The attitude towards the body art of tattoo drawing has rapidly changed over the past century. Though tattoos were an image of rebellion, lack of culture, and outsider status, nearly one in five people in the civilized world has one.

The art is even more popular among Millennials, where 38 to 40 per cent of people have one. 

During the antediluvian world, tattooing was illegal in most parts of the world, especially in the U.S.

Still, in the modern world, the number of people with at least one tattoo has shot from 5% in 1992 to around 22 per cent in 2012, increasing the urge for tattoo artists simultaneously. 

 

History of Tattoos

Several conspiracy theories are explaining the emergence of tattoos in the ancient world.

However, few of these theories are reliable since they carry the basis of the exact topic originating from several proven fossils.

Some scientists, who came up with these theories, compared several humans remains from different archeologic sites to come up with a generally accepted history of tattoos.

In the 18th century, tattoos were termed as “tatu” by the famous Captain Cook.

However, symbols were well known even before Cook’s voyage of discovery.

We can trace back tattoos to the Greeks and Romans, who was popularly known for tattooing their slaves and prisoners to symbolize ownership and punishment.

In the Medieval era, symbols were used to express several religious values, the embodiment of culture, saints, and some religious figures who had tattoos with different holy images. 

Tattoos were trendy in the antediluvian world between 168 BC and 476 AD during the period where the Roman Empire was the superpower of the world.

People were supposed to have corresponding images on their bodies as a way of showing their loyalty to the monarchy.

Subsequently, stigmatization of people with tattoos began as early as the mid-seventeen century. 

The art of tattoo started taking a different course in the eighteen century.

The symbol of the sailor tattoo and the working man’s tattoo became evident back in the eighteen century when the European sub-communities started identifying their status and culture with symbolic tattoos. 

The reason behind tattoos gaining immediate recognition in the 18th century is because visual imagery of bodies through several aspects like, medical exploration and punitive judicial markings were more often.

Tattoos were most deep in Europe and some bits of Africa territories because until then; these areas were the cradle of human life.

However, with constant explorations and travels in the West and East, tattoos started gaining a stellar reputation. 

History shows that women were not allowed to tattoo due to the masculine trait.

Caplan (1997, 2000) points out that women who had tattoos were prostitutes and so it was equal to say that tattoo for women was kind of taboo.

By the 19th century, symbols were more evident with deviant subcultures such as sailors, gangs, and miscreants.

With most people from Europe finding a new home in the frosty land of North America, the world saw the shift of culture from the upper world to the West.

In the West, popularization of tattoos becomes the talk of the century with the use of super modern tattoo equipment and diverse marketing strategies.

In 1997 Caplan pointed out the transition of tattoo inks application from domestic and homemade to the cottage and commercial industry.

Imagery becomes more popular as many artists started specializing in the art of tattoo application. 

During the industrialization of Europe, there was the emergence of various names of individuals who attributed to the invention of different styles of tattoos.

Such inventory includes the electric tattoo gun and the flash tattoo design, which first gained popularity in Japan and later in the U.S. 

 

Fashion Theory

 

Before we look at various ways in which the artistry of tattoos has become an accepted fashion, we can first define what manner is and what it takes to deem a particular art as an indispensable fashion.

We can define a trend as the prevailing theory of style that changes with time.

The way is a culture support style of aesthetic expressions in either different forms of clothing or an absolute belief in art.

It is discernible within a specific group of people within a social system. 

 

Tattoos and Fashion

 Once an illegal activity, tattoos today have become the main constituent into mainstream consumption.

Adam (2009), in his study, pointed out the modernization of tattoos and the emergence of symbols as a generally accepted norm and fashion.

He records the evolution from the association of tattoos with different universal subcultures to the current generation.

Initially, tattoos were used to differentiate people from different social classes, but today symbols are for everyone. 

The younger generation is practising art due to peer pressure.

To be more precise, Adams notes that tattoo consumption is inversely proportional to education and income.

Besides, people whose family members have got a tattoo, research shows that such people have a higher possibility of having tattoos.

Let us look at the view of the artistry of tattoo application in the modern world is universal. 

 

Tattoos as a way of Expression

The invention of symbols may date back to more than the books can count.

Though the art was still evident in the antediluvian universe, it became more famous in the mid-18th-19th century.

We can ascertain this point by the fact that modern industrialization started back in the 18th century.

Tattoos became more evident among sailors who had several imageries in their bodies to miss their beloved because the journey in the sea was long and not promising.

The great scholar Captain Cook describes his encounter with various people on his way fare to the Pacific islands as an era for the modern people to showcase their ability to represent culture through decorating their bodies using bone needles.

This way could push dye on the exterior of your skin. 

Also, the modern tattoo is less risky since it involves hygienic and great types of traditional methods.

In recent times, we have seen the emergence of the best tattoo beginner kits and advance tattoo machines which can perform the job more securely and effectively.

Today, tattoos are being seen by many as a way of expressing their feelings, emotions, and opinions.

Many people get tattoos as a way of expressing their beliefs in and as a means of self-expression to others.

Others are decorating their skins with several images to change their bodies with different types of tattoos.

Also, many people are emulating the artistry of tattoos as a way of remembering their beloved who passed away.

In this consciousness, it is a way of grieving so that the memories of their family members last forever in their mortal brains.

They tend to find peace since the ink in tattoos is permanent and will act as a symbol of love and loyalty for their beloved for an extended period. 

Speaking of tattoos as fashion and as a way of expressions, there is a trend spreading globally of getting matching tattoos to show a deep connection of feelings and emotions.

Best friends, lovers, others, and daughters and twins are permanently inking themselves together.

This fashion is not ending soon.

People are embracing tattoos as a way of assuring they’re beloved; they are meant together for life.

Most people in the West are getting the broader versions of tree of life tattoos mostly at their back’s centre.

Interestingly, this art shows the connection of mortal life on the planet Earth.

Today people see past the stigmatization rebellion once attached to the tattoos, and they do appreciate the images for personal benefits and reputation.

It is now a generally accepted world fact that the skin can indicate a unique impact to the readers through pictures and words that are appealing to both the character and several other individuals from his respective social circle.

 

Tattoos and the work environment

According to the Pew study carried out in 2013 shows that approximately $1.70 billion spent globally on tattoos every year.

Considering the high number of people with a tattoo, if all workplace gives strict policies on tattoos, there would be a sheer number of populations that will go jobless.

Employers now embrace that tattoos have become an evident phenomenon, such even the top qualified personalities have tattoos. 

However, tattoo policies may be different in various workplaces.

Some employers’ quote that symbols might be distractions.

But there are some big companies with no restrictions when it comes to tattoos.

Most companies accept the value difference and the diversity among the workers that can contribute to the welfare of the company.

Besides, most celebrities tattoo themselves to look sexy.

Teens are emulating their peers and role models because that is the new way of culture.

 

Also Read: 5 Tips to Waltz Through a Hangover (at Work)

 

Conclusion

Though it is evident that tattoos have become an accepted fashion, however, they haven’t yet become universally accepted.

Many people find them beautiful, but still, it can hinder individuals from getting jobs.

Visible tattoos may send a wrong signal to your employers.

Therefore, if you need to get tattooed, you should have it to a place less evident. 

In the Middle East, the evolution of tattoos as an accepted culture and fashion is still in the balance of probability.

Tattoos are only more famous in the West and some bits of African parts where inking represents culture.

Otherwise, other countries are yet to embrace this art as a modern way of appreciating fashion and style.

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