Tattoo Design In Cultural History
It may be hard to believe but a tattoo design can say many things about a person’s personality. Common tattoos found on individuals may signify life-changing events such as graduation from high school, a new child or even a romantic interest. But there are very few instances in the public realm, outside of prison systems, where the tattoo can mean the difference between life and death.
Japan’s history of tattooing goes back to 10000 B.C.E. to 300 B.C.E. It was often used for healing, and even identifying a soldier should he perish on the battlefield and be stripped of his armor also to identify rites of passage for certain tribes. Perhaps the most familiar of Japanese body art is associated with the organized crime group the Yakuza. Much like the Italian Mafia, the Yakuza have long been affiliated with less than desirable elements of society. Anything from illegal gambling to racketeering is within its grasp.
A great surprise though, Is the tattoo design most often found on Yakuza members is that of beautiful scenes with elaborate details. The method used though is less than beautiful. Yakuza members, as a way to test their resolve and strength, do not get tattooed with a tattoo machine. It is a hand held instrument that is not without pain. The images are not just a back tattoo either. From collar to ankle they span the entire body.
Whereas in many cultures tattooing was solely reserved for warriors, the Egyptians practiced the art tattoo for women in service to the Gods and Goddesses. This spirituality is one of the more common reasons for tattooing. They believed that by paying homage with the body, it assured the wearer a more devoted retribution from their chosen deity and a greater chance for a rewarding afterlife.
There are tattoo studios that do offer permanent designs that resemble the henna tattoo. Depending on the skill and craftsmanship of your tattoo artist having a permanent Henna tattoo can be just what your looking for. These tattoos are put into place with the typical tattoo machines but use a red dye that will remain permanent.
A note of caution concerning henna is the use of a product labeled as “black henna” or an indigo. Natural henna does not come in dark shades. The dark colors are actually made by combining henna with a chemical. There can be very harsh side effects such as skin blistering. As with any product, even a natural one such as henna, there can be allergic reactions.
This is particularly true if the individual has a rare genetic condition called a G6PD deficiency (G6PD deficiency is an inherited condition in which the body doesn’t have enough of the enzyme glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, or G6PD, which helps red blood cells (RBCs) function normally.) In large doses the dye molecule in henna can be fatal. If it is unknown whether or not henna will cause an allergic reaction it is best to do a small skin test.
It is not uncommon for people to turn to the art tattoo artist to leave a work of beauty etched permanently onto their skin. Such television shows as TLC’s Miami Ink show incredible works of art being tattooed. The human skin becomes the canvas for memorials of fallen loved ones or pictures of children and art work that have a lasting mark through the tattoo design on the person.
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