Signs on the body: I ​​got a tattoo to …

“To this day, tattoos are perceived and interpreted by society ambiguously,” says Maria Cipriani-Krost. – They attract attention and many raise the question of why. The decision to get a tattoo is very serious, no matter how long it takes to make it – five minutes or five years. The drawing will remain forever and change your image.

“… I was no longer considered a good girl”

Polina, 32 years old

I got my first tattoo at 16. I graduated from high school, was a straight A student. Outwardly, everything was fine. But I was bored, and I became interested in painting. In class, I often drew dragons. They have become my obsession. Once, after school, I went into the first salon I came across and asked the master if he could fill a dragon according to my sketches. He agreed. So I got my first tattoo – on the lower back on the right.

The realization of what I had done did not come immediately. A few days later, while washing in the shower, I suddenly realized that the tattoo had become a part of me, that it would not go anywhere, it would be with me forever. I had a tantrum, I cried, I scratched myself, I wanted to go back and change everything. Then I calmed down and asked myself: why did I do this? Did I want to decorate my body? Certainly!

Gradually, I became proud of my decision. The tattoo has become an important element of my image. It was a crazy act, but I don’t regret it anymore. Today this dragon reminds me of my happy youth.

A few years later, a second dragon appeared on my body, but it was already a meaningful act. I drew a sketch after a trip to China and chose a master for a long time. Now I’m thinking about adding a third dragon, but I don’t know exactly where I want to make it yet.

Maria Chipriani-Krost: “It is difficult to comment on a story without knowing all the details. Certain points indicate that Polina’s first tattoo was a kind of teenage rebellion, an attempt to express herself, to claim the right to make important decisions on her own. Her subsequent violent reaction to this act is surprising. In addition, the tattoo became a kind of rite of passage for the girl, marking the transition to adulthood.

“… to turn mental pain into physical pain”

Nina, 25 years old

I became interested in tattoos and piercings at the age of 18. Then I got my first tattoo. Now I have four of them, but I’m not going to stop. The most important and personal is the second. I made it in memory of my father, who died in a car accident when I was 20. We were very close. His death was a real disaster for me. The world collapsed that day. He was the most just, loving and kind person I have ever known.

I chose a phrase that my father liked to repeat: “We will meet again, and I will hug you.” I decided to fill it on the left chest. It turned out that this is one of the most painful places for a tattoo. I think it’s symbolic. The session lasted three hours and became a kind of therapy for me. Turning mental pain into physical pain brought me relief.

I like that the tattoo is made in an intimate place. She is not seen by everyone. It is important. I am also glad that the tattoo will age with me. Many years will pass, wrinkles will appear on my body, and I will see this inscription and remember the day when I lost my most beloved and closest person.

Maria Chipriani-Krost: “For Nina, the tattoo is a form of conspiracy against death. After the departure of her father, she wanted to somehow preserve the memory of him. The tattoo was the obvious choice. She helped the girl regain the desire to live, gave hope.

“… to celebrate the victory over the disease”

Karina, 40 years

I have long wanted to get a tattoo, but the fear of pain was stronger. I needed a reason to take this step. She promised to make herself a gift for 30 years, then for 35, but she never got around to it. Two years ago I was diagnosed with cancer. She needed chemotherapy and surgery, leaving scars on her body. After the treatment, I felt as if my body no longer belonged to me. So many people touched him, carried out various painful manipulations … It was hard for me to come to terms with this.

After recovery, I again returned to the thought of a tattoo, sorting through different symbols. At first I wanted to stuff a butterfly – a symbol of the lightness and fragility of life. But still she settled on a flower that personifies femininity. The sketch was drawn by my artist friend. She integrated the initials of her sisters and her husband into the image. They supported me during my illness. Later I plan to add the children’s initials.

I got a tattoo on my right shoulder blade. In summer clothes it will be clearly visible. I’m not going to hide it. I am proud that I went through all the difficulties.

Maria Chipriani-Krost: “After the illness, Karina stopped feeling like the mistress of her own body. And the tattoo became a way to bring him back. The tattoo for her has become a symbol of rebirth, and the drawing is a reminder of how fragile our life can be, and of loved ones who are ready to help.

“…to remember the happiest day forever”

Philip, 45 years old

I never planned to get a tattoo and was skeptical about people who have them. If someone had told me for a couple of years that I would have a tattoo, I would have laughed in that person’s face.

A tattoo with the name of Alexander and the date appeared the day after the birth of her daughter. My wife and I have known each other since we were 18, got married when we were 20, and have been unsuccessfully trying to have a baby ever since. Hundreds of examinations, years of waiting, one unsuccessful pregnancy… We went through it all together.

I already thought that I would never experience the joys of fatherhood. And when my wife announced that she was pregnant again, I felt anxiety and fear. All nine months I lived with the feeling that everything could end badly at any moment. I did not dare to hope for a happy outcome, I was afraid even to guess.

This time we almost did not prepare for the birth of a child. We didn’t buy things, we didn’t furnish the children’s room. And when I got a call from the maternity hospital with good news, a lot of pleasant troubles fell on me. I spent the whole day running around the shops, answering calls with congratulations and crying several times.

At the end of the day, completely exhausted physically and psychologically, I went into a random tattoo parlor and asked the master to knock out Alexander’s name. “Is that your girlfriend?” – he asked. I answered that it was my daughter, and asked to add her date of birth so as not to cause unnecessary questions from people.

Maria Chipriani-Krost: “Philip’s decision was spontaneous, but I think he will never regret it. People often mark important days of life with tattoos. The sign on the body becomes a kind of notch on the path of life.

“… to signify their special status”

Alex, 37

I have 15 tattoos. I have made them in different countries. Some – from eminent masters, to whom I signed up for a few months. All my tattoos are meaningful and thoughtful. There are quite personal ones, the meaning of which I do not tell anyone.

The most important is the small plus on the inside of the left hand. It symbolizes my positive HIV status. When I received the results of the analysis, there was exactly the same cross drawn with a red pen on the form. I tell everyone what this tattoo means. People react differently. I’m interested in watching their behavior. Now more and more people behave quite adequately. And this is good news.

I make no secret of my illness. I take medication and can lead a full life. I am engaged in creativity, I travel a lot, I communicate with different people. It seems to me honest to tell them about myself and, if necessary, conduct a small educational program on the topic of HIV. Consider this my mission.

Maria Chipriani-Krost: “The illness made Alex special. But instead of hiding and being afraid that others would find out about his status from somewhere, he chose a different tactic. And the tattoo helps him start a conversation about the disease.”