History of Tattoo

The history of the art of tattooing has its roots in the ancient times. The word ’Tattoo’ has originated from the Tahitian term ’Tatu’ or ’Tatau’, which means mark or strike. In fact tattoo is a very popular form of art through which people used to put on decorative marks on their skin, and they still do so, all over the world.

Some scientific discoveries reveal that certain marks were found on the skin of the Iceman, a mummified human body dating from about 3300 B.C. Those marks are actually believed to be the tattoos and thus we can say that they represent the earliest known evidence of the practice of the art of tattooing. Then there are more widely recognized tattoos that were found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies dating from about 2000 B.C.

The classical authors also contribute in this regard by mentioning the use of tattoos in connection with ancient Greeks, Germans, Thracians and Britons. But the general belief is that with the growth of Christianity, tattooing was forbidden in Europe. However the practice continued in the Middle East and other parts of the world.

The history tells us that in some of the countries the art of tattooing has been in fashion for thousands of years whereas in other countries it is a newly adopted art. In the ancient and medieval period the people in different parts of the world employed different methods of tattooing. But the fact is that this form of tattoo art was hugely popular throughout the world in general and the US and Europe in particular. Another interesting fact about history of tattoos is that the tattoos seemed to be missing among populations with the darkest skin tone and in most of China until more recent centuries.

No wonder, like many other things, with passage of time this form of tattoo art as well as the tattoo artists have also changed. The tattoo artists have skillfully adapted themselves to the latest changes and adopted the newest techniques of tattooing in order to keep pace with the modern time. For the same reason the methods of tattooing have also changed.

The Maoris of New Zealand and the Japanese people were expert of the puncture method of tattooing. Later the sailors introduced this art into Europe. However the modern method of tattooing employs an electric needle for drawing the tattoos.