The not so alternative lifestyle, anymore
Tattoos have been around for thousands of years. From using earthy inks from natural ingredients for in nature to the modern pigments used today, designs and variations have been draw on the body to show a sense of individuality. In recent centuries modern western culture has frowned upon these beautiful designs on the body as ‘ugly’ or ‘dirty’ or even showing the low class of the person wearing them. Anyone with a tattoo was considered to be living an alternative lifestyle, maybe they worked in a circus swallowing swords or they could have been a gypsy stealing people’s possessions whenever possible. Today however tattoos are not seen as a brand of dishonor or a scarlet letter of shame but, as art and a true expression of individuality worn with pride. They are not hidden but shown to all like a badge of “I’m different a proud to be!”
All over the world you can find evidence of tattoos in cultures. From the Maori of New Zealand to the Samurai of Japan, tattoos have been a vital part of culture. Sailors used to cover their bodies in nautical themed tattoos to show where they had been and what they have seen even the adventures they had been on or the ladies they loved, a tradition that is still continued today. In Southeastern Asian countries like Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia tattoos are a used to show devotion to gods or spirits of old. These tattoos can give protection from bullets or knives to embodying the spirit itself. Tattoos can be silly and fun, to having deep meaning to a person, tribe, or community. They can comical or scary, beautiful, sultry or sexy. The limitation of tattoos is the persons own imagination.
Tattoo artists are considered that artists and instead of using canvas they use skin as their medium of choice. Rock stars, professional athletes, celebrities, and peoples of many backgrounds, societies, & nations seek out the best designers or tattoos to find the perfect artist who can give them the perfect tattoo. No more do we wish to conform to a certain society’s view of perfection or beauty. Today, we live our lives in the open. Today we are the norm, no longer being given the label of alternative. To find your own unique and innovative design follow the links below. Be different is better than being the same.