Chinese ghosts, dragons and phoenixes
Today, most people choose to get tattooed for cosmetic, religious or magical reasons, or to show they identify with a particular group. Some M膩ori still choose to wear the intricate moko tattoo on their faces. In Cambodia and Thailand, the yantra tattoo confers protection.
Lin Lin says her tattoo also has special meanings.
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“I have something good to remember, so I want to keep the tattoo as a reminder.”
Some people are particularly interested in “auspicious” images, like Chinese ghosts, dragons and phoenixes. But Chinese youth are just as likely to choose images from the West.
Wanghao says a lot of his customers also ask for tattoos that relate to music.
“Most of the customers in my shop get tattoos related to music or alternative foreign culture. For example, people ask for the same tattoo as their favorite singer, or the kind of tattoos foreign bands favor.”
Even animals get tattoos, though it’s rarely for decorative reasons. Pets, show animals, thoroughbred horses and livestock often have identification marks tattooed on their skin. For example, pet dogs and cats are often tattooed with a serial number so their owners can be found if they get lost.
The growth in tattoo culture has caused a new influx of artists into the industry. Like Wanghao, many have technical and artistic training. The pigments and equipment used to create tattoos has also become more technically advanced. So the quality of the tattoos created today has improved.
Wanghao’s shop is equipped with all the modern tools. He says there are a series of procedures you have to follow when you create a tattoo.
“First we have to disinfect the skin we are going to tattoo. Then we will outline the design before coloring it. It’s actually not that painful. It makes the skin feel numb and most people can bear it.”
But tattoos still have a number of negative associations. For example, the Chinese associate them with criminals because people used to be given distinctive tattoos when they were released from prison as a warning sign to other people.
Tattoos are usually considered permanent but it’s often possible to remove them to some extent. Unfortunately, complete removal is often impossible and it’s often more painful to remove them than to get them in the first place.
Wanghao says everyone should think twice before they enter a tattoo parlor.
“If you have a tattoo, you’d better not think of removing it. As far as I know, some shops and artists use lasers to destroy unwanted tattoos. And some use chemicals. But that may result in permanent scars.”
