Tattoos as Living Art and Not Taboo





Through out history, tattoos have been seen as something only sailors,Hell's Angels,prisoners, and prostitutes wore. There was a major taboo on wearing ink. Now though, times have changed and  tattoos can now be found on the young and old, teachers and doctors.  The ink culture has even invaded T.V. with show such as Miami Ink and the appropriately titled INKED. These shows not only show people getting tattoos but also the reason behind getting the tattoo. Many did it in memory of someone they loss and others did it as a sign of courage or freedom. As shown on these shows it is no longer limited to a certain group of people.   Nor does it stop them from living "normal" successful lives with great jobs. Certain careers do have rules on how visible your tattoos can be, such as the military, and the medical and law professions but as long as the rules are followed a tattooed individual can still be hired.  

Tattoos have also evolved from just roses and crosses to elaborate pieces of art. Religious pictures are very popular even though they are condemned by churches on whole. Several argue now that tattoos are not prohibited by the bible as seen in this article on a website dedicated to religious tattoos. The following links show that these tattoos are not insulting but an amazing way to immortalize your faith. (1,2,3,).  These pictures show the faith of the people who got them.

Cartoon characters and pin-up girls are also very popular.As seen on my homepage, the character of Courtney Crumrin is actually one I am thinking of getting tattooed. I chose her because she is a strong female character in an amazing comic book by Ted Naifeh  .  Also seen on one of the links from my English 209 page is the character is the character Lex from Gloom Cookie  which I am also considering.

On the topic of strong females, the standard of beauty is being shaken by tattooed females who do not conform with the social norms placed on them. A great showcase for this disregard to the plastic mold is the website Suicide Girls.
This website is dedicated to promoting a new standard of beauty. While are first some of the pictures may seem a tad risky, the point they are trying to get across is that these girls do not fit the stereotype of beauty but they are still beautiful. The girls are tattooed and pierced, something that was very taboo about 50 years ago for women to be. This further show the steps society has made in accepting tattoos.


In conclusion getting a tattoo now is not social suicide. People from all walks of life can get tattooed without being labeled a social deviant.
People who are tattooed can have successful careers without been marked with the stigma of the old taboo. I now have the ability to get a tattoo and still achieve the goals I have set for myself without worrying about not being hired. Whether they are tattoos in memory of loved one who has passed away or religious pictures, tattoos have come a long way from only being ink on skin, they are now works of living art.