How to explain taboos

Taboo refers to some kind of prohibition formed by people's attitude towards sacred, unclean and dangerous things.

Danger and punishment are two main features of taboo. It is a self-defense measure taken by people for their own utilitarian purposes, psychologically and in words and deeds. It comes from ghost worship. Taboo can be roughly divided into three stages: primary stage, secondary stage and transformation and extinction stage. In people's lives, regardless of etiquette, festivals, industries, etc. Everything that is considered unlucky is almost taboo.

Since modern times, people have emancipated their minds and got rid of superstitions, science has gradually penetrated into people's hearts, and taboos have naturally disappeared and changed. Taboo was originally a negative preventive measure taken by ancient people out of fear or superstition of supernatural power. It once played the same role as law in ancient social life. Today, many taboos have gradually died out, but there are still many taboos left over and affecting people's lives.

Tattoo taboo

In addition to flesh and blood, human skin also has taboos. Tattoo taboo is a very common one. It is said that 56 ethnic groups in China have tattoos. Modern scholars generally believe that tattooing is a custom in the early stage of national development. The method is to stab the shape or geometric figure of natural objects in the whole body or part of the human body with a needle. Some are dyed and some are not, which are generally used as totem symbols.

Han people also have tattoo custom. For example, the history of nine dragons in Water Margin, as well as tattoos of other martial arts practitioners, are all remnants of this custom. After entering the class society, tattoos are also used as a sign of rank or as members of secret societies.