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Why We Don't Do Tattoos |
| 1. Nonsense Chinese |
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What looks mystical and intelligent often has a nonsensical or embarrassing meaning. Probably neither the wearer nor the tattoo artist understand what the characters actually mean. |
| 2. Wisdom on body modification |
Our bodies, to every hair and bit of skin, are received by us from our parents, and we must not presume to injure or wound them. This is the beginning of filial piety.
Confucius, The Book of Filial Piety |
| 3. Language changes, tattoos don't |
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Even if you were to find a well-researched Chinese name or idiom and get it tattooed, the meaning may change a year later. You could be stuck with an unwanted association.
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Try These Instead |
We suggest thinking twice before putting permanent foreign symbols on your skin. Why not wear your Chinese name on a t-shirt instead? Just as beautiful, and it comes off.
• Personal Name Stamp
• Personalized Embroidered Apparel
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| Survey |
Do you agree with A Word About Tattoos?
Please take a quick survey. You do not have to reveal your identity.
• A Word About Tattoos Survey
• Survey results
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Survey started: July 20, 2004
Page last updated: January 1, 2006
1. Is "A Word About Tattoos?" informative?
Yes | |
 83.8% |
No |
9.8% |
Don't know |
6.4% |
2. How much do you agree with "A Word About Tattoos?"
Highly Agree | |
31.9% |
Agree |
19.1% |
Somewhat agree, somewhat disagree |
37.3% |
Disagree |
5.9% |
Highly Disagree |
5.9% |
3. Please explain if you can. We may update the article based on your feedback.
"Aside from the animal tattoos on my arms, I have the calligraphy for Qi, Water and Tao.
The animals are both powerful and graceful, and the words have strong meaning for me."
"People are generally stupid, and don't really think about (or have the ability to process realistically or adequately) the ramifications of putting foreign (or any) characters on their bodies.
If someone has never traveled, and/or has no ability to empathize from another cultural perspective, it seems inevitable that a quick 'coolness' factor will continue to drive this practice."
"i did not like how you added in the part about religion and how your not suposed
to get tattoos i for one am a athiest, that means that i do not believe in god,
and especially the bible putting something like that makes me angry that every
one assumes everyone else believes in the same god or one god."
More
4. Do you have tattoos on your body?
None. | |
46% |
Yes. Arms. |
22.6% |
Yes. Back. |
16.5% |
Yes. Chest. |
6.1% |
Yes. On other parts of the body. |
22.7% |
5. For you who have no tattoos, does this article make you more or less likely to want to have a tattoo?
More likely | |
4.4% |
Less likely |
25.7% |
No difference |
69.9% |
6. For you who have tattoos, does this article make you more or less likely to have a tattoo again?
More likely | |
10.2% |
Less likely |
6.8% |
No difference |
83.1% |
7. If you have tattoos, what motivated you to get them?
"I am an artist and appreciate the beauty. As a martial artist they represent my beliefs. Although I hold the Chinese culture in high regard, this is America, and our culture should be respected as well. I do, however, that proper research should be done into meaning of any foreign symbol so as not to offend anyone or embarass oneself."
"Personal interest."
"Design, body art, uniqueness and expression of individuality and personality."
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8. If you do not have tattoos, why not?
"i want to be sure for what i am going to have. i want my tattoo to express me,
my thoughts and my character. i want it to be something special and unique..."
"I have never wanted a tattoo. I personally think they cheapen the way a person
looks. I believe that the youth of today think it is "cool" and the thing to do...a status symbol if you will. They also don't stop to think about what that tattoo will look like in 50 years. Gravity has a way with everything and tattoos are no exception!"
"I have considered getting one for four years but I want to be completely sure
that the one I get is meaningful and will have signifigance throughout my life.
This article does make me less likely to get a Chinese symbol at the risk of
offending others."
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9. Should we keep this article on our Web site to inform users about the possible negatives of having Asian symbols tattooed?
Yes | |
81.9% |
No |
6.9% |
No comment |
10.3% |
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