2008 Woodie Awards
Tattoos: New Takes on Old Traditions
From Pirates to Pop Stars, Tattoos Are On Their Way to Achieving Stardom
Kristen Carlson
Issue date: 11/11/04 Section: Feature
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You don't have to be told twice that your college years are the best years of your life. You are finally independent, fabulously self-endowed, and proud of who you are. This is the time when you create your own separate identity, and, though some may not like to admit it, that form of self-expression is created partly through fashion.
Tattooing is one of the oldest forms of art. The first tattoo was created by accident in the ancient days, when a man cut himself and rubbed the wound with his hand covered in ashes from making a fire.
After the wound healed, he noticed the mark and discovered its permanence. The act of tattooing is older than the word itself. 'Tattoo' in Samoan means 'appropriate, balanced, and fitting.'
For those who want to go through the pain of getting a tattoo, it is very important to find one that expresses them appropriately - unless they want to regret it for the rest of their lives.
"I want [a tattoo] because it's a permanent symbol of what I've accomplished...who I've become while here at Montclair State University. It's who I am," said sophomore studio art and education major Nicole Giraffo, as she explained the story behind what she wants in a tattoo.
Tattoos used to be more of an underground experience, for hippies and gangs. Now, however, tattoos have become exciting and sexy, for men and for women. Now that tattoos have become more of a mainstream accent than a biker gang must-have, there are different reasons and ways that people choose the tattoos they have, or the ones they want.
Some choose a character of their heritage, while others want their name tattooed on as an affirmation of self-identity. A tattoo can be a good luck charm, or it can be a talisman to ward off evil spirits. Some want tattoos that will raise eyebrows, while others want secret tattoos that have special meaning to only them and a select few.
Tattoos are not similar to fashion trends in clothing or hairstyles. What if you had to choose one hairstyle to have for the rest of your life? You should think twice before getting one that seems like a fad at the moment.
Tattooing is one of the oldest forms of art. The first tattoo was created by accident in the ancient days, when a man cut himself and rubbed the wound with his hand covered in ashes from making a fire.
After the wound healed, he noticed the mark and discovered its permanence. The act of tattooing is older than the word itself. 'Tattoo' in Samoan means 'appropriate, balanced, and fitting.'
For those who want to go through the pain of getting a tattoo, it is very important to find one that expresses them appropriately - unless they want to regret it for the rest of their lives.
"I want [a tattoo] because it's a permanent symbol of what I've accomplished...who I've become while here at Montclair State University. It's who I am," said sophomore studio art and education major Nicole Giraffo, as she explained the story behind what she wants in a tattoo.
Tattoos used to be more of an underground experience, for hippies and gangs. Now, however, tattoos have become exciting and sexy, for men and for women. Now that tattoos have become more of a mainstream accent than a biker gang must-have, there are different reasons and ways that people choose the tattoos they have, or the ones they want.
Some choose a character of their heritage, while others want their name tattooed on as an affirmation of self-identity. A tattoo can be a good luck charm, or it can be a talisman to ward off evil spirits. Some want tattoos that will raise eyebrows, while others want secret tattoos that have special meaning to only them and a select few.
Tattoos are not similar to fashion trends in clothing or hairstyles. What if you had to choose one hairstyle to have for the rest of your life? You should think twice before getting one that seems like a fad at the moment.