The cultural significance of tattoos

The current meaning of tattoos:

Nowadays, tattoos are not considered as something formal or appropriate to have, because it may be associated with criminals. You can be judged or discriminated because of your tattoos. But not many people know how they originated, it wasn’t by criminals, it was by our ancestors.

A way of protection:

Hundreds of years ago, tattoos were not only a way of expression, they were a way of 

protection. The superstitious people at that time; for example, the women of the Christian Copts in Egypt, dot their face with geometric tattoos in order to protect themselves from evil spirits. And, in Europe, some men with a dangerous profession, like sailors or coal miners, tattooed anchors or miner´s lamps on their forearms for protection.

A symbol that describes what you are:

In other cultures, tattoos meant were you belong, they were of your status in a community. For example, the Maori culture of New Zeland tattooed their head to represent a social status.

Also, Native American, tattooed weapons to represent their warrior´s status in their tribe.

A way of expression:

In conclusion, we cannot discriminate or judge someone because of their tattoos. Maybe they just want to tell something about themselves. We could not know if those tattoos still have a hidden meaning of their culture.

Sources:

• ·         Saa´d Aldin, K; Abu Awad, J; Tempakka, T and Morley, K. (2012). English B. New York. University of Oxford.