Expressing Identity Through Tattoos and Piercings

Expressing Identity through Tattoos and Piercings The rising popularity of tattoos and body piercing is more than just the latest fashion craze. This type of body craft has been a part of this world for thousands of eld. Tattoos and piercings pay back served as amulets, military position symbols, declarations of love, patsys of religious beliefs, adornments and even forms of punishment (Smithsonian.com). In the later years (1940 2000) tattoos and piercings were more common among teenagers and young adults, but now, people of altogether ages are expressing themselves through body art. To try and understand this raising in the desire to permanently mark ones self, we must archetypal determine the origin and history of tattoos and piercings. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, the counterbalance tattoo known to man was found on Otzi, too known as Iceman, in 1991. A total of 58 tattoos were found on Otzi, made up of simple dots and lines. It is believed that these tattoos were therapeutic, to tending alleviate joint pain. In the years to come, other tattoos and piercings were discovered. any(prenominal) of the earliest tattoos were considered tribal tattoos. This means there were tattoos that different ethnical tribes would have for certain meanings and expression.

The Polynesian tattooing was one of the most accepted and artistic tattooing of ancient times (The History of Tattoos and Piercings). They believed that tattoos were a sign of beauty and strength. In Japan, tattooing was a way a punishment. If you were convicted a criminal, you would get a mark on your forehead. There have been many other believed reasons for tattoos and piercing, such as, to mark wealth and power, to approximate as a prostitute, it was even once believed that tattoos on a woman would protect them from contracting an STD (Smithsonian.com). Body piercings do non seem to date back as far as tattooing. However, it is impressive that this ritual dates back as far as 5,000 years ago. The first recognized piercing was on an... If you indispensability to get a full essay, order it on our website: Ordercustompaper.com

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