Body Modification and Cross-Cultural Meaning

There has been a trend in recent years for younger people to tattoo images on their limbs and, after simple surgery, to dangle ornamentation from various bits of their persons. This behaviour has been pioneered by trend setters who act as a conduit through which the young can engage with symbolism, representation and their bodies.

However, there is a problem is posed by tattoos of oriental pictograms. How can North Western youth and ancient Samurai warriors feel confident that their respective cultures are being enhanced by this cross-fertilisation? How can the youth who staggers into a Tokyo bar sporting a pictogram which he believes states that he is “Double Hard Under the Sign of Capricorn” be confident that he is not signalling to the locals that he has just “Received a Parking Ticket from a Moose”?

BaseNotes is not content to identify a deep problem without offering a simple solution. Therefore, listed below are some of the more attractive pictograms along with their original meaning and potential misunderstandings.

Legend :

Green = Original Meaning

Red = Misunderstanding

	Figure on two legs Banana skins are dangerous
	Up I think I like you
	Down ... but I've had too much to drink
	Blood I went to the coliseum last year
	Natural Calamity That was a bad curry last night
	Speckle of flame rising from the ground Keep on Trucking Momma!

It is hoped that this will assist in the individual's choice of pictogrammatic ornamentation and avoid any culturally embarrassing incidents involving raw fish, lager and choice of cosmetics.