Tattooing as a specific form of art has a long history. It’s believed that first tattoos were made in Ancient Egypt approximately 6000 years ago. Then a tradition of decorating human bodies with ink pictures emerged among different civilizations and became almost universal.
In ancient times tattoos used to make a person more attractive for potential mates. Ink pictures could show the status and give some information about the origin of their owner. Sometimes tattoos were used as signs of sacrifice to gods. They were also talismans and amulets that couldn’t be lost when hunting or fighting and were believed to protect people from magical attacks.

Tattooing is still very popular nowadays, though the motives and reasons for becoming an “inked person” are surely different in most cases. Of course, there are primitive tribes and even highly developed cultures in which ancient traditions are carefully kept unchanged. But I don’t think that residents of big cities want to get tattoos because they need spiritual support before a great hunt. They just want to express themselves or follow the fashion.

I know there are people who prepare for the procedure seriously. They take into consideration the following points.
1) It’s risky for your health to get tattoos because it’s like a medical operation. So, tattoo needles and ink must be absolutely sterile. The danger of contracting a disease or infection will be very high if the tattooist isn’t careful and experienced enough.
2) If you decide to get rid of a tattoo, it will be very hard to do it. They say it can be even more expensive, painful and time consuming than getting one. For example, a tattoo will represent the name of you current girlfriend. But are you sure she'll be with you forever? The same with the names and symbols of favourite groups and football teams, pictures of movie characters.
3) Every drawing, every symbol has its specific meaning that can vary from culture to culture.
A person must find out what EXACTLY his or her personal ink picture will mean before letting it occupy several square centimeters of precious skin.
4) It’s important to think about possible reaction of parents, friends and colleagues. If you don’t care about what others may say or think – skip this point. If not… Some people, especially old aged ones, consider tattooing to be a bad, primitive and horrible thing and associate it with the criminal world.

I’m sure tattooing is great. But a person should be firm in his or her decision to change a bit and mark the body with ink. A sense for proportion and common sense, of course, should prevail. Have you ever seen tattoo addicts whose bodies are covered with numerous pictures and symbols? There is a famous one - Matt Gone. 98% of his body is covered with tattoos. You can find his photos on the Internet easily if you want.