# Do the location of tattoos have any meaning? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 10, 2003, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685 "2003-10-10T15:23:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dragonblink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dragonblink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragonblink)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2003, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685/21 "2003-10-12T19:02:29Z")
I chose the locations of my tats – an armband on my left bicep and a large Celtic knot on the left calf – for the best combination of being able to show them off and being able to hide them for job interviews or dress codes. They’re on the left because I have a fair number of scars on my right side (it makes a strange kind of sense to me). I have, however, been told that because I have an armband I’m obviously a surfer. That was news to me … ---
**Author:** ![Potter](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Potter](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Potter)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2003, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685/22 "2003-10-12T22:11:26Z")
For a while in Queer culture, a top, if inked, would traditionally be tattooed on his hipbone or lower belly for the benefit of someone on their knees in front of him. Similarly, a bottom would be tattooed in the centre of his lower back, as it would then be seen by the guy topping him. There’s a trend now for slaves or puppies to be tattooed on the inside of their bottom lip with an identifier i.e ‘slave’, or their master’s name. ---
**Author:** ![Sinshine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f04885/32.png) [@Sinshine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sinshine)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685/23 "2003-10-13T01:36:06Z")
From what little I’ve seen of the tattoos, it’s largely a personal thing. The current trend towards ladies inking the smalls of their backs is, IMHO, in part that very few people end up with stretch marks there, and because, as **WILLASS** commented, it is a touch erotic for some. And I might further point out that the individual girls I know who _have_ gone to this effort do feel they need just such an edge. Call it youthful insecurity. Now, me, I do not wear hip-hugger styles, and my preference in tops is something that I can tuck in, or that extends past my hips. So the Celtic knot I’m contemplating for the small of my back will be for me, and whomever gives me a back-rub. **If** I ever get over the needles involved. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2003, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685/24 "2003-10-14T05:29:41Z")
A song I heard the other day at Faire: How far down your butt does your tattoo go? How far down your butt does your tattoo go? How far down your butt does your tattoo go? I don’t want to see it. I just want to know! Tattoos on the lower back, especially swirly Celtic types, are just trendy. As for what **Potter** said about tattooing insides of lips - ergh… The closest I’ve heard to that around here is “slave” or “Property of …” on the chest, much like you’d have a nametag, or on the butt. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-the-location-of-tattoos-have-any-meaning/206685.md?page=1)