In the days of the Roman Empire it was normal for men in Italy to use certain body marks in the shape of tattoos, as a means to distinguish slaves from gladiators and also standard citizens from captives.  Though those times have vanished, so have those practices. 

In our modern age, tattoos serve many folks as a type of fashion statement, and also one that’s predominantly utilized by men.  Having numerous tattoos placed on various parts of the body boosts the maleness of men, and makes them look more rough.  Though with changing perceptions, even these ideas have undergone a lot of change. 

Universally Popular

In fact, women too are starting to find tattoos to be attractive.  For some, it permits them to express their sensuality.  However, one form of tattoo that is common are the wand tattoos, which is terribly universally popular .  There are countless cultures that use such tattoos to symbolize different things.

Thus, if you were to come across a wand tattoo designed in the Far East, it would symbolize Water, subculture, Earth, as well as the Sky.  While if you saw the same wand tattoo done in a Western country, it would symbolize an enemy that has to be fought and overcome. 

No matter which part of the planet that the wand tattoo is crafted, the wand still symbolizes a personality of evil temper that is depraved as well as neither malevolent nor good.  In fact, the wand is very similar to nature that both nurtures life as well as destroys it.  That is why there isn’t any one meaning attributable to the wand tattoo. 

It may represent lightning and rain, and also floods.  It even comets in a night sky, and so lends itself well to being something that shows chaos as well as uncertainty in our Universe. And all of these meanings are for wand tattoos!

Nevertheless, the wand tattoo will often represent a creature that breathe fire, and thus these types of wand tattoos are referred to as fire wands. Though other forms are water wand tattoos, as well as those the cause springs to bubble, while some may even depict drowning people. 

However, it is also quite usual to balance the wand tattoos with other tattoo designs that in turn reflect the yin and yang of life. 

If you were to sport a fire wand tattoo, you would hope that folks would understand that it represents conquest of all things while if you sported the water wand tattoo, it would hopefully show folks that you fear or repress your emotions and feelings.

The beginning of tattoos in the west began when Captain Cook who was a British explorer sailed to Tahiti.  The islanders’ used the term “tatatau” or tattau, meaning to hit and this became the modern term “tattoo”.  Tattooing  became fashionable among Europeans, starting with the sailors and 18th century explorers.  Sailors and later, coal miners, both had risky professions.  This would then explain the almost amulet-like use of anchors or minor’s lamp tattoos on the men’s arms.  From the sailors, the practice of tattooing later spread to many Western societies.

Over 40 million Americans have a tattoo.  Tattoos for some, like the sailors or coal miners are representative.  For example, many prisoners often use their tattoos to reflect their criminal behavior.  It may show their gang affiliation or some gang members use a tear to show a friend who was killed.

Tattooing has been very common in the U.S. military and British Armed Forces.  Tattoos often represent the individual’s military unit or a battle they fought in.   Most of us have personally witnessed a tattoo on an older military individual.

In many parts of the world tattooing has grown in popularity.  It has experienced explosive growth in North and South America as well as Europe and Japan.  With that resurgence of tattooing has come an influx of new artists into the industry, many of whom have technical and fine arts training.

Formal interest in the artistry of tattooing has become prominent in the 1990’s – 21st century.  Tattooing today has taken on a modern day art feel, having their own art exhibits.  Display of the tattoo artist work is often seen throughout society, in art shows, exhibits, and almost every venue imaginable.

It has been estimated that in America close to 50 percent of those who have received a tattoo have inquired about tattoo removal.  The words tattoo removal has become a common place word in today’s society.   Tattoo removal options are many, ranging from a sophisticated laser tattoo removal to in home tattoo removal creams.   The most effective means of tattoo removal is laser tattoo removal which can be painful and expensive.  Tattoo removal cream is an option that is controversial as to its effectiveness.  It can be done in the privacy of your home and the cost is substantially less than laser tattoo removal.   Other options are surgery where the tattoo is surgically removed.   There is also an option where the skin is sanded to remove the tattoo.  Another possibility is to simply do a tattoo cover up using make up or clothing.

Tattoo remorse (also called tattoo regret) is common as we get older. It is estimated that more than 50% of people with, for one reason or another want to have them removed. There are a variety of ways for tattoo removal today—laser and creams being the most accepted. However, there are varying degrees of success with each. Because of that, another idea is to think about trying tattoo cover ups.

Tattoo cover ups are becoming more and more popular to disguise tattoos you have grown tired of. Sometimes a tattoo that seemed so right at the time years later becomes something you just can’t tolerate any longer. Perhaps you have a tattoo that has faded and you feel no longer looks veryattractive. Well there are answers for all of these situations in the form of what is called tattoo cover up.

One method to get rid of tattoos withnames and letters is to have the letters changed so they say something different. We have heard that Johnny Depp, the popular character actor, had his tattoo that read “Winona Forever” changed so that it became “Wino Forever”. You can really get creative with this. So talk it over with your tattoo artist and they willmore than likely have some great suggestions.

Another solution to cover up tattoos is to use a design as a cover that is filled with much intricate detail. Tribal tattoos are often a good idea that works. Because of their abundant colors and detail, they can often blend and cover old tattoos with excellent results. Ask your tattoo artist about placing a tribal tattoo over your old tattoo. This solution can often yield very good success. There are a number of good sources for tribal designs and newer unique tattoo designs that would work well as tattoo cover ups and can be found without much trouble on the Internet.

Sometimes there is the need to just hide a tattoo temporarily instead of complete tattoo removal. Maybe you don’t want that tattoo to show for a wedding. Another idea would be to use a special make up designed to cover up tattoos. This is obviously something that would not be permanent, but there are a variety of make up products that work well for this for temporary situations. If you go for this method you want to make sureyou use a product that has a concealer and neutralizer and is uniquely designed for tattoos. That way it won’t run or melt or be seen through until you are ready to remove it.

If these ideas don’t work there is always the more conventional tattoo removal methods involving fade creams or laser treatments.