Tattoo Translation

A  myth  is  a  traditional  story  especially  one  concerning  the  early  history  of  a  people  or explaining  some  natural  or  social  phenomenon. It   can also  be  referred  to  as  a  traditional or  legendary  story  concerning  some  hero,  event  or  being. Mythology is  the  study  of myths and can  also  be  referred  to  as  the  study  of   a  false popular  belief. Myths  involve  supernatural  characters  and  are  endorsed  by  rulers, leaders  or  priests. They  arise  as  over  elaborated  accounts  of   historical  events  and  as  allegory  for personification  of  natural  phenomenon  or  as  an  explanation  of  a  ritual. Myths  are transmitted  to  convey  religious  or  idealized  experience  to  establish  behavioral  models  and to  teach (Young, 2000). This paper will candidly examine how tattoos, which are thought to be written in Chinese or Japanese style, have been appropriated by the Western countries such as Europe and the U.S.
It is clear that in the U.S. it is trendy to see a word meaning something like “love” tattooed in Chinese or Japanese characters. The main reason for increased number of tattoos written using Chinese or Japanese is a result of simplicity and beauty of the symbols, thus making these Asian characters to be significantly desirable for tattoos. It is clear that when a kanji tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Japanese culture, this amount to cultural appropriation (Christensen, 2012).
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean loyalty, while the actual meaning is noodles (Christensen, 2012).
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean none (characters selected due to their appeal), while the actual meaning is ”road, path”, “card” or “Buy/trade” (Christensen, 2012).
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean warrior, while the actual meaning is rapids or waterfall (Christensen, 2012).
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean beautiful, while the actual meaning is “disaster, calamity or catastrophe.” (Christensen, 2012).
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean outlaw, while the actual meaning is “rat”
When the tattoo is worn tattoo is worn by a person who is not of Chinese or Japanese origin it is thought to mean live for today, while it does not mean anything (Christensen, 2012).