2025 was the year of the Tattoo
No longer considered taboo or crass, it seems that tattoos are popping up everywhere, on everyone.
And, even better, they’re becoming accepted as norm - regularly spotted at the right angle under silk shirt sleeves, above corporate high heels and behind collared blazers. Did I mention this phenomenon is showing up most notably in women? Yep, the gender once associated with the circus, or worse, the ‘night-time economy’ if adorned with ink, has “come out of the kitchen, because there’s something that she’s got to say to you.”
Interestingly, long before tattoos were considered “rebellious,” many cultures saw them as sacred, healing or markers of status — especially for women. Ancient Egypt, Japan, Pacific Island cultures… they’re just the start of the cultures where tattoos were not only acceptable, but honoured.
Then, somewhere over the last 200 years, Western culture shifted. Tattoos – particularly on women – became seen as improper, masculine or scandalous. And women who wanted ‘good jobs’ and to climb the corporate ladder were discouraged from getting tattoos. Not formally, of course… but subtly. Like a sledgehammer on a sheet of glass.
Outside the circus, if you were a woman with a visible tattoo, you were judged. Oh, how we love to judge another woman for her own personal choices… oxymoron much?
Marriage prospects, job opportunities, leadership roles, mothers’ groups… all ‘limited’ by the disrepute of a woman bearing visible ink. Men? Nah, they’re were fine. Far more acceptable. Fair? Absolutely not. True? Absolutely.
Then came the 1950s - just around the time my parents were born - which explains their mortal disapproval of my recent tattoos, and their even deeper disappointment upon discovering their granddaughter now also has one (three actually now, but who’s counting?).
Sailors, bikers, bad boys – expected, even celebrated. But a woman? Unless you were a sex worker or a rebel, you’d be expected to cover them. Clothing, makeup - whatever it took. Just don’t let them be seen. Airline crew, retail and office jobs, hospitality, medical… no, no, no and no. Granted, this applied to men too in some cases, but they were more likely to be seen as “tough”, not “wild”.
Some tattoo studios wouldn’t even tattoo women - either at all, or unless accompanied by a man.
Pop culture of the 90s and 2000s started to shift things. Which brings me back to my opening statement… 2025 feels like the year of the tattoo? The year of self-expression, if you will.
Maybe it’s just my personal experience, but so many women I know, love and respect have taken to ink to create meaningful artwork that serves as a constant reminder of something or someone they treasure.
Rather than taboo, tattoos have become a well-thought-out piece of art - a rite of passage in a woman’s journey.
I even know women who’ve opened beautiful tattoo studios after years of dreaming and sketching on paper, finally fulfilling their calling on a patchwork of skin instead.
And the outcome is glorious! Beautiful, self-expressive, detailed, sovereign and glorious.
So, I say: tattoo? Do it. A permanent, personal reminder of something dear to you. It’s your body. And judgement? Let them.
At some point, judging women for their personal decisions will have its own reckoning - the same renaissance tattoos are having today. In the meantime, we celebrate sovereignty.
The Company of Her exists to support women stand in their light and be their sovereign selves. If you feel called to explore how I can support you, reach out. I’d love to hold space for you.
With love and goddess light
Nat 🤍