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PSA: Your "Vegan" Tattoo Is Probably Made Of Animal Bones


By

Jen Carlson

Published May 9, 2011

Modified May 9, 2011


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By

Jen Carlson

Published May 9, 2011

Modified May 9, 2011


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Is this anonymous woman now the title-holder of the world's most regrettable tattoo? It may look simple enough, with the word "VEGAN" inked discreetly inside of her mouth. However, it turns out that black tattoo ink is more often than not made with burned animal bones. According to Boing Boing, this was pointed out to her on her Facebook page after she proudly posted the photo of her inked-up inner lip. The site writes that the "string of congratulations comes to an abrupt end when one friend points out that black tattoo ink is made from burnt animal bones, and thus the VEGAN in question will forever have an animal product in her mouth."

Over at Reddit (in a thread about the tattoo titled, "What an awful return to omnivorism"), one person points out there is such a thing as a vegan black ink, but more likely than not this girl got the animal bone version, which is more common. (Note to NYC-based vegans and vegetarians, you can get an animal-free tattoo at Fun City on St. Marks.)

As for this girl, at least her tattoo was subtle... sometimes they aren't.

Tagged

ink

oops

tattoo

vegan


Jen Carlson

Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


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