might not like what you find. The Yakuza in Japan are notorious for being ruthless thugs, and despite how we glorify the mafia here in the states (in the media), they are not glorified in Japan. If you go to Japan, a white (gaijin) with a koi tattoo, might not be taken too kindly. Some food for thought.

Ouch.. Where is N/A with the Ashton burn?

Look up.

 

[J. Crawford]

Username! Where have you been?!

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Username! Where have you been?!

Detention.

 

[J. Crawford]

Detention.

Oh.. I see. Didnt see him there.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Oh.. I see. Didnt see him there.

That's because you were too busy designing a nice big blotchy mistake to put on your arm.

 

[J. Crawford]

That's because you were too busy designing a nice big blotchy mistake to put on your arm.

Hardee har har.

Planned on basing it after yourself.

 

[MakiSupaStar]

Hardee har har.

Planned on basing it after yourself.

Yeah. Mistake number 1. You might as well just get 'regret' tattooed on your forehead.

 

[EricF]

That's because you were too busy designing a nice big blotchy mistake to put on your arm.

LMAO!

I can't think of ANYTHING that I might have gotten tattooed on my body before the age of 20 that I would look at now (20 years later) and still think it was a good idea.

I do have plenty of friends - and my wife - who regret the tats they got when they were young. Some of them have gotten the tat covered with another. Some just say, "Wow, that was lame/stupid!"

 

[popinfresh]

LMAO!

I can't think of ANYTHING that I might have gotten tattooed on my body before the age of 20 that I would look at now (20 years later) and still think it was a good idea.

I do have plenty of friends - and my wife - who regret the tats they got when they were young. Some of them have gotten the tat covered with another. Some just say, "Wow, that was lame/stupid!"

I think it's a generation thing in the tattoo industry thing as well though. Most tattoos back in the day weren't really artworks, where today it's flourished so much and tattooists are actually been seen as artists and not just crims labeling people with ink.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

That's because you were too busy designing a nice big blotchy mistake to put on your arm.

In my day, we used to do that in the boy's bathroom behind the gym...

 

[MakiSupaStar]

In my day, we used to do that in the boy's bathroom behind the gym...

Yeah well in my day we used to do different things in the boy's bathroom behind the gym. Some chicks were blondes, some chicks were asians, and sometimes they were both at the same time.