Semioticians analyze symbols, so for this series, we’ve asked 25 of our semio colleagues from around the world to explicate the symbolism of… one of their own tattoos.

I grew up in cultures where marking the body is not unusual.

In North African cultures, which are part of my background, bodies are often marked temporarily with henna, particularly during celebrations. The dye is applied in intricate patterns, usually on the hands and feet. The emphasis is on the beauty of the lines and shapes and how they adorn the body.

I was also surrounded by cultures in which permanent tattoos are often tied to beliefs or memories. 

Both practices involve intention. And I never felt particularly inclined to mark my own body that way. 

What resonated with me instead was the way I saw some older Algerian women apply the henna dye. Rather than drawing detailed motifs or focusing on particular symbols, the paste is simply placed in the palm and the hand is closed. The natural pigment, time, warmth, and the body determine the shape and colouring of the mark. And each time it fades, and the gesture is repeated, the result is different.

I think I am drawn to how marking the body this way is a recurring attempt to move away from intention, design, and meaning, toward something arbitrary. And yet it remains just that. An attempt.

TATTOO YOU: Nicola Zengiaro (Italy) on CORAL OF LIFE | Su Luo (Taiwan) on AN ISLAND, A TREE | Thierry Mortier (Sweden) on LIJFSPREUKEN | Cristina Voto (Italy) on JELLYFISH | Charles Leech (Canada) on SURF WAVES | Mariane Cara (Brazil) on BECOMING’S TRIAD | Chris Martin (Canada) on PUNK ROCK HEART | Angie Meltsner (USA) on ENJOY EVERY SANDWICH | Samuel Grange (France) on POLYMORPHOUS | Inka Crosswaite (Germany) on LAYERED FRAGMENT | Al Deakin (England) on FAMILY STAR | Hibato Ben Ahmed (France) on HENNA HAND | Max Matus (Mexico) on KALINGA REDOX | Whitney Dunlap Fowler (USA) on IN THE UNTETHERED | Chirag Mediratta (India) on PHOENIX & BUTTERFLY | Alexandra Ncube (England) on LIMINAL ROOTS | Josh Glenn (USA) on FALLING ANGEL | Aarushi Chadha (India) on PART-TIME PEOPLE PERSON | Serdar Paktin (Turkey/UK) on RESISTANCE & SURRENDER | Tatiana Jaramillo (Colombia/Italy) on EMBERÁ BLACKOUT | Antje Weißenborn (Germany) on FADED STAR | Sundari Sheldon (USA) on SUN | Roberta Graham (England) on SUNFLOWER/GUNMETAL | TBD (TBD) on TBD | TBD (TBD) on TBD.

Also see these global semio series: MAKING SENSE (Q&As) | SEMIOFEST SESSIONS (monthly mini-conferences) | COVID CODES | SEMIO OBJECTS | COLOR CODEX | DECODER (fictional semioticians) | CASE FILE | PHOTO OP | MEDIA DIET | TATTOO YOU (semioticians’ tattoos).