Tattooing is not a recent invention or even a fad. Tattooing has been around for thousands of years. Native tribes tattooed their members in rituals to show manhood or the attainment of womanhood and the responsibilities of those rites of passages.
The Kumeyaay tribe of Southern California in order to show that a girl had reached womanhood would poke three holes into an area by her chin and rub the holes with charcoal. Once the wounds healed a permanent mark would remain.
Ranchers used tattoo type markings and brandings to label their livestock as personal property. Sailors during World War 2 returned home from combat with a tattooed arm of their rank and unit. Even “Popeye” the cartoon character who ate his spinach had a tattooed upper arm to show off his muscle. Jews were tattooed while in concentration camps during Hitler's reign of terror so they could be easily identified if they escaped. Holocaust survivors all have involuntary permanent markings of that horrible time in history.
Today, the tattoo industry is a huge business and most popular with those in their twenties.
Gang members often use tattoos to label the name of their gang as well as the criminal activity in which they participated. The tattoo in this case, becomes almost a badge of honor for these groups of people.
Native Tribes of the World Participated in Tattoo Rituals
Tattoo art is a popular form of personal expression. But how much tattooing is really accepted in mainstream society? Will too much tattooing limit the wearer to professional opportunities in the business and real world?
Some people wear tattoos to earn money as a personal business. One such business entrepreneur will tattoo one inch of his skin with any logo for $200. Of course not everyone is willing to become a walking billboard but will the tattoo you love at 25 be what you want at 40?
If you change your mind, tattoos can be removed. Lasers are used to remove an unwanted tattoo however this can be a lengthy and costly procedure.
Just how safe and sterile are tattoo parlors? Any time a needle is poked into the skin there is always a risk of infection. Studies show that people with tattoos have an increased risk of Hepatitis C.
But tattoos have been on this planet for thousands of years and with their enormous popularity they most certainly are here to stay.
This is a cool piece and I like how it is explained and everything. Tattoos are so boss!
#2 by Roger, Jul 17, 2008
Didn't know much about tattoos before this article. Interesting.
#3 by Jayne, Jul 18, 2008
Bodyart turns me off. However, the article is interesting.
#4 by Sue, Jul 18, 2008
Body art totally is a turn-off for me too, but surprisingly if you check out the Triond Top Ten, the freakish stuff is very popular. At least this piece had content.
#5 by Geri, Jul 18, 2008
I just love tattoos and i can't wait to get my next one.
#6 by Art, Jul 18, 2008
Tattoos are ugly. Perhaps it is a way to gain attention. Good article on the subject.
#7 by Dave, Aug 19, 2008
I have studied the history of tattoos for a decade and I find this article very informative and timely.
