One fundamental reason for tattooing is its historically undesirable nature. Tattoos were once the domain of thieves and the social under-classes - people who did not have respect for one another, let alone their own bodies. Naturally, some people have aligned themselves with this ‘”undesirable” concept to show others they are dangerous, such as gangs, or extreme personalities who “push” the envelope.

While some are involved in truly anti-social activities, more and more people are choosing tattoos to express their individuality.

Twenty-three year old Aaron, who is just about to embark on his second arm sleeve tattoo, sees his collection of tattoos as a story of survival after a traumatic period; “It’s not something any one can take away from me.” His tattoo includes a collage of 50s and 60s images including a pin-up girl, Michelin Man and what he calls a casino canvas of cards and a roulette wheel. “I decided on a theme for the tattoos and then told the artist to go nuts – do an original piece for me. I didn’t want it to be copied.”

Extensive tattooing has to start somewhere. People with entire limbs covered in tattoos describe a certain level of addiction associated with the pain. It seems however that, big or small, individualism is important in a tattoo.

For example, twenty-seven year old navy officer Anne got her one and only tattoo after surviving her first sea posting. Upon returning to base in Cairns, Anne and a colleague opted for matching gecko tattoos because geckos were all over the base. As with office workers, tattoos on naval officers are generally unacceptable, so their tattoos were small. But it’s what it symbolised that is important. Anne says “I got my tattoo for me and no one else really sees it.”

Tattooing amongst sailors is relatively common and is used to mark a significant achievement or point in the sailors life, such as “returning from a tour of duty, particularly if sailor has undertaken significant duties or has experienced severe trauma” according to Anne.

Captain Cook and his sailors are credited with bringing tattooing to England from voyages in the South Pacific. In England, tattooing was adopted as a sinister decoration, in stark contrast to its practical purposes amongst South Pacific islanders, namely to mark rites of passage, tribal status, battle accomplishments or simply to strike fear into the hearts of enemies. The tattooing of South Pacific islanders is a lot more primitive than conventional techniques and typically more painful because it was, in some cases designed to produce scarring. One form discovered during Captain Cook’s voyages is called skin “pricking” and involves cutting the skin and rubbing in soot.

Sailors on Captain Cook’s voyages returned home with new tattoos, at least partly, because it was an art form that could only be possessed by those who have the ability to travel to the South Pacific. In that sense, the tattoos were a badge of honour and, to some extent, were expressions of individuality.

But tattooing was not invented in the South Pacific. An earlier example of tattooing dates back to the last ice age, over 5000 years ago, and was found on an “ice man” extracted from a glacier in the Austrian Alps. The “ice-man” had more than fifty tattoos on his back, wrists, knees and ankles. One would expect that given the time in history the tattoos were for similar tribal purposes to those of South Pacific islanders. Experts, however, believe the location of tattoos suggest they were applied to treat arthritis, as well as for tribal reasons.

But even the “ice man” was not the first to be tattooed. Australian Aboriginals have been applying images to their bodies for up to 40 000 years. Although these images were temporary, they were very carefully planned to communicate particular messages during tribal dances that would not be performed without it.

The symbolic expression of a tattoo is no better exemplified than by Morris Rosenblat, a Holocaust survivor who passed away in April this year. He had “B8079” tattooed on his left forearm in a Nazi death camp because the SS soldiers deemed this more effective than marking clothing. To Morris, the tattoo became a symbol of survival after war ended. Rather than erase it, he requested that doctors preserve the tattoo when a vein was taken from his tattooed arm for heart bypass surgery.

Symbolism associated with tattoos is powerful and emotive and this is an attraction for many today who wear Celtic symbols, Japanese letters or even flaming skulls. Sportsmen and women across the globe obtain tattoos to mark premierships and significant achievement at every level. Others, however, use tattoos as a motivational reminder.

One such person is Commonwealth Games 400m hurdles champion Jana Rawlinson who sports a bumblebee on her abdomen. As she explains, “Aerodynamically, the bumblebee cannot fly. But it doesn’t know this so it goes on flying anyway. It means I have been given this body and I’m capable of doing anything.” Jana has drawn on the strength gained from her tattoo more than once in her career.

Whatever the reason for “getting ink” done, you can guarantee that tattoo parlours will be bursting with buff Olympic athletes seeking some indelible ink to commemorate their experience in the week or two after the Games. Tattooists are warned: start practicing linked rings, Australian flags and boxing kangaroos.

Image by Desert Koi (Licensed by Creative Commons)