Originally Posted by
memebag
Penn Jillette told the story of getting a tattoo without ink. It just made a scar that eventually healed. He wanted to see what tattooing was like but didn't want any permanent body art.
Lou Reed wrote a song about it called "Tattoo of Blood".
There is nothing cooler than that.
The word that comes to mind is masochism, or perhaps self-flagellation. It is interesting that so many people say that their tattoo commemorates a lost relative, partner or child - perhaps they are seeking some sort of atonement to absolve any feelings of guilt? That would make a very interesting subject for an academic dissertation.
The fact that such a ritual leaves a permanent testament in the form of a picture or script for everyone to see brings up all sorts of psychological possibilities.