The Secret Life of Tattoos: Meanings, Shapes and Motifs

From the belief of its healing powers to the self-declaration as criminals, through the representation of myths and different religions or affirmation of group belonging, tattoos are one of the most characteristic means of expression associated with sailors, soldiers, organised crime, gangs or urban tribes, as well as being a form of body adornment and expression of a lifestyle, philosophy or belief. By way of a clear, insightful text, this publication unveils the meaning of the tattoos that have lived on through the passage of time and that, even today, explain a lot about the person who wears them. After all, a tattoo is much more than a drawing on the skin, it’s a declaration of intent. And each tattoo has a hidden story that this book is eager to reveal.