Western Courier

Issue date: 3/9/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Craig Finlay

People have decorated the human body for thousands of years, and tattoos still are a huge part of many people's lives. Tattoos are becoming more socially acceptable and people are running to get them, whether it is their first or their fourth. Only those who have tattoos can really understand the craving to get more, despite the pain.

Tony Chrobak, junior general orientation major, comments on the fascination of getting tattoos and why people go back to get more.

"It is a sick addiction, but I love them. After a while you forget about the pain and want more," Chrobak said.

The meaning of a tattoo varies with each person, depending on what he or she gets and for what reason. Scott Miller, owner of Tattoo Blue located on the Square, tells of the still-popular styles he sees.

"Butterflies and Chinese symbols are still pretty popular as well as the tribal designs. The lower back is the usual place for a girl to get a tattoo, and armbands are still common with guys," Miller said.

People get tattoos for a variety of reasons. Sometimes that tattoo itself is important to the person, like Tessa Ii, junior music major.

"I have two tattoos. One is of a koala bear holding a yellow rose, and the other is of a rainbow," Ii said. "The koala bear I identify with my stepdad who is from Australia, and the yellow rose is my mom's favorite flower ... My other tattoo is a rainbow with a treble cleft under it, which I identify with my grandma who passed away."

Many people consider tattoos a way to emphasize their religious views.

"I have a tattoo of a cross with the sacred heart on it," Chrobak said. "I am Catholic and wear my cross 24 hours a day, but even if I were to take it off, I would still have one embedded on my arm."

Miller said people should get a tattoo that has a symbolic meaning for them.

"You should get something that has significant meaning to you, not just because it's cute," he added.

According to Clinton Boomer, a tattooed junior English major, there are three rules for getting tattoos. The first rule deals with placement.

"Number one, whenever you get a tattoo, you have to make certain that it can be covered by a regular work shirt ... otherwise get 'don't hire me' tattooed across your forehead," Boomer said.

Continued...

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