Tattoos, (tattooing) or (body art), this popular form of art and expression has been part of cultures for for hundreds of years, but it really took off and it's popularity sky rocketed during the crazy nineties and the naughty noughties and went mainstream globally.

Today you will find that body art is everywhere, also you may have noticed that body piercings or modfications has been closely linked to people with tattoos.

Body art is actually very common these days and are liked by a huge number of people from all walks life, these people range from rock enthusiasts to Goths to sportsmen / women and celebrities basically anyone who feels that they can express themselves through using designs on their body to convey a message or express some sort of loyalty, they can be images of anything including satanic references.

Body Art and Street Gang Affiliates

Hoods, street gangs and criminal punks also use tattoo designs on their body as an identifier or to display being an affiliate to a particular gang or crew, in this world of gang affiliation and criminal activity, it can be seen as a measure of respect to have ones fellow crew members name tattooed onto yourself should they die for their crew whilst doing criminal activities or gang related activity in or outside of prison.

You will find in prisons that they will have someone who is specifically trained and studied on gangland culture and behaviours so that they can anticipate gang actions or track gang members and identify any hidden meanings that could potentially be in a persons tattoo design.

Body Art Is Here To Stay No Matter What Happens!

Down the years tattoos have quite often been associated with that of a rebellious lifestyle, people that don't take no s**t and back chat from people and they want to convey that through aggressive art designs.

However, despite what a person may say about tattoos, or the misuse of this ancient art form, tattoos are not gross or disgusting. Tattoos are often a wonderful way of conveying something about yourself to others through designs, however, I can understand why someone would think they are horrible especially as there are times when you look at someone and think to yourself "You should of stopped earlier" a person can become addicted to getting inked and it may start at the back but end being a full body piece.

Whether your a "Bad Ass" or not, one thing that is for sure is that body art have become so popular in todays modern society that there are even exhibits and galleries that are dedicated to tattooing and peoples tattoo designs.

20 years ago this would of been unheard of, body art was still a taboo subject, however, there was a quote by someone being asked a question at a tattoo convention once that he remarked "Tattoos rule, and it will never go out of fashion" that statement still rings true today, they are more popular today than they ever have been and is one thing that no matter what is happening in the world people are always going to get tattoos.

There may still be some taboo associated with tattoos for some older people but they are still one of the most popular way of expressing yourself the world over in many a culture and it also looks likely that this trend will continue for some time yet and with kids looking up to celebrities and sportsmen and sportswomen who have adorned themselves in complex tattoo designs, young people no longer see or think tattoos as a taboo subject and have instead embraced it.

Tattoos for Life offers it's users historical information regarding many of the most popular tattoos that people choose to have a tattoo, understand where your potential design orignated from and give it real meaning.