Tattoo Culture

Body art has existed in various cultures around the globe for over 8,000 years. Tattoos were originally made using sharpened animal bones dipped in berry inks and pounded into the flesh with rocks or pieces of wood. Some cultures used bamboo slivers to deliver the ink beneath the skin. Various designs were developed to indicate status or document achievements within the tribe. Eventually, the designs became adornments and an artform. Tattoos may express you dreams, fears or signify powerfull imagery for intimidation.

Decorating our bodies is one of the most enduring practices in the world. Wheter it is with jewelry, clothing, tattoos, body piercing or just simple makeup, we strive to be noticed. For some these things are status symbols (still), for others it is purely for self expression. Tattoos are found in every class, creed, race and color of people across the planet.

Tattoos are as varied as the people that get them. Dragons and Snakes are common themes for tattoo designs, or the classic “Mom” or girlfriend’s name. In recent years “tribal” tattoos have been very popular. These intricate designs are usually achied by using a “flash” or a pattern that can be applied to the skin, allowing the tattoo artist to follow along and fill in with color. These designs are available on the web at various sites. Some of the best designs can be found at Chopper-Tattoo. They have thousands of designs that you can view online, select, download, and take to your local tattoo parlor. The hardest part will be deciding what you want to adorn yourself with. Another great site is TattoMeNow. Not as many designs, but they have some very nice “exclusive” designs that you cannot find elsewhere.

When you decide to get a tattoo, make sure that the design you choose is right for you. Peer pressure should never play ANY part in your decision to get a Tattoo. Remember, it will be around for a long time. It is best to look at the designs you like, print them out, lay them on the selected area of your body, and then check it out in a mirror, or have a trusted friend view it, and take a picture if it is not easy for you to see (on your back for example.)

Once you have decided on a design, select a reputable tattoo parlor. Cleanliness is very important. Ask friends where they got their tattoos, and how they liked their artist.

Welcome to the Tattoo Culture!

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Tattoos with a history and symbolism of the old Japan, is very popular to get done.

Especially the long and flexible dragon that dates back to ancient Japanese traditions is one of the most popular designs to get tattooed. Dragon tattoos are very popular, because the shape of the dragon is beautiful in many places on the body and can moved to both the arms and legs.

According to Japanese belief, the dragon brings luck. The Japanese believe in a dragon by the name of Oni, which brings special luck. A tattoo of this drawing is very well known. The Oni dragon derives from Japanese mythology. It is said that the dragon lived in the clouds and he would bring water to the Japanese rice farmers.

The word tatoo (tattoo) has its origins from the Polynesian word “ta”, meaning “to mark something” and the Tahitian word “Tatau” which means “to record something.” Tattoo history dates back 5000 years and there are numerous examples of variations of tattoos.

Over time, this embellishment of the body has been used by many different people and cultures and are therefore found in numerous variations. Even today, the decoration of the body is extremely popular.

Historical findings
One of the oldest known examples of tattoo art was found in 1991 on a 5000 year old man. This man from the Ice Age was found in the mountains between Austria and Italy and is one of the best-preserved corpses ever found. But the most interesting thing about this discovery was that even the skin was so well preserved that it could detect no less than 57 tattoos. Among the tattoos found on the man was a cross on the back of his knee, six parallel lines above the kidneys as well as several lines around both ankles. It is believed that these tattoos were made for reasons of therapy, so as to avoid arthritis.

Back in 1948 archaeologists found further indication of historical tattoos, this time near the border between China and Russia. Archaeologist Sergei Rudenko was underway with the excavation of ancient grave chambers in the Altai Mountains in southern Siberia. In these graves, he found 2400 year old mummies. Their bodies revealed fascinating tattoos of various animals and monsters. We have not quite been able to determine whether these tattoos represent the status of the person that bore them or whether perhaps they had a kind of magical significance or even still it was just pure decoration.

In both the Japanese and Egyptian history there is also evidence of the ancient art of tattooing. In 1891 a fantastic discovery was made during an excavation in Egypt, when the remains of Priestess of the goddess of Hathor was found. Everywhere on her body were dots, lines and very sophisticated geometric patterns.