Margaret Cho’s first tattoo was a large piece tattoo featuring snakes and flowers which starts in the center of her lower back and wraps around both sides of her hips. She had the tattoo done by famous tattoo artist Don Ed Hardy in 2005 at the age of 37. Tattoos have been Margaret’s way of dealing with aging and learning to love her body, though her admiration for tattoos started when she was young. It’s also a way for her to take ownership of her own skin.
“Having lived under such a regime for so many years, I am finally free, and for once in my life, actually able to do something with my body that I have always wanted to do, because I feel safe enough to. Nobody is going to judge me for wanting to wear a beautiful piece of art on my skin. I will not allow it. This is my body, and this is my body with tattoos,” she blogged. “My life is all new, with this brand new body, and the chance to start over. It is a fantastic rebirth, and I am so glad to be here.”
Margaret admits that she is a bit scared of snakes, though she admires them. “Snakes are magnificent creatures, like nothing else on earth. I don’t know why I am afraid of them. Possibly because they are so different, mysterious and unknowable, unpredictable. But on my back, they will be my protectors, my guardians, my cheerleaders and my friends.”
