Inked Skin: Of art sacred and profane

My grandmother believed only sailors and criminals wore tattoos. Indeed, many of the older generation hold that misconception, and use it to justify the varied frowns and scowls whenever an inked individual crosses to their side of the street. <img alt="" src="https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:700/0*uPO3zi3qMpcLZ81O" style="height:467px; width:700px" /> Photo:<a href="https://unsplash.com/@priscilladupreez" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank"> Priscilla du Preez</a> True enough, the practice of tattooing has long blossomed among seafarers, who recognized its ceremonial, almost religious properties. Long before the modern era, sailors would engrave their wind-worn bodies, often with animal motifs. Pigs were common, as were roosters, and for good reason — since livestock was typically transported in cages, it had a higher chance of floating to the surface, in case the ship sank. Motifs like the polar star or the swallow were also common, bearing one crystal-clear prayer: <a href="https://catrinaprager.medium.com/inked-skin-of-art-sacred-and-profane-9d629177b406">Website</a>