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by Anon on April 5th, 2007

Anon

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I really don't understand why people get tattoos. Can someone explain this to me without saying they liked the art, picture, or whatever it was they put on their body? I just don't get it

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Answers. 53 helpful answers below.

  • by xxblownspeakers on June 25th, 2007

    xxblownspeakers

    Its self expression and body enhancment. In some cases its a memorial. Every tattoo has a different story. Tattoos are an art. You can express yourself in your hair style, it wont last. Your clothes, wont last. A tattoo is going to last forever. Its the ultimate expression of yourself. You get a tattoo because you want to. If its to always remember someone or something by or just a fond memory, or even just something you want because it will make you feel beautiful.

    I dont see how people can call tattoos ugly. If it makes the person feel beautiful, wont their confidence in themself make them beautiful if the tattoo doesnt to you?

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  • by Arisztid on May 30th, 2008

    Arisztid

    I intend to get two tattoos. I am not going to get them because I like the art (which I do, by the way), I am going to get them because of the special meaning behind them.

    The first shall be my people's Flag in round form with some tribal just to offset it. Many people, especially in the past, hid that they were of my ethnicity. I plan on stating it even louder by having it on my upper arm than I do just by walking down the street. My physical appearance states it rather loudly all on its own but I want the tattoo to say that not only am I Rromani but I am proud to be Rromani.

    It would connect me even further to my people.

    I am also going to get my family crest tattooed above my heart. The significance of that is obvious. :P

    Some people get tattoos to stand out from the crowd. I think that is a bit silly. Tattoos to stand out from the crowd are just fitting in with the crowd and, without a deeper meaning, they are going to regret it. That is the thing about tattoos: they are with you for the rest of your natural life.

    Some just like the art. I have no problem with that.

    I have known people who have them to symbolize dead loved ones. That way they are keeping their memory alive.

    People like me do it (or will do it in my case) for deep personal meaning.


    This is still a work in progress (needs quite a bit of tweaking) but here is the beginning version of the one with my Flag...

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  • by hannahboat on April 22nd, 2008

    hannahboat

    the tattoo im getting next week symbolizes a triumph i went through

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  • by milkhoney on May 4th, 2007

    milkhoney

    Why not on a wall? Because I can't take the wall with me. I have tattoos that I never show off, and few people have seen. Well done tattoos, they are just too personal, they're for me and no one else. I have ones I love to show off. Ask 20 people why they have a tattoo, and you'll get 20 different answers. A person with 15 tattoos might have a different reason for each.

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  • by mekare on April 5th, 2007

    mekare

    by asking people to exclude certain reasons you are showing that you might be close minded about it. however, some people get tattoos because they want to enhance their skin. some people do it to cover scars (a friend of mine had a surgical scar on his shoulder that was really bad and he tattooed over it and now you can't see the scar.) some people do it "cuz its cool" which is probably the worst possible reason. some do it to honor or remember someone they lost. there are as many reasons as there are people with tattoos.

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  • by CaptainHarley adores his life penguin on May 22nd, 2008

    CaptainHarley adores his life penguin

    In a world full of people, it's an attempt to be different or to stand out. At the same time, it's an attempt to make a statement of some sort. I much prefer to stand out by my actions, and to make a statement by doing my best.

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  • by Anonymous on April 21st, 2008

    Anonymous

    Mine was a symbol of me breaking away and becoming independant. I think it's something that you should research greatly and not just am impulse sort of thing. I researched a lol before I got mine, and I am very happy with it. I have seen quite a few where people had a whim and really couldn't explain what they wanted and it turned out horrible. Ask a lot of questions of the person doing it also. My hubby didn't ask questions and got a really bad tatoo. This is permanent so they need to think a lot about it. For me it's like having a picture or card that makes you smile, but no matter where you are you can just look at your tatoo and remember and smile:)

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  • by FaerieWhings on April 21st, 2008

    FaerieWhings

    It's not an explainable thing that can be said in black and white. There are many reasons for many people. Liking the art is a valid reason to get a tattoo. It's a way to tell a story of who you are and where you have been, what you have done. Or you just liked the art. Or you wanted to let the world know that you love your children and this is one way you decided to express it. There are so many reasons.

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  • by Veda on January 27th, 2008

    Veda

    I draw strength from my tattoo. I am deeply involved in the worship of Nature, and by getting my moon (which is hidden), I feel more connected in some way. When I close my eyes, I imagine my tattoo glowing with energy directly from the moon and unifying me in a sort. This probably sounds crazy lol...

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  • by Stella on May 4th, 2007

    Stella

    i got my 4th one in memory of a friend that i lost ... but the first 3 were just cause i wanted tattoo's and liked the pictures

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  • by Lippycow on May 4th, 2007

    Lippycow

    My son friend had the fronts of her feet tattooed and i have to say they look amazing,it took 4 hours to do,she has alot all over her body and she is a very pretty girl.

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  • by Kamilah on April 5th, 2007

    Kamilah

    To express themselves. Or to decorate their body. In some cultures it's a way to show power or importance. Others to it to rebel

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  • by bolilla on April 5th, 2007

    bolilla

    my tat is hugely symbolic. it's not really about the art, though it's beautiful. my two best friends died in a car crash, and for me it was a huge part of coming to terms with their deaths. it was like 'i'm going to put this permanently on my body. i will never forget them. they deserve this symbol of my love for them.' but i like tattoos anyways. i only have one; i got it 6 years ago. i have no regrets. but i think tats on boys (that are nice, not tacky or cheesy) are hot.

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  • by john pennington on August 9th, 2009

    john pennington

    I assume its a personal choice to make a statement to the world.

    Tattoos are forever.

    The only object on my body is a chicken pox scar.

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  • by Anonymous on August 9th, 2009

    Anonymous

    It doesn't really make sense at all to have a tattoo, except that its personal. You can express yourself in many ways, and in the past tattoos were for ex-convicts, deliquents, social misfits, down-trodden, and devients. Its a cry for recognition and a rebellious statement against the society. Often these people wish to look rough and rugged, and at most to be feared. Because prison inmates had nothing to do, they express their anger by inking their bodies. The funny thing is that, not mant people tattoo their foreheads or faces, except Mike Tyson and few others. You should revisit the beginnings of Tyson and you'll understand why he has all these tattoos.If its something to be proud of, why don't people tattoo their faces also if it makes them look beautiful or if they wish to stand out, but often they hide it under their clothes. Where is the sense in it therefore?

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  • by Coyote on April 24th, 2009

    Coyote

    i cant explain for anyone else but my answer is all the tattoos i have and are going to get is just another way for me to express myself. tattoos are my way to remeber lovedones who have passed on

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  • by Headache on January 25th, 2009

    Headache

    It's the same as having an avatar.

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  • by Angelface on January 25th, 2009

    Angelface

    Humans have been tattooing their bodies forever. The oldest mummified human ever discovered has tattoo markings. Tattoos can either tell a story, associate us with a group or family, help us ward off fears, excite/lure one another, or in the case of the mummy, be a use for medicinal purposes-the mummy's tattoo pointed out acupuncture points on his body that.

    another thought:
    Animals in nature decorate themselves or strut around to attract a mate. Maybe on the most basic level, we are all just showing off and trying to find that special guy or gal. :)

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  • by zazzy_one on May 26th, 2008

    zazzy_one

    Well...without saying one likes the art.... That is like saying tell me why you like the circus, without using the words "animals," "peanuts," "shows," or "acts."

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  • by florence84 on May 26th, 2008

    florence84

    Personally for me, I enjoy being able to create my own look for my body. I get to choose what fabrics I cover it in, so why not choose what covers my skin. I always have somone that is pleasing to my eye and something that has a meaning for me.

    I also find that they can be therapeutic, my uncle died 10 years ago when i was 13, and even as an adult up until last summer i was having counselling to deal with the pent up feelings i had towards my loss. i decided that i wanted to do something to commemorate his life, s i got a tattoo, with his favourite flower and initials and it brought me closure. even though i knew that he would be with me always, tattoo or no tattoo, i like having a physical reminder of him, not just memories.

    memorial tattoo's are becoming more common, so this is one reason more people are getting tattooed.

    i think whatever someone's reason is though, it's for them to decide and i have trouble accepting that in this day and age, when we are so diverse and so many cultures exist side by side, taht tattoo's are still an issue for some people. my friends think i am a pretty girl and should not continue to deface my body, and it makes me angry that they try to force their views onto me. i do not question their desire to stay un-tattooed, i don't ask them to justify it and try and convince them to get a tattoo. Could you imagine the uproar if i did?

    i hope my answer helped a little, my mum does get why people would get tattoed either, so i have sent many an hour having this conversation with her, and she is just about getting it. not that she would ever have one herself.

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  • by Carrot and Stick on April 21st, 2008

    Carrot and Stick

    It's liberating, something many people say they want to do but never do it (only live once sort of thing), may have a symbolic meaning to the person, just looks cool if the artwork is well done.

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  • by Rescuer Treesaw on January 27th, 2008

    Rescuer Treesaw

    Well maybe I don't always understand it either, but I have 5 and will soon have my 6th. I can tell you that I have wanted one ever since I was a little kid. I did not get any until I was 30 and that was just small. When I was 35 I started getting bigger ones. I love them, I love the way the look, I like looking at other tattoos. I just like it!

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  • by tater tot on January 26th, 2008

    tater tot

    i have a tattoo on my foot, it is the hebrew character/word for "strength"
    i struggled with depression after i had my two best friends die within a year of eachother, i wanted to kill myself. i was betrayed by friends and felt totally alone. then something happened, i gained strength, i was able to pull myself out of all the stuff i had going on and straighten my life out.
    that is why i have the tattoo, to remind me of the strength that i have and the strength i HAD to get me through this. sorry for the life story, but the point of it was I NEEDED A REMINDER of what i had been through.

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  • by I'm a ginger on June 28th, 2007

    I'm a ginger

    i got mine as memorials, its hard to get over something so traumatic as the death of a loved one, and somehow putting something on your body in memory of that person, makes you feel like they will always be around.

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  • by 89bravo on June 25th, 2007

    89bravo

    well mine is a memorial, i saw no point in them before but after all the trauma i had to go through i figured why not, my baby didnt have anything like a necklace that i could keep. Ill get a $150 tattoo and shell always be on me and my mind.

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  • by Drjorx on June 25th, 2007

    Drjorx

    It's just like putting holes in your body to hang shiny things from, it's all personal taste.
    Tattoos have been part of human society for hundreds of years from every part of the world and under every religion. They have been used to identify people, as symbols of your victories and branding of warnings or wrongful actions. Tattoos have been here longer then any of us for every reason imaginable, what one individual person chooses to use it, is based on their personal feelings and opinions of the images they have placed on them.

    History of tattoos
    http://tattoos.iloveindia.com/tattoo-history/index.html

    Story: Gen Xers lead piercing and tattoo fad
    http://www.jour.unr.edu/outpost/specials/genx.tattoo1.html

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  • by katydid15 on June 25th, 2007

    katydid15

    I don't have a tattoo, but I really want to get one. I've been thinking about it for years and may have finally found a design that I like. It will not be in a prominent place, so really only me and my boyfriend will be able to see it. I am doing this I do want to express myself, even if it's only for me.

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  • by staffie on June 22nd, 2007

    staffie

    whats not to understand? people get tattoos for many different reasons. i am going to get a tattoo to remember my mum. something that was special to my mum so when i see it i will remember her, but other people will just think its a picture. what you see as just a tattoo might have a very different meaning to the person who had it done.

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  • by Brian I on May 4th, 2007

    Brian I

    I think it's a generation thing. Loads of people of my parents' generation had tattoos and hardly any of my generation got them. Now loads of people of my children's generation have them. Perhaps it has something about distancing ourselves from our parents ideas.

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  • by jae3214 on April 5th, 2007

    jae3214

    People get Tattoos to show off to other people...

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  • by Karlee on January 25th, 2009

    Karlee

    Its like reading between the lines..look past the pictures or words and find the meaning. Its fascinating if you open your mind

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  • by Nelson - Jetpacking from bed on May 22nd, 2008

    Nelson - Jetpacking from bed

    I don't have any, but I understand the concept as to why some people do it. I have 8 earrings. Each have a meaning to me as to an event in my life that changed me or traumatized me. I pierced all but one my self.

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  • by ms.deb on January 26th, 2009

    ms.deb

    i don't either,i thought of the ink and needle. But now i do want one small on my back shoulder of a memory.

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  • by Mrs.Harwell on March 4th, 2009

    Mrs.Harwell

    tattooing is a form of self expression and a way from some people to have a memorial of someone they loved that has passed or something they love and when people see the tattoo then they get to tell a great story of why they got that tattoo or some people just want to fit in so it all depends on the person i have the tops of both feet done a tropical flower on one foot and a humming bird on the other foot and i have a heart with wings on my back that says daddys girl cause my dad is my best friend so.. it is all in the person

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  • by Zoeytralala on May 22nd, 2008

    Zoeytralala

    Why is the answer of "liking the art, picture or whatever" off limits? Why is that not acceptable? Isn't that an acceptable answer for hanging art on your wall? Well maybe people like the way something looks so much they put it on their flesh.

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  • by Anonymous on April 21st, 2008

    Anonymous

    Why do people by art work for their house? Why do people decorate? It's the same thing.. It's decoration! I think it's an expression of yourself. when you decorate your room or your house, that's an expression of you! My tattoo's are an expression of me! The tell a story about who I am an what I believe!

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  • by Psychomantium on August 18th, 2010

    Psychomantium

    No Tattoo is ever permanent btw - they don't last forever (nothing will ever, ever last for ever) - none of you you obviously see the big picture. The ink begins to fade with each dermal layer that perishes, when you pass on (which hopefully for most of us will be due to complications from old age) it will just become some putrid muck on the bottom of a coffin that no one will remember. The so-called right to free expression, is really a right to ignorance - I have never met a tattooed person who could hold a conversation above the level of a ten year old. Culture of any kind is what leads to suffering in this world, it is by definition exclusive and hurtful. Ban all forms of creative self-expression, all art, all clothing, all religion - all individual identities, all freedoms. Ban them all - and I assure when the dissent is quashed, there will be no more wars or judgment or status or cruelty or exclusion - just trans-personal homogeneity. Only the void of the mind unable to recognize the ego structure it once identified itself by. There will me nothing but perfection then - the body and the mind rejected totally. F*ck this modern primitive self expression it's just another little ego gasp in a void and meaningless cosmos that has no mind to see or judge it...get over yourselves and start being trans-humans already....

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  • by Tampabayallstar on May 29th, 2012

    Tampabayallstar

    They get it because they are insecure. I can prove it. Look at the high percentage of people that smoke , even though they know its bad for you. They follow this peer pressure crap. Its the same mind set.

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  • by Anonymous on April 5th, 2007

    Anonymous

    check out miami ink on TLC. you can see a 100 reasons why! it is 2007 and people try to think openly about body art!

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  • by Trisste on March 5th, 2009

    Trisste

    If you don't get it now you will probably never get it so any explanation won't be good enought for you. Like for example I don't believe in "God", don't understand why some people do and I even don't want to understand and ask them.

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  • by seeker2511 on May 22nd, 2008

    seeker2511

    So these tattoos that "represent" something. Ok I understand that, but do you have to tattoo your body so you can "remember" what it represents?
    I'm with submitter on this one

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  • by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on May 26th, 2008

    DA BEN DAN yanggui zi

    I don't get it either..maybe it is a generational thing and I am just too old. I don't find them offensive or anything and I quite like some of them..but they have become kind of passe and they are not easily removed or changed. Whatever, I suppose it is all about fashion and fashion is all about fun..But as an aside..I just heard that Pamela Anderson is having all of her tatoos removed because she doesn't like the way they look on her aging skin (DUH!)...

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  • by Lady Alathia of Vulcan on May 30th, 2008

    Lady Alathia of Vulcan

    I personally do NOT understand the people that wake up one morning and say "Hm... I think I'll allow a stranger to drill a generic design into my flesh with a high-powered needle. I will choose this generic design from a book comprised of generic designs most favoured by those with similar urges as mine."

    However, I can certainly understand the 42nd Airborne (or whatever) boys getting a matching tattoo on their right arm after coming home from the War. I can understand Arisztid's desire to proclaim his heritage proudly. I can even understand my husband's ridiculously huge band logo on his back, since he put over 15 years of his life into the band.

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  • by strawberry_shake on May 30th, 2008

    strawberry_shake

    YOU NAME IT! Ok.. for me its like Putting a signature to your body just like you do when you choose the clothes you're gonna buy, and or the jewelry that you're going to put on. its an accessory, but for Cultures have some meaning, or for others to remark something on people's life. what it means to you, you name it.

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  • by tempus on August 9th, 2009

    tempus

    a small tattoo looks cute, especially on a girl's leg. +5

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  • by HotKnives on August 9th, 2009

    HotKnives

    bit like smoking, peer pressure and trend

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  • by sounietuo on August 9th, 2009

    sounietuo

    For identification only base in spiritual aspect, for material aspect is maladjustment process
    and identification also for people with negative behavior.

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  • by delaney55 on May 30th, 2008

    delaney55

    Now I will also admit to being one of those mothers who were dead set against tattoos about the time my children were in high school and interested in them. But this was 15yrs ago about the time when tattoos just started to become popular and all you really saw were tribal and cartoon characters, but everyone was getting them. Thankfully my kids didn’t because I think they might have regretted those types of tats now.

    But that was just the start many of the artists becoming interested in this “new” medium of expression and the actual Art of tattooing began to develop into what it has become today. It is less tacky “flash” and more personal creativity between the tattoo artist and the client who is lucky enough to wear the artwork.

    I started seeing more and more people with beautiful pieces of artwork on their bodies and it fascinated me. Did this hurt? How could you ever decide what to get? I watched all the shows on T.V. and searched the internet about how safe tattoos are, what to watch for, etc. and finally decided I was going to do it. Now I am a tattoo junkie. It is like potato chips, you can’t have just one. I feel like as I get older and my body isn’t as great as it was when I was young, I can have this pretty art that I feel good about and isn’t that what really matters?

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  • by greywolf29 on April 30th, 2010

    greywolf29

    People get tattoos for diffent reasons. I got my first tattoo after 9/11. you know they had a hard time identifing the dead. My husband passed away and my kids and i got one to rember him. Again there are many different reasons. you need to know understand everyone is different and if you don't like them, don't get one.
    iIn loving memory of my husband Terry.

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  • by Faust ARP on May 26th, 2008

    Faust ARP

    How about this: Why not? I have two and I got them both for very different reasons.

    I think a majority of people get them because they DO like the art or meaning behind it.

    For example, a child will pass away and the father gets the child's name, portrait or birth date tattooed on them. I believed it's viewed as a permanent declaration of their everlasting love to the deceased. Sure, some people get silly tattoos (think Steve-O from Jackass) but regardless, that is the medium that that particular person chose to express themselves. So let them!

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