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These days, sophisticated
tattoo recipients are now
choosing designs that
flow more with the natural
movement and shape of
the body. It is fascinating
to realize the shift in
psychology – branding a
permanent message onto
ones flesh used to mean you
were committing yourself
to the message conveyed.
Illustrations by Mark Alexander, Uproar Design
Tattoo trends of the last century this it was exclusively the domain of type glamour girls (particularly in the
So...historically, tattoos have men, soldiers, sailors, coal miners, hard army). On the symbolic side of things;
symbolized and expressed everything drinkers, war veterans and of course mermaids, skeletons, and flaming
from love, religiosity, ritualistic initiation, prison inmates. In the first part of the hearts with or without daggers in them
bravery, prosperity, punishment, honor 20th century, symbols that celebrated became the norm. The 60’s of course
and good fortune. Markings in ink on patriotism, the industrial revolution brought a whole psychedelic realm
skin have varied in meaning according (ships), all things perceived as macho of imagery, from marijuana leaves, to
to placement on the body as well and – knives, guns, eagles, anchors (think images from record labels such as the
also in social terms, can mean being Popeye’s tattoo on his forearm) and Rollingstones Sticky Fingers album
accepted or shunned by a tribe or lest we forget - sex, in the form of curvy logo, symbols of freedom, peace,
culture. In the West, for a long time, women. Alongside these images, sexual union, love and global harmony.
tattoos were thought to be common there was also soft sentiment in the Mythical imagery became extremely
or a sign of a trouble-maker. Some of ever popular symbol of a rose and the popular, unicorns, Merlin wizards
that “bad boy” image still lingers and word “Mum” (or “Mom” if you are in and fairies. Egyptology, alchemy and
partially explains the allure to many the States). The girlfriend’s name is a nature based imagery poured onto
young guys who want to seem tough constant, as is the crucifix, or whatever skin canvases in the form of trees
and by association dangerous and else gets a man through the night. of life, serpents, Adam and Eve, the
sexy. At the same time, tattoos are now After WW2, in addition to the pre- eye of horus, pyramids and dragons.
considered a valid art form by many. existing demographic of male tattoo Drug based art abounded also, from
A current trend in cosmetic tattoo wearers, the tattoo “culture” became stoned skeletons riding motorcycles
is shape and pattern based, deriving incorporated more and more into the to characters from the underground
its inspiration from tribal designs. society of gangsters and delinquents . It zine world, such as “Fat Freddies Cat”.
The tribal origination of these designs still exists in this realm today, to identify Many individuals created their own
are all over the map: Celtic tribes, membership in gangs and so on. iconography to express their inner
Maori, Haida, Marquesan and tribes As time went on, tattoos started nature, spider webs, and elaborate
from Borneo. Men and women of all focusing on pop culture or symbolic illustrations depicting the soul’s
nationalities are very fond of these iconography. In the 50’s, Cartoon journey. Much of the work, like the
beautiful designs. The trend of Western characters such as Mickey mouse and times it emerged from, was free-hand
women getting tattooed is very recent, Donald Duck began to be popular as and free-form.
the last 10 or 20 years or so. Prior to did superhero symbols and Betty Page These days, sophisticated tattoo
avantoure
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