An overview on the history of tattooing
Tattooing isn't a recent phenomenon. In fact, it dates back thousands and thousands of years and carries a much deeper meaning than one might have thought. To each individual today, a tattoo might convey various meanings and attitudes, much like it was in the past, ever since its existence.
The exact date of the emergence of tattoos is unknown but in recorded history, tattoos were discovered to have made their earliest appearance during the building of the great pyramids in Egypt. Tattooed markings were found on the bodies of female Egyptians dating back to between 4000 BC and 2000 BC.
It was believed that the skin was the first canvas for art. In retrospect to this statement, the original process involved using sticks and sharp objects as painting tools to wound the body, thereafter packing dirt or ashes into the wound to discolour it, leaving a permanent marking. Thus, the creation of tribal markings was formed- a primitive act.
Throughout the evolution of tattooing, tattoos obtained several different meanings to several different countries and religions. The acceptance of tattoos was a very unlikely, if not completely, rare occurrence among society. To many, it was a form of rebellion, to others it was a form of identity. Either way, the semiotics of tattoos obtained various connotations in a global aspect.
In ancient China, tattoos were often associated with criminals and gang members whereby the criminals would have markings on their body relating to the crime they have committed. On a brighter note, in China, it was also believed that having one's astrological symbol, such as the pig, the goat or the horse, would bring good fortune. It was seen as a good luck charm. Physical health was also believed to be promoted through the application of tattoos on acupuncture areas of the body that would help with physical, emotional and spiritual healing. Similarly, Ace of Spades card tattoos were believed to protect American soldiers during the Vietnam War from bad luck and disease.
In Japan, tattoos were also related to criminal punishment. During the years of 1720-1870, the accused would receive a single ring around their arm for each crime they committed. It was believed to bring shame to those who chose to live such a barbaric life. After this time, the government had put an end to this unrespectable practice, which led to the formation of a subculture of criminals and outcasts, who were looked down upon, but felt accepted by one another. Other than tattoos being used for this purpose, it was also used for spiritual and decorative purposes, much like many of the ancient Asian cultures. In earlier times (1603-1868), as a form of branding, Japanese people used tattoos in a decorative manner to show their status within society. This especially applied to fireman, manual labour workers and prostitutes. Other cultures that made use of tattooing as a form of branding included the Greeks branding their slaves, as well as the Romans and the Goths (a tribe of German barbarians).
Clan markings, very similar to branding, were also a very popular practice among the primitive people of various societies. For example, these tattoos were used to identify individuals in a place of war to distinguish friend from enemies. A certain tattoo meant that you belonged to a certain group or ‘clan’.
In the primitive times, tattooing was also an art used as a rite of passage. Many cultures performed this rite in their own way, but in the Samoan culture it was helped define rank and title, specifically for the chiefs. A tattooing ceremony was held for young, coming-of-age boys who were ready to take their leadership role as the next in line to become Chief.
Tattoos were also hugely popular amongst sailors. This was the result of the art of tattooing entering the west. William Dampher, a British sailor, returned to London in the year 1961 after sailing the South Seas, and brought with him a heavily tattooed man from Polynesia. This man was exhibited for money and became the talk of the town and soon, the upper classes of the west had small tattoos done on their bodies, however, they were in hidden places. The earliest tattoos that sailors had on their bodies was a chicken on one foot and a pig on the other in order to protect them from drowning while on their journey out at sea. Images of bluebirds tattooed on their chests symbolised the number of miles that a sailor had been at sea. Each bluebird represented 5000 miles travelled. As the sailors travelled the seas, many of them had brought back images imprinted on themselves from many other cultures, thus creating the interconnection between cultures and the exotic elements that drew awareness of foreign societies.
With the rise of primitive tattoos in the west, the old method of cutting the skin and rubbing dirt in it was something of the past. A gentleman by the name of Samuel O’Reilly revolutionised the art of tattooing by inventing the every first electronic tattoo, machine in the late 19th century (1891). Tattoos turned from tribal marking into more sophisticated, detailed designs. It slowly moved from an unacceptable, unrespectable activity into a subcultural fashion statement in the early 2000s.
Whether to communicate branding, a clan, physical health, good luck, religion, or love, tattoos have carried a great and diverse history. Through time, global influences have caused tattoos to evolve into art that tells a story of what each individual wishes to believe in. Many modern tattoos hold the same meaning that they have for thousands of years and many tattoos have shifted their meaning into what spiritual or personal belief the wearer holds.
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