Tattoos, Body Piercings, and Other Body Modifications Essay

â€Å"The colors and pictures we apply to our skin communicate our values and aspirations as well as our hopes and personal histories. Even when we adopt the â€Å"natural look† and dont adorn our skin at all, we are making a social statement. Our skin talks even when we dont; it is not a neutral canvas.† (Jablonski, 164) We as a species are obsessed with our appearance and are equally preoccupied with altering it to our own varied desires. Each person wants nothing less than perfection, but each has an unique idea of what that means. Every person on the planet engages in some form of body modification to achieve the look that they can identify with and feel is their own. From cosmetics to cosmetic surgery, a pierced ear to a facial†¦show more content†¦There is some archaeological evidence of tools associated with natural pigments that points toward tattooing occurring at least since 30,000 BCE. The oldest preserved skins with tattoos (aged 3000 â€⠀œ 6000 years) come from mummies from Egypt and people from the north that were trapped in glaciers. Autopsy of the â€Å"iceman† inferred that some of the tattooing was applied in a manner to effect medical, mystical, or magical healing because of their placement on top of arthritic joints. The presence of tattooing exists in nearly all cultures and ethnic groups across early history but mostly disappears in the classical era in Europe and the near east with the notable exception of the Thracian people. The renaissance of tattoo in modern and post-modern society owes its resurrection to Captain James Cook and the crew aboard the HM Bark Endeavour who brought back accounts of tattooed people, examples of tattoos upon their skin, and the Samoan word, tatau to Great Britain after their voyage to Tahiti and New Zealand. Other forms of body modifications that have come down from prehistory include neck lengthening like that in Thailand, foot binding in China, and suspension of the body from hooks and rope found in some Native American spiritual traditions. To understand the post-post-postmodern, modernism must first be defined. Merriam-Webster states â€Å"1.) a practice, usage, or expression peculiar to modern times; 2.)Show MoreRelatedDeviance : Tattoos, Piercings, And Body Modifications1049 Words   |  5 PagesDeviance: Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modifications Towan Cook Georgia Gwinnett College Deviant acts cannot be discussed without taking into account culture, perspective, and religion. Every culture is known for their types of expressions though tattooing, piercings, and body modification. Asian gangs such as the Yakuza are known for their full body tattoos, while African tribes can be associated with wearing rings that stretch their necks. 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