The art of tattooing has existed around the world for thousands of years. Whether it be as a means of representing social status, a tribute to a loved one, an identification of where one comes from, a way of telling a story, or a form of social expression, it has grown to be the massive industry it is today. Tattoos have traditionally been a way for those in certain circles of society to feel connected: "The flip side of creating or confirming identity through participating in tradition is that groups must identify traditions as meaningful. The key to understanding the role of tradition is to examine what a tradition means within a particular group" (Sims and Stephens, 2011). While the mechanics of tattooing have changed with the invention of high-powered machines and higher levels of sanitation, their sole purpose has not. Different regions continue to practice different kinds of tattooing to represent their cultures, beliefs, and values.