Tattoo Design Both Ancient and Modern

by: StevenMcCarthy
Total views: 21 | Word Count: 603

If your interested in tattoo design and you live in a town of over forty thousand people, more than likely you have a choice of at least three tattoo shops to pick from. Because of the rising interest in body art and the human need to stand-out, just a little from the sea of humanity, the numbers of tattoo parlors opening has skyrocketed. But there is a definite difference between just any shop and a truly great shop.

Japan's history of tattooing goes back to 10000 B.C.E. to 300 B.C.E. (Before the Common Era). It was used for healing, identifying a soldier should he perish on the battlefield and be stripped of his armor and even 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. Similar to the Italian Mafia, the Yakuza has long been associated with the less than desirable elements of society. Anything from illegal gambling to racketeering is within its grasp.

Surprisingly though, the tattoo design found most often on Yakuza members is that of beautiful scenes and 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. They span the entire body from collar to ankle.

In Russia the tattoo design found on many of the country's prison inmates is a message to other people of their deeds and sins. It is a way to identify how dangerous a person is. One man might be wearing a tattoo design signifying that he is a head figure while another might be forcefully tattooed as an informant.

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.

For many the art tattoo represents a wilder side to their personality. Perhaps a bit of rebellion against the expected norms of a more staid and traditional society that looks upon a tattoo with wariness as the stigma associated with the art tattoo is not as widely spread to the more conservative. There are other individuals who use the tattoo as a means of remembrance for fallen family and friends or as a spiritual guide for their lives.

Quality tattoo shops have a strict set of codes regulating their sanitary conditions for their customers peace of mind. The US Department of Health states all blood born pathogens and instruments must be properly disposed of. Each artist must maintain the cleanliness of their station and the comfort of their customers. All tattoo artist's should be properly licensed with their licence displayed in a prominent place in full view of the general public.

Far too often spur of the moment decisions factor into which art tattoo design a person chooses. Ultimately it would be great if every person put thought and planning into their ink work. After all, each tattoo is a way to communicate to the world what the person has to say. Are they really proud of that frog tattoo on their back or could a different tattoo been chosen to show their carefree ways? Whatever tattoo is chosen, each is a story waiting to be told.

About the Author

Steven McCarthy has been researching how you can treat skin problems using tatyou cano skin care treatments and written many papers on the you canpic so that quickly understanding skin care information is not something that has you can be difficult for you. Check out www.treatingskinproblems.com  

More Articles from: Health