Tattoo Designs for Women
Originating over 5000 years ago, of multiple origins, this ancient practice had been almost exclusively practiced on men, and until recently, women's tattoo designs were considered taboo. This socially inspired practice, and its double standard, has long been the subject of anthropological review in western culture, focusing on the public ritual and economic significance, rather than the art form it has become today. And throughout history, discussion of woman's tattoos has been little more than a footnote in those reviews. Find Thousands of Awesome Tattoo Designs Here The transgression does not deny the taboo, but transcends it and completes it. George Bataille
Originally, tattooing was a type of social communication, and as the practice evolved, it became a personal body art form, transforming the natural body into a cultural one, thus taking an added value in the eyes of the tattooed. In the US culture, the meanings relate more to the self presention and self impression and have little to do with local identification and social status. Many of today's tattoo designs for woman reflect that position. The recent rise in woman getting tattoos is significant, and the permanence of the image may be a reflection of a desire to hold on to that present image of life and uniqueness, in a changing culture of fleeting images. Tattoos are not fashion, and differ from clothing or other adornments in permanence, and it's that enduring nature that sets it apart from dress, grooming, and other types of body decoration.
"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." Sir Francis Bacon
A womens choice of tattoo is the woman, like a signature on the skin, and reflects her presentation of self in everyday life and cannot be viewed separately from the person. After World War II, womens tattoo designs became more popular, but were primarily reserved for bikers, soldiers, prostitutes, and deviants rebelling against public control. There were other groups, mostly of a fetish nature, but they were kept discreetly out of the public eye. By 1962, womens were slowly becoming more popular, but still restricted to over 21, and illegal in 32 states, with 47 cities, including NY, passing ordinances against them totally. Much of the western tattooing at the time was known as international folk style and characterized by uninventive flash designs.
When the designs are chosen with care, tattoos have a power and magic all their own. They decorate the body but they also enhance the soul. Michelle Deli
The mid 60s brought about a new and more avant-garde crowd, with more and more tattoo designs being created specifically for women and girls. During the hippie, and the gay/lesbian movements, women were concerned with taking back their bodies from the male dominated status quos. (This time is often described as a renaissance period for women) Sparked by the popularity of non-western culture, and changing attitudes towards a woman's body, more and more women and girls were getting tattooed, and additionally becoming tattoo artists. While there have always been a few women flirting on the edge of acceptability, this is the first time in our history where the interest in womens tattoos continue to not only grow, but gain acceptability, and can be partially attributed to the advances in photography. For the first time a women could view a wide variety of more feminine tattoo designs without having to confront the body attached to the tattoo, and it could be viewed for the artistry alone. As today's boom in tattoo designs for women and girls continues to grow, and with no end in sight, people still need to be somewhat cautious when choosing a design, and its placement, because of the response they will provoke. Even though the tattoo may be considered by some as an art form, it still is, and always will be controversial. The concept of permanently altering one's body is difficult for some to accept. The difference between tattooed and non-tattooed people is that we don't care if you’re not tattooed or not Thanks for visiting feminine tattoo designs at Angel Heart Tattoo, and checking out tattoo designs for women. If your curious about the different ways of getting a tattoo done, and what's involved in getting a tattoo go to "Tattoo Techniques" and "Getting a Tattoo Done."
Return To Top of Page - Tattoo Designs for Women |
As today's body art explosion moves into the mainstream, tattoo designs for
women are now being considered as an important form of visual communication.
Home Page Angel Tattoo Design How To Find Tattoo Designs Tattoo Techniques