CONTENT

I. A BRIEF LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF TATTOOS.....................................2

II. WHAT WERE ANCIENT TATTOOS MADE OUT OF?.................................2
III. THE CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF ANCIENT TATTOOS........................3
IV. ANCIENT AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES...............................................4
V. TATTOOS THROUGH THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES........................9
VI. MODERN TATTOOS - Tattoos As A Form Of Art: Changing Ideals In The
21st Century.......................................................................................................12
A. NEW WAYS OF „TATTOOING”........................................................12
B. TATTOO REMOVAL...........................................................................14
C. GLOBAL TATTOO SURVEY RESULTS...........................................15
VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY..............................................................................................16

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 I. A BRIEF LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF TATTOOS
Tattooing has been practiced across the globe since at least Neolithic times, as
evidenced by mummified preserved skin,
ancient art and the archaeological
record. Both ancient art and
archaeological finds of possible tattoo
tools suggest tattooing was practiced by
the Upper Paleolithic period in Europe.
However, direct evidence for tattooing on
mummified human skin extends only to
the 4th millennium BC. The oldest
discovery of tattooed human skin to date is found on the body of Ötzi the Iceman, dating to
between 3370 and 3100 BC. Other tattooed mummies have been recovered from at least 49
archaeological sites, including locations in
: Greenland, Alaska, Siberia, Mongolia,western China, Egypt, Sudan, the Philippines and
the Andes. These include Amunet, Priestess of the Goddess Hathor from ancient Egypt(c.
2134–1991 BC), multiple mummies from Siberia including the Pazyryk culture of Russia and
from several cultures throughout Pre-Columbian South America.

II. WHAT WERE ANCIENT TATTOOS MADE OUT OF?

Because tattooing practices developed differently

in different cultures, there were many different ways of
creating a tattoo in the ancient world. It is unclear what
tools were used to create the Iceman’s tattoos, although
most experts are confident that the ink was made of soot.
While different tools may have been used at different
locations and different points through history, historians
are fairly confident that the ancient Egyptian tattoos were done using a tool that featured a
sharp point attached to a wooden handle. Other tools most likely used include a set of bronze
instruments that were a bit like flat, wide needles.

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 In Samoa and other Polynesian cultures, the tattoos were traditionally made by tapping
a needle into the skin with a mallet. The process was often painful, and the risk of potentially
lethal infection following the procedure was high.

To achieve the actual pigmentation of the skin, dark substances such as soot were often
used in certain cultures. It is highly possible that other cultures around the world used brighter
colors, however. Inuit cultures, for example, are thought to have used the color yellow in their
tattooing practices.

III. THE CULTURAL IMPORTANCE OF ANCIENT TATTOOS

It can be difficult to determine the precise importance of tattoos in history, especially

in some of the very earliest examples. However, in many cultures and locations around the
world, we can determine that tattoos did indeed play an important role and had a great cultural
significance.

Interestingly, the tattoos discovered on the Iceman’s body may have been therapeutic.
The series of dots and small crosses located on the spine and other various joints appear to have
been strategically placed to reduce the pain. It is unclear whether ancient people believed these
tattoos had a real physiological effect or if they were more of a spiritual or psychological
talisman.

The tattoos in Egypt seem to have been almost exclusively limited to females, leading
to multiple theories about their intended purpose. Some suggest they mark prostitutes or
dancing girls. However, at least one of the women bearing tattoos was an important priestess.
Another possible explanation for the highly-female nature of tattoos is that they were
essentially talismans designed to provide spiritual protection during pregnancy and childbirth.

This theme extends throughout multiple cultures. Some of the tattoo evidence from pre-
Columbian South America also seems to be related to fertility and pregnancy. One woman
from such a culture bears permanent marks wrapping around her lower torso, across her
abdomen and extending down between her hips in a way that seems likely to be associated with
birth somehow.

In other cultures, tattoos were used to mark individuals as belonging to a specific group
of people. Ancient Greeks and Romans often used tattooing to mark someone as either a

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criminal or part of a specific religious order or cult. Herodotus, an ancient Greek historian,
asserted that the Scythian tattoos were marks of nobility.

IV. ANCIENT AND TRADITIONAL PRACTICES

 CHINA

Cemeteries throughout the Tarim Basin (Xinjiang of western China) including the sites
of Qäwrighul, Yanghai, Shengjindian, Zaghunluq, and Qizilchoqa have revealed several
tattooed mummies with Western Asian/Indo-European physical traits and cultural materials.
These date from between 2100 and 550 BC.

In ancient China, tattoos were considered a barbaric practice, and were often referred
to in literature depicting bandits and folk heroes. As late as the Qing Dynasty, it was common
practice to tattoo characters such as ("Prisoner") on convicted criminals' faces. Although
relatively rare during most periods of Chinese history, slaves were also sometimes marked to
display ownership.

However, tattoos seem to have remained a part of southern culture. Marco Polo wrote
of Quanzhou, "Many come hither from Upper India to have their bodies painted with the needle
in the way we have elsewhere described, there being many adepts at this craft in the city". At
least three of the main characters – Lu Zhishen, Shi Jin, and Yan Ching – in the classic
novel Water Margin are described as having tattoos covering nearly all of their bodies. Wu
Song was sentenced to a facial tattoo describing his crime after killing Xi Menqing to avenge
his brother. In addition, Chinese legend claimed the mother of Yue Fei (a
famous Song general) tattooed the words "Repay the Country with Pure Loyalty" down her
son's back before he left to join the army.

 EUROPE

The earliest possible evidence for tattooing in Europe appears on ancient art from
the Upper Paleolithic period as incised designs on the bodies of humanoid
figurines. The Löwenmensch figurine from the Aurignacian culture dates to approximately
40,000 years ago and features a series of parallel lines on its left shoulder. The ivory Venus of
Hohle Fels, which dates to between 35,000 and 40,000 years ago also exhibits incised lines
down both arms, as well as across the torso and chest.

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 The oldest and most famous direct proof of ancient European tattooing appears on the
body of Ötzi the Iceman, who was found in the Ötz valley in the Alps and dates from the late
4th millennium BC. Studies have revealed that Ötzi had 61 carbon-ink tattoos consisting of 19
groups of lines simple dots and lines on his lower spine, left wrist, behind his right knee and
on his ankles. It has been argued that these tattoos were a form of healing because of their
placement, though other explanations are plausible.

Pre-Christian Germanic, Celtic and other central and northern European tribes were
often heavily tattooed, according to surviving accounts, but it may also have been normal paint.
The Picts may have been tattooed (or scarified) with elaborate, war-inspired black or dark
blue woad (or possibly copper for the blue tone) designs. Julius Caesar described these tattoos
in ‚Book V’ of his Gallic Wars (54 BC). Nevertheless, these may have been painted markings
rather than tattoos.

Ahmad ibn Fadlan wrote of his encounter with the Scandinavian Rus' tribe in the early
10th century, describing them as tattooed from "fingernails to neck" with dark blue "tree
patterns" and other "figures." However, this may also have been paint, since the word used can
mean both tattoo and painting. During the gradual process of Christianization in Europe, tattoos
were often considered remaining elements of paganism and generally legally prohibited.

The significance of tattooing was long open to Eurocentric interpretations. In the mid-
19th century, Baron Haussmann, while arguing against painting the interior of Parisian
churches, said the practice "reminds me of the tattoos used in place of clothes by barbarous
peoples to conceal their nakedness".

 GREECE AND ROME

Greek written records of tattooing date back to at least the 5th-century BC. The ancient
Greeks and Romans used tattooing to penalize slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war. While
known, decorative tattooing was looked down upon and religious tattooing was mainly
practiced in Egypt and Syria. According to Robert Graves in his book „The Greek Myths”,
tattooing was common amongst certain religious groups in the ancient Mediterranean world,
which may have contributed to the prohibition of tattooing in Leviticus. The Romans of Late
Antiquity also tattooed soldiers and arms manufacturers, a practice that continued into the ninth
century.

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  GREAT BRITAIN

British and other pilgrims to the Holy Lands throughout the 17th century were tattooed
to commemorate their voyages, including William Lithgow in 1612.

In 1691, William Dampier brought to London a native of the western part of New
Guinea (now part of Indonesia) who had a tattooed body and became known as the "Painted
Prince".

Between 1766 and 1779, Captain James Cook made three voyages to the South Pacific,
the last trip ending with Cook's death in Hawaii in February 1779. When Cook and his men
returned home to Europe from their voyages to Polynesia, they told tales of the 'tattooed
savages' they had seen. The word "tattoo" itself comes from the Tahitian tatau, and was
introduced into the English language by Cook's expedition (though the word 'tattoo' or 'tap-
too', referring to a drumbeat, had existed in English since at least 1644).

It was in Tahiti aboard the Endeavour, in July 1769, that Cook first noted his
observations about the indigenous body modification and is the first recorded use of the word
tattoo to refer to the permanent marking of the skin. In the ship's log book recorded this entry:
"Both sexes paint their Bodys, Tattow, as it is called in their Language. This is done by inlaying
the Colour of Black under their skins, in such a manner as to be indelible." Cook went on to
write, "This method of Tattowing I shall now describe...As this is a painful operation, especially
the Tattowing of their Buttocks, it is performed but once in their Lifetimes."

By the 19th century, tattooing had spread to British society but was still largely
associated with sailors and the lower or even criminal class. Tattooing had however been
practised in an amateur way by public schoolboys from at least the 1840s and by the 1870s
had become fashionable among some members of the upper classes, including royalty. In its
upmarket form, it could be a lengthy, expensive and sometimes painful process.

 JAPAN

Tattooing for spiritual and decorative purposes in Japan is thought to extend back to at
least the Jōmon or Paleolithic period and was widespread during various periods for both the
Japanese and the native Ainu. Chinese texts from before 300 AD described social differences

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among Japanese people as being indicated through tattooing and other bodiapanese. Chinese
texts from the time also described Japanese men of all ages as decorating their faces and bodies
with tattoos.

Between 1603 and 1868, Japanese tattooing was only practiced by the ‚ukiyo’
subculture. Generally firemen, manual workers and prostitutes wore tattoos to communicate
their status. By the early 17th century, criminals were widely being tattooed as a visible mark
of punishment. Criminals were marked with symbols typically including crosses, lines, double
lines and circles on certain parts of the body, mostly the face and arms. These symbols
sometimes designated the places where the crimes were committed. In one area, the character
for "dog" was tattooed on the criminal's forehead.

 SIBERIA

Tattooed mummies dating to c. 500 BC were extracted from burial mounds on the Ukok
plateau during the 1990s. Their tattooing involved animal designs carried out in
a curvilinear style. The Man of Pazyryk, a Scythian chieftain, is tattooed with an extensive and
detailed range of fish, monsters and a series of dots that lined up along the spinal column
(lumbar region) and around the right ankle.

 NORTH AMERICA

a) INUIT PEOPLE

The Inuit People have a deep history of tattooing. In

the Inuktituk language, the word ‚kakiniit’ translates to the English
word for tattoo and the word ‚tunniit’ means face tattoo. Among the
Inuit, some nations tattooed female faces and parts of the body to
symbolize a girl transitioning into a woman, coinciding with the
start of her first menstrual cycle. A tattoo represented a woman's
beauty, strength, and maturity. This was an important practice
because some Inuit believed that a woman could not transition into
the spirit world without tattoos on her skin.

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 b) OSAGE NATION

The Osage People used tattooing for a variety of different reasons. The tattoo designs were
based on the belief that people were part of the larger cycle of life and integrated elements of
the land, sky, water, and the space in between to symbolize these beliefs. In addition, the Osage
People believed in the smaller cycle of life, recognizing the importance of women giving life
through childbirth and men removing life through warfare. Osage men were often tattooed after
accomplishing major feats in battle, as a visual and physical reminder of their elevated status
in their community. Some Osage women were tattooed in public as a form of a prayer,
demonstrating strength and dedication to their nation.

c) HAUDENOSAUNEE PEOPLE

The Haudenosaunee People historically used tattooing in connection to war. A tradition for
many young men was to go on a journey into the wilderness, fast from eating any food, and
discover who their personal manitou (a good or evil spirit) was. Scholars explain that this
process of discovery likely included dreams and visions that would bring a specific manitou to
the forefront for each young man to have. The manitou became an important element of
protection during warfare and many boys tattooed their manitou onto their body to symbolize
cultural significance of the manitou to their lives. As they showed success in warfare, male
warriors had more tattoos, some even keeping score of all the kills they had made. Some
warriors had tattoos on their faces that tallied how many people they had scalped in their
lifetime.

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 V. TATTOOS THROUGH THE 20TH AND 21ST CENTURIES
 Tattoos in the 1910s
At the beginning of the 20th century,the majority of
tattoos were found on circus performers or sailors.Tattoos
were used to tell someone’s personal story,as well as their
professions.For example,it was common for a sailor to have
an anchor tatto. Within the sailing community,tattoos also
became a mark of belonging.Young sailors would be
tattooed after joining, almost like an initiation ceremony, to
welcome them on board. From here,the tradition continued
to grow and had somewhat more of a practical purpose.Many
of the tattoos were used for identification purposes if sailors
fell overboard or drowned.

The tattoos symbolized the different destinations as well as the length of their journey.A
turtle tattoo would mean that a sailor had crossed the equator and a swallow tattoo symbolized
a journey of 5,000 miles.

 Tattoos in the 1920s

Throughout the 1920s, cosmetic tattoos became very popular among women.Many would
get popular makeup trends tattooed on their faces, as makeup was too expensive to buy.
Common makeup tattoos included eyebrows and lip liner. Traditionally designed tattoos were
still less common throughout society and were not very socially acceptable. It was still mainly
the so-called outcasts, such as circus performers, sailors, and criminals, who sported tattoos.
As tattoos were so socially unacceptable, most women would keep their cosmetic tattoos a
secret.

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 Tattoos in the 1930s
Social security numbers appeared in the 1930s and everyone was told to memorize their
personal number. Many resorted to tattooing their social security number onto their body so
they would always have access to it.

 Tattoos in the 1940s

The 1940s saw the birth of the iconic ‘Sailor Jerry’ style of tattoo, created by Norman Keith
Collins. He added color to tattoos by creating his own pigments and adding them to his tattoo
designs. The classic designs of this decade feature bold motifs and plenty of colors.

 Tattoos in the 1950s

Throughout the 1950s, tattoos became a reflection of masculinity. While it became trendy,
especially among ‘bad boys’ to have tattoos, there was still a negative social stigma around
tattoos. Those with tattoos were more likely to be labeled as criminals or thugs. Society had
shifted backward slightly, and tattoos once again were seen as the mark of the outcast. For
those who continued to get inked, the trend of nautical tattoos continued throughout the 50s.
The decade also saw an increase in the popularity of chest tattoos.

 Tattoos in the 1960s

Tattoo parlors in New York were blamed for an increase in hepatitis throughout the 1960s.
While this may or may not have been true, it certainly created a negative stigma around the
tattoo industry. This meant a lot of people steered clear of getting tattooed throughout this
decade.However, the 60s saw an increase of tattooed idols in the media, with famous musicians

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like Janis Joplin going under the needle. Celebrities flocked to Lyle Tuttle, who was one of the
best and most reputable tattoo artists at the time.

 Tattoos in the 1970s

The 1970s saw tattoos really becoming more mainstream and popular. They were no longer
reserved for the outcasts of society, now regular people wanted to get them too. Peace symbols
and messages of peace were particularly popular in this decade.The 70s also saw a new style,
with detailed and intricate designs, gaining popularity. Full sleeve tattoos and bodysuits began
emerging on young people engaged in the counterculture.

 Tattoos in the 1980s

The 1980s saw tattoos getting bigger and brighter: bold black outlines, Celtic knots, and
colorful motif designs rose.
Many people would get inked after being inspired by their favourite rock star’s tattoos. By
the 80s, society was finally on board and tattoos were, at last, socially acceptable—for most
people anyway. Because stigmas dropped away, more and more ‘regular’ people got tattoos.
 Tattoos in the 1990s
One of the most iconic and popular tattoo designs of the 90s was Pamela Anderson’s
barbed-wire armband. Other popular designs from this decade include tribal designs, Chinese
letters, as well as tattoos of the sun.
 Tattoos in the 2000s
The beginning of the 21st century saw lower back tattoos increase in popularity. The so-
called “tramp stamp” became one of the most fashionable places for women to get tattoos.
Butterfly and Yin-Yang symbols also gained traction.
 Tattoos in the 2010s
So far, the 2010s have seen trends related to both the design and the
placement of tattoos. Small tattoos in unusual places, like the fingers or
behind the ears are now very popular. Many people are opting for quirky
and creative designs.

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VI. MODERN TATTOOS - Tattoos As A Form Of Art: Changing Ideals
In The 21st Century

As the stigma surrounding tattoos fades into the past, more and more people are turning
towards the trend in order to express themselves, their ideas and opinions permanently on their
bodies. They are permanent expressions of a feeling, attitude or sentiment that someone wishes
to commemorate. If the purpose of art is to challenge a point of view, make a statement or
simply to commemorate an event or memory, then it seems that tattoos are most certainly a
modern form of fine art. To take it a step further, it appears that, as tattoo artists are able to
engage in modern technologies that allow them to progress in their techniques and styles, the
art form becomes more intricate and visually appealing. Simplicity is no longer the name of
the game with modern tattoos.

 NEW WAYS OF „TATTOOING”

Some people prefer alternatives to regular tattoos,such as:

 Transfer (temporary) tattoos

Transfer tattoos are usually made from a combination of glue and ink. The image sticks to
a sheet of paper treated with a special coating. When you apply moisture to the back of the

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paper with the image on it, the tattoo is released. The image has a layer of glue on top that
makes it stick to your skin. Depending on the quality of the ink and glue compounds, transfer
tattoos last anywhere from one to five days. Baby oil or alcohol, not plain water, breaks down
the glue for easy removal.

 Henna tattoos

Henna tattoos use a dye made from a flowering plant to create tattoo-like images on the
skin. An artist paints or stencils the design on the body.Henna is only available in shades of
red, brown and black. The addition of this dye can make the tattoo last longer and appear
darker, but it is not approved skin cosmetic in the United States.

 Airbrushed Tattoos

First developed for movies in which actors wanted longer-lasting but realistic looking
temporary tattoos, airbrushed tattoos are sprayed onto the skin. The tattoo is made up of a
specialized paint, rather than a dye such as henna, that lasts between two and seven days. A
stencil is used to apply the design, and the artist can customize it during the application process,
unlike with temporary tattoos.

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  TATTOO REMOVAL

Tattoo removal has been performed with various tools since the start of tattooing.
While tattoos were once considered permanent, it is now possible to remove them with
treatments, fully or partially.

Before the development of laser tattoo removal methods, common techniques

included dermabrasion, TCA (Trichloroacetic acid, an acid that removes the top layers of skin,
reaching as deep as the layer in which the tattoo ink resides), salabrasion (scrubbing the skin
with salt), cryosurgery and excision which is sometimes still used along with skin grafts for
larger tattoos. Many other methods for removing tattoos have been suggested historically
including the injection or application of tannic acid, lemon juice, garlic.

How does the laser tattoo removal work?

The laser has different wavelengths of light which passes through the layers of skin to
the ink. The laser breaks up the ink into small particles which the body removes through the
lymphatic system. This takes a number of sessions with sessions being 4-8 weeks apart. This
gives the body time to do its job and get rid of any small particles.

Is the treatment painful?

The pain is like a burning sensation. The treatment can be painful depending on the pain
threshold of the person.

How many sessions are needed?

The number of sessions will depend on many things such as: size of the tattoo, location
of the tattoo, the depth of the ink, colours used.

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  GLOBAL TATTOO SURVEY RESULTS

The results shown are from a survey conducted by Dalia Research in April 2018 to
measure tattoo incidence across the internet connected population in the Argentina, Australia,
Brazil, Canada, Germany, Denmark, Spain, France, the UK, Greece, Israel, Italy, Mexico,
Russia, Sweden, Turkey, the USA, and South Africa.

● 38% of the global respondents say they have at least one tattoo .

● Young people do not actually have the highest rate of tattoos: 32% of respondents age 14 to
29 have a tattoo compared to 45% of people age 30 to 49.

● Tattoos are also more popular among those with higher levels of education (32%) than those
with lower levels of education (26%).

● Italy has the highest percent of tattooed people (48%) followed by Sweden (47%) and the
US (46%).

● 72% of tattoo owners do not regret getting their tattoo.

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VII. Bibliography:
 http://www.historyoftattoos.net/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_tattooing
 https://authoritytattoo.com/history-of-tattoos/
 https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history-you-asked/what-history-tattoos
 https://study.com/academy/lesson/history-of-tattoos.html
 https://www.luna-laser.com.au/laser-tattoo-removal/
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo_removal
 http://nextluxury.com/mens-style-and-fashion/modern-tattoos-for-men/
 http://nickyjameson.com/2018/10/30/tattoos-as-a-form-of-art-changing-ideals-in-
the-21st-century/
 https://oureverydaylife.com/125234-6month-temporary-tattoos-done.html
 https://kendallgoodwin.wordpress.com/2011/04/11/tattoos-a-21st-century-
perspective/
 http://www.historyoftattoos.net/tattoo-facts/tattoo-statistics/
 https://www.freshstartlaserclinic.com/facts/tattoo-statistics-trends/
 https://daliaresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/2018-05-
16_Pressrelease_Tattoo_Survey.pdf
 https://listverse.com/2016/11/05/10-mysterious-ancient-tattoos/
 https://www.archaeology.org/issues/107-1311/features/tattoos?start=5

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