Tattoos are one way people can nonverbally express themselves, through body art a person can create an outwardly impression to others. Tattoos allow people to alter their appearance in permanent ways, unlike the clothing that can be taken off and changed a tattoo is pretty much for life. A person uses their physical appearance not only to give off impression but also to help guide their own personally identity. I interviewed several of my friends and acquaintances who have tattoos and discussed their decisions to get a tattoo as well as what was the meaning and impression they were attempting to give off with this body art and received back many different answers. I found that all of the individuals I spoke with had personal meanings behind their tattoos, but often time just by looking at someone’s tattoo you do not understand the full story behind them. Thus leading me to believe that tattoos have become more of a personal thing for those possessing them, the tattoo has meaning to the individual regardless of the visibility of the tattoo and others impression. I also noticed that some individuals think of their body art as just that, “art,” using their bodies as a canvas to express themselves whether their tattoo is depicting a portrait of a loved one, a symbol that reminds them of a period of their life, or something that they simply found beautiful. Tattoos can be used for all sorts of purposes, and now with their growing popularity tattoos are becoming much more than pictures permanently on a person’s body but instead a part of their personalities and identities.
Many use tattoos as a way to express their faith or religion:
This is Ashley she has this tattoo that says “She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.” This is a quote that reminds her every day to never settle for less that she deserves.
This is Sara, she got this tattoo that says “be the one to guide me, but never hold me down,” on her 18th birthday; this was a quote that she found very fitting for her 18th birthday, she was entering a new chapter in her life about to start college and the rest of her life and this quote reminds her to always strive to move forward without leaving behind the lessons she has learned.
Others use more symbolism in their tattoos:
This is Jada and she has several tattoos, one that she holds very dear to her is a racehorse she has on her foot, this is to remind her of her late grandfather who was a very well know jockey. This tattoo helps to remind her that he will always be with her. Jada explained that with he tattoos she wants to express herself and uses her tattoos to tell a story about her life and identity; tattoos make her happy and allows her to be a very unique individual.
This is a Katherine, and her tattoo is the actual musical notes to a song that helped her get through a tough time in her life.
So as you can tell tattoos not only have the ability to give off impression of the owner, they also have very different meaning to all those whom possess them. Many tattoos owners are simply trying to express themselves, they are a way of telling a story and a story that they are proud enough to wear on their skin each and every single day. Tattoos have many nonverbal capabilities and are a great way to develop ones personality and identity and carry that aspect of themselves on their body.
WORKS CITED:
YANG LIN (2002) AGE, SEX, EDUCATION, RELIGION, AND PERCEPTION OF TATTOOS. Psychological Reports: Volume 90, Issue , pp. 654-658
"Non-Verbal Communication Tools : Non-Verbal Communication: Tattoos & Piercings Video." EzineMark Video. Web. 07 Dec. 2011. <http://video.ezinemark.com/non-verbal-communication-tools-non-verbal-communication-tattoos-piercings-451c777b3d4.html>.
Hickson III, Mark, Jessica Deyo, and Price Walt. "Nonverbal Communication." By Don W. Stacks. Web. 25 Nov. 2011. <teachpsych.org/ebooks/pse2011/vol2/45.%20Nonverbal.pdf>.
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