Immortalizing Emotions: A Chinese Medicine perspective of Tattoos

Immortalizing Emotion is a basic introduction to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory that helps the reader understand how concepts within TCM can be used to interpret body art as an expression of Qi. From a TCM perspective, Qi (often referred to as energy) is a force within and around us that responds and reacts in a delicate dance of balance throughout a person's life. And depending on the strength within and the power or demand from powers outside of us, perceptions, behaviors (like getting tattoos), and life consequences evolve one way or another. What makes tattoos so unique is that from a TCM perspective they are often expressions of qi determined by the condition of the person's qi at the time and or the condition of qi surrounding them at the time acquired. This includes the qi of the design and placement which is often reflected by a common practice of people placing tattoos along meridians (energy channels) that run the course of the body. Our hope is that by reading and understanding the theoretical concepts of TCM, the reader will better understand and see how the individual stories told by the participants in the latter part of the book reflect this dance.
In addition, there is a brief history of tattoos that we hope to recognize and honor the art, the many tattoo artist, and traditions that have created and enhanced the long tradition of body art. The history of tattoos encompasses a multitude of human expressions and examples of human creativity as well as human suffering, folk art, cultural expression, group association, and ideology. From symbols of ownership to expressions of art and freedom, tattoos represent every aspect of the human experience as seen through the skills of the artist and the desire of the person who possesses the canvas from which it is expressed.