Tattoo Obsession

In the past tattoos and tattooed persons were often looked at with a certain amount of distain. Tattoos were a sign that you had been in prison, were a sailor or were simply a person of questionable character. While there are many who still hold to this belief today, tattoos and the persons sporting them are widely more accepted. Even those who are tattoo obsessed and covered with any number of tattoos are approached more often in curiosity rather than fear and reproof.

Tattoo obsession fits nicely into our world today. With so many people wanting to stand out from the crowd, “look cool”, tell their story, show their toughness or show off a bit of art, tattooing is rapidly finding new fans. We live in a culture where self expression is highly valued and therefore many feel that it is their right and duty to express their thoughts, feelings, associations, ambitions or accomplishments on their arm, legs, shoulders, back, hands or feet with a bit of colored ink. Some people still may get a tattoo on a drunken whim or at the loss of a bet, but for the many receiving tattoos today, there is great thought and purpose behind each and ever ink mark.

Like any obsession, tattooing often starts with that one small tattoo discreetly located on your butt, ankle, or thigh. For women it may be the mark of something beautiful, tattoo designs that remind her that not only is she beautiful but the world around her is full of beauty, for a hard working man, a symbol of his dedication to his family. Often the first tattoo can act as a springboard for many more. Thus the obsession is started with one fateful decision and a handful of money. One moment your sporting a small symbol, next your equipped with full tattoo sleeves.

Today tattoo obsession is no longer looked at as the passion of prison inmates or foreign tribal peoples, tattooing has evolved into the silent and artful form of self-expression. In a world where text messages, emails, and tweets are increasingly more common than talking, tattoos can reveal a plethora of information about a person without any exchange of words. The head of a lion, a lamb, thorns and a cross may be one man’s way of telling others he is a Christian while a woman with a mix of flowers, flames, trees and water on her arm may tell of her love for outdoor adventure.

Whether this tattoo obsession is here to stay or is simply a passing trend, only time will tell. In the mean time all we can do is admire and maybe join in on this obsession. Tattoos may have been a mark of shame in the past but with rising popularity and acceptance maybe even politicians will start sporting artful tats or something more practical like the law.

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