Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding, and Implants [Paperback]

John Rush (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 17, 2005

Say "body modifications" and most people think of tattoos and piercings. They associate these mainly with the urban primitives of the 1980s to today and with primitive tribes. In fact, as this fascinating book shows, body mods have been on the scene since ancient times, traceable as far back as 1.5 million years, and they also encompass sacrification, branding, and implants. Professor John Rush outlines the processes and procedures of these radical physical alterations, showing their function as rites of passage, group identifiers, and mechanisms of social control. He explores the use of pain for spiritual purposes, such as purging sin and guilt, and examines the phenomenon of accidental cuts and punctures as individual events with sometimes profound implications for group survival. Spiritual Tattoo finds a remarkable consistency in body modifications from prehistory to the present, suggesting the importance of the body as a sacred geography from both social and psychological points of view.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Tattooings are not only ornaments... they are not only emblems of nobility and symbols of rank in the social hierarchy; they are also messages fraught with spiritual and moral significance... not only to imprint a drawing onto the flesh but also to stamp onto the mind all the traditions and philosophy of the group."
- Claude Levi-Strauss

"And this tattooing has been the work of a departed prophet and seer of his island, who, by those hieroglyphic marks, had written out on his body a complete theory of the heavens and the Earth, and a mystical treatise on the art of attaining truth; so that Queequeg in his own proper person was a riddle to unfold; a wondrous work in one volume; but those mysteries not even himself could read, though his own live heart beat against them."
- Herman Melville

About the Author

John A. Rush, Ph.D., N.D., is a Professor of Anthropology at Sierra College, Rocklin, California, teaching Physical Anthropology and Magic, Witchcraft, and Religion. Dr. Rush's publications include Witchcraft and Sorcery: An Anthropological Perspective of the Occult, The Way We Communicate, Clinical Anthropology: An Application of Anthropological Concepts within Clinical Settings, and Stress and Emotional Health: Applications of Clinical Anthropology. He is also a Naturopathic Doctor in private practice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Frog Books (March 17, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1583941177
• ISBN-13: 978-1583941171
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 0.6 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #315,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provocative and compelling reading, August 11, 2005

By 

Katie (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding, and Implants (Paperback)

I read numerous books on tattooing prior to my own adventure but Spiritual Tattoo tops them all. Dr. Rush presents some very interesting information about tattooing and scarification in ancient societies, concluding that the behavior is very, very ancient and is probably analogous to marks naturally acquired. Purposes include rites of passage, group identity, and in more recent time, the use of tattoos and scars by governments to mark the body for control purposes. What I found most interesting is the procedure he details for using pain to purge limitations and traumas in history. As our monotheistic religious myths focus on pain and suffering, this work fits right in! I also enjoyed the connection he made between tattooing, yoga, chakras, and spirituality. There also appears to be a great deal of coding in the book, which relates to this book's sequel, The Twelve Gates. For example, in the page headings for Chapter Five, Trauma is spelled Trama--Dr. Rush is saying he "takes U (you) out of your trauma." This is a very readable work that will appeal to a wide audience. I'm looking forward to The Twelve Gates.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent information for anyone considering a tattoo!, March 2, 2006

By 

Noah Barfield "Noah Barfield" (Bainbridge Island, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding, and Implants (Paperback)

I found Rush's research and presentation of information to be extremely interesting and well-presented. However, the real value of this book for me was in the suggestions for dealing with psychic and physical pain.

As I had my own tattoo work done, I used many of Rush's suggestions and techniques on breathing, relaxation, and "embracing the pain."

Prior to getting my tattoo, many of my peers described their own experience with the pain of tattooing in terms of bravery "it didn't hurt at all" or annoyance "it is really irritating."

By properly channeling the pain--rather than fearing, putting up with, or obsessing about it, however, I found the entire tattooing process to be so much more pleasant, profound, and meaningful. I can truly say that I felt serene throughout the entire three-hour experience.

I highly recommend this book for people interested in experiencing tattooing on all levels-the intellectual, the emotional, and the spiritual.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A history which is gruesome at times, but always revealing, November 5, 2005

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Spiritual Tattoo: A Cultural History of Tattooing, Piercing, Scarification, Branding, and Implants (Paperback)

Works of body art have traditionally reflected rites of passage, served as group identifiers, and made people confirm to a cultural code and social standard outsiders rarely understand, so it's timely that cultural anthropologist John Rush examines different processes and procedures of radical physical alternations in different cultures, from branding to tattooing and self-inflicted pain. Spiritual and social concerns are gathered into a history which is gruesome at times, but always revealing.