The History of Tattoos Essays - 2153 Words

A tattoo is a permanent mark or design made on the skin by a process of pricking and ingraining an indelible pigment into the punctures or by raising scars. This is the definition; however, to many a tattoo has more of an abstract, personal meaning. Tattoos symbolize individuality, experiences, status, religion, and art. They come in many shapes, sizes, colors, designs, and styles. The history behind the tattoo is just as fascinating as the tattoo itself. Whether flaunted or hidden, sought as art or bought out of a whim, the tattoo has left its mark on generation after generation (Krakow). The purpose of tattooing varies from culture to culture, person to person, and its place on the time line. The essay will examine the following†¦show more content†¦For example, the ferocity of a tiger would belong to the tattooed person. The Ainu are noted for introducing tattoos to Japan where it developed into a religious and ceremonial rite. Dayak warriors who had taken a head had tatt oos on their hands (â€Å"A Brief History of Tattoos†). The tattoos garnered respect and solidified the owner’s status for life. Polynesians developed tattoos to mark tribal communities, families, and rank. They brought their art to New Zealand and developed a facial style of tattooing called Moko which is still being used today (â€Å"A Brief History of Tattoos†). There is evidence that the Mayan, Incas, and Aztecs used tattooing in rituals as well as the isolated tribes of Alaska. In the West, early Danes, Norse, and Saxons tattooed family crests (a tradition still practiced today). In 787 AD, Pope Hadrian banned tattooing, yet it still thrived in Britain until the Norman Invasion of 1066 when the Normans disdained tattooing. As a result tattooing disappeared from Western culture from the 12th to the 16th centuries. While tattooing diminished in the West, it thrived in Japan. Originally, it was used as a means of identifying criminals. First offenses were marked with a line across the forehead, a second crime was marked by adding an arch, and a third offense was marked by another line. Together these marks formed the Japanese character for dog. Anthropologists argue that this was the original three strikes you’re outShow MoreRelatedThe History of Tattoos926 Words   |  4 PagesAre tattoos, a permanent marking of the skin for many generations, indicating a rebel or a mischievous male in past generations a now a rising trend? Looking around today, it may seem as though everybody has at least some type of tattoo on their body, from a small butterfly, to a giant piece of artwork, well detailed and thought about thoroughly. It seems as though trends come and go, like a certain style of clothing, make up, or music type. But are tattoos one? Even though tattoos have recentlyRead MoreThe History of Tattoos1799 Words   |  8 PagesThe Beginning of Tattoos Different cultures tattoo for different reasons like, protection, rank in society, adornment of the body and coming of age. Regardless of why people are tattooed, they have been tattooing since before the birth of Christ. Throughout history tattooing has served many purposes. The earliest evidence of tattooing was found in 1991 in the mountains of Austria. An Iceman was found, his bones dated back to 3,300 B.C. which is over 5300 years ago. His skinRead MoreHistory of Tattoos Essay1965 Words   |  8 PagesMalisa Smith The History of Tattoos Axia College University of Phoenix Tattoos have been around throughout our history, from Egyptian times to the present day. Many people may say they know the history of tattoos, and where they originate from, but do they really? Does one know that there were reasons that some people had tattoos? There may be people who know the actual history of tattoos and body art and why one would decide to get one; however there are people who do not. To be able to understandRead MoreThe History of Piercings and Tattoos1070 Words   |  5 PagesThe History of Tattoos and Body Piercing The largest organ in the human body is the skin. Some people choose to express themselves through decorating their skin with tattoos, piercing and other kinds of body art. Its true origin, symbolism, variety, and modern day versions go way back in time. The first tattoo known to man, was found on Otzi, the â€Å"Icemanâ€Å", in 1991. Otzi himself is from around 4,000 B.C. Fifty-eight tattoos were found on him, they were all made of lines and dots. No realRead MoreModern Day Reasoning For Tattoos1470 Words   |  6 PagesIn a recent Fox News poll, an astounding one in five voters in America admitted to having at least one tattoo (Blanton, 2014). Body art has become increasingly popular over the past several years among a wide range of individuals. With so much attention on tattoos, it is a wonder how and when tattooing began. However, no one really knows for certain when tattooing began, or how it began for that matter. The belief is that tattooing began â€Å"at least by 3300 BCE. That is how far back anthropologistsRead MoreTattoos And Its Effects On Society1355 Words   |  6 Pages Tattoos have been around for ages they are done either for cultural expression or religion. Tattoos for most people is a way to express themsel ves, some people even get them in memory of a loved one that is not around anymore. People with visible tattoos are facing issues in getting hired and keeping a job. Every employer has different policies and rules about visible tattoos in the workplace and is allowed to enforce it any way they can to keep their positive company image. It is important howRead MoreIdeology Of Facial Tattoos1245 Words   |  5 PagesFacial tattoos where common in the past centuries however, they no longer are seen in today’s society. They were used as a sign of power and authority but, today’s society has changed the meaning of facial tattoos. The hegemonic society has labeled facial tattoos as deviant, and those who have a facial tattoo are placed into a subculture. â€Å"Tattooing is the most established form of non-mainstream body art in the west, having been practiced by modern Europeans and Americans for centuries† (Pitts 5)Read MoreInformative Speech On Tattoos1286 Words   |  6 Pages Tattooing is a body modification practice used for centuries across the globe. Because of the multiple origins of tattoos, there are several techniques and countless styles. Every tattoo is unique in meaning to the person that receives it, though often they can fit into generalized categories. Tattoos have fallen in and out of popularity over the course of history, though they have never and most likely will never disappear. II. Specific Purpose and Need to Know: According to WrittenRead More The Tattoo Process and Significance Of Tattoos Essay1735 Words   |  7 PagesSignificance of Tattoos In the past, tattoos were commonly thought of as trashy or bad. One would often relate them to bikers, rock and heavy metal stars, pirates, or gangsters. That has considerably changed over the years. According to Swan, In 2003 approximately 40 million Americans reported to have at least one tattoo. Todays culture is still fascinated with tattooing. In the 1990s, tattoos were the sixth fastest growing retail behind the Internet, paging services, computer and cellRead MoreTattoos Essay812 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the history of tattoos, how tattoos are made, and the impact of tattoos in society. Research shows that people have been experimenting with tattoos for many years, as early as c. 2000 B.C. The ancient Egyptians were the ones to help popularize the idea of tattooing. Tattoos have many meanings behind them depending on the culture. Such as for the Ancient Asian cultures tattoos were to help sustain strong physical health. Another example would be the military personnel w ho get a tattoo to show