The semiotic significance of tattooing

下面为大家整理一篇优秀的assignment代写范文- The semiotic significance of tattooing，供大家参考学习，这篇论文讨论了纹身的符号学意义。纹身作为一门历史悠久的艺术，它的产生有着不同的文化背景，不同的伦理道德对纹身也有着不同的理解。相同的纹身可以表现出不同的意义。虽然在不同的文化条件下，它们之间的关系是不稳定的。随着社会的发展和时间的推移，在一定的文化背景下，其关系会建立并保持稳定。了解某种纹身的意义，关键在于了解纹身的文化历史和伦理特征。

1. Introduction

Tattooing can draw a picture on people’ skin and make it everlasting existing. It may be people’s the most beautiful memory and it is not the exclusive right for the criminal offender. No matter what pattern on the body, tattooing is to please itself or others. People usually consider that tattooing is beautiful, mysterious, sexy and attractive and it is also the presentation of unique characteristic and personal belief. This painful beauty can be traced back to 2000 years ago. Many ethics in the world have develop their unique tattooing art and endow it with various significance. Tattooing as a behavior and its different pattern can be understood discrepantly in different cultural background.

To understand the significance of tattooing, this paper will stand on the view of semiotics. With the theory and knowledge of semiotics, it will find out the development process and internal significance for the tattooing in different conditions. The semiotics can be adopted into this topic because semiotics is the subject about meaning of human being’s behaviors. The scholars consider that the meaning can be expressed only by symbol and the application of symbol is to express meaning. On the contrary, there is no meaning that cannot be presented by symbol and there is no symbol that has no meaning.

To dig out the significance of tattooing, this paper will be divided into three parts. Firstly, it will put forward general situation and history of semiotics. In this way, the key concepts and general theory will be highlighted and used to analyze the following parts. Secondly, it will discuss the significance of tattooing with the semiotics theory. In this part, it will also review the history of tattooing. At last, a solid conclusion will be carried out.

2. Semiotics

Symbol, is used by subject to connect the object to a certain thing and thus make the object can be on behalf of a certain thing. This process can be achieved by channel of auditory or visual tool. When this connection is identified by a group of people and becomes common convention, this object can become a symbol to express this object. The famous semiologist Eco (1976) also considers that symbol can be defined as a certain thing which can be representative of other thing according to the social conventions. Even though this thing is nonexistent. For an example, dragon is obviously nonexistent. But people in western country still consider that it is a vicious biology or it is something vicious. This nonexistent biology can have implication in different society. In China, dragon is a symbol of dignity and authority (Swiderski, 1990).

As for semiotics, it is a subject to research symbol. It digs into the essence of symbols, the law of development of symbols and different meaning of symbols as well as the relationship among various symbols and relationship between symbols and human being’s behaviors. Symbol is important for human being. Langer (1953) has pointed out that the most advanced and amazing symbol design human being has ever invented is the language. Among all the symbol that can be on behalf of a certain meaning, the simplest one is the name. It contains four fundamental factors of semiotics including object, symbol, concept and body itself. In other words, when the symbol of name appears, it firstly represent a concept of this kind of thing instead of pointing out the body itself. After that, it will turn to the specific thing. The process of turning to the specific thing from the concept, it is extension.

The other symbol is the representative symbol. It can develop to be a complex semiotic system from several simple symbols. This symbol is consisted of line, color, massing or other complex ways to form the visual effect. The representative symbol is born with the conscious activity of human being reaching a certain level. The reason for it is the development of social labor and language. In this moment, the thought of human being is formed from the representation to record of representation to concept established into the brain. After that, this experiential concept will be fixed and produce various image in the brain. There is a relationship of representing and represented in the representative symbol and characteristics of objects. The visual symbol is regarded as a symbol of a certain thing and the representative symbol is the representation of characteristics of objects, which is the unique visual feature of objects (Langer, 1953).

Besides, the fundamental concepts of semiotics, semiologists also research the significance of semiotics in the social life. They adopt the concept and system of semiotics to scope the human culture and human being itself. The analysis includes fairy story, religion, language and history. By explaining the relative social cultural phenomenon, they point out the deep reason of these social cultural phenomenon (Chandler, 2002). Although the general orientation of researching semiotic significance is similar, there are various schools and they pay attention to different fields.

Saussure (2011) is the famous Swiss linguistician and semiologist. His idea of modern language is one of sources of modern semiotics. Thus he is regarded as the initiator of semiotics especially the European semiotics. He considers that language is one kind of special semiotic system like character, representative ceremony, signals. The language is important in the semiotic system. The reason is that totally random symbol can achieve semiotic code in a more possible way rather than other symbols. Thus, linguistics is the model for semiotics even though language is a special semiotic system. Since the features of semiotics is expressed thoroughly, the research result can be referred to other research of semiotic system. So, the theory from the semiotic system of language can be also adopted into other field. Saussure’s theory pays attention to the field of social function. To discuss it, he put forward the concept of signifier and signified. The former one is the external image of symbol. The later one is the significance of symbol. It is believed that there is conventional relationship between them. For an example, in system of language symbol, voice is the signifier and semanteme is the signified. The relationship between them is conventional.

In Peirce’s theory, the essence of symbol is a ternary relationship, which is consisted of symbol shape, symbol object and symbol explanation. The main idea of Peirce’s theory, the interpreter in his mind can use the symbol to refer to object or other things (Peirce, 1902). People is the user of symbol and they use symbol to express their idea and thinking. Thus, language as a symbol can be a tool for human being to identify objects and share significance. To be more specific, he put forward a system of classification for the symbol. In regard to the organization form of symbols, it can be divided into three kinds. Firstly, natural symbol. This kind of symbol is consisted of single element. Secondly, factual symbol. This semiotic system is formed with various elements. Thirdly, ordinary symbol. It is organized according to a certain law. Besides, the classification can also be put forward according to the relationship of signifier and signified. Firstly, pictorial symbol. The symbol signifier and signified have similar features of appearance. For examples, the photos and people, the map and city. Secondly, designated symbol. In this system, there is causal association between symbol signifier and signified like the arrow and direction, weather cock and wind direction. Thirdly, symbolic sign. There is conventional relationship between symbol signifier and signified, like crucifx and Christian. In addition, the classification can also be carried out according to the degree of explanation for symbol. Firstly, intuitive symbol. Since it is lack of information and materials of this symbol, people can just explain it by subjective judgment. Thus, there is no objective conclusion in it. Secondly, empirical symbol. People can explain this symbol in an objective way with support of materials. Thirdly, analytical symbol. It refers to culture, society, history and tradition. So, people can explain them in a thorough way.

By scoping the literature of semiotics, we can know that the semiotics can be adopted to identify the social phenomenon and human culture. The concepts from semiotics can also be implemented into the analysis of tattooing. In terms of semiotics, it can dig out the significance of the tattooing in a systematical way.

3. Tattooing – body art

Tattooing is one kind of symbol for human being and it has long history. Its significance is abundant but implicit. From the view of semiotics, it can dig out its meaning for human being.

The people living in the primitive tribe usually tattoo. They may pursue the strength or protection in this way. They believed that by tattooing a certain pattern on the body like lion or other fierce animals they can get different power from the rest. Thus, they can get the sense of protection.

In this case, the primitive man should hunt to support their family. However, without modern weapon, they are weak in front of the fierce animals. It means they may be die when hunting and lose the chance to breed, which brings fear for them. To overcome this feeling, they need something to comfort them and tattooing can meet this demand. Through tattooing an animal which can be nonexistent, they consider that they can get power like the animal tattooed in their body. Obviously, the tattooing pattern is the signifier, which can be seen and the significance of power is the signified. Although this relationship is stochastic, it seems to be conventional in that period (Honma, 2015).

(Fig1: It is believed that tattooing the tribal totem on the body can bring power.)

The relationship among the signifier and signified can be various. In other words, the same behaviors can be interpreted in different way.

In case of primitive man, their tattooing can have other functions. One of them is ethnic identity. By tattooing a certain totem, which is belong to a certain ethnics, they can confirm their affiliation. It is significant for them because different camp of tribes can attack each other. In this way, affiliation is important and it means the personal safety and the property safety (Honma, 2015).

In addition, the meanings behind this tattooing can various. It can also be the sign of beauty or evidence of being an adult. The earliest tattooing is found on Egyptians. On some of female mummy, it can find some tattooing which can be traced back to 2000 BC. In Egypt, tattooing may be the exclusive rights for females. For an example, in area of Deiel-Bahari, there is a female mummy called Amunet. It is believed that she used to be superior Gloria Foster and she may be an imperial concubine. Thus, the tattooing here can also be the function of distinguishing the social status. Besides, the reason of tattooing becoming the exclusive right for female is that people there consider tattooing can be effective in cure. It can be the talisman for pregnant woman (Tassie, 2003). As we all know, in the ancient time, the death rate for pregnant woman is extremely high. By tattooing, people hope it can protect their wife and children.

As the tattooing mentioned above, the shape of tattooing may be different, but the signified behind the object is similar. It is considered that the tattooing represents a certain mystical power to protect themselves.

In japan, its tattooing culture is also profound and it is one of the most popular tattooing in the world.

The Japanese traditional tattooing can distinguish itself from other school of tattooing by providing a whole topic. This is to say, the Japanese tattooing is more like a picture instead of a certain pattern. It is usually presented on people’s back and it can extend to arms and legs and even chest. This kind of tattooing is famous for its feature of colorful and large-covered. The feature of completeness means tattooist have to spend lots of time, resources and emotion to achieve this work. The pattern is usually related to a certain virtue like dedication, loyalty, courage and so on.

(Fig2: The Japanese tattooing likes a drawing)

Because in the ancient time, the war is frequent and one of the important factors to win the war is army. However, the enemies also have their army. The competition between the warlords decides the victory or defeat for the war. Thus, to guarantee the victory, the general asks its army to have the virtue of dedication, loyalty and courage so that they can develop ability to defeat the enemy. But these virtue is intangible and it is difficult to confirm all the soldiers by one-to-one communication. To overcome this matter, they come up with tattooing. It is believed that tattooing the pattern on body can show the virtue. They think it can work. The reasons for it can be divided into two parts. One, these pattern is presented in the fairy tale. Thus, it is believed that it can bring mystery stories. The other one is that the tattooing in ancient time can bring great pain for people. It is believed that the one who can bear such great pain is reliable (Hladik, 2012).

The relationship between the tattooing and virtues is not established in a one day. On the contrary, it experiences a long time. The process may be complex and reasonable. As we can see, the significance of tattooing for Japanese in the beginning is similar with the primitive tribe. The tattooing represents a certain of mystical power, which is ambiguous. People just believes that the tattooing can bring power for them. But the effect of the tattooing is uncertain. With the time goes, the specific significance of tattooing is established step by step. Although there are more than one kind of explanation for a certain tattooing, its significance is explicit relatively. In other words, the relationship between the pattern of tattooing or behaviors (signifier) and its represented virtue (signified) is established and become stable with the society development.

The different cultural condition can affect the significance of tattooing. Besides Japanese tattooing, the European tattooing is also famous in the world. Although the sources of European tattooing may be from Japan, its significance and features are various.

The first one who brings the tattooing to Europe is a seafarer and thus he is called prince of tattooing. There are 338 of different pattern of tattooing on his bodies. Because British sailors usually take tattooing as a souvenir to Britain, the tattooing becomes the tradition of navy gradually. Its popularity is the most among all the European countries. Lots of royal family tattoos on their bodies. In 1862, Prince of Wales visited holy place of Christianity, Jerusalem and he tattooed the pattern of crucifix on his body. After that King Edward VII also tattooed the crucifix on his bodies. Besides, when his two sons of Clarence and York passed away, Edward asked the famous tattooist of Qiandai Diao to tattoo the dragon design on their bodies. Not only Britain is crazy about tattooing, Austro-Hungary also be graces about it. The famous princess of Sissi tattooed a pattern of sea anchor on her arm (Gilman, 2001).

Since the enthusiasm about tattooing is flourishing in royal family, the upper class begins to pursue of tattooing and considers it is the symbol of identification. The nobilities turn to Japanese tattooists to design their tattoo. Thus, Japanese tattooing can have great influence on European tattooing. However, the popular patterns in Europe at that time are small-sized flora and fauna instead of the whole picture like Japanese tattooing.

(Fig3: The pattern of European tattooing is usually the planet)

As we can see, the behavior of tattooing has its own significance for different culture. In Japan, it can be regarded as the presentation of virtue. While, in Europe, it can show one’s social identification. Different culture make people have different understanding of this behavior. However, in a same cultural circle, people usually have the same understanding about this behavior. Thus, it is signifying. Besides, the different patterns can be regarded as different significance and this significance is also accepted by a group of people.

4. Conclusion

From review the general theory of semiotics and history of tattooing. It has discovered following results.

As an art with long history, the tattooing is established in different cultural background and different ethics have various understanding on it. In ancient Japan, it is usually adopted to present someone’s virtue because the people there consider that by tattooing the pattern of fairy tale on body and bearing great pain during the process, a person can show his virtue and he is a reliable person. To be specific, different patterns can also be various meaning. In regard to Europe, although it is believed that its source of tattooing art is from Japan, it shows differently. At the beginning, the royal family in Europe adopts the tattooing to express their sincere faith and this enthusiasm is conveyed to the upper class. But the upper class just use the tattooing to show their fashionable taste. Besides, the patterns for European people are different compared with Japan. Thus, the Japanese tattooing can just influence the shape of art of tattooing on Europe. When this kind of art comes into Europe, the local people endow it with new significance.

As we can see, the same signifier (tattooing) can show different signified (significance). Although in different cultural condition, the relationship between them is unstable. With the social development and time goes by, the certain relationship in a certain cultural background will be established and stay stable. The key way to understand the significance of a certain tattooing is to understand the cultural history and ethic characteristics.

Reference

Chandler, BD. (2002). Semiotics: The Basics. Routledge, 35 (02).

Eco, U. (1976). A Theory of Semiotics. Indiana University Press, 35 (4).

Gilman, SL. Written on the Body: The Tattoo in European and American History by Jane Caplan. American Historical Review, 106 (4) :: 628.

Honma, T. Reinventing the Tribal Primitive Aestheticization and Filipino Tattooing in Southern California. Amerasia Journal, 41 (3) :41-64.

Langer, SK. An Introduction to Symbolic Logic. Dover Publications, 7 (4) :497.

Peirce, CS. (1902). Logic as semiotic: The theory of signs. Edition Project Indiana.

Swiderski, RM. (1990). The dragon and the straightedge, part 1: A semiotics of the Chinese response to European pictorial space. Semiotica, 81 (1-2) :1-42.

Saussure, FD. (2011). Course in General Linguistics - Translated by Wade Baskin. Edited by Perry Meisel and Haun Saussy. Philosophy East & West.

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