Ancient tattoos are often preserved
when skin has been mummified or preserved in ice or peat,
but nobody knows for sure when the first tattoo was inked.
This article is written to take you
on a quick trip around the world looking at some interesting
facts about the origins of tattoo designs.
The Pacific Islands
It is thought that the word tattoo
originated from the Tahitian word tatau, meaning 'to mark'.
Maori men tattooed their faces with
fierce looking patterns and Maori women tattooed their
lips and chins and were a sign of beauty. These tattoos
are caved into the flesh using a bone chisel, and ink
is then placed in the cuts. Recently Maori tattoos have
become popular in the tattoo world.
In Samoa the tattoo marks the ability
to bear pain and is still true today.
Tattooing in Japan is thought to
go back some ten thousand years, with probably the most
recognisable (and probably the most beautiful and elaborate)
form of Japanese body art is associated with the organized
crime group the Yakuza.
Central and South America
There is evidence showing that prior
to the arrival of the Spanish in Central and South America
that tattoos and body painting was widespread and largely
used for social and spiritual purposes (rather than just
decorative). The arrival of the Spanish marked the start
of a rapid decline and termination of many indigenous
cultures, taking with them the knowledge of how these
looked and how they were applied.
Central and South Africa
Tribal tattoos designs were traditionally
applied using a the method of marking out the design on
the skin with series of black dots, which works less well
on darker skins. This may explain why tribal tattoos are
not as prevalent as in Central and South African cultures.
Rather than tattoos – skin painting and scarification
is widely used as a way of decorating the body.
Europe
The remains of Ötzi the Iceman
were found entombed in a glacier in the Italian / Austrian
Alps and have been dated back some 5,000 years shows that
he had about 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots
and lines on his lower spine, on his right ankle and behind
his left knee.
Tattooing in Europe has obviously
been around for many thousands of years (as seen on Ötzi
the Iceman), although it was thought that Captain Cook
're-introduced' tattooing back into Europe after his expedition
around the Pacific in 1769. Many sailors returned bearing
permanent souvenirs on their bodies. Since the return
of this voyage, tattoos have been associated with life
on the sea.
Tribal Tattoos Designs
Tribal Tattoos Designs vary considerably
in terms of their design and style, however they mostly
use large areas of solid black called 'blackwork'
Below are a few links to other websites
which, if you are looking for tribal tattoo designs or
forearm tattoo designs would be a good place to start
looking
Chopper-Tattoo
(provides you with literally thousands of award winning
tattoo designs - easy to browse. They also give you about
$200 of free music downloads when you join their membership
site).
Tattoo
Me Now (3,523 designs (and growing!) in 40 categories
with over 37,000 customers).
Print
My Tattoo (7,500 tattoo designs ready to be printed
and used, with unlimited downloads)
Please note that if you follow
any of the links above and you part with any money, then
the forearm-tattoos.co.uk
website may receive a commission.
Copyright © 2010 Forearm
Tattoos, Penzance, Cornwall
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