I can’t imagine how this could shock any of my regular readers, but I’d never get a tattoo. Though I might come off as strict and traditional, it really has nothing (or at least little) to do with my spiritual beliefs. Tattoos simply don’t interest me.
That said, it’s always interested me why people get tattoos. Why do so many feel the need to brand themselves?
I can’t help but imagine that identity has something to do with it…we’re trying to define who we are. As traditional Christian teachings are less and less prevalent, we’ve lost a sense of who we are as people–humans created in the image of God–and individuals–hand-crafted and uniquely loved by a Savior God. Getting a tattoo is one way to identify with a greater purpose or to mark ourselves as an indiviual so we can stand out from the crowd.
What do you think? If you have a tattoo, why did you get it?
Photo by geishaboy500
No tattoos here but I thought about it. I think I wanted to prove that there was some fun left in me. I’d considered getting a Buddha tattooed on my bossom. But at the rate things are going he would look like Gandhi in ten years.
Ba-domp-domp *ching*
OK, that was a really bad joke. And no offense meant to Buddhists.
Actually I would never get a tattoo because I am not much for HURTING ON PURPOSE.
I’m another “Never ever will get a tattoo” person. Partially because I really am not a fan of needles, and partially because it just isn’t me. There are very few things I could imagine wanting to have permanently marked on my body (maybe my daughter’s or husband’s name?) and if I ever did get a tattoo, I’d want it someplace where it could NOT be seen by anyone unless I showed it to them, so then, really, what’s the point?
I think that even though tattoos are seeming more commonplace now, that a certain prejudice still exists against them. You know, someone with a tattoo isn’t as classy or of as good moral character as someone without… the way that “back in the day” only sailors or motorcycle gang members or criminals had a tattoo, KWIM? Nowadays, everyone seems to be getting tattoos, but I think there is still that lingering “ew, that’s not classy” sort of feeling, especially in professional settings.
I remember a friend of mine had a tattoo she’d gotten on her bicep as a teenager and was asked by the director of our agency to never leave it exposed while in a work-related setting. It seemed almost discriminatory but again, there’s that perception… And my SIL has two tattoos; one a small Eeyore on her hip (so easily hidden) and the other this larger, black-and-white Victorian-esque portrait of a girl on her calf that she got halfway through law school. She was told by several prospective employers that she’d need to keep the calf tattoo covered at all times for court or other work.
So, I think there still is that sense of tattoos not being “appropriate” even if they’re becoming more commonplace.
I think they’re so mainstream now it’s just another form of self expression. Like earrings or clothes or hairstyle or shoes. We all choose to look or wear one way or another. Tattoos just happen to be more permanent. And they still can have somewhat of a stigma, not much though. Just until recently only the edges of society, or rebels, got tattoos. Now even Barbie has them. That being said, I have no tattoos. I’d love one but my husband is of the ‘no tattoo’ ilk. He still has a prejudice against them. So, I will not be getting a tattoo and he will not be getting a motorcycle. :)
I dont have any… but I’d really like to get one… why? I think just to put something on me that “speaks” of me – my likes, my cares… it’ll be there forever, so what a reminder of who I am at this time…
I want a beautiful cross on the back of my neck… then, when I put my hair in a pony tail, everyone could see… a MINISTRY TOOL!!! YES!
I will say – our youth pastor got the COOLEST tattoo ever – its a thorn in his side… looks like its really going through his skin & coming out the other end… VERY powerful way to minister right there!!!
But I will agree – there are some BEAUTIFUL tattoos out there & then there are the “WHY????” tattoo’s – the things that are going to be on there forever that are ridiculous… to each his own – right?
I have a tattoo on my lower back. It’s Mandarin for ‘love’. I got it when I was 18 mostly because I thought it was cool. I went by myself even. I was a pretty rebellious teenager though. I don’t really advocate tattoos now for the obvious reasons: professionalism if you’re going to be in a work place, influence on others, and also, if you don’t have a spouse, consideration of what a future spouse may think of it. If you have a spouse the same goes. I know my husband hates my tattoo. If you must have a tattoo, I would say to consider greatly where it is, what it is, what people will think when they see it, and how it may affect a future or current spouse.
A seminary student in our Sunday school class is considering getting a tattoo. She’s been considering it for a couple of YEARS now. She wants her favorite verse (not actually written out, just the reference) tattooed on her left ring finger with a cross on the bottom side of it so that way she can wear a ring around it if it bothers anyone. She’s put a lot of consideration into it. I would consider her (future) tattoo a responsible marking of her body. She is being discreet. She is showing consideration for her future spouse. And she is making sure that what she has on there is something that she will stand for forever (Christ)…not a fleeting feeling or whim.
I do think for a lot of people it’s become a form of self-expression. I’ve considered getting one, but something very simple and small that is a reminder of my faith. However, I doubt I will ever actually go through with it.
I love tattoos! I have two with plans for at least three more in the future.
I find them a great means of self-expression and an artistic statement. It’s like bringing someone’s personality to the outside image, and I truly enjoy that. With that said, I always think a tattoo should have a certain real meaning to someone if permanently etched on the skin. An individual shouldn’t simply get a tattoo because it’s pretty, but because of the strong meaning it has to that person.
My first one is on my foot and it’s two Penn State Nittany Lion paws. After graduating from college, I couldn’t afford a class ring but wanted something more than just my degrees to symbolize the four years I just completed, so for $50, I got the tattoo.
My second one is on the back of my neck and it’s Beatles lyrics: “There’s nowhere you can be that isn’t where you’re meant to be.” I’m a strong believer in a purpose to everything, including the changes in our lives. And here I am, 500 miles from home, standing on my own. I have a HUGE love for the Beatles and these lyrics meant something very deep to me in the road my life has found itself on.
I want several more, all for a variety of reasons, but they aren’t cheap, so it’s a gradual process. Also, I have to put them in places easily hidden (I have long hair so the neck one isn’t an issue) because of my journalism career – although I want one BADLY on my wrist. There’s just something absolutely beautiful to me about tattoos and I don’t think that will ever change.
Not interested (at all) personally and have the same questions as yourself, therefore am finding people’s responses to your question interesting. Thanks for the impromptu “study.” ;)
I don’t have any, I don’t want any.
Not sure about this obsession our society has with tattoos at the moment.
Hope it passes.
Sometimes I would watch Miami Ink because I liked to hear the stories and reasons behind the tattoos. But never ever would I consider one.
I’ll just live with the birthmark God gave me.
♥
Joy
I was at the gas station a few weeks ago and saw a mom around my age (mid 40′s) pumping gas into her suburban. I looked down and she had a Mickey Mouse tattoed on the side of her calf. I’m thinking gee whiz who would want to go thru the rest of their life with Mickey Mouse’s face permanently inked onto their leg.
Just wondering??
I do not have a tattoo but I enjoy looking at other people’s tattoos. I think most of the time they have some sort of story or significance. My husband has a tattoo on his back. It’s a design and it means something special to him. I respect that and I like it.
@Jennifer: Yeah, the “hurting on purpose” thing would stop me too.
@Heather: Yep, I still think tattoos are a no-no professionally.
@Vicki: Yeah, it’s the permanent thing that bothers me. My tastes have changed so much over the years, I imagine they’ll keep doing so. Though I suppose I could get a tattoo representing something timeless (like my faith), but my taste for representing it might change.
@Rebecca Jo: The thought of getting a tattoo on my neck makes me cringe. Yes, I’m a baby.
@Elizabeth: Way to be the first commenter to have a tattoo! Do you regret getting it, or are you glad you did? The future spouse angle is another reason to not get one for me. Though I’m not anti-tattoo, I’d prefer my future husband not have one.
@MinD: I definitely think there’s a lot of personal preference involved. I’m also not a fan of nose rings, though I know many people think they’re pretty.
@Carrie: Haha, glad I can share the fruits!
@Joy: I’ve wondered where it came from as well. I imagine individualism might have something to do with it. Also, wanting to cast off all vestiges of tradition. A Mickey Mouse tattoo? I think one’d be hard-pressed to have a deeper meaning on that one.
Ronnica, I do actually regret getting it for a few reasons. 1, Sam really does not like it at all. He thinks women’s skin should remain pure…lol. 2, my tattoo doesn’t have a ton of meaning. Yes, it means love, but I really got it because it was cool and dramatic and at the time, I was thin and could wear things that made it show. 3, I’ve worked in schools and it has been an issue that I have to make sure it’s covered all the time…so if I bent over or the wind was blowing my shirt around…you know, it was sometimes an issue. I’ve changed a lot (not just physically) since I got it and can say, while I’m not anti tattoo, I wouldn’t have gotten the one I have.
INTERESTING…I would NEVER want to deface my body with a tattoo. I have never liked them…even though I love my family members who have them. I have always felt that they were satanistic. Nowdays so many people have. Of course, I never wanted my ears pierced either.
I’ve been contemplating getting a tattoo in an obscure place, but only have a few ideas for what it would be a picture of.
Now piercing…that’s what I’m talking about. I want my ears pierced a few more times at least…
I don’t have a tattoo, my friend. For me, I could never figure out a design that I would want permanently inked into my flesh.
My problem is indecision, I suppose. :)
-Francesca
i am of the old-fashioned and religious-based belief that tattoos defile the body; the “temple” in which God gave us; patterned after Him. I will never get one.
However, that being said, there were times in my life – when i was about 19 – when i thought a little heart or a lily on the back of my shoulder might be a tasteful option. i think i wanted to feel like i was “daring” or it would be “exiting”. the element of thrill…
I think too many people don’t realize that tattoos are forever. While they may look great on you now in your 20s, in your 80s they might not look as great.
I don’t have a tattoo but I actually like them. I think they can be beautiful expressions of your personality, faith or whatever. I might get one someday, if I ever think of something that I am confident I will be happy having on my body forever.
Don’t have one…but have considered getting on in the past. In the end, I’ve declined. One could say that getting a tattoo is no different than getting your ears (or nose, etc) pierced. I do have my ears pierced…just one set.
@Elizabeth: Those are good reasons to regret it. It’s amazing how we do things when we are younger, and we don’t really consider the life-long consequences.
@Amanda: Getting a second set of piercings on my ears was the only thing I’ve ever considered. I won’t do it now though. I’m just glad that I got my ears pierced when I was 6, because I’m afraid I would have been too much of a wuss to do them now!
@Ari: I think that every time I hear of someone getting a tattoo. I can’t help but picture what it’ll look like when they’re much older!
I do have a tattoo and I love it. It doesn’t even mean much, just a pretty design. To be honest, I think they’re sexy. I know it won’t look the same when I’m older, but neither will I. I would like to get another that says a little more about who I am, but they’re expensive.
My husband has one too that I love.
I have a small Maple Leaf on my ankle. It’s a visible indication of my nationality that everyone can see. I’ve considered getting others too. But it always takes me a long time to decide if I like something enough to have it permanently attached to my body.