Chinese Tattoos
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This photo was submitted by Leticia. Her little brother is shown sporting a Chinese tattoo on his arm. He got this henna tattoo done at a beach in Brazil. It is the first two letters of his name, "BE", in Chinese. |
Chinese Tattoos have become very popular in the western world, however, in China, tattoos are still not very widely accepted. The word for tattoos in Chinese is "Wen Shen" or "Ci Shen" 
which means to "puncture the body". In China, the body is considered to be a precious gift from the parent, and should therefore never be defaced by a tattoo. Many years ago, an individual who broke the law would have a tattoo placed on their face, and be taken to a far away place for a number of years. The tattoo on the face would permanently mark the person as a criminal. In present day China, tattoos are mainly used by members of the underground criminal society.
Chinese Tattoos have become trendy because of the exotic elegance and beauty of Chinese characters. From celebrities to hippies, these ancient Oriental designs with often subtle meanings, although at times totally meaningless, have permanently tattoed their bodies with these Chinese tattoos.