How to Read Tattoos Semiologically? An Attempt to Understand the Types and the Communicative Purposes

Tattoos were practiced by many nations with different shapes and names due to its different techniques, situations and symbols, which ranged from simple shapes and lines to complex drawings and shapes.It contained many messages and meanings of aesthetic, magical, therapeutic, religious, social and even psychological dimensions. It came in a form of a response to individualism tendency at times or the requirements of tribal social affiliation at other times. Accordingly, in this research paper, we will try to examine the conceptual structure and composition of the tattoo by addressing its history and the ABCs of the semiological analysis of its linguistic and non-linguistic symbols. It mainly aims to identify tattoos‟ communicative purposes that differ according to the symbol, its social and cultural context, and even its different positions on the body.In addition, the study will tackle the dimensions of female tattoos in Algeria, as it is more prevalent among women than other gender groups, which contributes to creating a different meaning.