Abstract:
The objectives of this research are to study the signification of tattoos from the
viewpoint of young people who have tattoos and the perception of signification among the group belonging to the same context as those who have tattoos, including the communication function of tattoos among the youth culture. This is a qualitative research in which the signification of tattoo is analyzed by means of in-depth interviews with young people who have tattoos and those belonging to the same context as the ones with tattoos. The conceptual framework used for this study includes the concept relating to tattoo, Body Theory and Johari Window.
The findings of the research are as follows: The signification of tattoo from the
viewpoint of young people who have tattoos consists of 2 types, i.e. individual meaning and social meaning. The signification of tattoo as perceived by young people belonging to the same context is the social meaning obtained from symbolic communication in conjunction with personality, clothing and tattoo position. As regards the communication function of tattoos among the youth culture, it is found that the tattoo functions in the following ways. 1) To reveal identity and individualism, 2) to demonstrate beauty and fashion, 3) to identify a sense of belonging to the group, 4) to threaten rivals or opponents, 5) to attract the opposite sex, 6) to remind one to be self conscious and 7) to reinforce memories of the past.