Do tattoos have to have a meaning?

[litost]

Yes

No

[Bvroon]

Some do, some don't, it really depends on the person. I put a good deal of thought into my tattoos, in the sense that I wanted them to have meaning especially for me. My first tattoo, was a parchment shield with the Asian characters of strength, love and wisdom on them. These are three things I believe are important to me, the Asian characters are chosen because they can say a great deal with very little information and the parchment shield represents both protection and longevity, in that I wanted these images and their meaning to endure, my second tattoo is the Asian character for honor, this is on a parchment scroll and bordering the scroll is the definition of honor, dignity, integrity and sanctity all written in old English sort of script, the Asian characters were chose for the same reasons as before, as was the parchment scroll, the definition was put in place because if you take the time to read it, it will make sense, additionally the symbol for honor I chose is that for personal honor as opposed to honor of the bushido, I make this distinction because I got the tattoo because I believe honor is important, and I didn't want it to be likened with me wanting to fight, because I don't like fighting.

[yaanis]

While making tattoo you might have some meaning for it or just like looks of it. With time meaning for tattoo will come on its own. Years later you probobly will have some meaning for that tattoo, meaning of time when you made it, regrets about something, remainder. It can be anything, as for looking meanings in internet, dont do it its not worth it. in diferent places same thing can mean happines as wel as death. Only you can give your tattoo meaning, or it will come to you, and it dosnt mather if its new tattoo or old one.

[Hannah313]

To require tattoos to have a meaning is super pretentious. I like to pick bedspreads that are cute, and that's it. I like wearing cute clothes, and that's it. Something can be cosmetic for the purpose of fun without being surface-level.
I mean really, is there a meaning behind why you like your favorite television show? Or a makeup look? Your clothes? No. You just like it. So if you like unicorns, get a unicorn. It'd be fun to make up a meaning when someone asks. "What does that tattoo mean to you?" "Well, my grandpa was a unicorn and he died last year, so..."

[Akesuke]

everything has a meaning, words and signs (ideograms), if you wear them carelessly maybe it's okay like wearing a dress with unknown foreign language on it and then get laughs from who understands it, just... permanently on skin 😃
I don't laugh, not polite and I like to wear dress with something funny written on it, they are mostly in English and ik it so I'm self aware and it's okay 😃

[LittleSally]

No... they don't.
But if they do - it's more awesome for all the obvious reasons...

But I've never met anyone who doesn't have any reason for getting a tattoo - even if it's just decorative, they still have SOME reason for it...

[Kataclyst]

Mhm yes i'd love to have meaningless ink in my body that make up an image that supposedly has meaning to me even tho i would spend less time and care on said image made of ink on my body then i would the actual thing its reffering to. I'd love spending money on something so trivial to the point of where i have it and would likely forget i have it at times due its insane lack of use or purpose or meaning in my life. OR I could actually continue spending time on the thing that has meaning in my life instead of wasting time getting some ink in my skin and then later on watch it look even more disgusting then it did when i got it. Sounds like a great plan, Its such a great plan that i wrote this entire fucking paragraph about it. You're welcome <3

TL;DR: Nope.

[cipher42]

No. They can, and that's fine, but getting a tattoo for aesthetic value is just as legitimate as getting one that has an actual meaning behind it. Some people may prefer one or the other, but there's not exactly some objective reason why one's better than the other.

[KingOfGaG]

Absolutely not! Granted, having a meaning behind a tattoo is a wonderful thing. It makes the tattoo that much more awesome and special but it's ok to have tattoos that don't have a background story. That's the beauty about tattoos, you can get whatever you want, when you want it, where you want it. All that matters is that you love it!

[nachosaresexy]

Definitely. I have 6 chicken mcnuggets tatted on my lower back because that's my favorite food.

I do kinda regret it though because now nachos are my favorite food.

[Walrus_au]

Depends on the person who chose them and the person who put them on. Sometimes.

Some examples of tatoos with meaning www.google.ca/search

Or they can be nothing more than some pretty (or sometimes ugly depending on the taste of the person viewing it) body art

[ComplicatedBi]

No they don't have to, but I think most people prefer their tattoo to have some kind of meaning :P
In the end, it's your choice, and if it doesn't matter to you whether it has meaning or not, that's great! ^^

[dogbert444]

No. It is just up to the person involved. Nice if it means something to them, but just a pattern or abstract design is fine. I guess if you like it, it does actually mean something.

[dogbert444]

How is that amazing tat?

[litost]

I have quite a few more since we last spoken😂

[dogbert444]

Just wow!! :-)

[Máiiréad]

I can assure you that literally 90% of the time people have a stupid chinese symbol and some other stupid tat on them because they thought it was "hipster" and "cool"

[XRabbitHeartX]

Well technically they really don't but I think it's silly to just get something tattooed on yourself permanently without it even having some meaning. I hear the word "regret" already.

[Wwwyzzerdd]

Mr. Cool Ice thinks so: www.arcade-lounge.co.uk/.../mr_cool_ice.jpg

[SarahsSummer]

Hopefully. If someone is going to forever change their skin and appearance, what they choose better have a meaning. Otherwise, what's the point?

[cth96190]

Yes, tattoos have meaning.
They are a form of self harm that speaks volumes about the lack of self esteem of the person who has them.
They are also recognition badges of the criminal underclass.

[w_brown]

I don't recommend get tattoos because we are a temple of God. Don't listen to other be yourself. Do what makes you happy, but you don't need a tattoo to make you truly happy either.

[DoesItMatter17]

My tattooed would have meaning, but no, it doesn't have to have meaning. It would be easy if you did in case someone asks why.

[0112358]

They should look good.

If it has meaning there's the advantage that even if your tastes change it will always hold meaning.

[luvstoned4him]

Not really but dont be someone who gets them for no reason or because "everyone is doing it"

[Rachel_is_gay]

yes. If i'm going to have a tattoo then it has to have a meaning. But some people just want to have tattoos because they just simply look cool

[catelyntje]

Doesn't it always already have a meaning sometimes the meaning is just simply because you thought its pretty or looks cool

[JustinTheGreat]

They don't have it. But the chances of you regretting it is less likely if it has meaning to you.

[alice55]

No, they don't. Generally people only do one cause it look cool or they really liked the design.