Tattoo History: An Overview
The art of tattooing has been around for literally thousands of years. Therefore, tattoo history is a long and interesting one that many do not fully understand.
In addition, the art is found being practiced in countries all over the world, covering every continent, race, and culture.
The Beginnings
Tattooing has been dated as far back as 3300 BC. During Neolithic times, it is believed that tattooing was used for therapeutic purposes. In addition, mummies dating back to 300 BC have also been found with tattoos. These tattoos typically involved animal designs and could be quite detailed.
Tattooing Hits the Western World
Although it is believed that many ancient cultures practiced tattooing within the realms of the western world, it wasn’t until sometime around 1000 AD that it started become introduced to the culture once again. It is believed that many of England’s kings had tattoos, but the first to be actually documented was King Harold II that ruled from 1022 through 1066. It is known that he had the words “Edith,” which was the name of his mistress, and “England” tattooed onto his chest.
Tattoos created additional stirs in England when Sir Martin Frobisher brought a native man, woman, and child back with him after exploring the northwest passage of china. The woman had tattoos on both her forehead and chin, which proved to be quite interesting to Elizabeth I.
Tattooing Gains Momentum
Despite the fact that some royalty was known to be tattooed and to be interested in the practice, tattooing didn’t gain momentum until Captain Cook and his men returned home from a trip to Polynesia with tattoos. The men chose to get tattoos as a souvenir of the tattooed people they met on their trip. This practice of getting tattooed while away at sea quickly caught on with sailors and the tradition of getting tattooed while away at sea still holds true today.
Cook is also credited as being the first person to use the word “tattoo.” This word was derived from the word the indigenous people used to describe their artwork, which Cook wrote in his diary as “Tattow.”
The British Royal Court was also fascinated by this art form when Cook and his men returned with their tattoos. King George V, who wasn’t on the thrown at the time but later came to be, had the Cross of Jerusalem inked to his body in 1892 and later had a dragon placed on his forearm while in Japan. From here, a number of kings also sought out their very own tattoos as well.
As a result of the association of Royal Court and tattoos, getting tattooed became associated with the upper class people of Europe. Even Queen Victoria was rumored to have a tattoo in what was described as an “intimate” location. Lady Randolph Churchill, Winston Churchill’s mother, also had a snake tattoo around her wrist that she hid with a diamond bracelet when necessary. In addition, she had her nipples pierced.
Tattoos Today
Today, tattoos are no longer associated with just the elite. For a period of time, they were actually associated more often with lower class individuals or “troublemakers.” Today, they are becoming a common fixture on people of all classes. There are a number of religions, however, that frown upon tattoos. According to the strictest interpretations of Jewish law, for example, tattooing is prohibited as Leviticus 19:28 states “Do not make gashes in your skin for the dead. Do not make any marks on your skin. I am God.”
Some Christians also believe Leviticus 19:28 applies to their believe system. Therefore, they look down upon tattooing as well. Conversely, Revelation 19:16 implies that Christ has words permanently written on his thigh with “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” In addition, Christian Copts have been known to use tattoos as a form of protective amulet in the past.
Most Sunni Muslims also believe that tattooing is forbidden because tattooing is essentially an attempt to change something that has been created by Allah. Some religious scholars, however, believe tattooing is acceptable.
Regardless of the religious perspective on tattooing, the number of people getting tattoos continues to grow and will likely continue to grow for years to come.