The bulk update request #11677 is pending approval.

create implication tattoo (71612) -> markings (453535)
create implication bodypaint (11225) -> markings (453535)
create alias painted_markings (46) -> bodypaint (11225)

Reason: These tags overlap more than they differ. Depending on style and design choices there may visually be zero difference between these tags.
post #551386post #5686612

These tags are mostly going to be used to find characters from memory. Inconsistent use between them may make it difficult to find characters if they are consistently tagged with, say, bodypaint instead of tattoo. When it's difficult to tell what type of marking it is, this can intimidate people who are tagging. Having one tag that is always right should make searching and tagging easier.

This may impact people who try to look for natural markings and filter out bodypaint or tattoos, but considering the overlap in use, adding -bodypaint -tattoo was already probably needed.

I feel like if we're going to do this, we should have a tag/tags that separate natural/inherent markings from markings that are added to a character's body afterwards.

dba_afish said:
I feel like if we're going to do this, we should have a tag/tags that separate natural/inherent markings from markings that are added to a character's body afterwards.

I considered that, but I couldn't think of a name that wouldn't get possibly interpreted as natural-looking/plausible markings. Also there's some ambiguity of where acquired natural markings (like ones acquired from a magical girl transformation or something) would fit.

dba_afish said:
I feel like if we're going to do this, we should have a tag/tags that separate natural/inherent markings from markings that are added to a character's body afterwards.

I said the same in the discord

The bulk update request #11678 is pending approval.

create implication tattoo (71612) -> artificial_markings (0)
create implication bodypaint (11225) -> artificial_markings (0)
create alias painted_markings (46) -> bodypaint (11225)
create implication artificial_markings (0) -> markings (453535)

Reason: I don't think this is necessary but here it is as an option.

I'm more wary about these implications not because of the "natural vs. artificial" markings distinction, but rather the potential redundancy of the *_tattoo and *_bodypaint subtags.
Essentially, there will be no more reason to keep a separate (e.g.) glowing_tattoo or arm_tattoo tag when people are going to tag it the same as glowing_markings or arm_markings anyways.

The main reason we kept tattoo & bodypaint separate from markings is because they are distinct enough to warrant separate tags.
If this distinction is not needed or is removed, then we do not need their respective subtags anymore.

thegreatwolfgang said:
I'm more wary about these implications not because of the "natural vs. artificial" markings distinction, but rather the potential redundancy of the *_tattoo and *_bodypaint subtags.
Essentially, there will be no more reason to keep a separate (e.g.) glowing_tattoo or arm_tattoo tag when people are going to tag it the same as glowing_markings or arm_markings anyways.

The main reason we kept tattoo & bodypaint separate from markings is because they are distinct enough to warrant separate tags.
If this distinction is not needed or is removed, then we do not need their respective subtags anymore.

While they can be visually different, in many styles they are not. Bodypaint is the easiest to make visually distinctive with drips or texture. The difference between tattoos and markings is often aesthetic (looking like an established tattoo style) or 'vibes'. Floral_markings and star_(marking) are full of ambiguous examples. Here's some more:
post #5559238post #5621288post #5660297post #5659866post #5489304post #5688167post #5683792