Tattoos. (myth, faith, unicorn)

[Shadow Wolf]

From a previous thread. it was brought up that tattoos are rebellious, unless of culture significance, and could be expressed through alternative methods of display, such as a necklace.

Would you deem a tattoo of a pentagram on your forehead as being an expression of rebellion or self-estimation? Would the same tat be regarded as a lesser or more tepidly expressive bodily adornment when inked upon your arm instead? Why not a pierced series of metallic studs outlining a pentagram in your cheek instead? Does that adornment "say" something more than a worn medallion about the neck?

I personally do not think the location changes ones devotion to a cause if a symbolic tattoo is placed on the arm, forehead, or any where else.
My pentagram necklace can be easily removed, by myself, others, or getting it caught in something. A tattoo is not easily removed, and IMO, shows more dedication, as it does involve pain to get, and are permanent (unless you cough up a ton of money to have them removed).
And, I see the body as a temple that should be decorated. A room is decorated with posters, pictures, and other things of interest. An altar is decorated with symbols of patron gods, stones, and items that make it more personalised. Why not 'decorate' your body if desired in a manner to show interests, faith, symbols, etc.?

[FatMan]

What if interests and faith's change?

You think Tom Arnold is really happy to have a big "Rosanne" scripted on his buttocks right about now?

[klubbhead024]

Thats why I'm glad I only have 1 tatoo... a Detroit old english D on my arm. No matter what, I will always be from Detroit, that can't change

[YmirGF]

Personally, I don't much care if someone wants to stick a 4 inch spike through their nose to demonstrate their “originality”. Likewise, as I saw recently in a Jeff Foxworthy video, when you are young and get a tattoo of a hummingbird on your butt, bear in mind that when you are 50 it is going to being to resemble a large vulture.

I don't know how much "urban myth" it is but apparently law enforcement LOVE people with tattoos.

I admit I am prejudiced. I do not wear any kind of rings, watch, chains or jewelry and stopped doing so in my late teens. It also wouldn't occur to me to get a tattoo or to get part of my body pierced unnecessarily, but that's just me.

I'm wondering though, how does going through the metal detectors affect people with say 50 studs on their left ear? (Assuming, of course, that those metals trigger said detectors.) (I think I’d be more worried about the angry people behind me than the security people.)

[Gentoo]

I LOVE my tattoo! It's very symbolic and very me, it's not something that I can honestly see changing about me. I have a snake coiled all the way around my arm. It hurt a lot, but nothing I couldn't take, that's part of the challenge, if you want it badly enough, you'll take the pain associated. I put a lot of thought into my design before I even got it priced, and made sure that I really wanted it and that I wanted it there. I got it last April and love it, I made the right decision.

People, okay my family, have been saying "You know that's permanent, right?" Well to tell the truth, it's a little late now! But like the OP, I feel that the body is something to be decorated, and I happen to have 3 more tattoo plans in the works

[EnhancedSpirit]

I love my tats as well, I have 3, all unicorns.

I think there are a lot of people who get tattoos that later regret it, but I think that's because it has become so acceptable. Back in the day, you needed to be serious about getting one, because chances were that you would be banned from your family and couldn't get a job if you had tattoos. Now there are tattoo artists all over the place. And society does not view tattoo wearers nearly as bad as they used to.

What is this post about? Is there a question in there I was supposed to answer? Oh, well,

*dips out*

[twirlybirdy]

Personally, I have no tatoos, why would someone want to have a permenent something on them. I mean when you get older your skin gets saggy so will the tatoo. I don't know. I'm just not a fan of it. (girls who get tatoos on their tummy, then have babies, hmmm strechy, that looks pretty)

[ALifetimeToWaitFor....]

i have quite a few tats. I have a really cool tattoo planned for soon. If you watch the full metal alchemist its the full arm of the character scar I like the symbolism of Scar's message. I also have alot tattoos for my friends that have passed. And one to represent the balance of good and evil. There is no way that I will ever think twice about any tattoo I put alot of thought and time to design or think about a specific one. I have many planned when I have the cash.

[standing_alone]

I only have one tattoo right now, but I plan on getting more when I have the cash to do so.

I love tattoos because I admire the artistic quality of well-done tattoos. But even more important to me is the meaning behind what I have and plan on having inked on my flesh. The tattoo I have now and the ones I plan on getting have significant meaning to me and for me, that's the most important thing to think about when considering a tattoo. Though, sure, if I live to old age, my skin will become wrinkled and the tattoo won't look the same as it did when I was young and my skin more taut, but the meaning behind the tattoo/s will still be there and when I look at them I will know why I felt compelled to have them done and the circumstances surrounding them. That's what I like about tattoos.

[Ðanisty]

For me, tattoos are another form of expression and I do believe they show a certain level of dedication to something. I have a bunch of my favorite fictional characters tattooed on me. I don't mind that some of them aren't as interesting to me as they were when I got them because I appreciate them for what they are...memories. When I look at those tattoos, I remember when I got them...I remember why I liked them and I remember what was going on in my life at that time...who I was friends with, where I worked, etc.

Honestly, I don't feel bad for most people who have tattoos that they no longer like. 9 times out of 10, it could have been prevented if they had used some sense when they got inked. I don't really see any drawbacks to tattoos. If you don't like them, you obviously shouldn't get one, but I've never seen an argument against tattoos that I found even remotely compelling.