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Tattooing is a very old art known to mankind since immemorial time. Though this
art has recently become a new fashion statement, it has been done in different
regions for different reasons. People sport different kinds of tattoos from
their zodiac to birth signs, from celestial symbols to their beloved's name.
Some people also get religious hymns engraved on their body. Though there is no
hard and fast rule for where to get a tattoo done, people generally get tattooed
on arms, lower neck and ankles. Some people even get tattooed on their
shoulders, hip bones and back.
Purpose of Tattooing In Different Era And For Different People
Though people used to get different kinds of tattoos since immemorial time, its
meaning and purpose were very different from what it is today. Given here are
some ancient and modern purposes of tattoo.
Ancient Purpose of Tattoo
Symbols of status and position
The tattoos were most of the time worn by the people who were blue blooded and
their royal heirs. They wore the symbols like rising sun or the emblem of their
empire. It was to classify them as people of royal lineage and as a symbol of
status and position.
Symbols of spiritual and religious devotion
People at times used to get their religious and spiritual believes engraved on
their bodies. There were either the symbolic representations of their deity or
some religious quotes or symbols. As the followers of Hinduism used to get 'Om',
the divine words get engraved on their forehead or arms.
Medal for courage
Tattoos were also engraved as a symbolism of courage. Soldiers used to get the
tattoos like swords and arches engraved on their hands. There were at times
given the royal emblem in the form of tattoo as the medals for courage.
Punishment
People who were sent on exile or captured as criminals were also tattooed in
order to make them bear the brunt of their crime forever in the form of shame.
The slaves from various places were also marked with tattoo so that they do not
run away.
Modern Purpose of Tattoo
Cosmetic reasons
In present times, the tattoos are the most in thing in fashion world. People
sport a tattoo to exhibit their fashion forwardness and coolness. At times
tattoos are also used for hiding skin discolorations.
Sentimental reasons
The Sentimental reasons are the prime reason that people get tattooed apart from
being a fashion chic. People often sport the name or zodiac of their parents,
kids or beloveds to show the permanency of their love.
Religious reasons
Even today people get tattooed for religious reasons. People who deeply believe
in their religious philosophy get the symbols or hymns of their religious belief
on their body parts engraved in the form of tattoo.
Identification of particular groups
People belonging to same groups also at times get engraved similar kind of
tattoos in order to be identified as the members of particular group. This can
be mostly seen with members of football teams and musical bands.
Health Tattoos
Tattoo art is being practiced in India since immemorial times. In different
times people had different reasons to get tattooed. In the monarchial era, it
was done as the symbolism of royal lineage, medals of courage, as religious
symbolism and also as the symbol of shame for the criminals and exiles.
Tattoos For Protection
Tattoos in different regions of the world are done for different purposes. There
are health purposes, there are cosmetic purposes, there are customary purposes
and then most commonly there are cosmetic purposes. Apart from this, in many
countries, the tattoos are done for protective purposes. In many cultures
tattoos are regarded as the protective amulets.
Religious Tattoos
There are enormous reasons for which people get tattooed. These reasons depend
upon the customary and religious relief of the people in the region. More or
less, all the other reasons like health and protection revolve around the
religious beliefs of people and their staunch believe in their deities.
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