The history of tattoos is as old as the world itself. Drawings on the skin were applied by primitive tribes as a talisman, as well as proof of belonging to a certain tribe and position in society. In the Middle Ages, body paintings were banned as a pagan rite; these were times of total repression. But even in these times, the existence of tattoo culture continued. In the present tense, the attitude towards drawings on the body has become like body art, an avant-garde movement in art, fashion, that is, as an artistic decoration of the body with the help of tattoos.
Why do they get tattoos?
A person, when applying an image to the body, subconsciously pursues certain goals hidden in his self-expression:
- one of which is to change society’s attitude towards itself and its personality;
- the next intention, arising from the previous one, is to change your attitude, behavior, self-expression in this society and towards this society;
- the printed image indicates psychological aspect the influence of a given personality on the immediate environment, on relatives and friends, as the subconscious attitude towards others changes;
- one of the opportunities to express the inner “I”.
In addition to these reasons, there are others that explain the essence of the question: “Why do people get tattoos?” The main ones are:
- the first option is that the drawn image is a body decoration that always remains on the person. As a consequence, one can stand out in society in this way;
- the second option is a person’s beliefs, which can be religious, ideological, or amateur. The essence of the conviction is to show and prove, first of all to yourself, and then to others, commitment to the idea, expressed through a tattoo;
- Another option for people to apply tattoos is protection caused by an inferiority complex and their own insecurity. This category of people prefers to paint images of frightening animals or various heroes from famous myths. But with such drawings a person can express love for his sports team, for example a tiger or a bull, or simply pay tribute to today's fashion and tattoo a demon on his chest;
- Tattoos are often used to hide existing skin defects - scars of various origins, unwanted age spots, or hide problems associated with asymmetry of individual parts of the body;
- to prove one’s status - this mainly relates to the criminal world, where there are ranks and statuses that are confirmed not by official documents, but by tattoos.
Why do people get tattoos from a psychological point of view?
This question can be answered as follows. In accordance with the understanding of system-vector psychology, there are eight groups of people who have certain innate properties, abilities and desires. Each of the representatives of these groups has their own motivation for visiting a tattoo artist. So, characteristics for some groups:
- people, representatives of the skin group, adapt to existing conditions and have amazing flexibility in thinking. They get used to the pain that occurs; their bodies produce opiate substances that quickly relieve pain. They derive pleasure from pain, which is why they strive to experience this sensation again; they are frequent visitors to tattoo parlors;
- visual group - whose representatives have special visual sensitivity, love to admire the beauty of the surrounding nature and their own beauty. If such a person decides that a tattoo is beautiful, then he will definitely decorate his body with it. IN under stress they can create masterpieces of tattoos on their bodies to attract the attention of others;
- sound group - what is not expressed in words is recorded in a drawing, for this they use pentagrams, various logos, and symbols. These people are in a constant sense of life, their desires are in the realm of the intangible, and the body is used to convey their ideas to the world around them;
- Representatives of the anal group are indifferent to tattoos and keep their skin clean. A tattoo can only be done in recognition of their moral authority or for company. They also accept tattoos as keepsakes.
Why do girls get tattoos?
The history of the emergence of women's tattoos goes back more than one century, and begins even before the baptism of Rus'. With the help of a body image, knowledge was conveyed to others about the girl’s inner world, which consisted of a desire for peace and the comfort of home.
During the rise of Christianity, tattoos were banned, as they became a symbol of paganism and a denial of the existence of God in the understanding of that time. In isolated cases, drawings on the body were occasionally found. But they reappeared en masse only in the eighteenth century.
An American girl whose parents were killed by Indians and she was taken prisoner became a representative among the white race. The Indians tattooed her on her chin and then accepted it as their own. After almost ten years, local authorities learned about her and traded her with the tribe for horses and a blanket. After the world learned about the girl who suffered such suffering, a boom in tattooing began among the fair half of humanity.
Queen Victoria had a tiger fighting a python, and Churchill's mother had a snake wrapped around her wrist. After the Second World War, the number of people wishing to have an image on their body increased rapidly. This was especially expressed in the mood of protest against the humiliation of women's rights.
Unlike earlier times, tattoos are now on display and occupy larger areas on the female body. Design women's tattoos varied - inscriptions in Latin and English languages, the meaning of which is known only to their owners. No less popular hieroglyphs are Chinese and Japanese, Arabic script, Celtic symbols, small birds, flowers, animals.
A well-applied and correctly selected tattoo emphasizes the beauty of a woman’s lines, her individuality, and increases low self-esteem. Using a tattoo as a bracelet or necklace, she can never part with it. The drawn angel will provide her with constant protection, and bat protects you from bad influences and diseases.
Why do they get a tattoo on the neck?
A neck tattoo is discreet, stylish and alluring. Often the sign is applied to the side of the neck, behind the ear, where it looks no less attractive. Usually applied to the neck small drawing, since a large one will look bulky and sloppy. Therefore, immediately negotiate with the master about small sketch. There are no restrictions in choosing an image - anything that will look harmonious can be printed. Most often, small stars, hearts, butterflies, fish, hieroglyphs, which can easily be hidden behind loose hair. Moreover, the skin on the back of the neck retains youthful freshness for a long time, and with it the tattoo applied. People of creative professions usually put a sign on their neck.
If the decision to get a tattoo has been made, then choose the most neutral option with which you will coexist. Contact an experienced artist to create a suitable sketch and then apply the tattoo.
A little history.
A tattoo often seems to us something ultra-modern and youthful. But in fact, tattooing is one of the oldest trends in fine art. It is in art, contrary to the prevailing opinion that a tattoo is an asocial mark that is distinctive feature people who have been in prison.
In ancient times, tattoos reflected people's membership in a special group, such as warriors, or their position in the family, as among Japanese peoples.
But due to a church ban, tattoos practically did not develop in medieval Europe. The revival of this art occurred only in modern times.
An important date in the history of tattooing is 1891, when electric tattoo machine. However, during the first half of the 20th century, tattoo art practically did not develop. The turning point occurred in the 60s with the development of countercultural youth movements, which returned tattooing to its well-deserved position as one of the types fine arts. From this period, modern styles began to form on the basis of ancient Eastern and European styles.
Today tattoo industry is developing at an unprecedented pace, tattoo parlors and art studios are opening everywhere.
The widespread distribution of tattoos has led to the penetration of tattoo technologies into cosmetology. Tattoo - application permanent makeup , is precisely the cosmetological direction of tattooing. A number of advantages over conventional makeup, and new possibilities in combination with it, have made tattooing popular among women all over the world.
The art of tattooing, which dates back several thousand years of history, is now in its prime. We can say with a high degree of confidence that more than one direction will be created within its framework....
Psychological aspects of tattooing
The art of decorating yourself can be considered one of the most ancient. With the help of clothes, accessories, makeup, and hairstyle, a person strives to stand out from his environment, express himself, and attract attention. Tattooing is one of the ways to express the inner self.
According to statistics, people with great ambitions most often get tattoos. Maybe this is why among those with tattoos there are so many creative people - singers, actors, musicians.
Any art affects the psychological state of a person, and such an unconventional type of painting as painting on one’s own body, especially.
And first of all, this effect is important for those who decide to decorate themselves with any plot. After all, a person must cross a certain “barrier” in order to decide to do this. Of course, the motivation for such a step is different for everyone, but it exists, and everyone must realize for themselves the real reason that prompted them to decorate their body.
On the other hand, man is a social being. And each to his own appearance has a certain impact on others. This is the other side of the psychological aspect of the art of body tattooing.
You need to be guided not only by a fleeting passion for tattooing, its aesthetic side, but approach it with knowledge of all its aspects.
The psychological aspect of tattooing the body is closely related to the motivation of imitation or false aesthetic motives. In some cases, a tattoo can provoke a phenomenon reflected by it. Well, if it is done consciously, with a full understanding of the essence and purpose, then the tattoo becomes unique business card, one way or another assigning a certain image to a person.
In other words, a tattoo is not a passive image - it is an active symbol, a kind of indicator of a person’s character (unless he is forced by force and the tattoo is not applied fraudulently).
American psychologist K. Machover analyzed the personal characteristics and level of development of the painter and the nature of the images applied. As a result, the following trends and patterns were identified. Here are some of them:
running Man
- the desire to run away, take cover, evade; measuredly walking - balanced.
Torso
- vital forces. Large body - a keenly realized need, dissatisfaction; small - symptoms of humiliation.
Face
- carefully drawn - preoccupation with relationships with others, with one’s appearance.
Eyes
- closed or hidden hats are evidence of a strong desire to avoid unpleasant visual influences. Large, dilated eyes - anxiety, restlessness, need for protection.
Mouth
- a symbol of aggressiveness. A special sign of aggression is clearly drawn teeth. The mouth is like a clown's - forced affability. A character without a mouth at all or with a “dash” mouth does not have the ability to verbally influence other people.
Nose
- interpreted as a sexual symbol, but this is controversial.
Limbs
- arms, legs - a function of influencing the world. Hands muscular - perhaps a need for physical strength, agility. Legs- support in activity: legs widely spaced - dictate, self-confidence.
Thus, in a number of cases, it is possible to characterize a person’s personality by the type of drawings depicted on his body. For example, a person who at first glance is very modest and calm, has a number of aggressive tattoos. What does it mean? As an option - hidden strong aggression against society, or directed against the female sex (depending on the nature of the tattoo). But most likely, this is a person who seeks to compensate for his insecurity and weakness with aggressive images. Therefore, tattoos should be considered in a general context, taking into account all the details and features. Applying a tattoo on the body, the meaning of which has a certain meaning, indicates the loss of one’s own personality and its replacement with a pseudo-personality.
Another example: the body and arms are painted with dragons. Most likely this is a personality type that craves something special. Since his dragons are nothing more than a desire to stand out, to be personified in this way. Ready to accept any idea in return for the promise of an exciting life or exciting events. Constantly strives for new sensations, is optimistic about the future, is burdened by loneliness, and strives for power. But if on the body dragons are adjacent, for example, to Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna” on the thigh or with some other design that falls out of the logical series, then you may have a real hysterical type. He makes utopian plans, is condescending towards his friends, strives for self-affirmation, but in a slightly different, “exotic” form. He cannot be a leader, if only for a short time, until the first difficulties.
When drawing this or that image, it should be borne in mind that in addition to the first, superficial explanation of this or that drawing, the meaning, there is a second, deep one, explaining it on a spiritual and religious level. The connection of tattoo symbols with these interpretations will provide an opportunity to look into the soul of the design and clarify its true meaning.
In this regard, let's take a look at "Dictionary of Symbols" by X. E. Kerlot and provide descriptions of some images.
Crane
- in all cultures, from Chinese to Mediterranean - an allegory of justice and longevity, as well as a righteous and merciful soul.
Eagle
- a symbol of height of spirit, like the sun. In the Egyptian hieroglyphic system, the letter A is represented by the figure of an eagle, meaning the warmth of life, the beginning, the day. The eagle belongs to the elements of air and fire. It is characterized by fearless flight, speed, association with thunder and fire and means "the rhythm of heroic nobility." An eagle in the air is equal to a lion on the ground, which is why it is sometimes depicted with a lion's head. In Sarmatian art, the eagle is an emblem of lightning and warlike aspirations.
Owl
- the opposite of the eagle - the bird of darkness and death.
Star
- light shining in darkness, symbol of spirit. True, a star rarely has a single meaning. She is prone to ambiguity. But in any case, it supports the forces of spirit that oppose the forces of darkness. It is not for nothing that this meaning is included in the art of emblems throughout the world. The "Blazing Star" is a symbol of the mystical center - the energy of the expanding universe. Most common five pointed star. In the days of Egyptian hieroglyphs, it meant “ascent to the beginning” and formed part of such words as “educate”, “enlighten”, “teacher” and others.
Wolf
- a symbol of valor among the Romans and Egyptians. Scandinavian mythology tells of the monstrous wolf Fenrir, who broke iron chains and shackles and was ultimately locked in the bowels of the earth. It was also said that during the twilight of the gods - the end of the world - this monster would break free from captivity and devour the sun. Here the wolf acts as a symbol of evil.
Leopard
- a symbol of ferocity and valor. Like the tiger and panther, it expresses the qualities of aggressiveness and power of the lion without its solar meaning.
Knife
- a symbol that is an inversion of the sword symbol. It is associated with revenge and death, as well as sacrifice. The short edge of the knife represents the primacy of instinctive forces in the one who wields it, while the long edge of the sword represents the spiritual power of its owner.
Tattoo "Butterfly" often associated with the "night butterfly". Although a prostitute can be distinguished by a dot on her right cheek. And so a pinned butterfly means a memory of love or fragility.
Spider
- a symbol of hard work, but a spider in a web is a drug addict.
Knowledge of the deep meaning of this or that symbolism makes it possible, on the one hand, to competently evaluate and characterize its owner, and on the other hand, to “knowledgeably” approach the issue of applying drawings to your own body (if you are already mature for this). Although, before deciding to decorate yourself in this way, you should keep in mind the experience of other “comrades in (mis)fortune” who subsequently regretted what they had done.
How to choose a tattoo?
Since a tattoo can tell a lot about you and the characteristics of your character, psychologists have compiled an interesting test to determine the most suitable tattoo for you.
The composition of the tattoo is schematically composed of one or another geometric figure. Lily gravitates towards the triangle; a snake biting its tail is a circle, and the raven of the Indian tribe consists entirely of rectangles. A Polish proverb says: " Good opinion about yourself is half of happiness." In turn, we add that an idea adequate to reality is the second half.
Choose from the five proposed shapes - square, rectangle, triangle, circle, zigzag - one shape that you like best. Below are the characteristics of people who chose this or that figure:
Square
It corresponds to such qualities as hard work, diligence, the need to bring the job started to the end, perseverance, which allows you to achieve the completion of the work - this is what true Squares are famous for.
Square loves established order once and for all: everything should be in its place and happen in its own time. The ideal of the Square is a planned, predictable life; he does not like “surprises” and changes in the usual course of events.
Rectangle
It is a temporary form of personality that can be worn by other stable figures during certain periods of life. These are people who are not satisfied with the lifestyle that they lead now, and therefore are busy searching better position. The leading qualities of a rectangle are curiosity, inquisitiveness, keen interest in everything that happens and courage.
Triangle
This shape symbolizes leadership. The most characteristic feature true Triangle - the ability to concentrate on main goal. Triangles - energetic, unstoppable, strong personalities who set clear goals and usually achieve them, avoiding conflict as much as possible.
Circle
Drawings depicting suns, moons, wheels, clocks... The most benevolent of the five figures. This type has high sensitivity - the ability to empathize, sympathize, and respond emotionally to the experiences of another person. The circle feels other people's joy and feels other people's pain as if it were its own.
The circle encourages one to strive for integrity, a comprehensive experience of life. The circle is characterized by a symbolic and sometimes mystical experience of existence.
Zigzag
Drawings depicting lightning, pike or shark teeth, tribal motifs. A figure symbolizing creativity. Combining different, dissimilar ideas and creating something new and original on this basis is what Zigzags like. And therefore Zigzag is the most enthusiastic, most excitable of all five figures.
The influence of tattoo color on a person
A tattoo is not chosen for one day, and therefore it is important to know that color affects our well-being. According to chromotherapy (chromotherapy is a color treatment method), color affects breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, reaction speed, and muscle tension. Studies show that the right color improves memory and attention by 55 - 78%! Colors have a physiological effect on a person, and it is objective. And the attitude towards colors is subjective. “By preferring or rejecting certain colors, he appears as he really is, and not as he tries to appear. We can say that color choice cannot lie...” says the researcher, creator of a psychological test that determines a person’s emotional state , Swiss psychologist Max Luscher.
Statistics for the use of color in tattoos: Black - 78%, Green - 4%, Red - 5%, Purple - 2%, White - 3%, Pink - 1%, Blue - 4%, Brown - 3%.
Red- the most emotional color, helps to recharge your batteries and lift your spirits. The color red signals that you are confident and strong in spirit. It also increases nervous tension. Use red carefully and in places that are hard to see. In addition, this color is associated with blood, which nourishes us and at the same time is visible in not the calmest situations. Negative emotions in men are caused by cold shades of red: burgundy, raspberry and baby pink. At the same time, men love peach, orange and terracotta. What colors can you combine red with? Red resonates well with white, black, brown, yellow.
If in life you strive not to highlight contrasts, but to choose a complement, then choose warm colors of the spectrum.
Yellow- playful and catchy color. It stimulates thinking and creativity, helps relieve tension, attracts and disposes, but in moderation. Excess yellow awakens anxiety and aggression. On the body it is appropriate in addition, in nuances. Yellow is the color of the sun, dandelions, clowns. This is light, play and lightness.
Blue- the color of the sea, sky. It calms, creates a feeling of relaxation and comfort. This is the color of stability, satisfaction with life. Blue symbolizes enduring, eternal values. In nature, everything blue is inedible, so the color blue suppresses appetite. Men are especially irritated by the turquoise color, which demonstrates excessive persistence. Blue looks very impressive with black. Visually imagine the architecture of the trees against the darkening sky. Isn't it a magnificent picture? A classic is the combination of blue and white. Also no less original is the combination of brown and beige with blue.
Green- this is the color of green, summer. It creates a business atmosphere and a feeling of security. Goes well with brown. Green evokes associations of reliability, support, and fertility. Green goes well with red. In these combinations, oriental moments will look non-trivial.
Violet- the color of wisdom, nobility, sophistication. Also, this is the color of introverts - people who are well versed in internal space of your soul. Violet promotes trust, relieves excitement, and normalizes hormone levels. This is a symbol of mysticism, fairy tales and magic. Combines with pink, lilac and white; with orange in contrast. Remember the sunset sky. Solid, reliable, purple color creates an atmosphere of naturalness and prudence. It looks very harmonious on the skin, since the skin is a cover and the earth is a cover.
Classic colors like black, absorb and reflect. Sometimes they are not even considered flowers. Black is the most common tattoo color. It creates a clear line, is very graphic, and is used in most works as an outline, shadows and main color. We love both men and women, although the latter often abuse it, undeservedly forgetting about brown, which resonates with their feminine essence.
Harm to health
Think carefully before getting a tattoo.
It should be taken into account that tattoos can be harmful to health. When you get a tattoo, you injure the skin and inject a dye underneath it. Although the needle does not penetrate deeply, each time you pierce the skin, you risk introducing germs or viral infection. A tattoo is always associated with risk. When a dye comes into contact with the skin, even if no infection has occurred, there is always a risk of contact allergies, dermatitis and some other allergic reaction that can cause redness, swelling or itching. Inflammatory processes can lead to the formation of scars. The paints themselves are also fraught with danger, since they can cause allergies or contain heavy metals. A good tattoo artist must know the composition of the inks used.
The choice of a tattoo artist is all the more important. It should ensure complete avoidance of infection and scarring caused by inflammation at the puncture sites. To do this, all instruments must be disposable, absolute hygiene must be observed, a closed sterilization system and really sharp needles must be used.
Recently in Russia, tattooing and piercing have been equated to mini-operations.
A qualified specialist must have a diploma, which will guarantee the quality of work. Secondary and higher medical education is not only desirable, but also mandatory
The question often arises: is it possible to get AIDS through tattooing?
If the tips and needles are properly sterilized and the artist is reasonably careful, tattooing is almost 100% safe for both the client and the artist. The risk is minimal. But some risk still remains. By being aware of it and taking appropriate precautions, we can easily avoid infection problems.
A recent study identified 22 diseases that were transmitted through acupuncture. Among them are syphilis, malaria, tuberculosis and many other diseases, including AIDS. The disease most often transmitted through this route is hepatitis B.
It is not recommended to get tattoos for people with epilepsy, diabetes, cancer and HIV-infected people. It is not recommended to get a tattoo before the age of 18: the skin tends to change and move. The outcome can be predicted...
Attitudes towards tattoos of others.
You should seriously think about how others will feel about your tattoo. Many people won't like it. British psychologist Theodore Dalrymple says that in the perception of many people, “a tattoo is a sign ... of a person’s belonging to a criminal group or to a subculture characterized by violence, cruelty and rejection of social norms.”
Also noted in American Demographics: “It is clear that most Americans consider it risky to embellish themselves with tattoos on visible areas of the body. 85% of young people agree that “people who have a visible tattoo... should understand that this form of self-expression is likely to create difficulties in their career or personal life.”
Some people get tattoos in places where they are not visible to others. Even their parents may not know about such secret tattoos. But don't flatter yourself! If in an emergency you have to see a doctor or if you go for a swim in the pool, your secret may become known to many.
Like any fashion, tattoos may lose their popularity over time. In fact, can you expect to wear your favorite jeans, shirt, dress or boots for the rest of your life? Of course not! Styles, cuts and colors vary. But you can’t change a tattoo like you can change clothes. Besides, what you consider “cool” at 16 years old may no longer seem so to you at 30 years old.
Many began to regret doing something that is difficult to correct. What does this mean? Think carefully before getting a tattoo. Don't make decisions that you might regret later.
Over time, many people regret getting a tattoo.
Let's summarize.
Tattoos have seen times of unprecedented popularity and times of complete oblivion. Interest in her was constant regardless of fashion, regime and time of year. Tattoos have been done, done and will always do.
Tattooed people are one big family. And the sage was right three times when he said: “A tattooed person will never ask a person without a tattoo, “Why don’t you have a tattoo?”
So why do people still get a tattoo, going through pain, a long search for a theme and artist, and spending a lot of money?
Getting a tattoo on the body indicates any of these motivations:
The first - the most common - is a way of self-expression caused by the desire to be more original and even more fashionable than others. Such tattoos are most often done in youth and, as a rule, their owner gets tired of them after a few years.
Psychologists are silent about how self-asserted young people then live with their boring tattoos.
The second most common motive is beliefs. People apply religious signs, emblems of clubs and organizations they belong to, the name of the team they play for, the flag of their homeland, or other similar symbol. The reason for this step lies in the desire to show others who you are, and also to convince yourself that you are truly committed to your idea.
The third motivation is caused an inferiority complex and a feeling of insecurity, one’s own weakness. People with this complex get tattoos in the form of frightening animals or mythological heroes. But don't be too quick to judge if you see a man with a demon on his shoulder or a roaring tiger on his chest. It is quite possible that the tiger is a symbol of a sports team, and the demon is just a tribute to fashion.
Cosmetic motivation- correct past mistakes, disguise scars and age spots, and even body problems such as asymmetry.
Status motivation refers exclusively to the criminal world - there tattoos really serve as a document, rank and status.
A real author's tattoo is a work of art, made with soul, of high quality - it is always beautiful, and a person has always strived for beauty and self-improvement.
Tattoo is not fashion. This is what is always there. It’s just that now the level and quality of tattooing has increased. The West went through this a long time ago. In Russia, tattooing has always been something like indicator of one’s own importance, a kind of challenge to social standards, since in our country body graphics were associated mainly with the criminally marginal environment. Previously, what was important was the drawing, the very fact of having a tattoo (after all, it was a shock, an individual blow to moral principles!). Now the beauty of graphic design, the quality of the tattoo and the professionalism of the artist are put in first place.
There was a desire for something truly “individual”, “unlike” anything else. Nowadays preference is given to high-quality original work, where the main emphasis is on individual graphic design. In another case, tattoo ideas are taken from illustrated magazines. Sometimes the works of an artist or photographs are used as the basis for a tattoo (for example, “Mona Lisa” by Leonardo da Vinci, portraits of historical and political figures (Lenin, Stalin, Che Guevara, V.V. Putin (“the latest squeak” of fashion) ), infernal works by Giger - the founder of "biomechanics" or fantasy paintings by Boris Valeggio and Julia Bell).
Most of the information about fashion trends Tattoo culture is drawn from specialized Western magazines and the Internet. For example, recently the Japanese theme has become popular: fish, dragons, symbols (“Yin/Yang”, signs and symbols drawn from the samurai past). At one time, black and white tribal designs - tribals - were in fashion. After some time, Celtic “braids”, Mayan and Aztec motifs became popular. Now the fashion for them has passed, giving way to “biomechanics” (flesh and mechanics).
Small designs are popular among women, giving them a special “sexiness” - fish, butterfly, dragon, etc.
What is the reason for the popularity of tattoos?
Tattoos are often perceived as a symbol of protest.
For some, a tattoo is a way to express your romantic feelings.“My brother got the name of the girl he was dating on his ankle.” So what's the problem? "They're not dating anymore." According to Teen magazine, "Doctors say that more than 30 percent of tattoos are removed for teenage girls who want to get rid of their ex-boyfriend's name."
For some, a tattoo is a work of art, for others it is a symbol of independence. For some young people, a tattoo gives them the opportunity to try something new - to feel that they have power over their appearance. Tattoos can also be a symbol of protest or an unconventional lifestyle. This explains why some of them contain offensive words and pictures, as well as offensive phrases.
However, for most young people, a tattoo is just a tribute to fashion.
But if everyone around you “decorates” themselves with a tattoo, then should you do it too?
Psychologists and psychiatrists have learned to read information about a person from his tattoos, even the most bizarre ones. Body “painting” will tell a specialist about a person’s fears, character traits, state of mind, diseases and addiction to alcohol and drugs.
Fears
“A tattoo is a classic replacement for something that a person lacks,” says a family psychologist Natalia Panfilova. - Very often men who are too soft and unsure of themselves get aggressive tattoos: knife, warrior, tiger. Girls who feel that they lack attractiveness for the opposite sex decorate themselves with flowers, cats, and petals.
However, the effect is often the opposite.
- I had a client who was pretty, but not confident. “She got herself a tattoo of a bouquet on her arm, a lot of roses,” she said Natalya Panfilova. “But the tattoo didn’t suit her at all.” She and her husband started having scandals because in his picture of the world it was something incredible.
The fears of the mentally ill are also expressed in their tattoos.
Scientists from the Jerusalem Center for Evidence-Based Medicine in their scientific work(magazine "Bulletin of Psychiatry and Psychology of Chuvashia", 2010) examined 1,576 tattoos that were inked on 412 patients with mental disorders.
As stated in the study, some patients asked tattoo artists to give them mystical tattoos - they served as a talisman-amulet against the “evil eye.”
“Thus, the image of a “joker mask” on the outer surface of the elbow was interpreted by patients as a protective sign,” the scientists write.
The desire to hurt yourself
“Sometimes I notice that clients get tattoos on parts of the body where it is very painful,” says Natalya Panfilova. -For example, on the foot. Most likely, they deliberately want to hurt themselves. That is, the tattoo itself does not have any meaning, what matters is the action - its application.
Scientists from Novosibirsk State Medical University (they published their research in the journal “Medicine and Education in Siberia” in 2013). Among 60 people with tattoos who took part in the study, scientists diagnosed 78% borderline personality disorder.
As they say in the work, 2-3% of people have this disorder . They are characterized by impulsiveness, low self-control, emotional instability, unstable connections with reality, high anxiety and a strong level of desocialization.
“It is of interest that people with borderline personality disorder in 90% of cases do not feel satisfied with the final result - the drawing,” says the study. “They are attracted by the process itself, associated with the need to endure pain in the process of drawing ("Will I be able to Can I stand it?")".
The need to endure pain is a socially acceptable way of “self-harmful behavior” (other unacceptable ways are to provoke an accident or commit suicide).
At the same time, "from Of all the tattoo options proposed by the tattoo parlor artist, people with borderline personality disorder prefer inscriptions or drawings related to the theme of death (skulls, dead people, grave crosses, etc.).”
The 13 people who did not have borderline personality disorder had much more optimistic tattoos - mostly images of animals or ornaments.
Researchers cite different reasons for self-destructive behavior.For example, in psychoanalysis, the founder of which is Sigmund Freud, it is believed that aggression was initially directed at another person, for example at a parent in childhood. But the well-being of the child depended on the parent, and he “decided” to redirect the aggression towards himself.
Thirst for attention
― Individuals can have bright, catchy, large tattoos hysterical type, says psychiatrist, head of the intensive psychiatric care department Artyom Gilev.
The main feature of this type isegocentrism, thirst for constant attention to one’s own person.
“For example, a person has a bright flower all over his back or a tiger on his face,” says Artyom Gilev. - Also, such a tattoo cansay that a person has bipolar disorder. He did it during a period of exacerbation, and then came out of this state and was shocked by himself.
Like Life, bipolar disorder affects 2-4% of the world's population. In the patient's life, periods of mania (feeling of one's own greatness, a flow of ideas, rapid speech, decreased need for sleep) are followed by periods of depression.
Psychopathic desire for order
As Artyom Gilev said, psychopaths of the epileptoid type (one of the main features is a morbid love of order in everything) tend to get tattoos where the smallest details are visible.
“For example, one patient pricked himself with a picture from a window,” said the psychiatrist. - I chopped out all the trees, there were leaves on each one. A window in the house opposite, in the window there is a person, a cat.
Schizophrenics also have very elaborate tattoos.
"Thus, one of the patients we observed, before getting a tattoo of a dragon, looked through several tens of thousands (!) of images of this fairy-tale character on the Internet and in the literature until he found a drawing that was as close as possible to his idea,” says the report. a study by scientists from the Jerusalem Center for Evidence-Based Medicine.
Stories suggested by voices
According to Artyom Gilev, people with mental illnesses often get tattoos that are incomprehensible to others. Sometimes their meaning cannot be explained even by the owner himself.
It happens that a patient asks a tattoo artist to ink a plot that the “voices” tell him.
Sometimes the images on tattoos are quite adequate, and only when the patient explains what they mean does it become clear that he is sick.
In one of the patients, scientists from Jerusalem Center for Evidence-Based Medicine, on the shin was “a giant Egyptian sign - an ankh (T-shaped cross connected to an oval on the top crossbar).” The patient explained that his tattoo meant: “I will never allow myself to be operated on again.”
He was given painful intravenous infusions, and then a transparent bandage was applied, which fixed the needle and resembled the sign of the ankh.
“After going on a short-term vacation, the patient immediately went to a tattoo parlor and got the said tattoo, claiming that, having seen it, “the doctors will understand and will not torment him anymore,” the study says. “When asked why he got it, tattoo on his leg, the patient stated that “the doctors are undressing him anyway.”
“Another patient, diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic, decorated his body with a chaotically tattooed alphabet to show that he was “good at school,” the scientists continue.
It happens that there is no logic at all in the tattoos of patients.
For example, a patient with schizotypal personality disorder applied to his buttock ( intimate area) for the purpose of decorating a primitive symbolic tattoo depicting a graphic silhouette of a lawnmower,” the study says.
Scientists believe that “voluntary tattoos, among other non-verbal signs can play a significant role in the diagnosis of mental and behavioral disorders, especially in cases where the subject deliberately seeks to mislead the doctor."
Tattoos of drug addicts and alcoholics
The same scientists examined 609 tattoos that were inflicted on themselves by patients with drug and alcohol addiction (the study was published in the journal Narcology in 2010).
These tattoos have many typical themes. They "are a kind of identification mark for initiates, allowing them to make contacts to purchase drugs."
“The category of general symbols of drug use may include images of a skull pierced with a dagger or syringe, as well as any medical paraphernalia (tablets, capsules, ampoules, syringes and needles),” the scientists write.
Those who use opiates often tattoo images of a poppy flower or pod.
"The following scenes are not uncommon among them: a poppy flower entwined with a snake, a poppy whose stem is represented by an injection needle, a poppy flower entwined barbed wire, a poppy head with a drop of juice flowing out (“tear”),” the study says. - This also includes images of a gnome or an old woman holding flowers or poppy heads in their hands. The image of an elderly man can be interpreted as an image of a person who grows opium poppies for sale."
People who use hashish often get tattoos with the image of a crescent moon combined with three stars (the “trademark” of factory-made Pakistani hashish). There can also be multi-figure compositions on oriental themes (a man smoking a hookah surrounded by dancers, gin flying out of a jug).
The image of spiders and cobwebs on the fingers means dexterity and resourcefulness, the ability to get out of difficult situations.
Sometimes the numbers stick out. For example, 5 is ecstasy, 8 is heroin, 12 is marijuana (take the first letter in the name of the drug and put its serial number in the English alphabet).
"Reflection of the desired state during drug intoxication are scenes associated with images of a syringe with butterfly wings (lightness, euphoria), gin leaving a jug ("soul breaking free"), a skull pierced by a syringe or dagger indicates the severity and totality of the experiences that arose while taking drugs,” the study says.
Tattoos are often inked on the elbows: this way you can hide the traces of injections.
Alcoholics have their own typical stories. Often they pin an image of three component elements. The central one is one of the typical alcoholic attributes (bottle, glass, glass), the two edge ones are cards, female figures and faces. Under the picture, as a rule, there is an inscription: “This is what is destroying us!”
As a reflection of the peculiar alcoholic humor, there are inscriptions: “Why is there no vodka on the Moon?”, “For the health of the dead man!”, “For the ladies!”, “For you!”
“Knowledge about the deep psychosocial meaning of tattoos can help doctors in clinical practice,” the scientists conclude.
Previously Life, what tattoos do Olympic athletes decorate themselves with. They often cover their bodies with symbols that signify their desire for victory.
Tattoos in our time no longer cause surprise, do not frighten passers-by, even uninitiated people have learned to distinguish a prison tattoo from an artistic tattoo. If once upon a time all tattoos hid a special meaning, today they are more a way of self-expression, part of youth fashion. However, this is not the only thing that motivates people to paint their bodies. The question of whether this is normal, whether it is dangerous for others, and what are the reasons for the hobby of tattooing is still relevant.
The history of tattooing began more than 5 thousand years ago. And this is only the officially recognized and confirmed case: traces of a tattoo were found on a mummy found in the Tyrolean Alps.
In primitive society, tattoos were used as a symbol of belonging to a clan, tribe, or to designate. From the image on the skin you could understand who was in front of you: a warrior or a hunter, a leader or an outcast. Later, tattoos began to be used as amulets or part of a ritual, for example, when a boy was initiated into a man.
For a long time, only a select few had tattoos, special people. But in 1891 everything changed. Samuel O'Reilly created the first tattoo machine, and then this activity turned into a business and a way of entertainment.
Nowadays, tattoos are perceived in different ways:
- a sign of courage, determination, endurance, strength;
- sign ;
- a sign of self-doubt or, conversely, independence;
- a sign of frivolity;
- a sign of internal struggle and difficult fate;
- a sign of mental illness.
This list can be continued for a long time, but in the end, the only thing that matters is what a tattoo means to its wearer, how it affects consciousness and self-perception. In this case, you need to take into account not only the original reason for the hobby, the content of the drawings, but also the color palette. Psychology can tell a lot about the impact of specific colors on the psyche.
Reasons for the hobby of tattoos
Among the reasons, one can distinguish normal and pathological prerequisites. In modern psychology, the concept of norm is used less and less; it has become very vague and fluid in recent years. Therefore, I propose to get acquainted with all the reasons for the passion for tattoos, and you will determine your norm:
- pursuit of fashion;
- the need to belong to a group;
- the desire to stand out among people, rebellion, protest;
- contribution special meaning in a tattoo: someone is struggling, someone is recording important events, someone is motivating themselves, etc.;
- a special idea of beauty, which is inherent in creative people;
- the desire to hide complexes, overcome non-acceptance of oneself, close off from the world;
- the desire to look threatening as a consequence of internal fears;
- , belief in magic, amulets;
- covering scars received in , which a person wants to forget about;
- a socially acceptable way of self-harm;
- sexual overtones, the desire to dominate (in nature, individuals with bright colors are considered more attractive).
In my opinion, a pathological hobby can be considered one in which a person completely changes his appearance, covers his face and most of his body with drawings, and fills his eyes with paint. This is probably a desire to isolate yourself from society and yourself, to put on a mask or, conversely, to give an external, relatively rational outlet for what is boiling inside.
In addition, some people are interested in the process of applying a tattoo, and not the result. But who can like pain? For those who suffer mentally. Getting a tattoo is a test that then gives you a small surge of strength, and the process itself and the physical pain makes you forget about life’s problems.
Some people experience psychological and physical problems from a tattoo. During the session, endorphin and adrenaline are produced, and consciousness gradually changes. A state of excitement, tension and a kind of intoxication arises. In this way, tattoo addiction is similar to any chemical addiction. And they usually arise against the background of internal emptiness, dissatisfaction with oneself and life.
A real example of a passion for tattooing
However, even among densely packed people there are healthy but also creative personalities, for example, the world famous tattoo model Zombie Boy. He was happy in his personal life, made great money from his appearance, and was a sought-after model. It is unknown what was going on inside him, but from an outside glance it seems that the man was happy, and his body completely covered with tattoos did not interfere, but helped this. It was thanks to his tattoos that he became famous.
Although, as journalists write, Zombie Boy’s passion for tattoos began after his victory over cancer. Perhaps such close communication with death and the final victory over it had such an impact on the model’s psyche. And the parents were not delighted with their son’s hobby. It is possible that there is protest as the reason for covering the entire body with drawings.
I still can’t say for sure who this person is: a creative, happy person who has found himself, or a lost, unhappy, psychologically sick person who has not been able to express himself in any other way.
Tattoo as psychotherapy
Skin is the border between a person’s inner world and society. In tattoos, a person conveys what he cannot say in words. And those who claim that they did not put meaning into the tattoo are lying. Perhaps subconsciously, but they invested it at the moment when they chose a drawing, pattern, symbol, etc. Especially if the sketch was drawn individually and we are not talking about addiction, craving for a painful process.
Often tattoos are given to those who cannot show their true essence due to work or social environment. Sooner or later, such people have a dragon, a snake or a demon all over their back. And it makes them feel good. They sit in the office, but they know that hidden under their shirt is their essence, which is in this case It’s not really hidden anymore.
And this is not bad if such a decision helps a person maintain mental balance and regain the joy of life. Perhaps the next step is to change the person’s job and social circle to one where he will be more comfortable.
Tattoo as self-expression
Tattoo culture brings people together of different ages, gender and status. This is a kind of organization whose representatives organize contests, competitions, and festivals. Participants and masters receive not only valuable gifts, but also fame in their circles, fame, attention, and compliments. Someone then becomes a world famous artist or model. There are people for whom a tattoo is a style and way of life, a field for self-realization and self-affirmation.
Afterword
You cannot think one-sidedly and classify all tattoo owners as unhealthy people or slaves of fashion. Yes, for some, a tattoo becomes the meaning of life, the only thing that keeps a person in this world. This is its purpose, meaning, value. And for some, a tattoo is self-help, psychotherapy, a reminder of something significant. Someone else simply treats it as jewelry, clothing. In order to more accurately say what motivates a person to become interested in tattoo art, it is necessary to analyze his overall lifestyle, work, environment, characteristics of relationships with friends and family, and other hobbies.
When you go out on a bright, sunny day, you can immediately encounter people who are happy to show off their tattoos to others. It seems that the fashion for applying drawings to one's body has reached its apogee. But what pushes you to such decoration, which is quite difficult to get rid of?
Tattoos are present on the bodies of academics and students, professional athletes and office workers. Stars of domestic and world show business proudly show the whole world their painted bodies. Psychoanalyst Didier Anzieu, in his book “I Am Skin,” claims that tattoos are a kind of language of communication. With the help of drawings applied to the body, we try to express the unspoken, whether bright emotions and feelings, as well as secret desires.
Why do people make drawings on their bodies: the psychology of girls and boys
During our small investigation into the psychology of girls and boys, we identified 14 reasons why people get tattoos on their bodies.
- Participation in a certain culture. Since ancient times, when people began to apply drawings on their bodies, in this way they wanted to show their belonging to a particular tribe, as well as to the culture to which they were related. Now this is a signal of belonging to a certain subculture (for example, rappers, rockers, goths). In addition, with the help of tattoos they declare their position in life.
- Call. Another reason why people decide to get a tattoo is to express their protest and challenge it. Mostly teenagers take this step because their stereotypes and negative perception of the world around them have become stronger.
- As an opportunity to hide physical flaws. A tattoo is considered as a rather original way to hide congenital and acquired skin defects. This could be an ugly scar from surgery or a burn. After all, a well-made drawing looks much more aesthetically pleasing than a crooked scar. The owner of a tattoo may be less likely to have to remember the events that led to the formation of the defect. Beautiful tattoo and its secret meaning will be perceived much more positively.
- Body like decoration. When a person has artistic taste and wants to decorate his body, then with quality work done, it can look like a work of art. After all, everyone has their own vision of beauty and not everyone views tattoos as a negative phenomenon. Many masters position themselves as artists, making the body like a canvas.
- A momentary impulse. Many of those who have already gotten a tattoo cannot clearly explain why they did it. One of the most common answers is: “Just like that.” Quite often this happens during an emotional outburst at a young age. At this time, there is still no stable psychological state, and all actions taken are guided by a fleeting desire, and not common sense. Often, already in mature age many people repent of their actions and hide their tattoo from prying eyes or remove it.
- Fanaticism. Ask people why they need tattoos with the names of their lovers, the names of once-popular bands, and religious symbols? This is a manifestation of an unhealthy feeling of falling in love, a fanatical dependence on the object of adoration. This is already a mental disorder. Many craftsmen refuse to print the names and images of their loved ones. After all, there is no guarantee that a fairly quick separation will happen and the presence of a tattoo with the name of the now hated person will remind him of him all his life.
- Instinctive impulse. Many see the cause as subconscious thinking. Quite often, behavior is completely regulated by instincts; the applied pattern is perceived as a sign of superiority. On a subconscious level, a person with a tattoo can be considered a bright personality.
- As a way to preserve memories. Very often, people try to remember important events in their lives and embody the most vivid memories in a drawing on their body. This could be a wedding or the birth of a child, as well as other quite significant events that left an indelible impression on the tattoo bearer.
On her hand Anastasia tattooed the initials of her ex-lover. According to her, she is even glad that she once got this tattoo, since it reminds her that she once almost lost herself. " I was just crazy about him. She did everything only for him, and when he left, she cried for six months. Only later did I realize how incredibly lucky I was that he left my life.».
- For a full experience of life. In one French film, the heroine, after both her legs were amputated, applied a design to her thigh. Thus, she tried to bring herself back to life and feel happy again. Often in ordinary life, in order to survive some unpleasant event, people apply a drawing to their body in order to again feel the joy of life.
- Tattoo is like the beginning of a new life. It happens that such drastic changes occur in life that everything has to be started from scratch, and the person is not psychologically ready for these changes. In this case, a tattoo can serve as a kind of stimulus that motivates action. This especially works if a specific call is applied to the body.
- Symbol of protection. It's no secret that the skin performs the function of protecting the body from external influences. When there is a lack of such protection, it can be filled with a tattoo. The negative experience gained, betrayal, a very vulnerable character, all this encourages you to apply drawings on your body. So Chester Bennington, the vocalist of the legendary band Linkin Park, experienced deep trauma as a child and struggled with it for a long time with the help of alcohol and drugs. Almost his entire body is covered with tattoos.
Show your determination. Application allows you to hide your inner insecurities. Thus, a weak person wants to appear strong and confident in the eyes of others. This is especially pronounced when the tattoo depicts a sleeve on the arm. Hands position the action. Some tattoos are symbolic signs in which true feelings and experiences are hidden.- Compensation. The desire to hide shortcomings that are difficult to accept in oneself. This could be a constant feeling of loneliness or an inability to make contact with others. Thus, the individual tries to hide his inadequacy behind a beautiful image on his body.
- Low responsibility. First of all, this applies to drawings with a religious orientation. This helps to isolate yourself from the surrounding reality and relieve yourself of responsibility for your life, hoping only for the help of a higher mind. In addition, such a tattoo adds self-confidence, because a person believes that the drawing helps attract finance and success.
Anthropologist Silke Wohlrab, who studies the motives that guided people who got tattoos, explained why people get tattoos: “ Previously, drawings on the body were a sign physical strength, belonging to various tribes or clans, now tattoos are more likely simple decoration bodies and thus people try to stand out from their environment».
Is a tattoo a sign of individuality?
Basically, many psychologists come to the conclusion that now people draw on their bodies to indicate their own importance. However, this way of cutting yourself off from the crowd and becoming something more leads to joining another group of people who have already gotten a tattoo.
Before you try to somehow stand out from the crowd, you should remember that many people in power deliberately strengthen this idea in the minds of the population. They are joined by leaders of many subcultures, as well as musicians, whose thoughts young people quote on their bodies. All this is done with the goal of making money.
Should I do it or not?
Before contacting a tattoo artist, you should understand in detail the subject of the design and inscription. You can consult with him, telling him what interests you most, your preferences and, most importantly, describe to the master your vision of the future tattoo. Be sure to listen to his opinion. Don't be guided by the impulse of the moment. You should wait until the moment when you are completely ready for this.
Everyone must decide for themselves whether to get a tattoo or not, as well as what to eat, where to live and what to believe. In addition, if a person is comfortable with the fact that he has a design on his body, then that’s great.
Tattoos are made in order to tell the world about your views, to preserve vivid memories in your memory, or to stand out from the crowd as individual personality. However, this is not the main thing. The most important thing is to be in harmony with yourself and feel happy.
