Why Do People Get Tattoos? This is What Studies Say

Tattooing a form of self-expression has been a ritualised practice for ages throughout numerous cultures. Some people also get tattoos impulsively and for no particular reason. The second hypothesis – the “upping the ante” argument – posits that tattoos developed as an indication of sexual fitness that improved one’s attractiveness much like a peacock’s tail. Tattoos as a badge Getting a tattoo might also signify a person’s pain tolerance, physical toughness, emphasis on their sexuality, and identification with a particular religion or spiritual tradition. For Commemoration Some people get tattoos to commemorate the most significant events in their lives, such as getting married or having a kid.