Tattoos are today's way to establish identity

It's easy to tell when an underground enthusiasm like tattooing goes mainstream. People start referring to those who partake in it as a "community." Then gift cards and conventions make their appearance. Further validation of tattooing comes from cable TV, where enthusiasts - armchair and otherwise - now watch and wince at reality shows (five at last count) that explore the illustrated life.

A 2007 Food and Drug Administration report, based on an earlier Harris poll, estimated that 45 million Americans (equally divided between genders) have at least one tattoo. Once restricted mainly to jarheads and jailhouse residents, ink art is now mass market.

There seem to be nearly as many reasons for getting a tattoo as there are adherents. Some are impulse buys - an 18th birthday, a late-night dare or religious fervor.