Tattoo in Early China: by Carrie Reed
Paraphrase:
Tattoos in ancient China had various meanings, but for the most part were vastly discouraged, “highly stigmatized” and socially “ostracized”. Throughout the different Chinese civilizations, tattoos were frequently seen as a mark for lower social class. For the Chinese people tattooing was not a common practice and was used mainly for four reasons; as a mark of “punishment”, “slavery” , ”decoration” and “barbarism”. (Reed 360-375)
Summary:
Tattoo in Early China is an academic journal whose main purpose is to discuss the conflicting cultural views of Chinese tattoos in the social classes. Often the higher and middle classes viewed tattooing as lower class, an uncivilized marking for criminals and slaves. In other portions of the country tattoos on men symbolized honor and tattoos on women represented marriage.
Quotation:
“Tattoo is in fact the epitome of uncivilized practice, since it patterns the human body like the skin of an animal...” (Reed 363)
I like how you focused on chinese culture. Its interesting to know that there are different meanings for the tattoos, such as slavery. I didn't know that for the chinese that tattoos meant lower class. Can you tell the difference between a tattoo that is for decoration compared to one that is described as punishment or slavery.
ReplyDeleteBased on what i've read so far there are specific designs for tattoos made for punishment. There are also only certain places of the body where slavery tattoos are placed.
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