Inked - Why Did You Get That Tattoo A Look a Just How Tattoo's Have Become So Popular

              I'm not exactly sure when or how it began. But somewhere in the past twenty years or so, getting a tattoo went from something that was very unusual and, pretty much taboo (unless you were ex-military) to something that is so mainstream that your grandma might just decide to get a rose tattooed on the ankle. Or worse!

Now I'm not going to bore you with some history lesson about the origin of tattoos and body ornamentation, let's just say folks have been inking themselves for various reasons for pretty much all of recorded history.

What is fairly new is that in the USA not many people did it up until fairly recently. As a child of the "70's, I didn't know anybody with a tattoo except my Uncle Max an ex- Marine who had a Marine insignia tattooed on is bicep. Now if you had known my Uncle Max, you would understand when I tell you that he didn't need a tattoo in order to look tough. He was a giant of a man, about 6'5" I would guess with muscles on top of muscles and a Marine attitude.

But I Digress.

Now about tattoos... It seems to have started mostly among the more rebellious crowd - bikers, roughnecks, and general misfits. Then in the 1980'S with the increased presence of gangs, tattoos found a new outlet as tattoos being a symbol of gang membership (along with killing people, destroying things, using and selling drugs, abusing their girlfriends, drive-by shootings and general mayhem--- yep we owe a lot to gangs)

Disclaimer:
When I speak of "bikers" I'm not talking about you peaceful, fun- loving lighthearted, decent folks who also love to strap on a helmet and climb up on your bike...I'm talking about those other guys...You know the one's---Yeah, THOSE GUYS.

Now the biker, gang member and generally rebellious misfit connection to tattoos was fairly easy for me to understand. However as someone who never felt the need for a tattoo, I was curious to understand just how they have become so popular with the general population.

To get an idea of just how many people are now sporting tats a survey conducted in 2006 by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology reveals that 24 percent of American adults between 18 and 50 - (nearly one and four) - have at least one tattoo. Even more amazing, about 36 percent ( more than one in three) of Americans between 18 to 29 are tattooed. The general consensus seems to be that since that 2006 survey, the numbers have increased. So how did tattoos become so popular?

Inked- why did you get that tattoo?

We've all heard the story of how you and three of your best girl friends got all "liquored up" one Friday night at college and dared each other to go get a "tramp stamp", and so you did. There you were driving like the getaway car in a Bonnie and Clyde movie to the nearest tattoo parlor. You were laughing and calling each other names that would get a sailor slapped. Why, YOU even called it a "tramp stamp".

It's hard to remember just how that night ended, or just why you thought it would be cool to have Snoopy tattooed on your back, but one thing is for sure...Saturday mornings will never be the same.

Oh those fun college days, don't we all miss them!
For a few people maybe that's how it happened, but for most others it seems to have been a more thoughtful, deliberate act. By interviewing several people about why they chose to get a tattoo. I quickly found that there are about as many reasons for getting inked as there are people.

One reason that came up often was "religion". Now when I say religion, I'm not talking about that "old time religion" your great grandma professed. It seems that in the tattoo world, "religion" can mean almost anything.

Certainly there are those who choose traditional symbols like a Christian cross or a picture of Jesus, a Jewish Star of David, Hindu symbols, and so on.

From there it begins to get a little stranger. Wiccan, witchcraft, Shamanism, Voodoo, Asatru (look it up, I had to) and of course your good old fashion Satan worshipers (one of the scarier groups)

Inked - Why Did You Get That Tattoo
From here it jumps right off the cliff. People who worship their deceased pets... Folks who worship fairies...and one girl who was just sure that we all take turns being god one day each year...sorta like your birthday when you were a kid.

Yep, in my opinion religious tattoos are some of the more interesting one.

A few of the more popular reasons: (according to my casual, unscientific survey)

"I got my tattoo because I thought it looked cool "
"I don't really know why, I just wanted to get one"
"It make's me look tough"
"It's an expression of my individuality"
"It's beautiful"
"It's sexy"
"I was mad at my parents"
"I hate everything"
"I just love butterflies".

You get the idea...

OTHER REASONS

rebellion, love, birth of a child, death of a friend, a special day in ones life, I even talked to one guy who got Johnny Cash tatted on his arm when Johnny died.

A few of the more unusual reasons --

Parents of triplets got the kids names tattooed on their feet so they could tell them apart (ouch! talk about a screaming baby).

The bald guy who wanted 666 on his forehead -- I'll bet when takes his cap off while standing in line at the grocery store - that ends a lot of casual conversations.

Then there was the guy who tattooed a spider's web all over his face, this is probably not a good idea if you aspire to work as a bank teller or elementary school teacher.

I've finally come to the conclusion that trying to understand why the tatted choose to be tatted is something close to trying to understand the mind of God. So I gave up and watched Football.

FINAL THOUGHTS

1) Tattoos are addictive. Once you get one, most people seem to want to get another. Some among the "super inked" have taken this to extremes that are hard to understand. I met one guy who said that he had tattooed every square inch of his body. Please understand,I didn't personally "check" every square inch of his body, I just took his word for it.

2) Being a tattoo artist sure does put you in close proximity to some unusual parts of other people's anatomy.

3) You should never tattoo your boyfriend or girlfriend's name on your body...despite what you might think at the moment, love is not always forever, but a tattoo is.

Tattoo Designs - Making the Right Choice

              You have only to go on the Internet and type in "tattoo designs" into the search engine to discover the wide range of designs available. If you go into a tattoo parlour you will find books full of designs to choose from. So there is no shortage of choice but you should give serious consideration to your choice of design because it will almost certainly be with you for the rest of your life.

You may just want a simple and basic design possibly commemorating a person or event. Alternatively you could be looking for an intricate design which is possibly unique and special to you. Whichever type of design you choose providing you select a good tattoo artiste you can be assured that they will be able to copy it on to your skin.

Currently tattoos of Native American designs are amongst the most popular. Although many people do not have direct information about the tribal significance of their chosen design. They may have simply selected a design which looks good and appeals to them. Other people select traditional Native American artwork because it symbolizes the Native American culture in general.

However, for those who are knowledgeable, designs can be produced which symbolize specific tribal affiliation. If this is what a person prefers, it is a good idea to first do a bit of research to learn the difference between the tribes and which ones use which symbols. For people who have Native American ancestry, this is an excellent way to both learn about and display pride in one's heritage. One's name can also be made into a tribal design if you or your artist has the knowledge to do so.

Oriental designs are also quite popular. Most tattoo studios have a large variety of these, ranging from intricate artwork to smaller symbols. Some of those which are chosen most frequently include the Chinese symbols for luck, prosperity, eternity, harmony, and love; the zodiac signs are also popular. Although these designs may appear simple, and do have a rather unobtrusive effect, it takes a considerable amount of skill to draw them properly, as the thickness and thinness of the characters is very important. If you are looking for something which is stylish and tasteful, an Oriental design will have that effect.

For those whose religious beliefs are an important part of their lives, a tattoo of a religious symbol can be a permanently-displayed expression of this. Religious tattoos range from the most basic small crosses to large artwork depicting Saints and Jesus to nearly everything in-between. While most religions tend to frown on the subject of tattoos, they are represented in large varieties nonetheless. You will probably see crucifix tattoos and Star-of-David tattoos, despite the fact that the traditional religious belief is that one should not get tattoos. For most modern people, even those who take their religious beliefs very seriously, getting such a tattoo is not seen as violating religious standards, but a matter of pride in what they believe.

Celtic designs often appear in tattoos, also. From the most basic designs which everyone understands, such as shamrocks, to the intricate Celtic cross which fewer recognize the original meaning of, this culture has produced a wide array of beautiful artwork that can be used in tattoos.

Most people have some idea what they like, and each person's individual preference is no more difficult than finding it or having your artist create it. Whatever your background, interests, lifestyle, you are sure to find a tattoo design that appeals to you and is special to you

Religious Tattoos - Taboo Or Not Taboo

           It does not take a genius for one to realize that tattoos are becoming indelible in our society today. People from all walks of life are getting themselves inked for various reasons. For some, the reasons are merely skin-deep: to increase their "level of sexiness" up a few notches, to identify themselves with a group of tattooed individuals, or to exercise their freedom and be cool. But for some, it involves a deeper, religious meaning.

Religious tattoos are quite common nowadays. We see cross tattoos or religious symbols and images being sported by different individuals around. And, in all truthfulness, a few of these individuals do not fit into the bill of what a religious person should be. But one question remains: Is tattooing of religious symbols recognized as a religious act? It would depend on which religious sector you belong to, and on what your religious beliefs are.

The advent of religious tattoos dates back to the pre-biblical era when the art of tattooing was widely practiced by the pagans as a means of worship until it was forbidden when Constantine became the emperor of Rome. According to Leviticus 19:28: "You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead; neither shall you make in yourselves any figures or marks. I am the Lord." This then became the basis for Christians to shun tattooing.

Islam tradition forbids any bodily alterations made as a way to enhance physical beauty, and this includes body tattoos. Generally, the Muslim culture also considers tattoos unacceptable; as well as traditional Jews. However, maybe due to the changing of the times, this body art is now slowly being accepted by these religious sectors, though not as a religious act.

But in some Asian cultures, having religious tattoos is traditional practice. It is common custom for Buddhist monks to wear tattoos that are believed to ward off bad luck and evil spirits, and therefore serve as an amulet. In Hindu religion, tattooing is also common practice as part of their culture. For the Egyptians, religious tattoos such as The Eye Of Horus also serves as protection from evil spirits, to bring good luck, and to gain entry into after-life.

In recent times, religious tattoos seem to be just that: a skin-deep image of a once-revered symbol. The Ankh, Ichthus, the Sacred Heart and the Crucifix of the Christians; the Star of David, Menorah, and Allah symbols of the Islams; the Eye of Horus, Yin Yang, Dharma, and other religious symbols for different religious sectors are seen worn by people who do not practice the religion.

But it is also fairly common for a person to show his devotion by having something of religious importance etched on his body even on this day and age. So the question of whether religious tattoos are taboo or not lies on the personal belief of the wearer. It is no longer dictated by society but by how one chose to show his spirituality. Tattoos, like religion, have become a personal thing.

Religious Tattoo Design - Locating Religion Artwork Online

      Getting a religious tattoo design is a great choice, but locating the quality religion artwork online can be a pain, as you may have found out. You have probably scoured the web, trying to find the good designs, but have come up just about empty, if you were like me. Don't worry, though, because I will tell you what to watch out for when it comes to the generic art on the internet, as well as how to find the top notch stuff.

A religious tattoo design is not something that you should have to "settle" for. You should have to take any designs simply because that is all you could find. First of all, what that means is that you should not settle for a Google search. You also shouldn't rely on artwork from random, cookie-cutter websites that may have a lot of tattoos and designs. A lot of these places are filled with content that is over six or seven years old and plastered all over the internet already. Since that's the case, who knows how many people already have those designs inked on their skin? That's not the kind of religious tattoo design you want to settle for. You want your artwork to be original and you want it to be good quality, not some generic piece.

One more thing about those generic websites that may have a religious tattoo design you may see...

It has to do with the tons of artists that submit their artwork to these places. A lot of the artists do not have very much knowledge when it comes to tattoos. This means that they may be good at what they do, which is draw, but they don't know what it takes to draw something that will look just as good once inked on somebody's skin. Sure, they might be very good artists, but they don't know how to draw something that will look great once made into real-life tattoos. That's not the type of religious tattoo design you want to even think about getting.

The good news is that there are simple ways around the cookie-cutter designs out there, even for religious tattoo design artwork...

When starting your search for a religious tattoo design, you should begin with internet forums. I can't tell you how many different times I have gone straight to forums when I am searching for any particular tattoos and artwork. This is the best place to locate the websites that have quality designs that are made by artists that have in-depth knowledge when it comes to drawing something specifically made to be implemented as tattoos.

Remember, people love to brag when they find a hidden gem, such as a websites with top quality artwork, made especially for tattoos. This is how you can find that original religious tattoo design that is not plastered all over the internet. Good intentioned folks tell a select few about where they found the best art out there and you can reap the benefits.

Getting a quality religious tattoo design doesn't have to be hard anymore, so go ahead and get the original artwork and designs you have been looking for online.

Want to know where to find the largest, most original websites to browse and find the perfect Religious Tattoo Design [http://tattooartdesign.wordpress.com]? Keep reading...

Adam Woodham is the author of this article and runs the blog Tattoo Art Design [http://tattooartdesign.wordpress.com] which features the 3 top websites, with the absolute largest gallery of tattoo designs, including tons of religious tattoo design [http://tattooartdesign.wordpress.com] artwork. Finding the perfect tattoo has never been easier.