Lately I have been contemplating getting a tattoo of the inscription on “The One Ring” from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings around my upper arm. However, whenever I mention it to friends I get reactions of “Why would you get a tattoo?!” or “tattoos are stupid/dumb/a waste of time and money.”
This has causes me to put even more thought into tattoos and body art. Body art is something that exists across many cultures and exits throughout history. Tattoos can serve as rites of passage or to signify status or rank of an individual. Receiving these would involve some form of ritual and be of great importance. Today tattoos are less of a ritual and more of a form of expression or to establish our identity as a free individual who can decide what to do with his or her body. And if you think of a tattoo parlor, you imagine a small shop with neon lighting outside, black and red interior, with strange chairs you sit in while some guy, who himself is covered head to toe in ink, use a set of tools to inject pigments into your skin. It is not the most pleasant Image. Having gone to Catholic school, I came across this in Leviticus “You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh, for the dead, neither shall you make in yourselves and figures or marks” and I know tattoos are forbidden in other religions as well.
However when you see someone with a tattoo you are forced to take a position. Even though someone may have a tattoo that is tasteful, meaningful or symbolic, someone else may make a judgment about you as a person who would deface their body or someone who has made irrational, permanent decisions without putting enough thought into those decisions. Getting a tattoo puts you into a separate class of people that may receive some undue scorn, but having taken a closer look at tattoos I feel as though I will pass less judgment on other who have tattoos (and not just because I may one day be part of that separate group).
Greetings, My name is Narra Sunny Youk and I was drawn to your blog because I, myself, have tattoos. I agree with you in that when someone sees another individual who has tattoos, they seem to pass judgement on that person. They would perhaps label them as a "bad" person or just another tattooed punk. So tattoos seem to signify something that is looked down upon. People seem to take the position against tattoos. But my mom has tattoos, my dad has tattoos and I have tattoos. It really is all in the eye of the beholder.
ReplyDeleteI believe that tattoos are "read" as a form of self expression today. Society is changing and their are many interpretations of how the Bible gives certain instructions. I am christian as well, but never thought of getting a tattoo as sinful. But I guess that is just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteGetting a tattoo is definitely an "object" because it is thought of a practice of expression. You as the author of your tattoo have certain intentions whether the tattoo is symbolic or just for fun. But you should also keep in mind that other people may interpret your tattoo differently than you do. Thus I would expect lots of questions of what does that symbolize.
I do agree that people with tattoos all over their body are read as hardcore people that you do not want to mess with. But the main point is to not worry about what they think. It is your tattoo and do what comforts you. Put as much latent meaning in as you want. It will be a good conversation starter.
LOTR tattoo of the one ring? Yeah it will be an awesome tattoo. The only thing stopping me from getting one is I dont know what I want and I think I will regret it later
ReplyDelete