Bodily Modification: Tattoos, Body Piercings, Scarification, and Three Dimensional Body Art
Tattooing, piercing, scarification, and three dimensional body art have long been a cultural tradition, a rite of passage, symbolizing one's place in the world, who one is. Today there is no difference. Like our ancestors, bodily modification is again becoming a cultural occurrence. Rather than signifying one's tribe, religion, or status within a tribe, tattooing, piercing, and other forms of bodily modification are becoming symbols of the subculture one belongs to. For more than a century, American military personnel have tattooed themselves with symbols signifying their allegiance to their comrades and/or their group. (McDowell) The people of the Gothic movement pierce in order to show their individuality, or a portion of their personality. (Alsentzer) Both are similar practices for the same purpose, that of fitting in with their very different groups. In ancient Celtic culture people were tattooed with the symbol that signified a person?s place within the society. (Celtic Nation) Likewise, modern society also uses bodily modification to achieve or display status. Members of certain subcultures, some known as ?Goth? or ?Punk,? have
These subcultures, by nature, find popular culture unappealing and so find means of differentiating themselves from the masses. (Winterson, 124) Bodily modification can be used to express the history of the individual quite easily through use of such techniques as an eternal flame to commemorate a lost loved one. It is simply to know and be known for what one is on the inside. However, persons enduring such strife tend to have a deeper understanding of themselves through the impending self-exploration. Tattoos, body piercings, scarification, and three dimensional body art, while forms of art, serve multiple purposes. Now, one's life, joys, and tragedies, can be shown openly via ink. (Levins) Such abuse, be it verbal or physical, rather opens the person?s mind to the concept of alternative methods of self-expression. Therefore, it is not impossible to believe that those with major bodily modifications are trying to express themselves artistically. This alternative and simple method has become quite popular resultantly. (Winterson) Common belief holds that this opens the person to some sort of masochistic or other violent tendencies. Bodily modification can be used to express the inner workings of a person?s mind, thereby allowing like-minded individuals easier interaction. It is said that the roadmap of one's life can be seen on one's face. Tattoos have been common for hundreds of years, but now they simply are not as hidden from the world. (Winterson, Written on the Body) Tattoos, body piercings, scarification, and three dimensional body art have served both of these purposes, detachment and communication, though detachment is the much more common of the two. Bodily modification has also become a means of expression and communication for those of homosexual groups, indicating their sexuality and interests.
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