Nowadays, people get tattoos so easily, to look cool and only for

In the age we live in, the symbolism of the tattoo has evolved far from its ancient roots. Chad Gilbert’s words, "Nowadays, people get tattoos so easily, to look cool and only for fashion," offer a profound critique of the superficiality that has come to define much of modern culture. Tattoos, once deeply symbolic and rooted in personal or cultural meaning, have now become a trend, a mere decoration of the body, a way to express an image without much reflection on the deeper significance behind it. Gilbert's observation urges us to reflect on the true essence of self-expression and the power of symbolism, challenging us to ask: Do we wear our identities with care, or do we simply follow the fashion of the moment?

In the ancient world, tattoos were not the trendy adornments that many see today; they were marks of honor, identity, and spiritual significance. The Egyptians, for example, used tattoos to denote status, strength, and spiritual alignment. Priests and warriors alike bore tattoos that connected them to their gods, their lineage, and their duties to their community. The tattoos they wore were not meant to be fashionable; they were deeply embedded in the fabric of their identity. Similarly, in Polynesian cultures, tattoos were not simply decorative; they were integral to the person’s story, representing accomplishments, rites of passage, and the core of their heritage. Tattoos in these cultures were a rite of passage, a sacred act that bound individuals to their culture, ancestors, and the future generations.

Gilbert's quote highlights a shift in meaning, a departure from this tradition of sacred and personal significance to the temporary and the superficial. In the modern world, tattoos are often seen as fashionable statements or mere decorations for the body. The motivation behind getting a tattoo has moved from a deeply personal or cultural necessity to an external pursuit of looking "cool" or belonging to a certain group. This reflects the broader cultural shift from depth to surface, where people increasingly look outward for validation instead of inward for meaning. The ancient purpose of tattoos, as emblems of life’s most profound experiences, has been obscured by the fleeting nature of modern fads.

The philosopher Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” In the context of tattoos, this suggests that the most meaningful forms of self-expression come not from blindly following the trends of the moment but from deep reflection on who we are, what we value, and what we wish to pass down to others. Just as Socrates believed in examining one’s life to uncover wisdom, so too must we examine the decisions we make about our appearance and what they represent. If we wear tattoos merely to fit in, without thought or care for what they mean to us personally, are we truly living authentically, or are we simply engaging in a performance designed to please the world around us?

Consider, for example, the samurai of Japan, whose tattoos were worn with great honor and were often tied to their warrior code. These markings were symbols of bravery, loyalty, and the honor they upheld, each tattoo representing the sacrifice they made for their code. The tattoos were not a means to impress others but were a personal commitment to their values and the legacy they wished to leave behind. The tattoos that adorned their bodies were physical representations of the spiritual and moral ideals they embodied. Their actions, their code, and their tattoos were all aligned in a seamless expression of identity.

The lesson in Gilbert's statement is not simply a condemnation of modern tattoo culture, but a call to reclaim the meaning behind our choices. Tattoos, like all forms of self-expression, can be powerful if approached with intention. Whether we choose to adorn ourselves with tattoos or not, we must ask ourselves: Are we making choices based on shallow trends, or are we acting with a deeper understanding of what truly reflects our inner selves? Just as the ancients knew the power of symbolism, we too must recognize that what we choose to wear—be it ink, clothes, or other markers—can carry profound meaning when aligned with our values.

Thus, let us embrace the wisdom of the ancients, who understood that true self-expression comes not from conforming to the fleeting fashions of the day, but from understanding who we are and what we stand for. If we choose to mark our bodies with tattoos, let them be symbols of our truths, our heritage, and our values—not just decorations that fade with time. In the same way, let all of our actions reflect an understanding of who we are and how we wish to be remembered. The true coolness lies not in fashion, but in living a life of authenticity and purpose, leaving behind a legacy that speaks not to the trends of the moment, but to the timeless truths that define us.