Permanent Ink: A History of Tattoos

Tattoos are becoming more and more popular; they’ve made it from being part of a scrutinized subculture to aesthetic pop culture. They’re seen on celebrities, athletes, and even models. These types of permanent expression have been around for centuries, even way back during the time of the Egyptians. And no, they certainly didn’t use the same puncture method as they do now.

Ancient Egypt:

While tattoos have arguably been in existence since 12,000 B.C., the earliest known instances of tattoos on the human body were found to have existed around 5200 B.C. Mummies have been shown to have intricate designs on certain parts of their bodies, but these marks were for much more spiritual reasons than today. It was customary for women to have them, not men. Many of these female mummies were thought of to be either “dancing girls” or prostitutes when being excavated, so they were dismissed. However, a mistake was made one day, when a female mummy was thought to be only a royal concubine, when she was actually a high priestess named Amunet. This stigma (stigma is actually Latin for tattoo, believe it or not) started to fade away when it was realized that the tattoos had spiritual connotations.

Above is a picture of a female mummy’s tattooed hand. The placement of the tattoos had a big significance. The meaning for hand tattoos is not clear, but they are commonly found around the thighs, breasts, and stomach. They were used a a form of protection for, during, and after childbirth. The patterns we hoped to “keep everything in” and prevent the loss of a child. Most Egyptian tattoos were said to have been applied by a needle set in a wooden handle.

Polynesian Tattooing:

Tattooing in Polynesia, most notably in Samoa, has been going on for over two thousand years. In Samoa, tattoos are a sign of honor and rank. Males were given tattoos between the ages of 14 and 18, when it was believed they had stopped growing. This was to ensure that the tattoos wouldn’t be warped by the growth of their bodies. Most of these marks covered from the mid-torso and back, all the way down to the knees. Getting these tattoos was extremely painful, as the needles were bone combs on the end of a stick. Enduring this pain and successfully getting the tattoo was a rite of passage. Unfinished tattoos showed that a man couldn’t handle the pain, and was therefore shamed.

Women also got tattoos, but they chose much smaller ones.Usually they did not cover the whole body, or weren’t as elaborate.

Above is a picture of a Samoan man with the traditional-style tattooing mentioned before.

Tattooing in Japan:

Japanese tattoo history is also very extensive, dating back to around 10,000 B.C. Tattoos in Japan are called irezumi. Unlike many other cultures, tattoos were actually used to mark and shame criminals, most commonly during the Edo period (1603-1868). They became illegal during the Meiji period, and stayed illegal until 1948. Because of their prohibition, tattoos were commonly found on members of the Yakuza, or Japan’s most well-known organized crime syndicate. Because of this, there is currently a huge stigma on them. They’re thought of to be things only the Yakuza or foreigners would get. So, sometimes, people with tattoos are gawked at on the streets, and they may not be permitted entry into onsen, or hot springs, which are very popular in Japan.

Shown above is the customary Yakuza tattooing, that, to the Western World, would like like any other elaborate tattoo around.

Recently, however, tattoos in Japan have been becoming a part of the fashion world. Many models can be seen on billboards. There’s an important thing that must be known, and that is that in Japan, tattoo artists are required to have medical degrees. This makes it much more difficult to open a studio and leaves artists at the hands of the law. There are many “underground” tattoo operations, and they’re often raided by police. So, it’s probably best to find a licensed artist if interested in getting a tattoo in Japan, especially Tokyo.

Tattoos in the USA:

America doesn’t have quite as extensive of a tattoo history as the other countries. But, in 1891, the way tattoos are applied was revolutionized. Samuel O’Reilly, an Irish tattoo artist, was the first one to be issued an electric tattoo machine. O’Reilly then opened the first tattoo parlor in America. This trend took off very quickly and more and more parlors began opening up around the country. During the First and Second World Wars, many soldiers got tattoos for a means of protection and remembrance. Soon after, tattooing became very popular, thanks to the fashion industry and the media (but only to an “alternative” group of people until much later on).

Above is a picture of the first tattoo machine

In Modern Times:

Nowadays, it’s very common to see people with tattoos. They’re now a part of pop culture, instead of a subculture. Everyone wants one, and there are multiple popular design patterns and reasons for getting them. Workplaces have become more lenient on visible tattoos, allowing for people to get them almost anywhere on the body and still be considered as professional (but NEVER the face). The stigma behind them has become less and less relevant as they have become almost mainstream. Just remember one thing, never get a tattoo because it’s trendy. Get one that’s meaningful or individualistic. And even if it’s a small one, take good care of it! Tattoos are beautiful overall, but if they get infected, they can be ruined, and you can be left with a scar. Follow all of the instructions given from a tattoo artist following an appointment, and everything should go smoothly.