The history of tattooing
Throughout history tattooing has been practiced by men and woman all over the world. From Egypt to Tahiti, from the Bering Strait to Japan tattooing has played a significant role in virtually every culture. Ranging from a rite of passage or a sacrifice to the Gods to symbolizing warrior class or simply the imitating of another's culture the ancient art of tattooing is now accessible to virtually everyone who is of legal age allowing that the practice is legal in ones area. An affordable and everlasting form of self expression, tattooing and its history should be acknowledged by everyone. The word tattoo is derived from the Tahitian word tatu, which means to mark something. The exact date, place and reason for tattooing are unknown. It is, however, generally agreed that the ancient Egyptians used tattoos to indicate social rank as early as two thousand B.C. Hundreds of cultures around the world have practiced the art of tattooing. Russian archeologists discovered in nineteen-ninety-four the mummified body of a woman who is believed to have lived two thousand years ago. Her elegant burial dress along with the intricate tattoos in blue on her left arm led to the belief that she was a princess and a priestess in ancient Siberia.
In Borneo women tattoo artist were marked with hand and finger tattoos to show their position as weavers in their culture. " It was an ancient Japanese tradition to tattoo the convicted criminals, but overtime the practice underwent a transformation. People who were not members of the royal family who wanted to beautify themselves began having large, colorful designs tattooed on their torsos and upper arms. The Maori developed a style of facial tattooing known as Moko for its warrior class. Tattoo artists expanded the selection of designs, known as flash, displayed on the walls of their tattoo parlors. The Japanese word for tattoo is irezumi, which means "insertion of ink" and horimoro, which translates into something "carved, sculpted or engraved. Flash was sold in sets that could be legally reproduced onto stencils and bodies. At the same time, tattoos were gaining popularity in England among the wealthy. Tattooing among indigenous North American groups including the Arapaho, Mohave, and Inuit (Eskimo) is rooted in the spiritual realm as well. The tattoo would leave its mark on all aspects of modern society. Throughout the rest of the twentieth century and until the present time, the tattoo would come to represent many things to many different people. The first tattoo machine, patented by Samuel O'Reilly in 1891, was based on an engraving tool created by Thomas Edison. In the case of those imprisoned in concentration camps during the Holocaust, tattoos were used as a method to degrade and destroy any human connection to those who were considered inferior. At that time, only members of the royal family were legally permitted to wear embroidered clothing. In this way they could decorate themselves without breaking the law.
Common topics in this essay:
Persian Gulf,
Inuit Eskimo,
Strait Japan,
Thomas Edison,
BC Hundreds,
Omai Polynesian,
Western Asia,
Maori Tamoko,
Painted Prince,
Samuel O'Reilly,
art tattooing,
warrior class,
royal family,
tattooing associated,
tattoos indicate,
word tattoo,
flash sold,
tattoo machine,
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Acceptance Essays
