Tattoos are not as taboo as they once were, but this does not mean that everyone should get one. They are permanent, and with today’s divorce rate, you can see that permanent is not something that we tend to deal with very well. You may love your tattoo, but in the years to come you may change your mind.
They can fade, and become a symbol of something we would rather forget, or may just ended up looking silly when our life heads in another direction. This is why there are so many fake tattoos out there, and why they are becoming so popular.
When you use a fake tattoo, you don’t have to commit to something you may not like in five, ten or twenty years. You can get the latest trend in tattoos without making it a permanent accessory.
Imagine one day you decide to go to law school. The big-breasted lady you have tattooed on the back of your hand is not going to help you out much. However, if you were to get a fake tattoo, you have the option of simply wiping it off. Most of them will stay on through a shower, but can be removed very easily with baby oil.
Some parents and schools are allowing a fake tattoo as a reward for good grades or good behavior. These tattoos can come in almost any theme and the parents can get them off very easily. It may help take some of the mystique out of getting a tattoo, and may show a child how easily you can get sick of seeing something on your skin day in and day out. Younger children often don’t even understand what a tattoo is, and my see a fake tattoo as just another thing that kids do.
If you can’t find what you are looking for when you search for a fake tattoo, remember that you can get them special made. You may be able to get almost anything you want, but you are going to pay for the artwork. You can print them out on your own if you want to, but the paper, so I hear, can be rather expensive. If you are a teacher, you may want to do this for your class (with parental permission of course) or if you are a budding artist, this may be a great way to make some extra money. You can print off your own designs and sell them for a profit.
Be sure to read part 2 of Kelis Tattoo On Her Back for the full story on Fake Tattoo
http://ezinearticles.com/?A-Fake-Tattoo---Handy-In-Case-Of-Divorce?&id=562923
Friday, May 18, 2007
Tattoo Removal - Do You Know The Risks Of Tattoo Removal?
Whether you have several tattoos, or are simply thinking of getting one, the idea of tattoo removal is something you might need to consider someday. The days of a tattoo being absolutely permanent may be behind us, but the process is not an easy one.
The best way to avoid needing tattoo removal, of course, is to be very careful about what tattoos you get. Most people seek tattoo removals because they have tattooed a name on their body and they are no longer associated with that name or person. People also want their tattoos removed because they carry a symbol on their body that they had tattooed during a time of fad, and realize they no longer want that symbol. In order to decrease your chances of needing tattoo removal, you should consider very carefully what kind of tattoo you want to get, and above all else you should make sure that you are getting a tattoo that speaks to you and you alone, and is one that is going to continue to be important to you, no matter what changes you might go through in your life.
Of course, not everyone plans ahead and makes tattoo decisions that they’ll be happy with for their entire lives. Even when people think through their tattoos very carefully and take all of precautions, the facts remains solid that they simply might change their minds and no longer want a tattoo.
Long Process
If you are thinking of tattoo removal, you should know that it is a long process. There are several methods of tattoo removal, and the degree to which they work depends on a variety of factors. Depending on how well the tattoo was applied, how long it has been on the skin, and how big it is, you could end up with colors or scarring, or you could be left with no tattoo at all.
Several methods
There are several methods for removing tattoos – but remember, each method should only be done by a doctor or by a trained tattoo removal artist.
Excision is the process of cutting away at the tattoo. With a small tattoo, the skin that holds it is simply cut out, and the edges are then sutured. If a larger tattoo is being removed, pieces of it can be cut out in sections. In this process, the patient might end up with scarring, but sometimes that proves a better alternative than the tattoo.
Dermabrasion is the process of rubbing the tattoo off. The tattoo is sprayed with a solution that allows the area to freeze, and then the area with the tattoo is sanded with an abrasive rotary device that causes the skin to peel. When the skin peels, the ink will come up with it. Several treatments are usually needed.
Lasers are another method of removing tattoos. The laser is directed at the tattoo and breaks up the pigment, the pieces of which the body moves to the surface. Like the others, there are usually several treatments of laser tattoo removal that are needed.
Salabrasion is an older method that is sometimes still used today – in which a solution of water and salt is sprayed onto the tattoo, and it is rubbed like in dermabrasion, but with even simpler instruments. When the skin turns deep red from the rubbing, a dressing is applied. With several treatments, the tattoo usually fades.
With all of these methods is it important to note that there are many factors you have to consider when deciding how effective tattoo removal can be. If you are still interested, it is suggested that you talk to your doctor about tattoo removal. Your doctor can recommend a method and a place that will fit your needs and do well for you.
Sheila Ray writes on a variety of beauty and skin care topics.
For more information on tattoos, further information on tattoo removal including a method that can work without causing scarring, tattoos styles and other fascinating tattoo facts,
visit http://www.fantastic-tattoos.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tattoo-Removal---Do-You-Know-The-Risks-Of-Tattoo-Removal?&id=561245
The best way to avoid needing tattoo removal, of course, is to be very careful about what tattoos you get. Most people seek tattoo removals because they have tattooed a name on their body and they are no longer associated with that name or person. People also want their tattoos removed because they carry a symbol on their body that they had tattooed during a time of fad, and realize they no longer want that symbol. In order to decrease your chances of needing tattoo removal, you should consider very carefully what kind of tattoo you want to get, and above all else you should make sure that you are getting a tattoo that speaks to you and you alone, and is one that is going to continue to be important to you, no matter what changes you might go through in your life.
Of course, not everyone plans ahead and makes tattoo decisions that they’ll be happy with for their entire lives. Even when people think through their tattoos very carefully and take all of precautions, the facts remains solid that they simply might change their minds and no longer want a tattoo.
Long Process
If you are thinking of tattoo removal, you should know that it is a long process. There are several methods of tattoo removal, and the degree to which they work depends on a variety of factors. Depending on how well the tattoo was applied, how long it has been on the skin, and how big it is, you could end up with colors or scarring, or you could be left with no tattoo at all.
Several methods
There are several methods for removing tattoos – but remember, each method should only be done by a doctor or by a trained tattoo removal artist.
Excision is the process of cutting away at the tattoo. With a small tattoo, the skin that holds it is simply cut out, and the edges are then sutured. If a larger tattoo is being removed, pieces of it can be cut out in sections. In this process, the patient might end up with scarring, but sometimes that proves a better alternative than the tattoo.
Dermabrasion is the process of rubbing the tattoo off. The tattoo is sprayed with a solution that allows the area to freeze, and then the area with the tattoo is sanded with an abrasive rotary device that causes the skin to peel. When the skin peels, the ink will come up with it. Several treatments are usually needed.
Lasers are another method of removing tattoos. The laser is directed at the tattoo and breaks up the pigment, the pieces of which the body moves to the surface. Like the others, there are usually several treatments of laser tattoo removal that are needed.
Salabrasion is an older method that is sometimes still used today – in which a solution of water and salt is sprayed onto the tattoo, and it is rubbed like in dermabrasion, but with even simpler instruments. When the skin turns deep red from the rubbing, a dressing is applied. With several treatments, the tattoo usually fades.
With all of these methods is it important to note that there are many factors you have to consider when deciding how effective tattoo removal can be. If you are still interested, it is suggested that you talk to your doctor about tattoo removal. Your doctor can recommend a method and a place that will fit your needs and do well for you.
Sheila Ray writes on a variety of beauty and skin care topics.
For more information on tattoos, further information on tattoo removal including a method that can work without causing scarring, tattoos styles and other fascinating tattoo facts,
visit http://www.fantastic-tattoos.com
http://ezinearticles.com/?Tattoo-Removal---Do-You-Know-The-Risks-Of-Tattoo-Removal?&id=561245
5 Tips To Design Your Superman Tattoo Pics Professionally
Ask anyone who has had a tattoo why they did it and they will tell you two things. One, they were making a very personal statement, usually spiritually oriented, and two, after their first tattoo they were hooked.
Tattoo is not just a method of body art; it is a very spiritual custom that dates back hundreds to thousands of years in many cultures. While there are many beautiful and breathtaking designs, most people use these tattoos as a basis or template for their own personal expression.
The majority of the time, if a client does not come in with their own personal design, they will show the artist a particular design and follow up with, "but I want to make a few changes." So, when you are designing your own tattoo, such as with a Superman tattoo pic, there are a few tips to consider. Location, Location, Location!
Think about where you want to put the tattoo. For instance, you wouldn't want to put a large, flying Superman tattoo pic on your ankle. That type of tattoo is too detailed and would be rather large so it would not be appropriate for that area.
A Superman tattoo pic like that would likely be better suited on the upper arm, hip, back or even forearm. When you think about your tattoo and what type of tattoo you want(such as a Superman tattoo pic), consider where you want it to be placed.
Size Matters
Yes, when you are looking to get a tattoo, size does matter. You really can not just choose a random design or a Superman tattoo pic with no forethought because you do need to consider the size of the tatt as well as the location. Sometimes the location will even dictate the size.
A Superman tattoo pic that is, perhaps, the big S symbol that is always shown on the front of his uniform, then you can usually size that up or down according to the location.
What are Your Colors?
Choose colors that are appropriate for the tatt, but also appropriate for you. This is generally a permanent venture, so you want something that you like and will enjoy seeing on your body for the rest of your life. A Superman tattoo pic would be blue, red and yellow.
What colors are your spirit? If you are commemorating an event, what are its colors? If you are honoring someone, what colors do you associate with them? Let your color scheme work with YOU. Or choose a standard tattoo like a Superman tattoo pic and go with it.
Choose a Design that Fits Your Spirit
Choose a design or template that fits your personal spirit. The design should speak to you. If you want a Superman tattoo pic, go for it. You may wish to combine several designs to create your own. Add elements, or if you are an artist, draw your own design.
You can find many different designs and select one that suits you. You may want to bring a friend along for input, but don't allow them to influence you too much. After all, you will be the one walking around with the tattoo, or the Superman tattoo pic, not them.
Think Twice about Adding a Name
You may have heard this many times, but it always stands to be said again. When designing your own tattoo, you may want to think twice about putting someone's name on it. There are a few celebrities that we can look to who can attest to this. Many people put people's names on their tatts and wind up covering the name later.
If you want to honor the love of your life by putting their name under your Superman tattoo pic, do yourself a favor and do it some other way. A tattoo is forever unless you get it covered or lasered. Save yourself the trouble.
If you like this information, get your hands on a collection of thousands of gorgeous high quality tattoo designs all viewable from your comforts of your home and you can print out for your favorite tattoo artist. Remember to get your special FREE Gift: 'You And Your Tattoo'
http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Tips-To-Design-Your-Superman-Tattoo-Pics-Professionally&id=565623
Tattoo is not just a method of body art; it is a very spiritual custom that dates back hundreds to thousands of years in many cultures. While there are many beautiful and breathtaking designs, most people use these tattoos as a basis or template for their own personal expression.
The majority of the time, if a client does not come in with their own personal design, they will show the artist a particular design and follow up with, "but I want to make a few changes." So, when you are designing your own tattoo, such as with a Superman tattoo pic, there are a few tips to consider. Location, Location, Location!
Think about where you want to put the tattoo. For instance, you wouldn't want to put a large, flying Superman tattoo pic on your ankle. That type of tattoo is too detailed and would be rather large so it would not be appropriate for that area.
A Superman tattoo pic like that would likely be better suited on the upper arm, hip, back or even forearm. When you think about your tattoo and what type of tattoo you want(such as a Superman tattoo pic), consider where you want it to be placed.
Size Matters
Yes, when you are looking to get a tattoo, size does matter. You really can not just choose a random design or a Superman tattoo pic with no forethought because you do need to consider the size of the tatt as well as the location. Sometimes the location will even dictate the size.
A Superman tattoo pic that is, perhaps, the big S symbol that is always shown on the front of his uniform, then you can usually size that up or down according to the location.
What are Your Colors?
Choose colors that are appropriate for the tatt, but also appropriate for you. This is generally a permanent venture, so you want something that you like and will enjoy seeing on your body for the rest of your life. A Superman tattoo pic would be blue, red and yellow.
What colors are your spirit? If you are commemorating an event, what are its colors? If you are honoring someone, what colors do you associate with them? Let your color scheme work with YOU. Or choose a standard tattoo like a Superman tattoo pic and go with it.
Choose a Design that Fits Your Spirit
Choose a design or template that fits your personal spirit. The design should speak to you. If you want a Superman tattoo pic, go for it. You may wish to combine several designs to create your own. Add elements, or if you are an artist, draw your own design.
You can find many different designs and select one that suits you. You may want to bring a friend along for input, but don't allow them to influence you too much. After all, you will be the one walking around with the tattoo, or the Superman tattoo pic, not them.
Think Twice about Adding a Name
You may have heard this many times, but it always stands to be said again. When designing your own tattoo, you may want to think twice about putting someone's name on it. There are a few celebrities that we can look to who can attest to this. Many people put people's names on their tatts and wind up covering the name later.
If you want to honor the love of your life by putting their name under your Superman tattoo pic, do yourself a favor and do it some other way. A tattoo is forever unless you get it covered or lasered. Save yourself the trouble.
If you like this information, get your hands on a collection of thousands of gorgeous high quality tattoo designs all viewable from your comforts of your home and you can print out for your favorite tattoo artist. Remember to get your special FREE Gift: 'You And Your Tattoo'
http://ezinearticles.com/?5-Tips-To-Design-Your-Superman-Tattoo-Pics-Professionally&id=565623
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Student 'smokes up' in downtown Auburn
In Auburn, the Phillies Blunts and Swisher Sweets at the local gas station are the closest you can come to obtaining a fine cigar, but Anthony Hawksby, 04PG, hopes to change this.
Hawksby, who has been attending the University for four years, said it was an English assignment that inspired him to open his tobacco shop, Little Anthony's Cigars, which opened last week upstairs in the Coffee Banque's former lounge.
"I had to take an advertisement and talk about it positively or negatively. I chose a Hoya de Monterrey cigar ad," Hawksby said. "We had to show how ads slanted views. I pretty much slammed it."
"I didn't tell my professor I ordered a box of Hoya de Monterreys," Hawksby said.
This is not Hawksby's first attempt at entrepreneurialism, though.
"I was the first kid on the block selling lemonade when I was six or seven," Hawksby said.
"I've been interested in having my own business since I've been here.
"I had some extra money and a great idea. Auburn doesn't have anything like this. I'm bringing a bit of the good life to Auburn," Hawksby said.
Because of Auburn's rigid no smoking policy and difficulty finding good distributors, Hawksby had to vend stogies out of his home for two months.
Little Anthony's will carry a selection of tobacco products and accessories, including imported and clove cigarettes, humidors, cigar cases and eventually pipes and pipe tobaccos.
But Hawksby said he will focus mainly on premium cigars.
Several things such as the wrapper, filler, roll and the origin of the tobacco determine whether a cigar makes the premium grade.
"Most premium cigars are hand-rolled," Hawksby said.
Hawksby said the cigar should consist of a long filler, meaning the tobacco leaves are rolled the length of the cigar instead of shredded and stuffed.
There are many types of wrappers ranging from Connecticut, which is usually the lightest shade, to Maduro, the darkest.
"It's all up to personal preference and taste," Hawksby said.
However, Hawksby insists price is a poor determinant of cigar quality.
"A lot of times you walk in a store and they say 'Okay, start with the most expensive,' so you buy an $8 cigar. That's not how it works. Just because you pay $10 for a cigar doesn't mean it's better than a $3 cigar, " Hawksby said.
"Cigars have become big business, but with all the popularity my main concern is cigar companies sacrificing quality for quantity," Hawksby said.
He said the boom in the cigar industry has "opened up cigar-smoking to another half of our population" Ñ females.
"My girlfriend smokes them. I think it's sexy," Hawksby said. "I've gotten a pretty big response from women on campus. I guess ever since Demi Moore put one in her mouth, that was it."
Hawksby encourages everyone, regardless of their previous experience with cigars, to give it a try.
"I want to answer people's questions," Hawksby said. "When I go to a cigar shop, it's usually uptight and stuffy, and I'm looked down upon because I'm young and I smoke cigars. Everyone has to start somewhere. It's a learning process."
So whether you are a cigar aficionado or a first-timer, Hawksby reminds you that "the tobacco plant is a beautiful thing given to us by God and should never be overlooked. It was put here for us to enjoy."
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/plainsman/archives/96FA/0924/intrigue.html
Hawksby, who has been attending the University for four years, said it was an English assignment that inspired him to open his tobacco shop, Little Anthony's Cigars, which opened last week upstairs in the Coffee Banque's former lounge.
"I had to take an advertisement and talk about it positively or negatively. I chose a Hoya de Monterrey cigar ad," Hawksby said. "We had to show how ads slanted views. I pretty much slammed it."
"I didn't tell my professor I ordered a box of Hoya de Monterreys," Hawksby said.
This is not Hawksby's first attempt at entrepreneurialism, though.
"I was the first kid on the block selling lemonade when I was six or seven," Hawksby said.
"I've been interested in having my own business since I've been here.
"I had some extra money and a great idea. Auburn doesn't have anything like this. I'm bringing a bit of the good life to Auburn," Hawksby said.
Because of Auburn's rigid no smoking policy and difficulty finding good distributors, Hawksby had to vend stogies out of his home for two months.
Little Anthony's will carry a selection of tobacco products and accessories, including imported and clove cigarettes, humidors, cigar cases and eventually pipes and pipe tobaccos.
But Hawksby said he will focus mainly on premium cigars.
Several things such as the wrapper, filler, roll and the origin of the tobacco determine whether a cigar makes the premium grade.
"Most premium cigars are hand-rolled," Hawksby said.
Hawksby said the cigar should consist of a long filler, meaning the tobacco leaves are rolled the length of the cigar instead of shredded and stuffed.
There are many types of wrappers ranging from Connecticut, which is usually the lightest shade, to Maduro, the darkest.
"It's all up to personal preference and taste," Hawksby said.
However, Hawksby insists price is a poor determinant of cigar quality.
"A lot of times you walk in a store and they say 'Okay, start with the most expensive,' so you buy an $8 cigar. That's not how it works. Just because you pay $10 for a cigar doesn't mean it's better than a $3 cigar, " Hawksby said.
"Cigars have become big business, but with all the popularity my main concern is cigar companies sacrificing quality for quantity," Hawksby said.
He said the boom in the cigar industry has "opened up cigar-smoking to another half of our population" Ñ females.
"My girlfriend smokes them. I think it's sexy," Hawksby said. "I've gotten a pretty big response from women on campus. I guess ever since Demi Moore put one in her mouth, that was it."
Hawksby encourages everyone, regardless of their previous experience with cigars, to give it a try.
"I want to answer people's questions," Hawksby said. "When I go to a cigar shop, it's usually uptight and stuffy, and I'm looked down upon because I'm young and I smoke cigars. Everyone has to start somewhere. It's a learning process."
So whether you are a cigar aficionado or a first-timer, Hawksby reminds you that "the tobacco plant is a beautiful thing given to us by God and should never be overlooked. It was put here for us to enjoy."
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/plainsman/archives/96FA/0924/intrigue.html
New pizza joint 'taps' Auburn market
The building has been there since 1905, and for almost 80 years, it has been known as the Tiger Rec pool hall. Greg Bradshaw changed that when he decided to put a Mellow Mushroom pizza parlor in its place.
Bradshaw, an Atlanta native, graduated in 1990`from St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., with a master's degree. He taught high school English at Woodward Academy and Brentwood School in Georgia, while also coaching the football teams.
"I had the fortune of seeing Takeo Spikes play high school football," Bradshaw said.
After teaching for five years, he got into the restaurant business. "I didn't want to do fine dining. I wanted something casual, and I wanted a bar," Bradshaw said.
Mellow Mushroom, located on 128 N. College St., is the 30th store of the franchise, which began in Atlanta. This is only the second store outside of Georgia, the first being in Boone, N.C.
Bradshaw bought a franchise and began his quest for an "SEC or ACC college town." He said he had it narrowed down to Auburn or Chapel Hill, but the Plains' "old-fashioned downtown" won his heart.
"It turned out perfect location-wise. The market looked good. Students were obviously eating pizza," Bradshaw said, referring to the plethora of pizza joints in the Auburn area. Although Mellow Mushroom will not deliver this fall, Bradshaw said, "We will be equipped to deliver when the students return from Christmas break."
Bradshaw said there are few corporate regulations pertaining to the management of the franchise.
"They're not uptight at all," Bradshaw said.
The main concern is that all franchise owners meet certain quality regulations regarding the ingredients in the pizza.
"We're contractually bound to buy the best cheeses, meats and sauces," Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw said Mellow Mushroom will also use baker's ovens to cook their pies.
"It takes about 25 minutes to bake one of our pies Ñ we don't want to put out a schwag product," Bradshaw said.
Another aspect that will set Mellow Mushroom apart from other pizza places in town is the extensive selection of beers. They will have 18 beers on tap, including Warsteiner, Blue Moon Belgian White and Newcastle. Bradshaw said they will also carry 30 to 50 bottled selections.
Mellow Mushroom will open this Friday, and Bradshaw said he is "looking forward to seeing students come in, try a new beer and try a new product."
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/plainsman/archives/96FA/0924/intrigue.html
Bradshaw, an Atlanta native, graduated in 1990`from St. John's College in Annapolis, Md., with a master's degree. He taught high school English at Woodward Academy and Brentwood School in Georgia, while also coaching the football teams.
"I had the fortune of seeing Takeo Spikes play high school football," Bradshaw said.
After teaching for five years, he got into the restaurant business. "I didn't want to do fine dining. I wanted something casual, and I wanted a bar," Bradshaw said.
Mellow Mushroom, located on 128 N. College St., is the 30th store of the franchise, which began in Atlanta. This is only the second store outside of Georgia, the first being in Boone, N.C.
Bradshaw bought a franchise and began his quest for an "SEC or ACC college town." He said he had it narrowed down to Auburn or Chapel Hill, but the Plains' "old-fashioned downtown" won his heart.
"It turned out perfect location-wise. The market looked good. Students were obviously eating pizza," Bradshaw said, referring to the plethora of pizza joints in the Auburn area. Although Mellow Mushroom will not deliver this fall, Bradshaw said, "We will be equipped to deliver when the students return from Christmas break."
Bradshaw said there are few corporate regulations pertaining to the management of the franchise.
"They're not uptight at all," Bradshaw said.
The main concern is that all franchise owners meet certain quality regulations regarding the ingredients in the pizza.
"We're contractually bound to buy the best cheeses, meats and sauces," Bradshaw said.
Bradshaw said Mellow Mushroom will also use baker's ovens to cook their pies.
"It takes about 25 minutes to bake one of our pies Ñ we don't want to put out a schwag product," Bradshaw said.
Another aspect that will set Mellow Mushroom apart from other pizza places in town is the extensive selection of beers. They will have 18 beers on tap, including Warsteiner, Blue Moon Belgian White and Newcastle. Bradshaw said they will also carry 30 to 50 bottled selections.
Mellow Mushroom will open this Friday, and Bradshaw said he is "looking forward to seeing students come in, try a new beer and try a new product."
http://www.auburn.edu/student_info/plainsman/archives/96FA/0924/intrigue.html
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Icons of Flesh
In psychiatry, the border between Art and Science often hides in clinical experience, which itself often reflects only a dimly grasped set of personal experiences. In this setting, any true objective data becomes a treasure.
As a resident, I learned that tattoos and sociopaths often occurred together. The more tattoos, the more likely a diagnosis of psychopathic personality became. The words love and hate, I understood, applied to the fingers, H-A-T-E on the left hand, L-O-V-E on the right, were essentially pathognomonic of sociopathy. I have believed this for more than 20 years, but after a trip to Greece began to wonder what those patients used in languages where the words did not use four letters. So I decided to write a review, and try to find out.
I was surprised to learn that there existed no literature on the subject; Medline drew a blank on the disorder cross-referenced with tattoo. Neither subject alone yielded less than a thousand references. I finally plowed through all the titles under tattoos, and found hundreds of articles on dermatology, and a few scattered words about risk taking in adolescents, but nothing else.
I spent some time sending E-mail to psychiatrists in other countries. Dr. K, in Tokyo, kindly sent me an English language book on the art of Japanese tattoos, and I began to re-learn my old errors. I have posted mail to a number of tattoo artists, and done telephone interviews with several, including Kris Sperry, M.D., the physician who serves as Medical Consultant to the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, and who helped set the standards for licensure by that organization. I even rented and watched a movie. I will summarize my experiences below:
The process of injecting colored pigments under the skin has existed for most of human history. Egyptian tombs with drawings of tattooed people and archeological statuary with clear artificial lines on the skin exist, as do long standing customs among ancient peoples, and date back at least 12,000 years before Christ. By 2,000 BC, the art had spread to China. Many of the older reasons have been lost forever. We can only assume that some of the more modern reasons indicate their previous use. Throughout most of the world, skin markings identified social class, marital availability, beauty, skill as a warrior or crafts man (or woman), or status as a slave or criminal. The Danes, Norse, and Saxons used tattoos to identify family symbols and crests. In the Far East, with Pictographic Writing, many people chose phrases of dedication to Buddha or a lover, rather than an actual drawing. All of these have varied with time and culture.
However, the Christian Bible, in Leviticus 19:28, specifically says You shall not... tattoo any marks upon you. Bowing to this, Pope Hadrian, in AD 787, banned the art. It survived in Britain until the Norman conquests in 1066. King Harold died at the hands of William, and his body was identified by the word Edith tattooed over his heart. Thus exited skin art from Western culture for many centuries, Though Marco Polo described Tattoos on some Chinese he met.
In Japan, things took a different path. Early on, forehead marks there signified criminals. Some sources say these were uniform, while others describe variations from city to city. This punishment was severe in that ostracism remains even now a more powerful punishment than in the West, due to different values on family ties. Whatever the history, in more recent times, reaction to strict sumptuary laws imposed by the harsh Tokugawa government that allowed only royalty to wear embroidered clothing caused a change. The wealthy middle classes began to wear kimonos with brocade on the inside, but the poor began to flaunt the laws and wear full tattooed body suits.
In 1691 an English explorer named Dampier brought the first tattooed South Sea Islander to London, and a city that had not seen such art forms for 600 years looked with fascination. Captain Cook brought more, and introduced the sideshow to the Royalty. Soon this expensive and painful process became a mark of wealth for the crowned heads of European society. Japanese artists cost the most, and so were most desired. Among those known to have had tattoos are King George V, Winston Churchill s mother, King Oscar of Sweden, and Grand Duke Alexis of Russia.
Technology forces change in any time, and in 1891 the first electric tattoo needle made the process much cheaper and faster. That lead to popularity among lower classes, and subsequent abandonment by the rich. The public fascination with heavily marked skin created a market for circus freaks to collect fees for displaying their works, leading to further definition of this as a pseudo-art only for freaks and sailors.
In 1955 Robert Mitchum starred in a movie named the Night of the Hunter. In this, he plays a sociopathic traveling preacher (and serial killer) who has LOVE on his left hand and HATE on his right. He even uses them in a brief sermon about the struggle between the two forces. As best I can determine, this originated with that movie, and all the copy-cats I have seen since simply mimicked his image. Sideshow Bob in the TV cartoon series The Simpsons, has only 3 fingers per hand, and has LUV and HAT tattoos (with an umlat over the 'a' as homage to Mitchum. Sailors in the days of tall ships often got tattoos on their hands that said HOLD and FAST on their fingers, either as a totem or a reminder. (I've heard rumors of college athletes with TGIF on their feet, to remind them toes go in first. )
In order to look for this stain of sociopathy, I conducted a poll of local jail staff (in a city of 100,000). I specifically asked 2 RN s, with three and six years of experience working in the jail, respectively, if they had noted the love-hate tattoos. Neither remembered seeing this at any time. Two guards with less than three years work history each had also not seen this specific tattoo. I also polled my peers at the Forensic Hospital where I work. We serve a state of 3.5 million people. Among 3 PhD Forensic psychologists, who had worked 9, 5, and two years, respectively, the specific mark had been seen, but in only a few vaguely remembered instances. Two forensic psychiatrists, including myself, with careers that spanned more than 20 years each, could only identify perhaps a dozen such patients. Obviously, then, these specific marks betray neither historic nor frequent behaviors.
By 1961, hepatitis outbreaks led New York City and the State of Massachusetts to ban this work. These regulations continue in force as well as in Indiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Ocean City, MD. Ft Lauderdale and Jacksonville Beach, FL have laws requiring a physician on site when tattooing occurs. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists arose in an effort to self-regulate, and promote standards of hygiene and professionalism. As an aside, the CDC has never reported a case of AIDS related to tattoo needles, even those done in non-sterile conditions.
Also in the 1960s, the counter-culture blossomed, and products of that led such stars as Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, and Cher to have their own personal skin art. Many stars of music and screen and professional athletes today display tattoos (including Sean Connery, Melanie Griffith,Michael Jordon, and Drew Barrymore.) In Japan, however, the tattoo has remained highly stylized, with only a small number of elaborate forms existing. almost all based on a few specific legends. There, rather than to identify oneself as unique as in the West, one gets a tattoo to become a member of a select group and to conform. The Japanese Mafia also have a set of tattoos for their members.
In the West, two primary forms of tattoos exist; professional and jail-house. The latter are done crudely, often out of boredom, and also as marks to signify membership in a gang, certain crimes, etc. The New York State Police appear to have one of the most complete books of these variations, though I have not personally inspected a copy.
A quote from William De Michele, who published The Illustrated Woman in 1992, sticks with me as appropriate: Tattoos signify commitment. As permanent marks, they generally indicate some personal transition of significance. Often this relates to efforts to gain or regain control of one's life. [for example a woman who went through a divorce and wanted to make her body different from anything her husband had ever seen.] Even avid artists tend to place them in areas that can be covered or shown at will, much like a woman lawyer wearing black lace garters under her clothes in Court, something about which only she or someone she chooses to tell, knows. Tattoos on the hands or face much more frequently mean major events, such as a rejection of society totally, or membership in some tight group such as a prison or street gang.
Conclusion:
So for the psychiatrist who sees a tattoo: Note if it is amateur or professional. Ask about it. It may, like the interpretation of a dream, lead to highly symbolic information. Don t assume any particular psychopathology without more data, and remember the use of these has had many meanings to many people for thousands of years. Any particular view you hold is probably culturally bound and time-limited.
http://www.priory.com/tattoo.htm
As a resident, I learned that tattoos and sociopaths often occurred together. The more tattoos, the more likely a diagnosis of psychopathic personality became. The words love and hate, I understood, applied to the fingers, H-A-T-E on the left hand, L-O-V-E on the right, were essentially pathognomonic of sociopathy. I have believed this for more than 20 years, but after a trip to Greece began to wonder what those patients used in languages where the words did not use four letters. So I decided to write a review, and try to find out.
I was surprised to learn that there existed no literature on the subject; Medline drew a blank on the disorder cross-referenced with tattoo. Neither subject alone yielded less than a thousand references. I finally plowed through all the titles under tattoos, and found hundreds of articles on dermatology, and a few scattered words about risk taking in adolescents, but nothing else.
I spent some time sending E-mail to psychiatrists in other countries. Dr. K, in Tokyo, kindly sent me an English language book on the art of Japanese tattoos, and I began to re-learn my old errors. I have posted mail to a number of tattoo artists, and done telephone interviews with several, including Kris Sperry, M.D., the physician who serves as Medical Consultant to the Alliance of Professional Tattooists, and who helped set the standards for licensure by that organization. I even rented and watched a movie. I will summarize my experiences below:
The process of injecting colored pigments under the skin has existed for most of human history. Egyptian tombs with drawings of tattooed people and archeological statuary with clear artificial lines on the skin exist, as do long standing customs among ancient peoples, and date back at least 12,000 years before Christ. By 2,000 BC, the art had spread to China. Many of the older reasons have been lost forever. We can only assume that some of the more modern reasons indicate their previous use. Throughout most of the world, skin markings identified social class, marital availability, beauty, skill as a warrior or crafts man (or woman), or status as a slave or criminal. The Danes, Norse, and Saxons used tattoos to identify family symbols and crests. In the Far East, with Pictographic Writing, many people chose phrases of dedication to Buddha or a lover, rather than an actual drawing. All of these have varied with time and culture.
However, the Christian Bible, in Leviticus 19:28, specifically says You shall not... tattoo any marks upon you. Bowing to this, Pope Hadrian, in AD 787, banned the art. It survived in Britain until the Norman conquests in 1066. King Harold died at the hands of William, and his body was identified by the word Edith tattooed over his heart. Thus exited skin art from Western culture for many centuries, Though Marco Polo described Tattoos on some Chinese he met.
In Japan, things took a different path. Early on, forehead marks there signified criminals. Some sources say these were uniform, while others describe variations from city to city. This punishment was severe in that ostracism remains even now a more powerful punishment than in the West, due to different values on family ties. Whatever the history, in more recent times, reaction to strict sumptuary laws imposed by the harsh Tokugawa government that allowed only royalty to wear embroidered clothing caused a change. The wealthy middle classes began to wear kimonos with brocade on the inside, but the poor began to flaunt the laws and wear full tattooed body suits.
In 1691 an English explorer named Dampier brought the first tattooed South Sea Islander to London, and a city that had not seen such art forms for 600 years looked with fascination. Captain Cook brought more, and introduced the sideshow to the Royalty. Soon this expensive and painful process became a mark of wealth for the crowned heads of European society. Japanese artists cost the most, and so were most desired. Among those known to have had tattoos are King George V, Winston Churchill s mother, King Oscar of Sweden, and Grand Duke Alexis of Russia.
Technology forces change in any time, and in 1891 the first electric tattoo needle made the process much cheaper and faster. That lead to popularity among lower classes, and subsequent abandonment by the rich. The public fascination with heavily marked skin created a market for circus freaks to collect fees for displaying their works, leading to further definition of this as a pseudo-art only for freaks and sailors.
In 1955 Robert Mitchum starred in a movie named the Night of the Hunter. In this, he plays a sociopathic traveling preacher (and serial killer) who has LOVE on his left hand and HATE on his right. He even uses them in a brief sermon about the struggle between the two forces. As best I can determine, this originated with that movie, and all the copy-cats I have seen since simply mimicked his image. Sideshow Bob in the TV cartoon series The Simpsons, has only 3 fingers per hand, and has LUV and HAT tattoos (with an umlat over the 'a' as homage to Mitchum. Sailors in the days of tall ships often got tattoos on their hands that said HOLD and FAST on their fingers, either as a totem or a reminder. (I've heard rumors of college athletes with TGIF on their feet, to remind them toes go in first. )
In order to look for this stain of sociopathy, I conducted a poll of local jail staff (in a city of 100,000). I specifically asked 2 RN s, with three and six years of experience working in the jail, respectively, if they had noted the love-hate tattoos. Neither remembered seeing this at any time. Two guards with less than three years work history each had also not seen this specific tattoo. I also polled my peers at the Forensic Hospital where I work. We serve a state of 3.5 million people. Among 3 PhD Forensic psychologists, who had worked 9, 5, and two years, respectively, the specific mark had been seen, but in only a few vaguely remembered instances. Two forensic psychiatrists, including myself, with careers that spanned more than 20 years each, could only identify perhaps a dozen such patients. Obviously, then, these specific marks betray neither historic nor frequent behaviors.
By 1961, hepatitis outbreaks led New York City and the State of Massachusetts to ban this work. These regulations continue in force as well as in Indiana, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Ocean City, MD. Ft Lauderdale and Jacksonville Beach, FL have laws requiring a physician on site when tattooing occurs. The Alliance of Professional Tattooists arose in an effort to self-regulate, and promote standards of hygiene and professionalism. As an aside, the CDC has never reported a case of AIDS related to tattoo needles, even those done in non-sterile conditions.
Also in the 1960s, the counter-culture blossomed, and products of that led such stars as Joan Baez, Janis Joplin, and Cher to have their own personal skin art. Many stars of music and screen and professional athletes today display tattoos (including Sean Connery, Melanie Griffith,Michael Jordon, and Drew Barrymore.) In Japan, however, the tattoo has remained highly stylized, with only a small number of elaborate forms existing. almost all based on a few specific legends. There, rather than to identify oneself as unique as in the West, one gets a tattoo to become a member of a select group and to conform. The Japanese Mafia also have a set of tattoos for their members.
In the West, two primary forms of tattoos exist; professional and jail-house. The latter are done crudely, often out of boredom, and also as marks to signify membership in a gang, certain crimes, etc. The New York State Police appear to have one of the most complete books of these variations, though I have not personally inspected a copy.
A quote from William De Michele, who published The Illustrated Woman in 1992, sticks with me as appropriate: Tattoos signify commitment. As permanent marks, they generally indicate some personal transition of significance. Often this relates to efforts to gain or regain control of one's life. [for example a woman who went through a divorce and wanted to make her body different from anything her husband had ever seen.] Even avid artists tend to place them in areas that can be covered or shown at will, much like a woman lawyer wearing black lace garters under her clothes in Court, something about which only she or someone she chooses to tell, knows. Tattoos on the hands or face much more frequently mean major events, such as a rejection of society totally, or membership in some tight group such as a prison or street gang.
Conclusion:
So for the psychiatrist who sees a tattoo: Note if it is amateur or professional. Ask about it. It may, like the interpretation of a dream, lead to highly symbolic information. Don t assume any particular psychopathology without more data, and remember the use of these has had many meanings to many people for thousands of years. Any particular view you hold is probably culturally bound and time-limited.
http://www.priory.com/tattoo.htm
Tattoo in Chinese Minorities
The Chinese Drung and Dai minorities have tattoo customs inherited from their ancestors.
Among the Drung ethnic minority, women have tattoos on their faces. In the past, girls were tattooed when they turned 12 or 13 as a symbol of maturity.
First, an old woman would dip a bamboo slip into sooty water and draw on the girl's face, then beat a thorn into the skin with a small stick in the designed area, and fill the pricked spots with soot. When scabs formed, a dark blue design was left on the face, The tattoo was drawn between the two eyebrows and around the mouth in diamond shape and on the cheek with dots, forming a flying butterfly design.
This form of tattooing is popular in the upper reaches of the Drung River. Along the lower reaches, the tattoos are simpler, with two or three lines on the lower jaw.
The Drung minority tattoo originated from the late Ming Dynasty about 350 years ago. At that time, the Drung people were usually attacked by other ethnic groups, and women were captured as slaves. To avoid being raped, the Drung women tattooed their faces to make themselves less attractive and, thus, protect themselves. It was a tragedy. Though the Drung women are not threatened by other minorities now, they retain their tattoo custom, and it has become a symbol of maturity for Drung women.
tattoo on back
tattoo on the back
a Drung woman
a Drung woman with tattoo on face
Tattooing is also an ancient custom of the Dai people, and can still be found in some remote villages in the Dai inhabited area or among some old Dai people.
Both men and women were tattooed according to the Dai custom, men on the strong muscles and women on the back of hand, arm or between the eyebrows.
In old times, the Dai Children had designs pricked into their skin when they were 5 or 6, for it was said to be the best age. Later, they were tattooed at 14 or 15 as a symbol of reaching maturity.
There are no fixed designs in Dai tattoo, most preferring tiger or dragon designs drawn in black with black plant juice.
The Dai people have a long tattoo history. In ancient times, they lived by the river and were often hit by strange monsters. Later they discovered that a black skin could keep the monster away, and they began to tattoo themselves in this way to prevent attacks.
As time went on, tattooing lost its original function and has become a symbol of the boldness and bravery of men and the beauty of women. Now, tattoos are drawn on the back of the hands in octagonal flower design, and a dot is tattooed between the eyebrows of girls, symbolizing their beauty. With these tattoos, the Dai people can easily recognize their ethnic friends even when they are not wearing their minority costums.
http://www.chinavista.com/experience/tattoo/tattoo.html
Among the Drung ethnic minority, women have tattoos on their faces. In the past, girls were tattooed when they turned 12 or 13 as a symbol of maturity.
First, an old woman would dip a bamboo slip into sooty water and draw on the girl's face, then beat a thorn into the skin with a small stick in the designed area, and fill the pricked spots with soot. When scabs formed, a dark blue design was left on the face, The tattoo was drawn between the two eyebrows and around the mouth in diamond shape and on the cheek with dots, forming a flying butterfly design.
This form of tattooing is popular in the upper reaches of the Drung River. Along the lower reaches, the tattoos are simpler, with two or three lines on the lower jaw.
The Drung minority tattoo originated from the late Ming Dynasty about 350 years ago. At that time, the Drung people were usually attacked by other ethnic groups, and women were captured as slaves. To avoid being raped, the Drung women tattooed their faces to make themselves less attractive and, thus, protect themselves. It was a tragedy. Though the Drung women are not threatened by other minorities now, they retain their tattoo custom, and it has become a symbol of maturity for Drung women.
tattoo on back
tattoo on the back
a Drung woman
a Drung woman with tattoo on face
Tattooing is also an ancient custom of the Dai people, and can still be found in some remote villages in the Dai inhabited area or among some old Dai people.
Both men and women were tattooed according to the Dai custom, men on the strong muscles and women on the back of hand, arm or between the eyebrows.
In old times, the Dai Children had designs pricked into their skin when they were 5 or 6, for it was said to be the best age. Later, they were tattooed at 14 or 15 as a symbol of reaching maturity.
There are no fixed designs in Dai tattoo, most preferring tiger or dragon designs drawn in black with black plant juice.
The Dai people have a long tattoo history. In ancient times, they lived by the river and were often hit by strange monsters. Later they discovered that a black skin could keep the monster away, and they began to tattoo themselves in this way to prevent attacks.
As time went on, tattooing lost its original function and has become a symbol of the boldness and bravery of men and the beauty of women. Now, tattoos are drawn on the back of the hands in octagonal flower design, and a dot is tattooed between the eyebrows of girls, symbolizing their beauty. With these tattoos, the Dai people can easily recognize their ethnic friends even when they are not wearing their minority costums.
http://www.chinavista.com/experience/tattoo/tattoo.html
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