Meghan HurleyThere’s a feeling of a racing heart while sitting in the waiting room as beads of perspiration start to form. Maybe this isn’t the right thing to do, not now, not ever. But just then, a name is called and it’s time to enter the room. It’s time to get “inked.”
The word tattoo is said to have two major derivations. One coming from the Polynesian word “ta” which means to strike something and the Tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means to mark something, according to designboom.com.
The history of the tattoo began over 5,000 years ago. In North America, only Jesuit accounts testify to the widespread practice of tattooing among Native Americans. These tattoos found on Native Americans distinguished them within their tribes. On Ontario Iroquoians, complex tattoos were a sign of their status and in the Northwest, Inuit women’s chins were stamped to indicate that they were married according to designboom.com.
Chris Lasher, a freshman accounting major, said, “Honestly my tattoo is in memory of a girl who I was in a relationship with. I was going through a hard time and wanted something to express the pain and a tattoo came to mind.”
Many Cabrini College students can be found with their own “trademark” on their bodies, but on a very popular website, facebook.com, there is even a way to broadcast them to people over the Internet. This group, “Cabrini inked” is a chance for students here to show-off their tattoos to their fellow classmates.
Lauren Dickson, a junior psychology and philosophy major and creator of the group, said, “I chose the back piece because I wanted something really extravagant and of something I really enjoy which are star-gazer lilies. The entire piece is not done yet. It won’t be finished completely until April.”
But how did people first realize that they can put artwork like this all over themselves?
Tattoos are created by inserting colored materials beneath the skins surface. Historians say that the first tattoos were probably created by accident. Someone could have had a small wound and then it was rubbed over with a hand full of soot and ash from a nearby fire according to designboom.com. Not all ink that is inserted beneath the skin wants to be visible though.
Kara Driver and Samantha Falzone, sophomore elementary education majors, said, “We both got tattoos near our feet because we don’t need people to be able to see them constantly, especially with us becoming teachers.”
Christina Romano, another sophomore elementary education major, got her butterfly tattoo on her foot for another reason. Laughing, she said, “I personally just love my feet.”
With getting a tattoo, there can be a few pangs of pain which can cause some very uncomfortable feelings.
Dickson said, “The only horrible thing that happened with the first session of my back piece is that it took three hours of straight drilling with only a few breaks in between. We took these breaks because I was crying too much because the pain was so excruciating on my spine.”
Chaz Gorman, a sophomore business administration major, said, “Me and my buddies have the same tattoo. Actually seven of us went at the same to get them done. This is sort of like a pact for us.”
There are people who absolutely love tattoos and others who can easily do without them. Kyle Hater, a senior business administration major, believes that tattoos are one of the best things he has ever had.
Harter said, “My tattoos mean the world to me and I would never get rid of them. I designed them both myself and they have a lot of heart behind them.”
