Why do people get tattoos? The archaic meaning of a tattoo is a seal, a sign of belonging to a certain kin, tribe, or a specific caste system.

The meaning of tattoos

The meaning of tattoos. Why do people get tattoos? The archaic meaning of a tattoo is a seal, a sign of belonging to a certain kin, tribe, or a specific caste system. Meaning of tattoos.


Why do people get tattoos?


I have a colleague who keeps getting tattoos, she has many of them, over half of her body is covered, and she wants to get more. Why do people get tattoos?

This is quite an ancient topic. The archaic meaning of a tattoo is a seal, a sign of belonging to a certain kin, tribe, or a specific caste system. So that, anyone who sees you can tell who you are based on your tattoo. Later it found its representation in the coats of arms and flags the knights used during tournaments so that it is clear right away who stands in front of you. 

And tattoo’s entire story and evolutionary process help us conclude that for a person himself, as well as for those around him, tattoos represent a seal that, according to him, defines his specific social status. It is believed that if something is applied to the body then it will never change. It is some type of subconscious urge to stability. By getting tattoos, a person accepts specific seals of designation. He may as well be unaware of why he does it, he may simply be following fashion trends. But fashion is an offspring of tradition and always carries a certain meaning, such as to establish one’s status, of any kind, at least in one’s own eyes, or even better in the eyes of others. Fashion just shows that it is socially acceptable, that it is not something marginal.

Like, for instance, about thirty or fifty years ago, having a tattoo would identify someone who had been imprisoned for some time. And those who didn’t plan on getting back there would make every possible effort to remove these tattoos because having them was considered indecent by civilized society. Today it is the other way around. Even the journalists of the federal TV network sometimes allow themselves to use criminal slang, what is there to say about mere mortals? Therefore, in this case, it is a purely subconscious desire for stability and capturing oneself as someone belonging to a certain counter-culture. As if demonstrating this way that you are one of them.

Who is your colleague trying to show this to, well you probably should observe her, or ask her directly what she is trying to broadcast and most importantly to whom.


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