How and Why | Tattoos Episode 4: Why do people get tattoos? A look at the psychology behind getting inked

It’s a near impossible task to be able to find an all-encompassing answer to why paying someone to poke you with needles can be such a gratifying experience for so many. By now we know that the answer can range anywhere from knocking back one too many on a night out with your friends and making questionable decisions – or paying homage to something that is poignant and matters to you deeply.

But do all tattoos have to matter to you in a philosophical, or meaningful way? Do they always have to mean something? While they may be physically permanent – do they have to be emotionally too? Everyone doesn’t seem to think so.

Some argue that ideas are fluid and can keep changing. So, apart from enjoying the pure aesthetics of the artform there really is no limit to why people get these motifs.

There’s also some people for whom tattoos represent pride and prestige. It’s time to tell you the story of Guinness Rishi! A man who got 499 flags tattooed on this body and was awarded the Guinness World Record alongside his tattoo artist for the same. Now you’d think that would be the claim to fame for this tattoo artist – but we’re talking about Tattoographer Karan here – the world’s first fully modified athlete, and the first man in India to get a Scleral tattoo – he got his EYES tattoo-ed.

Whether your reason is big or small, or philosophical or not, whether your tattoo covers your body or is hidden and no one can see it, the truth is that getting your skin inked has become a way for people to exert control over this body that they own. Or even a way to cope with complex and painful emotions.

Well, that was the how and the why of tattoos but we’ll be back soon to deep-dive into the nitty-gritties of a whole new topic, very soon.

Also Watch -

Episode 1: The History and culture of tattoos in India

Episode 2: Who owns a tattoo? The question of copyright

Episode 3: How much money does the tattoo industry make?