Chinese tattoos: should we dare?
The last aspect of the practices of Chinese or Asian origin has a global character: the tattoo.
The Chinese tattoo consists of engraving on the skin Chinese characters , ideograms or motifs that evoke aspects of Chinese culture (Chinese proverbs, Chinese phrases, Chinese pronouns, animals, plants or Chinese astrological signs, for example).
Of Chinese origin, the history of Chinese tattooing dates back to 3,500 years ago. Initially, it was a corporal punishment inflicted on the prisoners.
According to F. Borel, an art historian and Doctor of Philosophy and Letters: «In China, the tattoo was among the five punishments along with death, castration, and the amputation of the nose and feet. The tattoo […] is a humiliating mark and a public and easily recognizable indication: strictly codified, it varies from region to region.
Although the tattoo has always represented the stigmatization (and scarification) of those people who were engaged in organized crime or vandalism, it became popular between the years 1990 and 2000, and today it is in full swing throughout the world.
A professional tattoo artist can charge between € 80 and € 800. Much more expensive than private Chinese lessons!
So think carefully before getting a tattoo, as removing it can be very expensive, difficult, and painful.
Given the complexity of each Chinese sign (its meaning and what it represents) we understand well the purpose of learning Mandarin: to understand what we are wearing!
Many have been encouraged to get tattoos and have ended up with serious misspellings on their skin, so Chinese classes with a good private teacher can help you avoid these mistakes.
Most tattoo artists (no matter how competent they are) limit themselves to reproducing exactly the models that their clients give them or indicate in a catalog of Chinese tattoos; so they may not even know what they are tattooing.
Do not forget to disinfect the skin well and hydrate it so that the tattoo heals properly!
What are you saying? Would you dare to get a Chinese tattoo ?
