Are you planning to have your first ever tattoo? Since it will leave a permanent mark on your body, it is crucial to learn a little bit about the history of tattooing before seeing your favorite artists.

Today, the papmall® team is spending some time looking at different tattooing techniques, trends, and meanings of tattoos and the various roles this body art plays through the ages and across the world.

A brief history of tattoos

The first tattoo in history was found in the form of clay figurines in tombs in Japan dating back to 5000 BCE or earlier. Archeologists also discovered tattoos dating between 2134 and 1991 B.C. on the mummies of Amunet, an ancient Egyptian priestess of the goddess Hathor.

Other early examples are tattoos dating back to the Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. Several mummified bodies with tattoos have been discovered between that date and the present (2160–1994 BCE).

This very minute, we are diving into the main topic of today - Tattoos origin and meaning.

Tattoos history and culture

Different techniques throughout time

Ötzi

It is the name of a 5,300-year-old mummified body discovered in September, 1991, in the Ötztal Alps (hence the name "Ötzi"). He had been tattooed using the "soot tattooing" technique, in which soot is used as ink by rubbing it into open wounds with one's hands.

He also got the first tattoo in history. According to Maria Anna Pabst , a researcher at the Medical University of Graz in Austria, his tattoos possibly were for medicinal rather than decorative purposes.

Egyptian

Similarly, soot was used instead of ink, and bronze instruments consisting of needles were used to render the incision. They were discovered in northern Egypt and dated back to 1450 BC, making them the oldest tools in the history of tattooing.

Japanese Tebori

There are no Japanese mummies, so we can only know that tattooing began there in 297 AD, as the Chinese documented. Their writings were highly critical of it, detailing how men of all ages would get face and body tattoos.

Japanese designs required handmade needles held cautiously before being inserted onto the skin. They are typically large and can take years to complete due to their size and cost.

Ta Moko

Eastern Polynesia brought Ta Moko to New Zealand in 1769. Since then, it has been popularized to represent tribal membership. Unfortunately, colonization dramatically disrupted this practice and nearly eliminated it in the 1800s, as it was considered savagely cruel.

Today, however, it is still regarded as a sacred artwork. Because of this, and a widely-held belief that the head is the most sacred part of the body, this is the only place where Kiwis get inked.

A brief history of tattoos: Despite being a more intense method, Ta Moko mostly brings an aesthetic value, though some believe it has medicinal properties.

Stick and Poke

People have given each other stick and poke tattoos for millennia. It's always been a personal way to share experiences, especially when a more sophisticated, professional tattoo is out of the budget or unsolicited.

Among Western countercultures, there has been a surge in the young tattoo population who ink their peers as an expression of identity and rebellion.

Nowadays, many people are either hand-poke tattoo artists or not inventing new tattooing techniques at all.

Behind a technique is a tattoos origin and meaning

The history of tattooing in the 20th Century

1910s

Most tattoos were discovered on circus performers or sailors at the dawn of the twentieth century. Each tattoo had its own story, while many designs could tell someone's job. For example, having an anchor tattoo is common among sailors.

Tattoos became a symbol of belonging within the sailing community. Tattooing new sailors was almost an initiation ceremony to welcome them on board.

From here, the traditional art form expanded and had a more practical purpose, such as identifying drowned sailors.

A fun fact in the history of tattooing: They represented the various destinations and the length of a voyage. For instance, a turtle could mean that a sailor crossed the equator, while a swallow tattoo denoted a 5,000-mile journey.

1920s

Cosmetic tattoos were hip and trendy among women during the 1920s. Because makeup was unaffordable, many people would have makeup trends tattooed on their faces. Eyebrows and lip liner were popular choices.

Tattoos with traditional designs were still uncommon and were not widely accepted. They were mainly for “outcasts” such as circus performers, sailors, and criminals. Because tattooing was a taboo, most women kept their cosmetic tattoos hidden.

Makeup was part of the history of tattooing

1930s

Social security numbers were first introduced in the 1930s, and everyone was told to remember their number. Therefore, many people had tattooed their social security numbers onto their bodies as a memory prompt.

At this time, tattoos were not socially acceptable. Unfortunately, people with a security number tattoo were not treated the same as those with an ornamental one. Tattoos were still only for performers, sailors, and criminals.

The 1930s was when new theories emerged, saying tattoos were implications of sexual desires. Albert Parry published a book which described the processing of getting a tattoo as sexual. Unsurprisingly, tattoos were frowned upon during this period.

1940s

When it comes to the origin of tattoos, we must not forget to mention the "Sailor Jerry" coined by Norman Keith Collins, who made his pigments and incorporated colors into his designs. Overall, the concept of this decade is bold and vivid.

Most tattoos in the 1940s were nautical or military, especially patriotic patterns owing to WWII. More women entered the workforce during the war, and more of them got tattoos.

It was the first milestone when tattoos gained more acceptance. Decorative ink broke over and became more prevalent than in previous decades. As we know it, many Sailor Jerry-style tattoos are timeless and popular 'til today.

1950s

Tattoos became a symbol of masculinity throughout the 1950s. While tattoos became popular, particularly among 'bad boys,' there was still a social stigma around them. Tattooed people were more likely to be seen as criminals or thugs.

History repeated itself: Tattoos were once again the mark of the outcast. The nautical tattoo trend persisted throughout the 1950s for tattoo enthusiasts. Chest tattoos became increasingly popular during the time.

1960s

Tattoo parlors were to blame for an unusually high number of hepatitis cases in New York during the summer of 1960. According to reports, poor cleaning and hygiene practices accounted for the outbreak.

As a result, many people avoided having tattoos during this time, except celebrities who trusted Lyle Tuttle, one of the most famous tattoo artists in history, to do their tattoos.

That explains why tattoos mostly got into the media during this decade. During the 1960s, bikers frequently showed up with skull and crossbones tattoos. Patriotic tattoos were less popular at the time because people were unhappy with the Vietnam War.

1970s

Tattoos transitioned from subculture to mainstream in the 1970s. They were no longer limited to outcasts: Ordinary folk wanted to get them too. Peace symbols and messages gained popularity during this decade.

The 70s witnessed an emergence of a new style, which was more detailed and elaborate. Full-sleeve tattoos and bodysuits were a trend among counterculture youth during this time.

The cultural significance of tattoos

1980s

Tattoos thrived during the decade of rebellion. Bold black outlines, Celtic knots, and bright motif designs became popular. The music scene, particularly rock ‘n’ roll, heavily influenced the tattoo community.

Many people got tattoos inspired by those of their favorite rock stars. As stigmas faded, tattoos were finally socially acceptable, for the most part.

1990s

Like in the 1980s, celebrities were the trendsetters for tattoo fans of the 90s. One of the most iconic designs was Pamela Anderson’s armband barbed wire tattoo. Other popular designs from the decade include tribal designs, Chinese letters, and the sun.

Across the globe, people began to raise concerns about the Western use of tribal and traditional tattoo designs. The rise of digital communications facilitated global debates about ethical appropriation during this time.

2000s

Lower back tattoos became increasingly popular at the turn of the century. The "tramp stamp" was where most women chose to have their tattoos done. The butterfly and Yin-Yang symbols also rose in popularity.

High-profile figures still played a massive role in tattoo trends. One prime example is Rihanna's star tattoos, which she popularized.

Celebrities influence tattoo trends

2010s

In the 2010s, there have been changes in both tattoo design and placement. Small tattoos on unprecedented body parts, such as the fingers or behind the ears, are becoming increasingly popular. Many people prefer creative and customized designs.

A novelty mustache is one of the most popular small finger tattoo designs. Other popular trends include the infinity symbol, feathers, and tribal tattoos, which are always in style.

The meanings of tattoos

Africa

Tattoos were believed to cure illnesses or ward off harmful spiritual forces. African people also used these markings to swear allegiance to their community. For example, in Nigeria and Burkina Faso, tattoos served as a means of identification, demonstrating tribal citizenship.

Also, because mummies identified at Deir el-Medina were thought to be female, scientists have concluded that their tattoos were either religious practices or symbols of protection and healing.

Southeast Asia

The geometric patterns, commonly known as sak yant, were hand-etched on the skin by Buddhist monks to grant strength and protection to the wearer.

More specifically, the invention of tattoos is said to empower Muay Thai fighters, protect elephant trainers from attack, and even make soldiers immune to bullets.

East Asia

They are still associated with criminals and "uncivilized" people. For example, South Korea has the strictest laws that forbid tattoo artists without a medical license, which is no longer required for legal tattoos in Japan. China, on the other hand, has few restrictions on this form of body art.

Oceania

Tattooing was a popular body adornment throughout Oceania, particularly in eastern Polynesia and the Marquesas Islands. It was appropriate given that the word "tattoo" derives from the Samoan word "tatau", which means "to strike”. Without leg tattoo covers, men would be severely criticized and have difficulty finding a wife in Samoa.

European & Russian

The history of tattooing dates back to the ancient Greeks and Romans, as in East Asia, in Europe, it is usually linked with crime.

According to the historian Herodotus, the Greeks learned the tradition of penal tattoos from the Persians and tattooed slaves and enemies accordingly. On the other hand, some of the cultures the conquerors encountered bore tattoos with pride.

America

Some Inuit women had tattoos on their faces to represent rites of passage, whereas the Osage people used tattoos to symbolize the role of humans in the larger cycle of life on Earth.

Meanwhile, warriors in the Haudenosaunee Confederation frequently wore tattoos which were sometimes used to mark their victories.

Final words

At this point, we have taken you through the history of tattooing to understand this time-honored art better. Tattooing has been around for a long time, so it is important to look back to see what the future holds.

Become a buyer now!

papmall® Team

• [email protected]
• +65 6681 6728
• www.papmall.com