TATTOO:A form of expression?

Or Simply a taboo?

By: Leslie Cañas

What is a tattoo?

a permanent marking made by

inserting ink into the layers

of skin to change the pigment for

various reasons

...and this is the same Dr. Dave...

Religion

Leviticus 19:28 says: “... Do not make any tattoo marks on your skin. I am God .”

Islam also forbids it. -Accoding to Sahih Bukhari, "The Prophet forbade

[...] mutilation (or maiming) of bodies.”

So does Buddhism- “Tattoos are self-adornment, attaching one to

the physical world.”

HISTORY

Traces back to the early civilizations:

- Egyptian (2000BC)

- African and Polynesian tribes

- Greek and Roman Times

- Early Chinese and Japanese periods

Tattoos became a mean of identifying oneself with a group or culture

The Effect of History

Mara gang member ‘Psycho 23′ — prison portrait in Chimaltenango, Guatemala. Photo AP / Rodrigo Abd

common tattoo of the Aryan Brotherhood incorporates a shamrock, "666" (the "mark of the beast") and the letters "AB."

The pachuco cross is the simplest gang tattoo. It consists of a small cross with three lines or dots

above it.

Testimonies from people in www.inkedinc.net

From Noelle: “I lost a job (receptionist, small business) because of my tattoos .”

From Nina, an assistant professor in a vet school: “When I'm teaching microbiology courses, I need to wear the lab coat, so everything stays hidden. I usually cover up when giving lectures or talks, but parts of my sleeve sometimes show.”

From Nina, an IT situation manager: “I knew I would have to cover them up and showing them is going to ruin my reputation at work it's not really worth it.”

- There are numerous successful people that has

a tattoo, ranging from the arts industry to politicians, and even royalties.

Princess Stephanie of MonacoJohnny Depp Barry Goldwater

It also enriched culture in different parts of the world.

Maori (New Zealand)

Formed family or tribe identification

Igorot (Philippines)

Serves as a talisman

Tattoos are symbolic

-VIDEO-

Is Tattoo an Art?

It is an art as the creation of it requires artistic skill and creativity

Look at it this way, the body is the canvas; the needles are the brushes

Art is a form of expression Tattoo is an art Tattoo is a form of expression

Counter-Argument

However, is it pleasing to the eyes?

“Time reverses the foolishcrowd.”

- Percy Bysshe Shelly

BIBLIOGRAPHY

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo www.vanishingtattoo.com www.straightdope.com http://www.inkedinc.net/ www.tinypic.com www.lindagoldberg.com www.nationalgeographic.com