In Japan, tattoos are strongly associated with organized crime organizations known as the yakuza, particularly full body tattoos done the traditional Japanese way (Tebori). Many public Japanese bathhouses (sentÅ) and gymnasiums often openly ban those bearing large or graphic tattoos in an attempt to prevent Yakuza from entering.[12] The Government of Meiji Japan had outlawed tattoos in the 19th century, a prohibition that stood for 70 years before being repealed in 1948.[13]
In the United States many prisoners and criminal gangs use distinctive tattoos to indicate facts about their criminal behavior, prison sentences, and organizational affiliation.[14] A tear tattoo, for example, can be symbolic of murder, with each tear representing the death of a friend. At the same time, members of the U.S. military have an equally well established and longstanding history of tattooing to indicate military units, battles, kills, etc., an association which remains 
Tattooing was also used by the Nazi regime in Nazi concentration camps to tag prisoners.Insofar as this cultural or subcultural use of tattoos predates the widespread popularity of tattoos in the general population, tattoos are still associated with criminality. Although the general acceptance of tattoos is on the rise in Western society, they still carry a heavy stigma among certain social groups. Tattoos are generally considered an important part of the culture of the Russian mafia.
The prevalence of women in the tattoo industry, along with larger numbers of women bearing tattoos, appears to be changing negative perceptions. A study of "at-risk" (as defined by school absenteeism and truancy) adolescent girls showed a positive correlation between body-modification and negative feelings towards the body and self-esteem; however, also illustrating a strong motive for body-modification as the search for "self and attempts to attain mastery and control over the body in an age of increasing alienation."[15]
Butterfly tattoos have been among one of the most popular tattoo designs that have been requested for woman over the past years. Butterfly tattoos hold a unique fascination with the human race and have always been subject to artistic expression whether it’s in music, tattoos, paintings, etc. With its vivid colors, striking lines, and distinctiveness, most people can’t disagree with the beauty of a butterfly.There are literally millions of butterfly tattoo designs. With that in mind finding the right design can take time. Tribal style butterflies, Celtic butterfly designs, fairy butterflies, big bold butterflies, to small butterfly tattoo designs and anything else in between.If you know you want a butterfly tattoo I would advise you to look at the designs below to try and open up your mind to all the different design possibilities. It’s also a good idea to look at real pictures of butterflies to understand their shapes and color patterns.Butterfly tattoos can hold a variety of different meanings. If you’re not already on the bandwagon for a butterfly tattoo perhaps I can persuade you with the following information. Below I have given some information on what butterfly tattoos can represent, facts about butterflies, as well as testimonials from people that have received butterfly tattoo designs. Please keep in mind that a butterfly tattoo can represent different things to different people, below are just some brief examples.At first a butterfly is an ugly caterpillar and nobody even thinks to give it a second look. With time and dedication it transforms into something breathtaking. The metamorphosis process makes the butterfly a powerful symbol for transformation. Throughout our life we will be faced with change and transformation. A butterfly tattoo is an excellent way to remember that change, the dedication it took, and serves as a constant reminder to make the necessary changes when the opportunities present themselves.In conclusion butterfly tattoos are not only a great choice for their vivid colors and beauty, but also for the deep rooted meanings they can provide.
Phoenix tattoos are said to be the ultimate sign of rebirth and eternal life. To the Greeks and Egyptians, this symbol represented the sun dying at the end of a day and rising in the morning to be reborn. The phoenix is also said to live for five hundred years, then goes to rest by building a nest which it sets aflame, the fire consuming both. After three days the phoenix will rise again from the ashes and begin anew. These tales have struck a cord with many people, and to express their new beginning — or ‘rising from the ashes — they decide to get a phoenix tattoo.Phoenix tattoos are generally a rather considerable scale, encompassing large sections of the body such as the back, chest or wrapping around the leg or upper arm. There is a good reason for this, as most of these pieces are very detailed, and given that it is an expression of a new life beginning, it makes sense that these should make a powerful statement.Phoenix tattoos are usually very colorful. Most will contain reds, yellows and oranges, as the phoenix is closely associated with fire and the sun. However, for a more unique look, some will use blues, purples, greens and tones of copper and gold. Less frequently, people will use blacks and grays, and only outline the massive wings and body of the phoenix.Some of the most popular phoenix tattoos are seen with the sizable bird surrounded by fire. It can also be seen partially obscured and rising from its ashes, or bursting through the sun. A unique idea that can be used to symbolize the shift of days is having your phoenix surrounding the globe, its tail shadowing one end, and its face brightening the other.Many also like to use the Egyptian phoenix. In early incarnations of this figure, the phoenix had the body of a man and the expansive wings of the phoenix. This image has changed over time, it became a wholly bird-like creature eventually, but the story has remained the same, and is seen in art as being immersed in flame so as to begin its transformation.So whether you are beginning a new life, have survived troubled times and have become stronger for it, or the idea of such a masterful creature appeals to you, phoenix tattoos will always make for a beautiful and strong choice.
