Tattoos hurt. Yet, millions of people around the world keep going back for more. What is it about this mix of ink and pain that feels so good?

An old Celtic legend tells the story of two ill-fated lovers, Tristan and Isolde. Tristan is sent to escort Isolde to marry his uncle, King Mark. They accidentally share a love potion and fall into an irresistible and forbidden love. Their secret affair brings moments of intense pleasure but is shadowed by guilt and fear. In the end, their love brings more pain than joy. Both die, consumed by their doomed fate.

This story is one of a thousand that illustrate the double-edged sword that is pleasure and pain; whether it’s romantic love and the risk of heartache, the satisfaction of revenge and accompanying feelings of guilt, or even physical exercise where the release of endorphins can only be achieved after a degree of suffering.

Pain and pleasure in art

The Flagellation of Christ by Caravaggio

This mix has fascinated humans for time immemorial. Pain, for example, has been a focal point in art for centuries. In Caravaggio’s 'The Flagellation of Christ', we witness pain as both physical and spiritual. The raw agony on Christ’s face reflects suffering not as something to be hidden but as a deep part of the human experience. Pain and pleasure are themes that resonate in the works of the School of London artists as well. Lucian Freud painted the human body in an almost brutal realism, showing every flaw, wrinkle, and sag with an intensity that made his subjects look both vulnerable and powerful. There’s an intimacy in this raw portrayal, where beauty and discomfort coexist.

The tattoo experience: Pain as the point

While tattoos are undeniably painful, many people describe the experience as oddly pleasurable. The process involves sharp needles puncturing the skin repeatedly. But this pain activates the body’s natural release of endorphins, the same chemicals responsible for the high experienced by runners. This flood of endorphins can turn the pain into a euphoric sensation, explaining why so many people become addicted to getting tattoos.

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For some, the pain isn’t just a side effect but the main attraction. The Brutal Black Project, a tattoo initiative based in Europe, takes this idea to the extreme. Their tattoos, done in thick, aggressive black ink, are meant to push people beyond their pain threshold. The aim is not only to create striking visual art but also to force clients to confront their physical and emotional limits.

It’s a reminder that pain, when controlled and willingly embraced, can be an empowering experience. Tattooing, then, becomes a form of ritual—a personal challenge where enduring pain is as significant as the result. The process itself is part of the beauty, much like the scars and bruises of a fight tell a story.

Two sides of the same coin

What we learn from tattoos, love and art is that pain and pleasure are not always opposites. They are, in many ways, two sides of the same experience. Pain can intensify pleasure, making it sharper and more memorable. For many, the act of getting a tattoo isn’t just about the result but about the process itself. The pain of the needle, the sound of the machine, and the endurance of the body all contribute to the experience. It’s not just skin deep; it’s a rite of passage. Tattoos hurt, but that’s part of the beauty. The pain is a reminder that we’re alive, that we can endure, and that from suffering, something beautiful can emerge. Put simply, the pain paradox is a fundamental part of what it means to be human.