why do you do it tattoos scars ect

I don't have any tattoos I have scars but their from injury's, I don't think my scars are interesting or attractive even if they were in interesting designs , if there was a way to get rid of them Id do it in a second .

Why do you do it?

I can see a sort of sense if you had a scar from a sun dance ceremony in that it came about through going through an ordeal and that may change you, but I’m not sure what the scar or having the scar would do.
Even going through a ordeal has positive and negative aspects and can lead to vanity or foolish self destruction

I went through a similar experience or a ordeal when I fractured my neck and was paralysed for a while but the scars from that are internal some are damaged bones some are Id say post traumatic stress, some aspects of it are positive.

You get people who wish to have a leg amputated that’s extreme body modification why do they do it , what are they searching for how is body modification related to self harm

Anyway I don’t understand the whole body modification thing, would like your thoughts

 

To be very honest with you, I am not sure anyone could explain it to you in a way that you would be able to understand, if you already don't. You know?

But I'll try to explain it from my point of view.

To me, my "marks" (scars, piercings, tattoo, etc.) are similar to the marks on a growth chart for a child. Parents, and even the child him/herself, cherish it... it's special to look at it and see that kind of development. And I guess, that's what my marks do for me. They're souveniers, more or less, of a certain time in my life.

Aside from that, the experience of body modification for me is the closest I am able to get to any kind of spirituality. The experience itself, and the healing process. Why though? I don't know... I mean... why does anyone prefer chocolate to vanilla? If you shave, why do you shave?

Another aspect of it, for me, is the thrill...not necessarily in the moment of having the body mod performed itself, but the thrill of pushing my body to a certain limit. Having faith in my body. Having faith that I will heal and grow from it.

Understand too, that I personally, have suffered from a plethora of self-image related issues, including but not limited to anorexia and bulimia. When I get a piercing, though, for example, I find myself in touch with my body more so than I usually am. I take good care of myself. I eat better. Sleep better. I pamper myself. Which is something I often have trouble doing in life. I often find myself disconnected from my physical body and in a way, apathetic towards it. Body mods reconnect me to my physical being and make me feel alive, vital, and overall happier.

For me, aesthetic purposes is honestly the last on the list of why I do what I do. But from the aesthetic perspective... it's just the same as why someone might think a certain hairstyle looks nice. It's just a matter of opinion. Everyone sees things differently, everyone has a different opinion of beauty, and yours is obviously just different from mine.
Also, from an aesthetic point of view... I, along with most people who are into body mods, see our bodies and selves as a form of art.

I'm into all kinds of art, and body mods is amongst them.

I'd also say, that I think for me a lot of it has to do with facing fears... I was really nervous to have my nipples pierced, but that in itself, made it that much more important for me to have it done. To show myself, that I could do it. That I am a strong person. And when I DID finally have it done, I couldn't have been prouder of myself. Because it was something I really wanted to do, but was afraid to...but I pushed through it any way. Just like someone who wants to sky diving, would probably feel pretty damn accomplished once they actually go for it.

My piercings, and my tattoo, as well as scars that I have (from a past cutting problem) are landmarks of the way I have grown and changed, and they are as much a part of me as my heart is. They are a direct expression of me. To get rid of them, would be like an artist burning a very personal and very special painting that they created. To get rid of them would be like, losing a part of my soul. Or, at least that is how I see it.

I have a profound scar on my wrist from a suicide attempt when I was 15. My mom's asked me about trying to get rid of it, having it removed. But, for what reason? To try to escape the poor decision that I once made? I'd rather have it there, to remind me of the lesson learned. To remind of where I once was in life, and how far I've come since that time.

I have to be honest with you, I've never heard of anyone having an entire leg amputated for the purpose of body mods. If it's happened, and I'm sure it has, I'm sure they have their very personal reasons for it too.

You have to see that, when one pushes themselves to such great lengths like that, that it MUST be for a much deeper meaning/reason that what might meet the eye.


And me, personally... I also find some types of pain to be pleasurable and exhilarating. And a piercing sort of pain is one of those. It somehow feels good to me, and I don't know why, but it does.

I'm sure you won't understand anymore than you did before... but whether or not you do, that is why I do what I do.

 

Why do you decorate your house? Why bother having anything in it that isn't purely functional? Why do women wear makeup? Why do people try and find attractive clothing?

Decoration, man.

 

^ perfect explination.

I bet you get your hair cut, it's the same thing. It's just changes that make us happy.

 

well I don't really worry about what sort of haircut I have , I just go in when my hair gets annoying and say cut it short, the next time I may shave it like a skinhead but not because of some fashion more because that way I wont need to cut it for a while I don't go in to get a haircut to change my mood or make me happy .

I dress in practical hardwearing outdoor clothes, fashion pah, this may be why I dont understand the whole tattoo modification thing.

I have pretty much the same view about decorating houses

 

Well and that's cool. But I guess some people are just more into aesthetics?
I like things that are "pleasing to the eye" I guess you could say.
Like I said, body mods have little to do with aesthetics for me... but, I do find them attractive and I just like to look at "pretty" things

 

I just go in when I find a free space on my body and say, "Ink me!" haha

I really do know people like that. Its all a matter of personal opinion. Everybody has different reasons for why they do things, if they have reasons at all. Some things are more like primal urges. Like, look back at all those aborigine tribes, they have stretched their lobes down to their knees and have tribal markings all over their bodies.

 

when someone says that i simply say, "Why not?". I mean for me its because ink lasts forever. I could spend my money on drugs, cigarettes, records, dvds and material things like that. things that wont work someday and become useless. A tattoo isnt a material object it reflects your personality, your life and your views. Btw apples; I LOVE THE SMASHING PUMPKINS. Im thinking i want the mellon collie cover on my left forearm next with lyrics from tonight, tonight. I also saw yr. pics of ur ink and peircings; you. are. gorgeous.

 

Nice, I noticed your name and instantly thought of the Pumpkins haaha. Pretty sweet. Your Pumpkins tattoo idea sounds lovely... if you get it done, I definitely want to see photos.

And thank you dear

 

The only reason I do the whole piercing/tattoo stuff is simply to be different. None of my friends had piercings, if they did it was one earring in their left ear so I went out and got both ears pierced (they're now 8g) just because it was something they didn't do and didn't have. To stand out, to be different is my goal. I have 3 earrings, simply because I seen a guy with 4 earrings one day at walmart so I went out and had a 3rd one (2nd one in my left ear) done... Although after that, my best friend called me a fag, i didn't talk to him for 2 months and then I seen him with both his ears pierced, started a fad in my little group of buddies. Ha :O

 

Decoration and self-expression.

My piercings are only about decoration, and they are very subtle.

But one of my tattoos is an expression of my whole philosophy and view on life and existence, and people always ask about it, which allows me to talk about those views, and I like talking about philosophy. So, it helps me express myself both passively and actively.

And then, of course, there is the process. Both my tattoos have great significance, but the one I just mentioned took 18 hours, and they were 18 hours of beautiful, life-changing, make-you-feel-alive pain.

But of course they are not for everyone. Personally I do not like scarification at all, and stuff like flesh tunnels I think are downright disgusting. People are different and like different things.