History of Tattoos

History of Tattooing 101

The history of tattooing dates back thousands of years.  Throughout history, body ornamentation through tattooing has been practiced by many cultures around the world.  Tattoos designs have served a wide variety of purposes over the years, from religious symbols to amulets to declarations of love. [caption id="attachment_539" align="alignright" width="200" caption="Notice the early tattoos on the neck of Otzi"][/caption] The earliest evidence of tattooing on the human body was discovered in 1991, on a mummy uncovered in the Alps between Italy and Austria.  Nicknamed Otzi the Iceman, this well-preserved 5000 year old mummy was found to have more than 50 tattoos on his back and legs.  The designs of these tattoos consist of dots and crosses. Scientists have theorized that the tattoos were applied for medicinal purposes. Tomb paintings and mummies in Egypt play a role in the history of tattooing, showing that Egyptian women were often tattooed.  In the days of the Roman Empire, historic writings state that Celtic and Germanic tribes were heavily tattooed with abstract patterns.  In his writings, Julius Caesar described tribes of Scotland who were elaborately tattooed with dark blue pigment.  The Romans called these tribes “Picti,” which means “painted people.”  Many Roman soldiers found these tattoos appealing and adopted the practice of tattooing. The history of tattooing continues with evidence of tattooing found on mummies from ancient China, Japan and Russia. In Siberia, a group of frozen mummies were excavated in the late 1940s.  The bodies had elaborate tattoos representing animals, including tigers, leopards, horses and birds.  These bodies are more than 2000 years old and represent the first known animal designs in the history of tattooing. Some of the most elaborate tattoo designs were used by the people of the Polynesian Islands, who developed the art of the tattoo over a period of hundreds of years. Intricate geometric designs known as “tattau” covered large areas of the body.  European sailors in the 18^th century who visited the Polynesian Islands took the practice of tattoo back home, where it came to be known as tattoo.  The applications of tattoos soon became popular throughout Europe, particularly for coal-miners and sailors.  These were dangerous professions, and tattoos of anchors and lanterns were often applied as amulets, or good luck charms. Tattooing has also been part of the cultures of Samoa and Africa.  Tattooing tools and techniques that have been existence for thousands of years are still used in some areas.  Up until the 1970s, the Maori people of New Zealand used elaborate tattoos on the face and head as a form of personal identification, conveying individual information about status, ancestry and rank. The history of tattooing in the U.S. includes several Native American tribes such as the Cree that practiced the art of tattoo. In the 18^th and 19^th centuries, tattoos were unusual enough that a tattooed man or woman was often part of a circus sideshow.  Among the general population, tattooing was looked down upon until the early 20^th century, when several skilled tattoo artists opened shops in Chatham Square in New York City.  For a few years, both men and women proudly displayed their tattoos.  The new-found popularity of tattoos continued until the Depression, when economic hardships took most people’s minds off the subject of tattooing. During World War II, tattoos were mainly sought by members of the military.  Tattoos had a bad reputation in the 1950s and were associated with outlaw bikers and seedy tattoo parlors.  Beginning in the late 1960s, advancements in tattoo procedures brought a resurgence in the popularity of tattoos.  Electric tattoo machines and multi-colored pigments allowed talented tattoo artists to achieve effects that had never before been possible.  Tattoo shops adopted more sanitary procedures and in many areas tattooing came under government regulation. The social status of tattoos has changed in recent years from undesirable to trendy fashion statement.  Celebrities and rock stars flaunted tattoos, making them popular in mainstream society.  Tattooing has become a respectable form of retail business and a true art form. The history of tattooing has shown that the practice of tattooing has developed independently in many different cultures.   Tattooing has also spread between cultures, such as when European sailors adopted the practice from people of Polynesia.  Throughout the ages and around the world, people have felt a desire to ornament their bodies, whether as a form of self-expression, protection, self-healing or as a fashion statement.  Today, those who chose to have a tattoo applied are part of the rich history of tattooing that has continued uninterrupted for thousands of years.