Jessica Szohr Tattoos

Celebrity tattoos always interest us, so ink was on our mind when we approached the lovely Jessica Szohr at Tracy Reese today. We spotted one obvious tat on the "Gossip Girl" star's foot, and asked "What's the meaning behind your tattoo?"

"Which one?" Szohr laughed, revealing that her extremities were decorated with more then a few.

Great History Of Body Art Tattoos

The history of body art started with prehistoric humans. In the prehistoric era, belief in a soul, guarded by the spirit of another creature, inspired pictures of that creature on the body. The spirit of that creature guarded, gave safety, and led the soul down the path of life. Body art was a way to keep the spirit close, always.

Throughout time, body art kept its position as a spiritual expression, and it also became an expression of social importance. Native American and African tribes used tattoos and body piercing to express beliefs and stature in society. Chiefs, for instance, had different body markings than an ordinary hunter or any other tribe member. Where a chief may have had a tattoo that symbolized power or resembled a god, a hunter might have had a tattoo that resembled a buffalo or some game he hunted. Piercings and tattoos were signs of accomplishment and membership.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

Certain tattoos stood for positions in the community, and in some cases, every member had some type of body marking that indicated their status. For ceremonies, the elite class donned the trappings of their rank and power. Women in the tribes received a special marking for marriage, to signify they were a spouse. The chief had more tattoos and more piercings because of his stature in the tribe, and the older members of the tribe had more because of age. In many cases, the markings had high, religious significance.

As time progressed further, body art stayed as an expression of beliefs, but the beliefs and reasons for body art strayed from religion and community stature. Some Americans believe that
body art grew in popularity in the 1960s as a revolt against the formalism of society. Along with that theory, some “flower children” used bodyart to demonstrate the incompleteness of all art. Some got tattoos to express love for another person, orto state a belief about an issue facing society. A quote in an article by Deborah Irmas states that “Tattooing has become an expression of art, a far cry from the times when it was viewed as a ritual of passage in ancient cultures”. Some men, however, got tattoos to demonstrate membership in a gang or group, much like the Native American and African tribes.

The History of Body Art Tattoos

Body art is still used in ancient practices and to show status rankings in tribes like the Surma of Ethiopia. For example, in the Surma tribe, young boys still use lip plates. Lip plates are used to stretch the lips and indicate how many cattle a man’s family will receive from his bride’s family when they are married. The tattoos that women receive when they are married include symbols of prosperity and well-being.

Body art has lasted throughout history and is still important in society. The tribes of Africa keep old traditions alive by continuing to use body art, and Americans use body art to identify themselves and as a form of individuality. In a sense, as society has grown and changed, so has body art.

Lower Belly Tattoos

Lower Belly Tattoos
When we think of belly tattoos, one of the most likely area we think about is the navel or belly button. But not all belly or stomach tattoos have to involve around the "belly button". Women and girls thinking of getting a tattoo design on the stomach area might also find the lower belly area of the waist a good spot for a tattoo.

Ankle Tattoos For A Woman

Ankle Tattoo
Some of the best places for a tattoo on a woman is the ankle. Tattoo designs for such a spot can be very stylish and fashionable. Women and girls often get their name tattooed on the ankle, but their are other designs of ankle tattoos beside names you could consider. Just to name a few, ankle tattoos of flowers, ankle bracelets, floral vines, stars, beads are great tattoo designs for the ankle.

Girl Side Tattoo - Script Lettering Design

Girl Side Tattoo
Having your own name or someone special to you inked on your body has been going on for a long time. The trend of getting your name in tattoo lettering designs are still growing today. These types of tattoos are a favorite among many individuals. Tattoo lettering are available in many different styles of fonts. You can find some font types here Popular Lettering Tattoos that is commonly used in tattooing or visit Script and Tattoo Lettering Designs for more information and where to find "fonts for tattoos". In this picture a name is tattooed along the torso of a girl as a side tattoo. Side tattoos have an area that can compromise large tattoo designs.

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos
The nautical star tattoo is the most masculine design amongst star tattoos. Nautical star tattoos are considered old school. In the early days of tattooing, they used to be popular amongst sailors, who had them for guidance and protection. Sailor Jerry is a famous tattoo artist from those days.

The nautical star is a 5-pointed star, the points are split in half and filled with an alternating color (usually black-red or black-white), creating a 3d illusion.
Sailors used stars and the North Star (aka Polaris) for navigation, so it's not hard to see why so many of them have star tattoos. They function as a guide to get them back home safely. Soldiers have them for the same reason. Swallow tattoos also have a similar kind of nautical history.

Also today, people have star tattoos for similar reasons, you can rely on them when you are lost in your life, they are a light in the darkness.
In Ireland the nautical star is a symbol for good health, it's an old Pagan symbol you can find in certain Irish hospitals.

The nautical star tattoo has a special meaning in the gay and lesbian community. Some gay and lesbian people have a nautical star tattooed on their wrist as a sign of their disposition. The wrist is a place that can easily be covered by wearing a watch or a bracelet. Curiously, many celebrities have a star tattoo on their wrist (see further).

The nautical star is also a popular punk rock tattoo design.

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos
Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos

Nautical Star Tattoos