by Claire and Sarah
PIERCING:
In the beginning the aim of piercing was the purification of the body. Before, it was supposed to enforce courage, speed and power in the person wearing it. Now, with the young people, the culture has turned into a fashion. But the act of piercing is accompanied in ten to thirty per cent of cases of an infection (blood and pus). That’s why it’s essential that the people who practise piercings receive a solid training not to introduce a disease in the person because some bacteria are present on the instrument.
A piercing costs between thirty and sixty euros without the jewellery. The prices varies with the complexity and the duration of the act.
I think there was a moment when piercing was fashionable but now people show it less. I would like a piercing in the navel because I don’t want to show it but I’m frightened by the act.
TATTOOS:
History of tattoos :
The tattoo was practised by the Egyptians in 2000 b.c. It's a form of ornament in China, India and Japan. Tatoos offered a protection against thedisease. They served to identify the status, the group and they offered a protection against bad luck or diseases.
Technique :
The techniques didn't change during centuries. The skin is perforated with a pointed instrument. Needles are made with various materials (bone, ivoiry, teeth, metal, steel) to get the pigments under the skin.
The Inuit's practise : They pass a needle followed by some black thread under the skin.
Cambodians and Thaïs proceed by scraping with an instrument with frayed points.
In the Far East and in the Pacific they use a small rake whose teeth consist of needles or points of bone. This rake is held with the hand by the tattoo maker and with the other hand is struck by a mallet.
The Japanese use series of rods which are equipped with pin slam; they excel in their speciality: the "Bokashi", it's the most beautiful row of the world going from the major black to the gray most clearly.
Pigments :
Pigments used come from soot of burnt nutshells, resins, ashes or of organic animal or vegetable subtances mixed with alcohol,water,blood or vegetable essences.
The significante of tattoos in different parts of the world :
India and Tibet : tattoos accompany the difficult periods of life : puberty, maternity, disease as well as mourning.
Hawaï : mourning was the occasion of a tattoo of points and features on the tongue.
Africa : the treatment of ocular affections or headaches, the protection against the bites of dogs or snake and the risk of drowning.
American sailor : they tatooed a cock on a foot and a pig on the other against drowning.
Risks of tatoos :
Tattoos are a perfect vector for the hepatitis B or C and virus HIV so you must respect the rules of hygiene.
Tattoos are popular because they're symbols for different parts in the world. It's a decoration for a lot of people, tattoo can show the style of the person and there are lot of possibility with tattoos (colors, drawing...)
