In today’s popular trend of getting tattooed, It’s perplexing as to the reason that’s behind the motivation of becoming branded and identified as one of the herd?
Although there really isn’t a singular reason I suppose, as to why someone decides to get a Tat or Piercing but, there does seem to be a consistent behavior to the infectiousness that can begin with the first Tat, and then as an effect the continuance of the PAIN filled needling…hum?
Thus in sharing our Americana one should ask the question; Why has this ritualistic tribal practice become so prolific? For after all, one almost can’t go anywhere in today’s America without seeing an example of a self identifying broadcasting of the inner workings of the mind?
In sharing a planet, we should all be interested in the how’s and why’s an ancient practice of paganism has crept back into what some refer to as our modern day psyche? I know, paganism some may ask, really come on man? Well then, truthfully it’s not Judo-Christian either and at least in insignia, it has also taken on versions of the occult.
So maybe we term it “neo-paganism” in trying to describe Tats, Piercings, Cutting and other actions taken that wish to disfigure “thy temple of the Holy Ghost“.
What can be recognized as laying under the ink (and I realize it’s not universally applied) is that Tats and Piercings (which seem to go together often) can be explained as a form of sadomasochism. The term of course doesn’t really explain the full spectrum nor all instances but, in many cases this is the spark behind the continuance of the PAIN filled needling.
Sadomasochism:
“1.) not considered a clinical paraphilia unless such practices lead to clinically significant distress or impairment for a diagnosis. Similarly, sexual sadism within the context of mutual consent, generally known under the heading BDSM, is distinguished from non-consensual acts of sexual violence or aggression.”i.e; “2.) is the giving or receiving pleasure from acts involving the receipt or infliction of pain or humiliation. Practitioners of sadomasochism may seek sexual gratification from their acts. While the terms sadist and masochist refer respectively to one who enjoys giving or receiving pain, practitioners of sadomasochism may switch between activity and passivity.”
Apparently, many young and old people in today’s evolutionary or revolutionary (which ever applies) way of thinking believes that they may have unresolved issues, and although Tats themselves can’t resolve issues, they can represent the many different forms in which issues manifest as statements and can tell the world well, whatever they feel needs to be said from such a statement?
Some folks desire to broadcast the body graffiti of their inner thoughts as bold statements in the Tats that attempt to identify with having an edginess to their personality. The subject matter can essentially act as an extension of one’s right to individuality or comradeship in a group but, the infliction of PAIN and going back to it again and again, well that says something else?
The inflection of tone (what’s being expressed on the Tat) could be said to be reflecting the mannerism in the body graffiti statement that’s being shared, which can be as bold as “IN YOUR FACE” or as subtle as a memorial to one who has passed on through the thin veil. And of course these must be on full display (whenever possible) for all the world to see, even if the individual’s apponere can’t be seen themselves i,e; Scalp, back, etc..
Regardless of the mannerism in the display, it often appears to be most important to project an attitude in the art for what has so far come from life’s experiences of good, bad or “indignant”! What’s actually being portrayed in such exhibits has one commonality in the exhibitions and that is the ritualistic practice of enduring the self determination of having PAIN inflicted upon oneself!
It’s one opinion that Sadomasochism does offer an explanation for the repetitive nature by those who get one tattoo, only to continue with the fetish (and I believe “fetish” applies in many cases) of a full array of what may become further appreciated by watching the 1969 science fiction flick or reading the book, The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury (1952) (See HERE).
After many conversations with those who have engaged such practices and contemplating the biblical meaning regarding the”taboos of tattoos” i.e;
Leviticus 19:28“Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.”
as well as piercings i.e.;
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 – “What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost [which is] in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”
1 Corinthians 6:20 – For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
…it has offered a little deeper look into what may now be seen all over the bodies of a very high percentage of America’s youth and also what may not be being seen?
The Memorial:
In truth,…what parent, spouse or sibling would desire their child, wife / husband, brother or sister to replicate their image upon passing to be injected into their skin in indelible ink on their continued living body as a reminder?
As well, how could such acts of disfiguring exemplify honoring thy Mother and Father in any right minded thinking?
Thus the point here is although the art work has relevance to the theme for many, it’s the infliction of pain by mutilation that has more to the story as to the why??
The loss of a loved one is painful, and in the death of a loved one this abrupt finality can also proportionally diminish the life you have left, if one chooses? As well, one can Tat an image as a reminder or possibly transfer that painful experience as a symbol of that pain for everyone to identity with upon viewing such an image on their body. Although “Tat” would have more to do with seeing “the me, in you” than the “That” in myself.
I can testify as to this pain in the loss of loved ones, as I too have lost mother, father, sister, brother and child that have traveled on through the thin veil to what lays in wait for us all. Nothing can change this and nothing I can do to myself is going to bring them back.
For reasons beyond my knowing, there time has expired on this earthly plain and for whatever reason, I’m still here? Thus as one who remains and as one of the living, I must live out my life and seek out what awaits me in my future. For paying homage to a form of feudal allegiance and pledging that allegiance to those who have passed would only anchor me to something in my past. I cannot fully comprehend what the future may hold but, I know that looking backwards can only make me stumble.
I will never forget my loved ones, because I share a part of them in the blood that runs through my veins. I choose never to spill that blood in the oozing of pin pricks as for me, they are just one step away in the home that I too hope to be returning. It is in this hope that I also wish to be recognized and known by my name and deeds. I don’t wish to exchange my limited knowing for God’s all knowing when his perfection created me and I believe any form of disfigurement to the body he’s made, would in fact be doing just that.
My purpose isn’t to humiliate or disrespect people who adhere to such practices, it is only to provide a resource for further contemplation prior to getting “branded” as one of the herd. If one might see the duplicity in placing a Tat of say Jesus on their chest well then, it’s quite possible that they may see through the transparency that could offer another view?
As an example, a beautiful young woman who has inherited all of the genetically transferred attributes of her ancestry’s recognizable physical beauty but thinks she can somehow improve on all those who contributed by placing a Tat on the small of her lower back, just above the crack in her ass (called a “Tramp Stamp”)? Oh…and somehow this inked art is more likely than not to attract good fortune more than misfortune in a relationship with the man of her dreams, really?
In displaying an expose’ of repetitive submissions to body graffiti isn’t it also broadcasting that one is amicable to “receiving pleasure from acts involving the receipt or infliction of pain or humiliation“?
What could be understood on the surface from all that art, promiscuity or virginity…hum? Could she be the marrying type, like the one you’d bring home to Mom or a wild child sexual deviant that only comes out behind those closed bedroom doors?
NOTE:“Historically, stereotypes of the promiscuous woman have tended to be negative, such as “the slut” or “the harlot”, while male stereotypes have been more varied, some expressing approval, such as “the stud” or “the player”, while others imply societal deviance, such as “the womanizer” or “the philanderer”. A scientific study published in 2005 found that promiscuous men and women are judged equally harshly. However, later studies show evidence for a double standard.“
OK…maybe she doesn’t want a guy to court her or to be involved with what might be deemed as a normal romantic and the typical intention of marrying (which her parents may better relate to) and likewise maybe some guys are attracted to something else that lays (metaphorically speaking) “Behind The Closed Doors”, and actually this is the point!
But, maybe there are forces at play that want women and men to disfigure themselves so that normal starts looking abnormal and this disfigurement of natural beauty can effectively spay and neuter the herd…hum? Or even worse, send the next generation not just down the slippery slope but right off the cliff-side into the gaping gorge of unbridled immorality?
NOTE: “Promiscuity is common in many animal species. Some species have promiscuous mating systems, ranging from polyandry and polygyny to mating systems with no stable relationships where mating between two individuals is a one-time event. Many species form stable pair bonds, but still mate with other individuals outside the pair. In biology, incidents of promiscuity in species that form pair bonds are usually called extra-pair copulations.“
OK…maybe some folks believe that we are all just another variety of animal and “what’s good for the Goose is good for the Gander”
DEFINITION: “Animal : any of a kingdom (Animalia) of living things including many-celled organisms and often many of the single-celled ones (such as protozoans) that typically differ from plants in having cells without cellulose walls, in lacking chlorophyll and the capacity for photosynthesis, in requiring more complex food materials“
DEFINITION: “Human “Humans are uniquely adept at using systems of symbolic communication (such as language and art) for self-expression and the exchange of ideas, and for organizing themselves into purposeful groups. Humans create complex social structures composed of many cooperating and competing groups, from families and kinship networks to political states. Social interactions between humans have established an extremely wide variety of values, social norms, and rituals, which together form the basis of human society. Curiosity and the human desire to understand and influence the environment and to explain and manipulate phenomena (or events) has provided the foundation for developing science, philosophy, mythology, religion, anthropology, and numerous other fields of knowledge.“
Well you be the judge whether humans and animals should parallel their social practices for sexual etiquette, JUST LIKE ON THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL…hum?
When the sway of attraction between a man and a woman is reduced down to just what further exasperates strong sexual arousal, it diminished the full spectrum of capacity for a more complete loving exchange in the broader sense. The allure of being mysteriously attractive or fascinating sexually is certainly a part of a well balanced relationship but when it becomes out of balance then, it’s just about unsustainable erotica, not generally a mutual respect for a strong commitment til death do you part.
There may be a link in humans between pain and that primeval instinct of sexual arousal and as such, once the switch is thrown that allows electricity to flow to that “hot button”, it might be difficult to turn it off! Additionally, turning it on and off repetitively may just wear it out in the long run?
One can’t say for certain but, the claims of feelings of orgasmic erotica from the pain when getting Tats or Piercings should be a message that speaks volumes? Just like anything that can provoke, incite or confuse our sensibilities by triggering an instinctual response, we should try to better understand the origin of the root causes and the effects of proliferation in it’s social priming and resulting socialistic propagation to follow the herd…hum?
The Poem “Inked” below attempts to offer up a little more introspect about the conversations that I’ve engaged, which have also inspired the aforementioned contemplations.
To summarize, just like being “Inked” is an individual’s presumable right to free expression in a free world, so to are opinions that develop from observational awareness.
Expressing opinions can of course lead to disagreement but, realize that it is equally true that exhibitions also can be disagreeable for some. I’ve gained a greater appreciation in discussing with many others who have practiced applying such art to their bodies and have grown to have regrets. It is from this prospective that I expressed the Poem “Inked” as it was and is, the PAIN and suffering that is my focus…
Inked
I believe the world is yearning for pain in flames on skin a burning, as ink called art just leaves its marks akin to coals to cinder…
Tats are masks of self dilutes that fail to hear of songs gone mute nor lyric’s tunes from mind’s deputes as piercing pain becomes exchanged for something lost and something gained…
Obtuse thy ruse of some confused and welts they’ve known in times forlorn took wings of flight from things not right in colored hues appearing bruised…
Yet no answers why of ink’s disguise to mute thy screams of proud aloud in art on skin of inks that blend thy story’s told of days of bold…
The artful ink obscures thy pink and fails to show the truth in glow and spates twill fade of fight’s crusades obscuring world of stories perils…
I believe the world is yearning for pain in flames on skin a burning, as ink called art just leaves its marks akin to coals to cinder…
Ask of why thy children sigh in dark’s abyss of things they’d missed or fears of riffs in moans and myths while left alone to go get stoned and keep thy thoughts from cuts to bone…
Tis’ pain and ink disgraces pink attempts erase of mind’s descents, down slippery slope and tokes off smokes aims body’s ruse toward life’s confused.
On Sado’s ride some ink twill slide on backs and cracks and place to hide, in pierce of lobes and lips and brows thy pain’s exchanged for sense refrained…
Thy screams aloud of something proud escapes ID in ink filled clouds, as loud in proud just joins the crowd and places head in hood of shroud…
I believe the world is yearning for pain in flames on skin a burning, as ink called art just leaves its marks akin to coals to cinder…
Of scorching ink on pink with marks who hides thy face in inks of dark? In lines of inked obscuring pink, what thoughts escape from mind to think?
As body’s time in days unwinds, what lines defines thy mind’s designs? In future years of times obscured what things will come from ink filled tears?
The answers trust will come from dust as life unfolds and metals rust, and ink foretold of birthing bold defines thy soul as worthy?
No pride can guide what’s lost inside in tumbles of thy journey, as tatted dots can’t mean a lot in Heaven’s clouds returning…
I believe the world is yearning for pain in flames on skin a burning, as ink called art just leaves its marks akin to coals to cinder…
Attempts of proud, in ink aloud we call thy art’s deface, the right of one to pound thy drum regardless of disgrace.
Whats signed with pins of skinned revenge won’t prove to tell of glory, as pink was meant to flavor scent of hope’s inherent story.
In ink from dart we claim thy part as story’s told in lines in art of kin and friends and sin’s pretense, we’ll fail to see the you in me.
In lieu of clues from friends and trends we’ll forget who gifted skin and in the end thy “Prince of Sin” will laugh aloud with mocking crowds in view of man’s descent…
