The NYC Tattoo Convention held from the 16th to the 18th of May was worth remembering. Tattooists etched tribal designs and fantasies which were Japan inspired so intricately and perfectly that it left mouths wide open. The convention not only drew the burly bikers and rockers but surprisingly enough, families too. Kids stood quietly in line watching their parents get tattooed all over. The winner of the “best tattooed person”, Josh Thompson, got his first tattoo at the age of 18 and is now covered head to toe, including naughty bits, with them.
The tattoo phase started as a rebellious way of expressing one’s identity but is now so common that it is a rarity to see a non tattooed person. Especially since the safety standards have improved tremendously and with the flashing of wild tattoos by celebrities, it has become very popular. According to a survey done in 2006, about 40% of the world’s population aged between 26 and 40 have a tattoo. But within the last few years, the numbers have risen with young kids getting it too since society no longer looks down upon tattoos. Tattooing was banned in New York for 36 years for the fear of getting hepatitis. When it was re-legalized, about 1400 tattoo parlours sprung up in 1997. Getting tattooed is no longer a subculture. It is an art. Everyone from bankers to doctors to even soccer moms have tattoos. Even companies like Nike, Victoria’s Secret and Mountain Dew have tattoo designs as part of their promotion brands. It is even possible to get a tattoo design for a cover for your laptop. Even Las Vegas casinos have opened tattoo parlours today. Tattoos used to be very simple earlier. The designs would be an anchor or a picture of a pin up girl or even just the letters “MOM”. But today, anything and everything has been etched onto skin. Even people’s first tattoos are no longer a small heart or something easy. They go for their entire hands to start with. The first tattoo for most women though is usually done on their lower backs. It has even been nicknamed the tramp stamp. With the hype around the dangers of getting AIDS and hepatitis, tattoo parlours now look like medical clinics. Getting a tattoo is now a trendy fashion statement.
Some typical tattoo designs to start with-
Angel Tattoos- An angel tattoo symbolises peace, innocence, spirituality, beauty, faith, and devotion. Some people get angels tattooed to commemorate the death of a loved one.
Lions and Tigers- These tattoos symbolise power, might, pride, passion, cruelty, sensuality, purity, violence and courage all rolled into one. Some get it done with the hope that it would bring luck to their family and business.
Flowers- A flower tattoo is good for a woman who wants something subtle for her first tattoo. These are very feminine and so it is basically for those who are happy with their identity. Flowers are popular with men too when combined with daggers, sculls and crosses. A red rose stands for love, romance and courage, a pink for admiration and grace, and a white rose for love and eternal innocence. Rosebuds represent youth.
Ozzy Osbourne advised his daughter not to get a tattoo since everyone has one. He told her not getting one would make her unique and stand apart from the crowd. She still got one.
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