Cultural dermatology

Published on 05/03/2015 by admin

Filed under Dermatology

Last modified 22/04/2025

Print this page

rate 1 star rate 2 star rate 3 star rate 4 star rate 5 star
Your rating: none, Average: 0 (0 votes)

This article have been viewed 1393 times

Chapter 63 Cultural dermatology

10. What culture has the most elaborate tattoos?

The Marquesan Islanders of French Polynesia once applied tattoos to almost the entire body. Hawaiians, Samoans (Fig. 63-1), and New Zealand Maoris also had extensive tattoos. The practice is experiencing a cultural resurgence in many Polynesian groups today. Japanese tattoos (horimono) are often regarded as the most skillful and artistically prepared.

12. Sailors sometimes have rooster and pig tattoos on their lower legs. Does this have a meaning?

Yes, many ethnic groups, cultures, and even subcultures, including sailors, have tattoos with specific meanings. For example, the reason that sailors tattoo a rooster and pig on their lower legs (Fig. 63-2) or feet is that these barnyard animals do not swim, and they believe that if the ship sinks, or they are thrown overboard, having the tattoo will get them to land quickly. Other examples of tattoos with specific meanings include an anchor, meaning that the sailor had sailed the Atlantic Ocean, or a fully-rigged sail ship, indicating that the sailor had sailed around Cape Horn.