Cher made tattoos a chic idea in today’s times. When Scythian warriors were sent into battle in the 5^th or 6^th centuries B.C., they took more than just swords, shield and courage to the fight. They wore animal figures tattooed onto their bodies for protection as well. It’s long been a tradition for sailors and marines but now parents are dragging their kids in for them. Traditional are anchors and ships, mascots and knives, and phrases like "death before dishonor."

Popeye was really popular in the old days. Enginemen had engine parts and pistons, radiomen lightening bolts and boiler men steam pipes. The best one, I recall was a machinist mate by the name of M…. who had a ship's screw tattooed on each buttock. The legend above it read: "Twin screws, keep clear." Evidently it was highly regarded by all maidens who viewed it. A-hem.

Janis Joplin gave tattoos a boost in the 60’s when she appeared on the cover of ‘Rolling Stone.’ MTV and heavy metal sparked a revival in the 1980’s.

The tradition for European sailors goes back to the 15^th and 16^th centuries, the age when explorers were discovering the new world and uncharted island’s in Polynesia where tattooing flourishes. They then became a symbol of the foreign and exotic. Proof that a sailor had sailed the seven seas. Getting one is a painful process. Some have passed out from pain of it. Here’s some stories about ordinary people who have succumbed to the desire to be tattooed.

"Yesterday while I was loitering in the Museum of Art, my youngest son got himself a tattoo. It’s a malignant, greenish design about the size of a flapjack located on the back of his beautifully curved calf. I flinched when he showed it to me. I didn’t see my son all grownup and hairy and trying to turn himself into a man. I didn’t see a shaved patch on his leg, the swelling, the

Another story: I got my first tattoo after I had been married for two years. I was feeling the anguish of growing up while growing out of a relationship. I had always wanted a tattoo. My ex-husband tried to talk me out of it, even threatening to leave if I got one. I figured it was my body, my choice. There was no way anyone was going to stop me.

I called Spider Web, a local tattoo artist, got an appointment, had a few beers and went to commit to flesh some permanent mark of the enormous changes going on in my life.

I had Spider embroider a small, blue quarter moon on the right cheek of my behind. I told my mother and sisters first, proudly showing them the reddened flesh under the bandage. I thrilled to the feel and color of it, could still smell the ink, hear the buzz of the needle, it had been positively hypnotic.

I hadn’t wanted my father to know, but he was outside the kitchen window on a ladder painting the side of the house. When he heard he came inside, looked at me with queer expression, and said, "Well, at least if someone kidnaps you, kills you, and cuts off your head, we’ll still be able to identity you by your ass!!" (LHK, in the Sun, 10/94.)

Editors Note: Tattooing is more popular than ever today and the designs are even more artistic, some are real works of art.

I understand that with laser technology, tattoos can now be removed without the scarring of tissue, but it is expensive.