Tattoos have been around for millennia. The word itself derives from a Samoan word “tatau” meaning to tap. They were used mainly for identification purposes so that individuals could be seen to be from a certain tribe or clan or have a certain social status. This is still a reason why tattoos are used today. In many African societies scarification is used on the face to identify a tribe while many gangs require their members to ink a symbol making it clear who they belong to. For the average Joe and Joanna on the street, however, the tattoo is a way of expressing their inner being, identifying themselves to be adventurous, bold, quirky, courageous and creative as well making a statement of self.
Lower back tattoos were once used mainly by women and had a rather sordid or vulgar feel to them, giving them the name ‘tramp stamps’, ‘arse antlers’ and other less savoury ones. Women, however, persevered through this social adversity and recently, some very well respected women in the world have chosen this aspect of tattoos. The trend towards lower back tattoos is growing steadily with a wide variety of professional women opting in from the arts and entertainment industries as well as some of the tamer fields such as Finance and Librarians. This is not to say, of course, that men do not choose to have lower back tattoos, just that the negative reputation lay with the women for some reason.
Having any kind of tattoo is a bold social statement. Many see it as the expression of their soul onto their skin and most will choose a design which has a specific meaning for them as individuals. Many people draw their own designs and ask an artist to ink it for them in the position they desire. So why would anyone choose a lower back position for their tattoo? Some reasons why they may choose not to is if they are pregnant, diabetic or considering having an epidural. In these cases, or if you have a medical condition you are aware of, it is advisable to discuss your options with a physician.
The lower back is a great place for a tattoo as the space available is vast. The tattoo can be small and just peek over a waistline or it can swirl up over the back, swoop across the waist and sides for a bold and sensual statement or dip down to the buttocks making you beg to see more. The position itself makes the possibilities for design choice so much wider. It is also true that when it comes to aging and weight gain, the lower back is the one place on the body that changes the least. Another technical reason is that this area is usually covered up from the sun and therefore the ink is less likely to fade with time.
Lower back tattoos are a sensual statement of being that are flexible in that they are easily covered up and kept secret when need be. When you are fully clothed, they can be fully hidden or you may choose to allow them to show a teasing glimpse of what lies beneath, inviting contact and conversation as well be a satisfying expression of who you truly are. Beneath it all though, a lower back tattoo is your personal statement on yourself: your sensuality and creativity, your courage and sense of adventure, your spirit and your inner being.
