Age for your first tattoo?

oldernotwiser:

Was it your only tattoo, Sir?

Thanks for the poll votes so far, folks; keep them coming.

I had my first approach in Elementary School by some other gang kids (East L.A.)...I was 9. They wanted to tatoo me right on the spot (needle, thread, ink) with a small cross at the base between my thumb and index finger.(going style in the '50's)
I would have accepted but I figured the pain I would receive on my bottom by my parents would far exceed the pricking on my hand.

Do you still regard tattooing as mainly gang-related?

Blessings.

One of the things that scares me about tattoos is how often they are associated with being "owned."

Tattoos in gangs are used to show which gang "owns" the individual.
Tattoos were used by temple prostitutes to show that they were owned by certain gods.
Tattoos were used on slaves to show that someone else owned them.
even those in the porn industry are generally heavily tattooed which could be interpreted as being "owned" by lust as many people find tattoos sexually appealing.

I know similar reasoning could say that if they get a tattoo of a cross that they are then owned by Jesus. However I believe that the problem doesn't lie in what the tattoo is as much as the act of actually getting one. Getting your flesh cut and ink permanently placed there is a pretty serious measure. Most all historical instances of tattooing has been used in a way that was bad or pagan.

I often think that getting a tattoo shows us as being more worldly rather than Godly.

i don't condemn people that have gotten one. My grandfather was in the war and he had one and I never knew such a man of faith as he. Though admittedly he got the tattoo before he was saved.

I just think people need to be more cautious with tattoos as I believe there are many spiritual dangers associated with them.

No.
Today, yes gangs still do but mostly wanna-be's and now just a fashion statement.
TOday's tatoos are clean and new looking, they just don't look authentic like the older ones...smeared and mainly in black.
IT's like the difference between a genuine antique and a reproduction facsimile.

Thanks for clarification. I don't think it can be argue now that they signify 'gang ownership'. These days many tattoo parlors are more like salons, bright, clean and airy, instead of the poorly lit establishments in the industrial section that might seem dubious. Today, most tattoo artists positively invite regulation. Clients, also, tend to be proportionately very different now; not only sailors, and gang members, but actually many professional people have them, too; and indeed in North America 59% - 70% of clients are women, with some areas reporting an even highest proportion of female clients. Christians often like to get faith based designs that are proven conversation-starters. It's not for everyone, though. Blessings.

As far as the christian thing ...we have that liberty to tat or not.
One thing I know, today's tattoos are not the one's your granny wore, and if I were to get one I'd look up those kids that were more than willing back in elementary school.

Have you ever been there yet to the shop?

Blessings.

Well, hers would have been a lot thicker in its lines, and the ink would have been more basic, as well.

Blessings.

MarkMulder:

Do you have any thoughts on post #100, above?

Blessings.

I'm getting my first tattoo in a couple of months. It will be in white script on the inside of my left wrist. =)

Hi Misty77:

So you'll be a tattooed lady at last! You've been planning it for a while, I suppose?

I think I discern a quotation there from John 8.36: "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed".

Blessings.

Hi Misty77! the fact you clicked 'likes' maybe means the guess about the Bible verse was accurate!

Anyway, although tattoos were formerly almost wholly a man thing, and social pressures so often had the effect of strongly dissuading women from participating in this means of expression, yet women have now achieved complete tattoo equality (and in North America now 59%-70% of parlor clients are apparently female).

If I've read you correctly, you seem to relish the prospect of finally participating also.

(The faith based aspect will presumably be a particular joy.)

Blessings.

This is probably going to be my next one only with a lot more shading involved.

Nautilus:

Well, very interesting! Does it have special significance to you? (I guess it would do.)

Sounds like you already got one before. (Did you vote in the poll?)

Have you talked with a quality tattoo artist about this? White is not commonly used color in tattooing. I believe there is an issue with fading, which is why you don't even see it on many darker skinned people. If you haven't already i'd talk to a professional about it before going in to get it.

You think that in general terms lettering works better in bolder, more tribal-looking line?

I wasn't referencing personal preference but "i believe there is an issue with fading" in regards to using white.

Yes, I understood this from your last post; so from your experience, thicker, and darker tribal is more effective for lettering, then, you think?