THE BATTALIOI
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The Battalion
Page 3 • Wednesday, September 24, 2003
SKikS AUP
With ancient origins, tattoos and piercings get updated for the millennium generation
By Amy Malone
THE BATTALION
Kris Bradley's tribal tattoo is all that remains of his fixation with
body art. His forays into the tattoo parlor resulted in a tattoo, tongue
and ear piercing. By the time he lost his earring on a Spring break
trip, he had already taken his tongue ring out and his journey into
alternative art had ended.
With such large number of undergraduates involved in campus
prganizations, Texas A&M encompasses students who wish to make
| g difference in one way or another. Whether shown on a fraternity
T-shirt, a pink breast cancer ribbon, or a crucifix necklace, it is
apparent that each student is marked by his beliefs. Looking close
ly, it is evident some students have a different sort of mark.
The first identified tattoo dates back to the body of a man
found preserved in a glacier. According to www.tattoos.com,
testing suggested that he was 5,300 years old, meaning he lived in
4000 B.C. The man wore a cross behind his knee and a series of
lines above his kidneys. Found on Egyptian and Nubian mum
mies, it is apparent that tattooing was performed and expanded
around 2000 B.C.
Various cultures used the tattoo in different ways to signify
importance, heritage and background. While the ancient Greeks
used tattoos to communicate among spies, the Romans used them to
brand criminals and slaves.
, The Web site also said the Japanese marked lawbreakers with
lines and arches so that by the third offense the Japanese character
for “dog” had been carved on the offender’s forehead. Around
1700 the Japanese middle class began to cover themselves with
full body tattoos to rebel against the law stating only royalty could
wear ornate clothing.
According to www.cool-tattoo.com. Pope Hadrian banned tat
tooing in the eighth century as a barbaric custom.
, Captain Cook brought word back to Europe, having seen the
practice in Tahiti in 1771, and tattooing spread across Europe.
For some people, the tattoo may take the appearance of what they
value most in life or what defines them, such as an eagle, a cross or
even a swastika. In this way, tattoos are similar to a permanent
bumper sticker.
According to Bobby “Joker” Warden, an artist at Aggieland
Tattoo, these practices may become addictive. The likelihood of a
student getting another tattoo or piercing after his first experience is
extremely high. Tattoos are also a way to say “I love you." For some
people, nothing says commitment like a tattoo. Another motivation
Republicans aquon| for a tattoo or piercing is following a trend.
Adam Brown, a sophomore architecture major, got a pierc
ing to be individual.
“I got my piercing first because I wanted to be
always a shock how many people don’t ask,” Terri Warden said.
An important consideration to make before taking the plunge
into body art is that blood cannot be donated for one year after a
person has obtained a new tattoo or piercing. Caution should be
taken when caring for the area and the artist’s specific instructions
should be followed. If the area becomes infected or any emergency
occurs, contact the shop.
“Joker” Warden said parlors are required to keep a copy of ^
identification on file for two years in case anyone has a
reaction to the ink.
For those who wish to remove their tattoos,
laser surgery may be too expensive. An afford
able alternative to surgery is Tat B Gone, which
allows the ink to fade without scabbing or
scarring. According to www.tatbegone.com.
this method is priced around the same range
of getting a tattoo and must be performed
several times.
Though surgery and Tat B Gone may
reduce the visibility of unwanted body
art, removing an entire tattoo can still be
difficult, no matter how many attempts.
A volunteer program named D-
TAG in Houston and other cities in
Texas offers assistance to teenage
gang members trying to get out of
gang life by sponsoring their tattoo
removal. Started by a school nurse,
this program uses family and com
munity support to redirect the child’s
lifestyle from gang behaviors and
funds the removal of the tattoo.
From solidifying religious
beliefs, to simply adorning a
toned bicep, tattoos have a
become a widely accepted form
of self-expression for youth cul
ture in America.
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693-1683
Bruce Boyd
ATTALIOfl
mmer Hamilton
Editor in Chief
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(iifferent and to be different than other people,
got my tattoo because I love art, and I wanted
to put some of it on my body,” he said.
Terri Warden of Aggieland Tattoo said 70
percent of the shop’s clientele is female, an
indication that tattoo parlors are becoming k
the next estrogen-related stop.
; Warden said piercings are often ^
spontaneous. She ranks the most
common piercings as navel, tongue j
and cartilage.
Some students may take their 1
piercings out because it is a stigma 1
for job-hunting.
Nic Noble, a junior communica-
tions major, had his piercing removed 1
because he was required to for his 1
job. Others, though, say they simply |||H
outgrow their piercings.
“I took my tongue ring out because 1
I grew tired of it, as well as the earring 1
I lost over spring break. I just didn’t jj
feel like putting it back in. They both 1||
lost their appeal,” Bradley said.
Viral infections such as hepatitis, 1|
RlV and bacterial and fungal infection I
may occur when poor quality dye or *
metal is used in the tattooing or pierc- 1
ing process.
There may also be allergic reactions such
as skin irritation, melanoma or leprosy.
Toxic Shock Syndrome, tetanus, venereal wM
ulcers and tuberculosis are also associated
with piercings or tattoos. According to CNN’s
Web site, up to half of all body piercings need- "
ed medical treatment and two deaths were relat
ed this year alone in Europe.
Brown said he checked about sterilization pro-
cedures because his friends had gotten diseases *
because they had had work done at bad piercing places.
Ann, a 25-year-old who asked that her last name not
be used, had both nipples pierced with extreme care. She
received a staph infection in her right breast and had to have !
a partial mastectomy; her kidneys were damaged as well.
According to the American Society of Dermatological
Surgery, 50 percent of those receiving a tattoo want it removed
later on in life, summing their experiences up to the folly and
ignorance of youth.
One out of 100 people receiving body art asks about the san
itation methods involved.
“We would encourage people to ask about the sterilization j
method of any place they’d go. It’s
Junior
zoology
major Jenifer
Stephenson's
tribal tattoo
with a Pisces
sign in the
middle is
located on
the middle
of her lower
back.
Senior
psychology
major Debbie
Ridgeway
shows off
her "Music"
tattoo
located
inside her
lip just after
having it
done.
Left: Tattoo artist
Adam Hays displays
the tattoo on
his back of an elephant
from the painting
"The Elephants"
by Salvador Dali.
Right: Hays created
the tattoo on his calf.
Photos by Sharon Aeschbach • THE BATTALION
Graphic by Seth Freeman* THE BATTALION