THE ROLE AND IMPORTANCE OF BODY SIGNS IN MEETING AN INDIVIDUAL'S AESTHETIC NEEDS

Body signs (tattoos) are a form of identity establishment, decoration, and healing through the use of sharp and cutting tools to engrave colored materials onto human skin. The tattoo tradition, which has a deep-rooted history, is thought to have originated around 3300 BC with the "Iceman" Ötzi. Ötzi was discovered by two German tourists, Helmut and Eriko Simon, on September 19, 1991, in the Ötzlar Alps on the Austria-Italy border. A total of 57 tattoos were found on Ötzi's body. Upon reviewing the relevant literature, it was found that these tattoos were used for healing purposes during the periods they were made. Body signs have varied in terms of aesthetic meaning, unique motifs, and purpose of construction from history to the present day. Nowadays, they appear more as a form of aesthetic concerns, fashion, and self-expression. This research aims to determine the orientation of the body signs chosen by individuals, considering their educational status and socio-economic levels. The study group of the research consists of 27 individuals over the age of 18 who preferred to get a body sign in Tokat province in 2022. The research is based on qualitative research methods, and a semi-structured interview form developed by the researchers was used as the data collection tool. The study group was determined by simple random sampling, and individuals were randomly selected. It was concluded that individuals prefer body signs for purposes such as popularity, search for meaning, forms of self-expression, and using a different language of communication, as well as creating an aesthetic perspective and a tendency towards beauty.

Keywords

Aesthetic Need, Aesthetic Image, Body Signs, Tattoo, Image.