A tattoo is a glimpse into a person’s soul. It can tell you so much about their world – especially if you know what to look for! But where exactly did this form of body art come from?
Tattoos have existed for thousands of years. As far back as the 4th millennium BCE, tattoos were being used for many reasons. Ötzi the Iceman, Europe’s oldest mummy sports a whopping 61 tattoos, but these were not an ancient form of body art. Instead, they are presumed to have been an ancient form of acupuncture used for pain relief.
In ancient Greece and Rome as well as East Asia, tattoos were a brand — if you were inked, you were most likely a criminal or an outcast. This use of tattoos continued until as recently as the 1940s; Nazis were still using branding as a prisoner identification system. While this continues to be a painful memory for many, tattooing is now more accepted in modern Europe.
The Asian Connection: A symphony of colour and patterns
Closer to home, the art of tattooing can be traced back to 3000 years ago. Asian mummies with ink indicate that tattoos were a mark of social status, but some were also worn for decorative purposes. Over time, tattoos became a symbol of identity — those that could not afford expensive silk or jewellery found expression in ink. East Asian tattoos were often worn as talismans to ward off evil. They later developed into an art form that used a variety of colours in full-body designs telling detailed stories. In places like Japan, these became associated with the Japanese mafia or ‘yakuza’, the most visibly inked members of society.
In China, tattooing is still tied to its history of being used as a brand, but this perception has changed over time. Minority groups like Dai and the Dulong wear facial tattoos that were meant to make women less desirable to attackers in the hopes of preventing abduction and sexual assault. Getting a tattoo with Chinese characters is popular outside of China, but is often discouraged since the characters are complex and you’ll probably get something you didn’t ask for!
South Asian Tribal Tattooing
In South Asia, the Apatani tribe much like their East Asian counterparts have women’s faces tattooed to make them less appealing to rival tribes who might abduct them. In modern times, these tribal markings are seen as a sign of strength and courage, largely due to the painful process that goes along with getting them inked.
Further south, The Tamilian Toda tribe have tattoos that match the geometric patterns of their clothing.
South Asian tribal women continue to wear tattoos for many reasons – to ensure safe passage into the afterlife, to symbolize their faith in magic, and to mark tribal victories and commemorate important events. The art of temporary tattooing using henna is also widely practiced in South Asia and the Middle East and has gained popularity across the world. Henna designs are now a trend, even as a permanent tattoo!
Tattooing in the Western World
Western tattoos and methods are extremely popular across the world now. Though different from ancient tattoos, they are definitely inspired by the same practices. British sailors often returned from their voyages sporting new ink, which made the art of tattooing gain popularity in Europe. Nautical tattoos thus evolved into an eclectic mix of tattoo styles from around the world.
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