Six Reasons why People Are Obsessed by Tattoo

Tattoo means literally “puncture the body”. It has been around for about 5000 years. Nevertheless, getting a tattoo used to be considered as a severe act in the conservative perception. It was regarded as a statement of non-conformity, and has almost become the name of rebelliousness in the past. However, the number of people getting tattoos has increased sharply in the last five years.

Why people are willing to accept the inevitability of pain of tattooing? More and more people are eager to have beautiful pictures in their skins which will never go away. It is a solution of making oneself different from all other people. It’s obvious that people are suffering the pain of tattooing as a price paid for something of worth. In general, the motivation for tattoos are aroused by the following reasons.

1. Permanent mementos

Anything else that is injected into the skin goes into the blood stream, gets broken down and washed away finally. Tattoo ink will never disappear, which make it the best way to commemorate something special. Most of people who have tattoos admit that they got the marks for specific reasons, such as remembering someone or memorable events in their lives.

2. Stylish appearance

Other people feel more sexy or adventurous if they have gotten the tattoos. This make them be proud of their stylish appearance. The images people choose vary from person to person depending on their preferences.

3. Personal expression

Tattoo is a valid form of self expression. Each tattoo has a meaning which is significant to the person who has it, even if in some cases that meaning is quite simple, such as a flower on the ankle, and infinite other representations of meaningful imagery. An anchor on the forearm is actually a symbol of protection for sailors.

Regardless of the intent behind the ink, the owner finds it possible to use tattoos on their bodies to express what they are thinking about inside. The need to get tattooed could be fueled by the feeling that this is the only outlet through which their inner self could be displayed to the outside world.

4. Self mutilation

The pain of tattooing is the intoxicating factor which draws an individual time and time again.  The addiction to self-mutilation and self-injury makes people find a sense of control. They find it therapeutic to use physical pain to relieve emotional or mental stress. It is possible that some may become addicted to self-injury in the form of tattoos.

5. Appetite for attention

For someone who craves attention, the tattoo has potential for bringing attention. It is proved that a visible tattoo, to a large extent, can serve as a conversation starter with strangers. It is an effective method of breaking down the interpersonal barriers and facilitating social interactions. In this case, the need for being recognized and connected could drive the need to get tattooed.

6. Tattoo Culture

Tattoo has been known and practiced in China for many years. But it was never considered to be something artistic, desirable, or even acceptable in Chinese culture. It was commonly accepted that one’s body is a precious gift given by his parent, and therefore should never be abused or defaced by a tattoo.

Many years ago if a person found guilty of a severe crime, he was forced to place a tattoo on his face, and then banished to a far-way place for a number of years. The tattoo on the face permanently reveals that its owner was a criminal. The punishment is called ci pei (刺配, exile in English).

Nowadays, things are different in the historical changes. Tattoo is called Wen Shen (纹身) or Ci Shen (刺身) in Chinese. And tattoos of Chinese characters have long been a fad in the west as a way of denoting the mystique of their bearers.

If you are one of the expats who live in Beijing, you must be confused about how to find the best tattooist in this city due to the language barriers. But there’s no need for you to worry, because there are local English yellow pages online which collect the tattoo shops in Beijing. China Yellow Pages is the best one among them. S9 Tattoo is a shop which has added its English business listing and aims at providing services for foreigner customers like you!