Body mod for the ungodly
Although tattoos only became widespread in popular culture in the 90s, it was actually only a slight resurgence over the course of history. People have been scarring pretty patterns into their skin since ancient times. Roman emperor Caesar wrote that, ‘All Briton’s stain their skins with woad’, and Herod of Antioch was apparently amazed to find that ‘Britons wear animals “incised” into their bodies’.
The word tattoo comes from the sound the tattooing instrument makes on the skin of those being tattooed and derives from the Polynesian word ‘ta’ which means to strike something. Polynesia is often credited as the culture with the most important influence on the art of tattooing. However, in ancient times, tattoing was also widespread throughout the rest of the world.
There is evidence of tattooing even in the Bronze Age (3500 - 1100BC) in the mummified body of ötzi. ötzi, the five thousand year old ice man, was discovered on a mountain between austria & italy, his frozen body preserving his 57 tattoos. A cross on the inside of the left knee, six straight lines 15 centimeters long above the kidneys and parallel lines on his ankles.
In Celtic culture symbolic tattoos were very popular. The most common tattoo designs were of spirals, and knotwork. The complex braids of knotwork tattoos symbolised the connection of all life. Step or key celtic designs symbolised the various paths of life’s journey.
In Russia, mummies found dating from around 2400 years ago, are tattooed with a variety of animals. Some, like griffins and various monsters are believed to have a magical significance, others are decorative, and some are to signify status.
Japanese people were mostly interested in the decorative aspect of tattoos. The horis (japanese tattoo artists) were innovators in the use of colours, perpective and design.
Some tattoos were restricted by gender. In Egypt, female mummies have been found with tattoos of abstract geometric patterns made up of lines and dots, an art form restricted to women only.
However this rich tradition of tattooing was almost destroyed in the West by the Church. A passage in the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:28, states “You shall not make any gashes in your flesh for the dead or tattoo any marks upon you.” And so tattooing became banned by church edict.
Previously tattoos were used as status symbols of importance and power within religious communities, even in early Christian society.
For centuries afterwards tattoos were stigmitised as uncivilised. Pagan tribes that were converted to Christianity had their cultural traditions such as body modification forbidden by their new religion. Tattoos were still widespread in many societies not touched by Christianity, such as tribal and warrior societies, and by people on its outskirts of society, such as pirates and robbers.
In the 18th century explorers returning from their travels exhibited tattooed polynesians to the public, to demonstrate how “primitive” their society was.
However the return of captain Cook from Polynesia created a resurgance in the popularity of tattoos with sailors. By the end of the 18th century most British ports had at least one professional tattoo artist. And so began the reintroduction of tattoos into western culture.
In 1862, the Prince of Wales had a jerusalem cross tattooed onto his arm, which was emulated by the aristocracy. Echoed in the way tattoos took off with the general population after it becoming popular with celebrities in the late 20th century.
Like many things banned by religion, as new generations grow up and reject the doctrine of their parents, pointless taboos are shaken off. Tattooing is here to stay, changing it’s form according to the whims of fashion.
