With a dozen or so tattoos, Angelina Jolie is more inked than most people her age, but hardly alone. Forty percent of Americans ages 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo, according to Pew Research Center.
When I was growing up, the only “person” I knew with a tattoo was Popeye the Sailor Man. Now, I can’t go anywhere without seeing one or more tattoos on one or more people.
It won’t be long until at least half of the population has a tattoo. The Pew Research Center reports that 36 percent of people age 18 to 25, and 40 percent of those age 26 to 40 have at least one tattoo.
One of the hazards of getting a tattoo is that you might change your mind. Angelina Jolie has had a few tattoos removed or covered over. Here her children's geographical coordinates cover Billy Bob's name and a dragon, which is still partly visible.
Soon the public won’t see tattoos as shocking and cutting edge, but as mundane. My father, an aviation engineer, said that when engineers start doing something “wild,” then it’s just about to go out of style. So let an engineer with a tattoo be your barometer for the end of the tattoo trend. Clear skin will then be the rage for rebels. (Well, maybe not.)
Tattoo trends themselves go in and out of fashion. Neck and hand tattoos are more popular, but the ”tramp stamp,” the tattoo on a woman’s lower back, is becoming passe, the local newspaper recently reported.
At my hair salon a while ago, a manicurist asked me about my daughter’s first solo trip to visit friends in California. I told her: “She had a great time. Best of all, no piercings and no tattoos.”
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I hadn’t gotten the word that this woman was now the proud new bearer of a “tramp stamp.” I just assumed she’d agree that “no tattoos” was a good thing. I also didn’t know that my daughter had, in fact, gotten not just one but two tattoos in California. Two tiny stars on one foot, one matching a star on her best friend’s ankle. Not only am I not on the cutting edge, I’m also out of the loop.
I don’t care. No tattoos for me, thanks. I don’t like my freckles. Why would I want more marks? And once it’s inked, it’s permanent! (Although tattoo removal is a growing industry!) That first girlfriend you’d love to the end of time? Now, you have to ink over her name with a giant dragon. Did you and your BFF get matching roses on your shoulders? Now, you find out she’s a skunk. About those Japanese characters that were supposed to say “Love and Peace”? They actually say “I’m a stupid tourist.” That dolphin on your belly? Now it’s a whale.
In our society, we may see tattoos as marks of rebellion or outsider status, but there was a surge of tattoos in the Victorian Era, led by two English princes, including George, who later became King George V. Read about it in the Victorian Era. Tattoos hold different meanings in different societies. In some, tattoos are signs of status or membership in a group, club, clan or criminal syndicate. Some tattoos are meant to frighten or even to attract.
“Hey, gorgeous, I’m crazy about those blue lines on your chin.”
Maori man.
Tattoos could be useful, too. Tattooed sailors could be identified when they washed ashore. Tattoos also had more sinister uses when they marked prisoners.
Tattoo is a Polynesian word, and some of the most elaborate tattoos were created in New Zealand and Borneo. In the early 19th century, a Maori named Hongi was introduced to King George IV, who admired his tattoos.
Whatever else you might think about tattoos, you might agree that many tattoos are incredibly beautiful as art.
You can read about the history of tattoos at The Tattoo Museum. A recent article in the New York Times can be read here: Tattoos Gain Even More Visibility
12 Comments
September 25, 2008 at 6:12 pm
AJ’s tattoos make her look awful. I’m not a fan of tattoos, but whatever makes someone happy in life…..
September 25, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I think AJ’s tattoos look awful, too. Her skin is too beautiful to spoil with marks, especially since she keeps changing her mind and tries to change them. She needs temporary tattoos.
September 25, 2008 at 9:40 pm
My teenaged son did all of his own tattoos. Since he’s right handed, they’re all on the left hand side of his body. At the age of 25, he’s finally decided they could get in the way of “job opportunities” (music to a mother’s ear) and is looking into having some of them removed. I always told him he could have get a “Mother” tattoo, but that’s the only one he DIDN’T get. I liked the episode of “The Simpsons” when Bart was pulled out of the tattoo parlor mid-tattoo and ended up with only “Moth.”
September 26, 2008 at 12:33 am
Thank you for the link, and the interesting article of course!
September 27, 2008 at 1:05 pm
Popeye and Uncle Charlie were the only people I knew as a kid who had tatoos! We used to laugh that when they got old, their ships would sink. (they were both sailors)
September 28, 2008 at 12:15 am
When my husband was diagnosed with cancer the first time, he was scheduled for radiation. The radiologist told him that in years past the linear markings to pinpoint the areas for treatment were tattooed on the body. By the 80’s, they used black markers. My husband is very thankful that a permanent reminder of his disease is not tattooed on his body.
February 17, 2009 at 10:44 pm
nice article ……..!
February 26, 2009 at 6:26 pm
They are remaking the Illustrated Man, did you ever see that Movie or read Ray Bradbury’s book?
The Cherokee used to tattoo all over their bodies – my Grandmother said that “it was so that at a glance you knew what clan you were and that it saved a lot of time when you thought someone of your own clan was good looking (a big no). It also noted Achievement but the gals used to wear grass skirts and go topless too. I too have thought about getting a tattoo but then you’re stuck. I like those lick on ones that you can change. But if I am ever in a battle and kill a ton of dudes trying to ransack my village I will most likely get a deer head or a flower
I remember “The Illustrated Man” movie! I’d love to see it again and a re-make, too. Ray Bradbury wrote some great stories. I’m going to write a little about Maori tattoos. I really liked the ones the women wear on their chins. I’d like to get a temporary one.
That’s cool that the Cherokees could do a quick scan and rule out potential mates because they were relatives. Cathy
March 9, 2009 at 2:04 pm
Maori face tattoos are called Mokos…..
Thanks! I’m fascinated by them. I’m going to write another post on tattoos. Cathy
May 23, 2009 at 1:32 am
Yeah, I also like tattoo, but it’s better if i can change it.
October 17, 2009 at 8:31 pm
Got my first small tasteful tattoo at 46! After 26 years of oppressive marriage I was free for the first time since 18. I guess I had my rebellion a little late in life. My tat is a small seagull on my shoulder. To me it represented freedom to finally make my own decisions. Probably will not get another ink job…it hurts!!!!!!
November 7, 2009 at 10:29 am
I don’t know-sometimes I want a tattoo–and sometimes I don’t. I don’t want the ugly Jolie kind-hers look scribbled on for some reason-odd for someone with her money.
I have thought about a flesh tone tattoo–white-it won’t stand out much.
Kal says NO Way!