Tattoos: A Permanent Part of Art Culture

Do you enjoy pain? Don’t you just love needles poking through your skin? The answer to this question is presumably no. If it is yes, then I suggest a trip your local therapist’s office. Most people don’t enjoy pain or needless, however millions of people across the world endure both for one of the most unique forms of art, tattoos.

I decided to base this blog on one of my personal favorite art forms, tattoos. Tattoos are a unique form of art in the sense that the human body is the canvas for the work of art. People get tattoos for many reasons such as to honor a family member, show allegiance to an organization, religious purposes, to display their love for an individual or activity/occupation or hobby, and my personal favorite, to document personal memories and experiences.

“My body is my journal, and my tattoos are my story”

-Johnny Depp

Today we’ll take a look at how tattoos have fit in to several major cultures throughout world history. The first known tattoos were found to be worn by who many researchers call “Iceman.” Iceman was discovered near the Italian-Austrian border in the late 20th century, and was so cleverly named after being found preserved in an ice block. Iceman dates back to around 5,200 years ago and sports tattoos in the form of circles and crosses. Based on the location of his tattoos, which were in areas of the body commonly affected by joint pain and arthritis, researches came to the conclusion that Iceman’s tattoos were a form of medicine (primarily used for joint pain) in his ancient culture.

Egyptian women are believed to have had large tattoos, most often on their thigh. This is depicted in Ancient Egyptian Figurines that have been recovered by archaeologists. In addition, ancient tools believed to be used for tattooing have been found in the Northern Egyptian town of Gurob. For the unrelenting skeptic, I should also add that many Egyptian mummies have also been discovered sporting a tattoo or two.

As for the Ancient Romans, their opinions on tattoos were indifferent to say the least. Ancient Romans, like the Greeks, held the natural, “pure” human body in high regard.

However, people die and attitudes change.

The first Romans to popularize tattoos were the Roman Military. Inspired by the body marks of their enemy the Celtic Britons, who had many tattoos and wore them as a pride and status symbol, the Roman soldiers begin to get their own tattoos. Tattoos became so popular that Roman doctors began to master the art of tattoo application, unofficially creating the concept of the professional tattoo artist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYn15yDBvxM

Tattoos were not actually called “tattoos” until the late 18th century. The word “tattoo” comes from the Polynesian word “Tatau.” In 1769, explorer Captain James Cook and his crew arrived on the Polynesian Island of Tahiti. Upon arrival, Cook and his crew discovered the extremely tattooed people of Tahiti. While there, much of Cook’s crew got permanent ink markings (which they began to call tattoos). Cook and his crew sparked a tattoo craze upon their return to Victorian-era England. From there, tattoos began to gain popularity in America.

Tattoos have existed for thousands of years, in thousands of different places. They’re purpose has varied drastically throughout time, from medicinal uses to personal expression. In the sea of variation that is art, tattoos have anchored themselves as a permanent part of the worldwide art culture.

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