NEW
A chat about tattoos and the attitude towards them in various parts of the world
When it comes to tattoos, our greatest fear is getting something you might regret in the future. In most cases that means choosing a (now ex) partner’s name or a mistranslated Chinese symbol. The wrong tattoo, however, can land you a serious hot water – and even sometimes in prison.
A German politician was recently charged over a tattoo of the Auschwitz death camp on his lower back. Marcel Zech, a member of the far-right National Democratic Party, also has the words ‘Jedem das Seine’ – ‘to each his own’ – emblazoned below the tattoo. The phrase was used as the slogan on the gate of Buchenwald concentration camp. Here are seven types of tattoos that are considered highly inappropriate or illegal across the world. 1. Nazi or White Pride symbols Any tattoos containing Nazi symbols are banned in Germany.
There are specific laws in European countries such as Germany, France and Slovakia prohibiting the display or public use of Nazi symbols, in particular tattoos, flags, uniforms and forms of greeting. These laws do not apply in Britain, which is why Prince Harry wasn’t breaking the law with his Nazi fancy dress outfit in 2005
.Buddhist symbols or Buddha Naomi Michelle Coleman, who was deported from Sri Lanka for her Buddha tattoo. (Picture: AFP/Getty) Several countries in South and Southeast Asia are very sensitive about religious tattoos, and consider them to be highly disrespectful of Buddhism. In 2014, a British tourist was arrested and deported from Sri Lanka because authorities considered the Buddha tattoo on her arm to be ‘hurting others’ religious feelings’. Another Briton was also prevented from entering the Sri Lankan capital for his Buddha tattoo the previous year.
Thai authorities are threatening to crack down on tourists getting tattoos of religious symbols, calling it an ‘alarming trend’ that is culturally inappropriate and offensive.
Islamic religious symbols Malaysian authorities banned Grammy-winning Erykah Badu from holding a concert for her ‘Allah’ tattoo. (Picture: Reuters/Andrea De Silva) Permanent tattoos are actually forbidden among Sunni Muslims, as many believe that tattooing changes God’s creation and is therefore a sin. Malaysia – which has a Muslim majority – has demonstrated hostility towards tattoos that contain religious iconography or symbols.
In 2012, a publicity photo showed Grammy-winning R&B singer Erykah Badu with the Arabic word for ‘Allah’ tattooed on her shoulders. Malaysian authorities banned her concert and banned her from performing, calling her tattoo ‘an insult to Islam and a very serious offence’.
German politician charged over lower back tattoo of Auschwitz with Nazi slogan MORE: There could soon be a law banning people getting tattoos while drunk
Face tattoos are still considered controversial in many places around the world.
Oklahoma was the last US state to hold onto its tattoo ban but since 2006, getting inked has been legal across America. That said, certain tattoos are still banned in some states. For example, it is illegal to get a tattoo within an inch of your eye socket in Georgia (eg. permanent eyeliner). It is also illegal in some states to get tattoos if you’re drunk – which, to be fair, makes a lot of sense.
Visible tattoos in Japan Members from the notorious Japanese syndicate Yakuza show off their tattoos. Tattoos were first made illegal in the Meiji period in 1872 and, while it is technically has not been against the law to get tattooed since 1948, there is still a huge social stigma against body art in the country (this is also the case in South Korea and Vietnam).
Because of the common association of tattoos with criminal gangs in Japan, they are often banned in public swimming pools, bath houses, gyms and even some hotels. It is not uncommon for restaurants and shops to turn away customers with visible tattoos.
Any tattoo in Iran Not only are tattoos illegal in Iran, but also spiky ‘Devil-worshipping’ hairstyles. Iran’s religious authorities banned tattoos along with spiky haircuts, plucking eyebrows and using sunbeds in May of this year. Despite its illegal status, tattoos are becoming increasingly popular among young Iranian people. The German-Iranian footballer Ashkan Dejagah has caused considerable controversy for his tattoos, which were labelled as ‘vulgar’ by the Iranian media. As a result, he often wears long sleeves to the cover the tattoos on his arms at international matches.
These are the top 10 most removed tattoos 7. Tattoos after Turkey’s ‘fatwa’ Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has introduced draconian laws around tattoos, piercing and makeup in schools. Earlier this year, Turkey’s top religious body issued a fatwa urging Muslims with tattoos to repent or have them surgically removed. The announcement followed a nationwide ban on tattoos, body piercings, make-up and dyed hair in schools in 2014. These moves have all been typical examples of President Erdogan’s push towards the so-called ‘Islamisation’ of the country.
Read more: https://metro.co.uk/2015/12/18/7-tattoos-that-could-get-you-in-serious-trouble-5571670/?ito=cbshare T