Tattoos - think of them and the first word thatcomes to mind is 'style' or 'fashion'. But do you know how they originated? Tattooshave come a long, long way. Initially used for purposes such as identification andworship, tattoos have evolved into ultimate fashion statements today. Sincewhen have tattoos been in existence? The art of tattooing has been around for avery long time. Not for a couple of decades, but for thousands of years.
This report aims to study all about tattoos,from their origin and evolution to the traditions in various parts of theworld. It essentially consists of the following parts:
- The meaning of 'tattoo'
- Tattooing over the ages
- Tattoo customs
- Modern tattoos
The meaning of 'tattoo'
What is meant by the term 'tattoo'? A tattoo refersto a design painted on the skin of human beings or animals.
The word 'tattoo' has been derived from theSamoan word 'tatau', which means 'to mark twice'. This has reference to thetraditional method of applying designs on skin. The syllable 'ta' means 'hand',while 'u' means 'colour'.
Tattooing over the ages
When was the first tattoo done? In other words,when did the art of tattooing originate? The earliest instance of tattoos hasbeen found from the Upper Paleolithic Era, i.e. between 10000 and 38000 BC. Instrumentsused for tattooing from this period have been excavated. These instrumentstypically consist of a clay dish and needles made from bone. The needles areinserted into holes made into the dish. It is believed that the dish would holdpigment, while the needles would be used for piercing skin and making designs.Another evidence that tattooing did exist during this period has also been obtained figures made of clay and stone that have engraved designs on them. Probably, thesedesigns represent tattoos.
Evidence of tattooing in the Bronze Age has alsobeen found. The tattooed body of the European Iceman 'Oetzi', found near theItalian-Austrian border in the year 1991 is believed to be from this era. Thisis the first instance of tattooing that has been found on a human body.
The following are some instances of earlytattoos found in different parts of the world:
Egypt
Tattooed Egyptian mummies from around 1300 BC havealso been found. Most of these tattoos are geometrical shapes, while some are religiousin nature. Several of them have the goddess Neith tattooed on the skin.
Nubia
Greece
Rome: At about the same time, literary references to tattooing in the Roman Empire have been found. However, Christianity forbade any form of tattooing on the human body. As Christianity began spreading through the Roman Empire, the practice of tattooing went on decreasing. In 325 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine declared Christianity as the official religion of the Empire and forbade tattooing on the face. In 787 AD, Pope Hadrian I forbade tattooing in any form, and this tradition was followed by the others who succeeded him. After this, the incidences of tattooing were almost negligible in Rome till the 19th century.
Peru: In the year 1920, mummies from Peru were found with tattoos on their skin. These mummies were believed to date back to the 11th century AD. The mummies belonging to the Chimu tribe dating back between 1100 and 1470 AD were studied, and the study revealed that tattooing was fairly common during this period, both among males and females.
Scotland: Evidence of tattooing in and around 600 BC has been found among the Picts, a tribe which populated areas to the north of Britain, now part of Scotland. It is believed that the Picts tattooed their entire bodies with elaborate designs, using juices made from local plants. It is also believed that this tribe got its name Picts from the way they tattooed their bodies by making needle pricks.
China: It is believed that tattooing was done on a large scale by labourers, outlaws and gangs in the Japanese and Chinese society in the 18th century. In mid-18th century, a Chinese novel called Suikoden became very popular, in which many of the heroes had tattooed their skin. This led to an upsurge in the popularity of tattoos in China during this period.
Japan: In Japan, it is evident that the art of tattooing existed as far back as 5000 BC. It is clear from the excavation of clay figurines from this period, having engraving and painting on their faces, which is believed to symbolize tattoos. A written record of tattooing in Japan has been found, which dates back to 297 AD. In 720 AD, a Japanese text mentions the use of tattooing as a form of punishment to the wrong doers in Japan. It is believed that this usage continued up to the 17th century.
In the 19th century, Japanese laws forbade people from getting their skin tattooed, but Japanese artists were allowed to tattoo people from other countries. A number of good tattoo artists were based in Yokohama during this period, and were engaged in the activity of tattooing foreign sailors. They were highly skilled, and their designs attracted several dignitaries from different parts of the world. During this period, tattooing of Japanese clients also took place illegally. It is believed that in the 19th century, tattooists and artists worked together to create a tattoo. The artist would draw the outline on the skin of the customer, and the tattooist would fill in the outline. After World War II ended, laws in Japan were modified, and tattooing again became a legal activity.
Europe-Asia: Evidence of tattooing in Europe and Asia during the Iron Age has been found. A Pazyryk mummy with elaborate designs tattooed on its body was found near the Russia-China border in the year 1948, which is believed to be from the Iron Age. Pazyryk is a tribe that inhabited the eastern part of Europe as well as the western part of Asia.
These are only some of the instances of tattooing found from different parts of the world during different periods of time. Though the exact origin of tattooing is unclear, these instances make it evident that the art of tattooing has indeed been in existence for a very long period of time.
Tattoo customs
Why was tattooing done initially? What are the various purposes for which tattooing was done? Well, in different parts of the world, different groups of people undertook tattooing for different purposes. Tattoos, now popular fashion statements, were primarily done for the purpose of identification of tribe, marital status, motherhood, gang, etc. or as a form of prayer or offering to the Supreme Being.
The following are the purposes for which tattooing was done among different tribes:
Inuits: In the Inuit community, men got a small cross tattooed on their cheeks or shoulders for every whale that they killed. The tattooes would thus serve as an account of the number of whales they killed and,
consequently, of their bravery. Among the Quebec Inuits, it was a tradition to get a special kind of tattoo on their shoulders whenever they killed a bowhead whale or a white male.
Women belonging to the Netsilik group of Inuits would get tattoos done on their skin, as it was believed necessary to gain entry into the other world after death. Women belonging to other Inuit groups would get lines tattooed on their chin, as an indication of the group they belonged to. It is believed that homosexual males also had similar tattoos on their chin, and they were required to wear women's clothes and do the daily chores that a woman did.
The Inuits also believed that tattooing was a form of worship, which would appease their gods, who would help them in dealing with the harsh climatic conditions in the areas where they were usually located. It was also believed that tattooing would call upon spiritual entities to visit the material world, and would thus act as a means for attracting spiritual forces into the human body.
Egyptians: Traditionally, the Egyptians have placed a lot of emphasis on the divine power. The reasons for tattooing in Egypt in ancient times also related to the divine and mystic powers. It was believed that tattooing one's skin would help them to connect with the Supreme Being. Tattooing was undertaken as a form of worship or tribute to a certain god or goddess. In some cases, tattooing was done to act as a talisman and provide protection to the person from diseases and evil.
Greeks: In early Greek culture, tattooing was considered to be only for barbarians, and not for the cultured society. Slaves and criminals were tattooed in those days, for the purpose of identification. References in literature have been found to the effect that tattooing was used as a form of punishment among the Greeks in the olden days.
Romans: Like the Greeks, the Romans also used tattooing to mark slaves and criminals. References in literature have been found to suggest the use of tattooing for punishment among Romans, a practice similar to the Greeks. Another purpose for which the Romans used tattooing was to mark soldiers. The Roman army included a large number of mercenaries, who were tattooed, so that they could be easily identified if they ran away.
Japanese: In 17th century Japan, outcasts and criminals were tattooed for the purpose of identification. Generally, the marks used for tattooing in these cases would be uniform. In case of outcasts, a cross would be tattooed on the inner forearm, or a straight line on the upper part of the arm or the outer forearm. In case of criminals, the tattoos would depict the place where the crime was committed. Only people who had committed heinous crimes were tattooed by the Japanese. Tattooing was considered as a very severe form of punishment by the Japanese, and people who had been tattooed would be ostracized by their family, friends and the society.
In the 18th century in Japan, gangs used tattooing to mark their members. It was believed that since tattooing was a painful process, a person who was ready to undergo this pain would serve the gang forever.
Apart from this, classical Japanese tattoo designs used by ordinary people included designs representing legendary heroes as well as religious symbols. Other designs commonly found in Japanese tattoos are clouds, waves, lightning bolts, animals and flowers. Traditional Japanese tattoos would consist of a single, large design on the back, which would extend into the arms, legs or chest of the person.
Samoans: The inhabitants of the Samoan Islands, the Samoans, have been noted to tattoo designs all over their body, so much so that it would appear from afar like clothes, though most part of their body would be bare. Tattoing has always been a highly respected and sacred practice for the Samoans, and it was never banned here, as it was in several other parts of the world. The Samoans believed that tattooing conveyed the transition of a male from adolescence to maturity. If a man was not tattooed, he would be treated as an immature boy, who was not allowed to speak in the presence of adults. Such a person was allowed to perform only menial chores, and he was not allowed to marry.
The Samoans would tattoo the nose of a person, in case a serious crime had been committed by him. This was considered as a grave punishment, comparable to cutting an ear off.
Samoan warriors would be tattooed from the waist down, extending to just above the knees.
In case of Samoan females, the tattoos would be limited to delicate flower and geometrical patterns on the hands and the lower part of the body.
Traditionally, Samoans preferred instruments made of human bone for tattooing. However, if human bones were not available, bones of oxen or horses would be used for making tattoo instruments.
Tongons: The inhabitants of Tonga, referred to as Tongons, considered tattooing as a highly social and cultural act. Tongon tattoos would consist of elaborate geometrical patterns, which would be added to constantly, throughout the life of the individual, until the entire body was covered with tattoos. Tongon warriors, just like Samoan warriors, would be tattooed from the waist down to the knees. This tattooing would mostly consist of geometrical designs, chiefly triangles, bands, and areas that were simply filled in with black colour. Only priests who had been long trained would carry out the process of tattooing, and a number of rites and rituals would be strictly followed when the tattooing would be done.
The soot of a specific type of nuts was used by the Tongons for tattooing. This soot would be stored in coconut shells and mixed with water when the tattoos were to be drawn. The instruments used for tattooing were typically made of shell and bone.
Africans: A unique method of tattooing was practiced in Africa in the olden days, which is known as 'cicatrisation' or 'scarification'. Under this method, small cuts would be placed in the skin, using thorns or razors. Then, charcoal would be rubbed into these cuts, which would cause scar tissue to develop in different patterns. These marks would give an idea of the social status and religion of an individual. In case of a woman, these marks would give an idea about her motherhood status.
Europeans: In the 19th century, European sailors who sailed abroad began to get exotic tattoos on their bodies as souvenirs of their travels. This set off a tradition among British sailors.
During this period, tattoos in circuses became highly popular in Europe and other parts of the world. Circuses would employ a number of tattooed people. Tattoo artists would exhibit their ware in circuses, which would serve as a big attraction.
French: In the early 19th century in France, tattoos were common among sailors, prisoners and labourers. People belonging to the upper strata of the society considered tattooing to be an undignified process. During this period, the French labourers tattooed symbols of their craft or profession on their arms. For instance, barbers would have a comb and a pair of scissors tattooed on their biceps, while carpenters would have a plane and pliers. These labourers would travel from one land to another in search of work, and these tattooes would make it easy for them to find work.
Chinese: The Drung and Dai are two Chinese minority groups who have interesting traditions behind their tattoos. Among the Drungs, girls would be tattooed on their faces, using bamboo sticks, when they became teenagers. Their tattoos would thus be an indicator of their maturity.
In the upper reaches of the Drung river, diamond-shaped motifs were tattooed in between the eyebrows of the girls and around the mouth, while dots were painted on the cheeks. Overall, this would give the impression of a flying butterfly. Towards the lower reaches of the river, the motifs used in tattooing were comparatively simpler. A few straight lines would be painted on the chin.
The tradition of tattooing among the Drungs began over 300 years ago, when the women in the community were attacked by other groups, raped and taken away to serve as slaves. Tattooing began to be undertaken by these women as an attempt to make themselves look less attractive.
In the Dai community, a minority group among the Chinese, tattoos was traditionally done in order to protect individuals from monsters. Initially, children from this community were tattooed at the age of 5 or 6, which was believed to be the best age for this purpose. In the course of time, the tattooing began to be done at the age of 14 or 15, as a symbol of maturity. Dai tattoos did not have any fixed designs, and dragons and tigers were most commonly found. Traditionally, tattooing was done using the juice of plants, which was black in colour.
Iraqis: In Iraq, tattooing was traditionally done for two purposes for decoration and for cure. The designs for tattoos done for beautification were elaborate and beautiful, while the ones done for cure were rather simple. Tattooing was believed to act as a cure in case of various ailments, such as rheumatism, headaches, sprains, and skin and eye infections. Curative tattoos were done at the site of the ailment, for instance, on the temple in case of a headache and near the eyes in case of an eye infection.
Tattooing was believed to have magical powers, and was undertaken in order to cure problems such as infertility. In this case, a single dot or a cluster of dots would be tattooed below the navel of the woman desiring to have a child. This was believed to induce pregnancy. Similarly, it was believed that tattooing a dot on the end of a child's nose would ensure that the child would lead a long life. A triangle made up of dots would be tattooed on the palms of women, to ensure that their husbands would always be faithful to them.
Indians: In India, the tradition of temporarily tattooing the skin using Henna has been prevalent since ages. The custom of applying elaborate designs on the palms of the hands and on the feet during marriages has been the tradition in India since long. Also of note are the motifs painted on the face of brides using black, white and red ink.
According to references made in literature, even deities in India had tattoos on their skin. It is believed that goddess Lakshmi had a tattoo drawn on her hand by Lord Vishnu for the sake of her protection.
Generally, in India, tattooing is considered to be more popular among females than males. Certain tribes in India have been undertaking tattooing since a long time. For instance, in the central part of India, the Muria and Maria groups, tattooing is done on young girls who attain puberty, to symbolize their maturity. This is done using charcoal dust, and iron needles are used for the process.
From the exhaustive description above, it is quite clear that tattoos were used for a variety of purposes in different parts of the world. These are a few instances of tattoo customs around the world, from among many.
Modern tattoos
The art of tattooing has evolved tremendously over time. Everything has changed from the purpose of tattooing to the designs, all over the world. The general perspective about tattooing has changed.
Tattoos have come a long way from being used as symbols of identification and offerings to deities, and have now established themselves as fashion statements. Be it any part of the world, getting one's skin tattooed is hip and happening. It has become a highly personal statement. People prefer getting a design which conveys their own unique flavour. And, this trend is growing. A number of women are now going in for cosmetic tattooing. Women all over the world are discovering the cosmetic benefits that tattooing can provide such as camouflaging a skin defect or having lipstick or eyeliner permanently applied. Tattooing the eyeball is another recent trend in the fashion world.
The way in which the society looks at tattooed people has taken a complete turnaround. People who get tattooed are no longer considered outcasts or weird. In other words, social acceptance of tattooing has increased considerably. This has taken place on account of a number of celebrities from different spheres sporting tattoos Angelina Jolie, Paris Hilton, Sean Penn and Johnny Depp among others.
The clientele who get tattoos done has changed drastically. It is not only tribals, sailors or circus artists who get them tattooed today, but fashion conscious people from all walks of life.
The designs traditionally used for tattooing have changed that would be an understatement. Tattoos have become art forms now. One can get any kind of design tattooed on their skin, ranging from the name of their spouse to a religious motif, elaborate, simple, trendy or casual. Modern tattoo designs are limited only by imagination. The number of coloured inks used for tattooing has risen significantly. Now, tattoos are not only blue or black in colour! Vegetable-based dyes are increasingly being used for tattooing, to make the process safer and infection-free.
The equipment used for tattooing has undergone a sea change. Bone and iron needles have been replaced by tattoo guns and digital machines, which make tattooing faster, easier and more effective. An in-depth sterilization procedure is carried out to make the process of tattooing healthier. The use of disposable equipments is also on the rise.
A number of tattoo parlours are mushrooming all over, which provide highly professional services. The degree of proficiency of the tattoo artists is also on the rise, which has contributed to the society's increased credibility of the entire process.
In the last couple of decades, tattooing has boomed like anything, and has changed like nothing before. In fact, statistics have revealed that tattooing is the 6th fastest growing retail business in USA. Tattooing is gradually being recognized as an art and as a profession, and the industry is still growing!
To sum it all up, this quote on tattooing would not be inappropriate:
"A tattoo is a true poetic creation, and is always more than meets the eye. As a tattoo is grounded on living skin, so its essence emotes a poignancy unique to the mortal human condition. "
Major references:
3) http://www.vanishingtattoo.com
6) http://www.smithsonianmag.com
7) http://www.tattooartist.com
8) http://tattoos.iloveindia.com
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