For many, the body is a journal, and the ink is the story. Today, people choose to be tattooed for many reasons, such as sentimental and religious. Tattoos are also viewed as symbolization for many who identify with particular groups, including ethnic groups. Some tattoos serve as marks of status and rank, decorations for bravery, and rites of passage. The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures.
For those of you who don’t know, tattoos aren’t only affiliated with bikers and hip hop culture. How did it begin?
Tattooing has been practiced for centuries in many cultures, particularly in Asia. Since then, it has spread throughout the world. The island of Great Britain takes its name from tattooing. Britons means “people of the designs”, and Picts, literally means “the painted people”. The symbolism and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures.
Although tattooing has become a staple in American culture, it was widespread among Polynesians and among certain tribal groups in many counties including Africa, Europe, and Japan. The first documented professional tattoo artist in the USA, was Martin Hildebrandt. Hildebrandt was a German immigrant who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1846. Between 1861 and 1865, he tattooed soldiers on both sides in the American Civil War.
Native American tattoos are also popular. Many find the tribal aspect of the designs very beautiful and powerful. Many Indian tribes have the tradition of getting tattoos to represent their tribe.
Types of Tattoo Traditions
Various cultures have had their own tattoo traditions, ranging from branding, rubbing cuts and other wounds with ashes, to hand-pricking the skin.
In Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, the vantra tattoo is used for protection against evil and to increase luck.
In the Philippines certain tribal groups believe tattoos have magical qualities, and help to protect their bearers. Most traditional tattooing in the Philippines is related to the bearer’s accomplishments in life or rank in the tribe.
Between the 16th and 18th centuries, modern tattooing in the Western world promoted contact between explorers, Amerindian tribes and the Polynesians they encountered. The Polynesian practice, especially, became popular among European sailors, who took the Samoan word tatau to describe the actual tattoo. As sailors traveled abroad and returned home with tattoos inscribed on their bodies, tattoos began to appear in mainstream European and North American figurations.
The Japanese word irezumi means “insertion of ink”. The most common word used for traditional Japanese tattoo designs is Horimono.
Germanic, Celtic and other central and northern European tribes were often heavily tattooed. The Picts were famously tattooed with elaborate, war-inspired black or dark blue woad (and sometimes copper for the blue tone) designs.
By the 1870s tattoos had become a mark of wealth for the crowned heads of Europe.
Facial Tattoos
Many frown upon facial tattoos, citing it as frivolous. Some common responses have been: “What were they thinking?!! “And “How in the world do they expect to get a job looking like that?!! “ Today, facial tattoos seem to be common in gangs, and hip hop culture, but the trend of facial tattoos started long ago.
The Ainu people of Japan traditionally had facial tattoos. Today, one can find certain natives of Taiwan such as Seediq and Truku with facial tattoos; as well as the Berbers of Tamazgha in North Africa. In addition, facial tattoos are also common for many Nigerians, such as Yoruba and Māori of New Zealand.
In Taiwan, facial tattoos are used to demonstrate that an adult man can protect his homeland, and that an adult woman is qualified to weave cloth and perform housekeeping.
Anthropologist Ling Roth in 1900 described four methods of skin marking and suggested they be differentiated under the names “tatu”, “moko” and “cicatrix”.
Emperor Constantine I banned tattooing the face around AD 330.
The Downside
While tattoos have served as a form of expression, many people have also been forcibly tattooed. A well-known example is the identification system for inmates in Nazi concentration camps during the Holocaust. Tattoos have also been used for identification in other ways. For example, during the Roman Empire, Roman soldiers were required by law to have identifying tattoos on their hands in order to make it difficult to hide if they deserted. Gladiators were likewise tattooed, and exported slaves were tattooed with the words “tax paid”.
The Future of Tattoos
These days, many tattooed people see their tattoos as unique aspects of themselves. In contrast, studies have shown the art of tattooing focuses on overall trends. They often examine the influence of the media and consumer culture; as well as, the influence of gender, sexuality, race and class on tattooing. While there is no single explanation for the increasing popularity of tattoos, it’s apparent that many use tattoos to express who they are, their experiences in life, and how they see themselves in relation to others. Will tattoos ever become extinct? Only time will tell.
