Since ancient times, people have decorated their bodies with tattoos. In those times, this type of skin art was not limited to any particular geographical area, but was very common among primitive peoples around the world. Despite its long history, modern civilizations have regarded tattooing as something that only savage
jungle people or criminals practiced. Today, it has become a popular way for especially young people to show off their individuality. If you are going to make your China Travel you should buy your China Flight and get a cool Chinese Tatoo!
In China, tattoos have traditionally been associated with prisoners or members of criminal gangs. Against this background, it is understandable that some Chinese elders still view this form of body art with a certain degree of contempt. But in addition to tattoos being considered the mark of a convicted man, they have long been part of tribal rituals, in southern China in particular. Eventually, the tattooing practices of some of China’s indigenous people spread west along the
Silk Road, which stretched from Xi’an in central China all the way to the Mediterranean Sea.
The most famous tattoo to appear in Chinese history is that of Yueh Fei, a renowned general from the South Song Dynasty. When he joined the military forces
fighting off the enemy from the north, his trusted troop leader suddenly jumped ship and joined the enemy ranks. Disgusted by this treachery, Yueh Fei resigned
and returned home to care for his mother.
China’s young people have adopted tattoos and piercings as part of their fashion, just like their Western counterparts. And just like with fashion, the latest trends in tattoos travel quickly around the world.
Originally, Chinese young people took tattoos to show they were cool, but now they are becoming more interested in the designs, often spending a lot of time and
effort to create unique tattoos, or to look for the design that best matches their personality, a tattoo artist from Beijing says.
Attitudes are changing, but still, most parents oppose the idea of their offspring covering their body with such noticeable, and sometimes provoking art. According to Chinese philosophy of thought, a person’s body is a precious gift from his or her parents and, therefore, should never be abused or blemished with a tattoo.
But the freedom to decide what to do with one’s body is one of the most inalienable rights human beings possess, which makes tattoos a very effective way of communicating one’s likes and convictions to other members of society.
“Tattoos aren’t as popular as colored hair in China yet,” Sofia says, “but they are getting there, as more and more trend setting celebrities get themselves tattooed.”The growing popularity of tattoos as a sign of individualism is reflective of the changes sweeping the Chinese society. “I believe that tattoos will become more fashionable in China in the future when individuality and freedom are more respected,” Sofia says. Travel to Beijing where you can find the most interesting tattoos!
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