Although Aboriginal peoples never tattooed, the meanings and symbolism associated with their traditional arts have recently become a great source of inspiration for one Australian tattooist and her clients, especially those of Aboriginal descent.
The tattoos on their bodies represent a variety of animals. The griffins and monsters are thought to have a magical significance but some elements are believed to be purely decorative. Altogether the tattoos are believed to reflect the status of the individual.
The 3 lines tattooed on the chin is a common sight in many cultures. In some societies, the lines represent the three stages of a woman's life: maiden, mother, and crone. In others, the lines stand for the three elements of nature: earth, air, and water.
Reasons for getting a tattoo
Tattooing is most popular among Australians in the 20 to 39 year age group. According to McCrindle Research, by 2009, one in four Australians of the Gen Y group— those born between 1982 and 2001—considered having “body art” as an ideal way to celebrate their coming of age.
Our latest study shows one in four Australians has a tattoo (25%) – a record high. This is up from 20% in 2018 and 19% in 2016. The proportion of women with a tattoo now exceeds that of men by more than ten per cent (31% women compared to 19% men).
The three dots tattoo is a common prison tattoo that represents “mi vida loca,” or “my crazy life.” It's not associated with any particular gang, but with the gang lifestyle itself. This tattoo is typically found on the hands or around the eyes.
According to the infographic, white and African Americans populations have just about the same percentage of tattoos (20% and 21% respectively). Hispanics, however, have a 30% rate of tattoos, far outpacing the other racial groups listed.
Queensland is the third most inked state after NSW and Victoria, with 20 per cent of the population displaying tattoos.
Words almost as popular as symbols
While for the majority (72%) of tattooed Australians their most recent tattoo was a picture or symbol, for 1 in 5 (19%) it was a phrase or a word. The biggest growth in tattoo design is in the phrase or word category which has seen a massive increase over the last few years.
The symbol '1%' and the term 'One percenters' means the minority, outlaw component which compared with the 99 per cent of society which is law abiding, are the 1 per cent who are not. The '1%' patch is worn only by clubs immersed in criminality with a boast of being bad and dangerous.
Those who identify as Three Percenters sometimes hold up three fingers (the “OK” sign) to signal their affiliation with and allegiance to this antigovernment extremist belief. They also show their affiliation with the movement by displaying tattoos, clothing and stickers with Three Percent symbols on them.
Dots Under Eye Tattoo
This particular symbol and phrase does not belong to any specific gang, but rather represents adherence to the overall “gang lifestyle”. Outside of gang culture the symbol of three dots has also be used to represent spirituality, religion, and balance within one's life.
111 - The Number of New Beginnings The number 111 is often associated with new beginnings, fresh starts, and a positive outlook on the future. Getting this number tattooed on you can serve as a reminder to let go of the past and embrace new opportunities.
Many Indigenous tribes around the world have distinctive traditional facial tattoos—the Māori have Tā Moko, the Inuit have Kakiniit—but Gwich'in tattoos often appear as three distinctive lines on the chin, as well as lines on the cheeks or corners of the eye. “The lines represent a rite of passage,” says Potts-Joseph.
This crescent or 'U' shape icon represents people, both man and woman and can be found in many Aboriginal paintings. One of the most iconic Aboriginal motifs, this symbol depicts people seated at a specific site, camp, or meeting place.
Indigenous peoples of North America have a long history of tattooing. Tattooing was not a simple marking on the skin: it was a process that highlighted cultural connections to Indigenous ways of knowing and viewing the world, as well as connections to family, society, and place.
Those attracted to women saw a three-way tie between the upper back, shoulder and hips (with a 3.3 rating). The back: a top-rated tattoo location for women and men. The hip: a top-rated tattoo location for women. The upper arm: a top-rated tattoo location for men.
Body modification has a long tradition in Australia. As early as the 19th century, convicts tattooed each other in the then-penal colony of Tasmania. Over time, methods as well as clientele and motifs have changed fundamentally.
Try to place your tattoos in an area where you are least likely to gain the most weight or deal with skin sagging, such as the neck, upper back, hands, forearms, ankles, and feet. Most facial tattoos are long-lasting since we tend to take better care of the skin on our faces than any other body part.
Not without regrets
One third (34%) of Australians with tattoos say that they regret, to some extent, getting a tattoo. One in 7 (14%) have commenced or looked into tattoo removal. “It is my ex-boyfriends initials… now means little but serves as a reminder to think and then think again before I get another tattoo.”
The UK arguably has the highest percentage of tattooed people in the world, even more so than in the US.
Italy is rated the top country with 48% of the population having at least one tattoo.