Many people who have had even the smallest education of history, are aware of the sometimes-barbaric procedures used to thwart criminals from repeating offenses. In some countries like the Middle East and Africa, such practices are still utilized. If a man is caught and convicted of rape in the Middle East, two large rocks are used like cymbals to smash around his genitalia. Gives new meaning to The Clapper, doesn’t it? (Hmm – maybe the US should look into implementing that one. Oops, I digress.)
In the early 1700’s, the Japanese decided to rid themselves of such practices as amputation of ears, nose, and fingers, and instead adopted the idea to “mark” convicted criminals. for each offense, a ring tattoo of certain significance was etched around the offender’s arm. It was not until about 1870 that the tattooing of criminals was abolished in Japan. So, for all of those thinking about (or are already sporting one) armband tattoos, you may, once again, thank the worldwide penal facilities for the idea.
Although it seems tribal designs have overtaken the armband tattoo genre, there has been almost any character or creature imaginable that has been stretched out to entwine the upper bicep. Mystical creatures like dragons, fairies, and yes, I have seen a unicorn, make up just a few I have come across in recent years. In addition, the combinations of several subjects seem to make an even more interesting and intriguing armband. Lately, I did come across a man who had added skulls to stretched-out bones, perfecting a complex maze that – from far away – looked like the average, boring tribal armband. Up close, however, the artwork was astounding!
I look forward to my husband getting a new one. He has great interest in constructing his own armband tattoo. His tastes run to more Celtic in nature, and he would like an armband of Celtic lattice design. However, within the crevices of the latticework – just here and there – he would like faces of wolves peering through the shadows of the Celtic design. As interesting as that sounds, perhaps he will change his mind when he finds out what armbands used to symbolize. Oh, he would still get the tattoo, but it may be a more significant work of art. If anything, it could look like an average tribal from afar, but up close, you could read our wedding vows finely printed around his bicep. Can anyone say, “Ball and Chain”?
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