Tattoos Mod
From Mod Mania
The tattoo has been a part of human culture for over five thousand years. Of course this type of body modification has evolved from its initial symbolism and purpose into what has become a practice in mainstream and popular culture today. Even before this boom in the fascination with permanent body art the tattoo developed many applicable uses in both favourable and unfavourable circumstances for the person subjected to the art.
The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word “Tatu”, this word was introduced into the English language by sailors who had been on voyages in the Polynesian areas and then used the same term as the locals when they docked back home in Europe. The idea of tattoos was helped to be reintroduced in Europe because of this. Tattoos have been dated as far back as around 3300 BC, when a mummy was discovered bearing fifty seven carbon tattoos on his body consisting of dots and lines which are believed to be related to the practice of acupuncture or therapy. Other mummy’s have been discovered in various places of the world also bearing some form of Tattoo markings showing that the idea of permanently marking the human was not only restricted to one particular culture or to serve for a single purpose.
Tattoos have been evident in cultures world wide, perhaps the most well known cultures associated with body art are the New Zealand Maori with their particular tattoo known as the Moko. These extravagant tattoos traditionally covered the entire face of its wearer and were symbolic and informative about the person wearing it. The Moko was a mark of status, rank, tribe and his or her exploits in battle and life. These tattoos were administered with bone and shell based tools and pigment and would penetrate deep into the face, sometimes piercing the cheek. It was the painful process and the honour of wearing the Moko that made it general practice for families to keep their relatives heads preserved and warriors to remove their enemy’s heads for trophies, which would then later be used in peace negotiations following the return of a chief’s head to his tribe. The collecting of preserved Maori heads (mokomokai) became popular with western settlers but predominantly due to the intricacy and beauty of the artwork, negotiations continue today to have heads returned to the families and relatives in New Zealand or to be stored in Museums but not be on display.
Example of a Moko.
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Traditional tools used to apply the pigment ink for a Moko.
Whilst the New Zealand Maori tattoos may be one of the most well recognised and well known tattoos in a traditional sense, countries all over the world had their own variation of the use of body ink and the meaning behind it. Greece, Rome, North America, Africa, India, Egypt and Japan as well as many others at some point used the concept of tattooing within their culture. The meaning or use of tattooing was as varied from culture to culture. Religious tattoos were used to openly show ones beliefs and in instances were believed to help obtain magical power or protection. Medicinal tattoos in a similar sense to acupuncture were used possible mythological beliefs were also incorporated to the body markings. Tribal tattoos were used to intimidate enemies, define the wearer’s tribe and even represent his or her status and accomplishments. Tattoos were even used to brand slaves or to aid in the public persecution and humiliations of convicted criminals or minorities. All of these reasons and beliefs behind the tattoo have transformed and been applied to contemporary 21st century life and culture as well as still maintaining their traditional symbolism in their respected cultures.
One of the variations of teardrop tattoos.
Modern tattooing needle gun.
In more recent times we have seen the development and global shift in the way in the context which tattoos are applied, what they represent and how other members of society perceive them. Marking prisoners of war, concentration camp prisoners and soldiers with ink was a method of marking people similar to the way animals are branded and marked so that they could be identified without the need for any other means. Gang members developed their own branding with the use of tattoos to show their loyalty and association with a particular group, many urban myths have developed from such gang related tattoos, the tear drop tattoo being the most popular. The teardrop has varied meanings according to each person you speak to, its general meaning is that the life of someone you cared about has been lost, or you yourself have taken a life, this is indicated by the location and line work of the teardrop on the wearers face. In more of a mainstream and commercial sense tattoos now hold their own symbolism and relevance to the wearer and his or her own individuality. Many people have writing that may be a phrase that they feel represents who they are or what they may believe in. They can be permanent marks in memory of friends or loved ones who have passed away, or an eternal mark to show their partners or children that their love is forever and not to be forgotten or lost. Even scars or skin conditions have been covered and transformed by those not comfortable with them to completely revamp what might have otherwise been a mark of embarrassment to a symbol of art and beauty for all to see. Star signs, musicians, bands, beliefs, morals, reminders and icons are all subject matter that the modern day tattoo enthusiast or one timer may embrace as the mark to be permanently placed on their body.
Throughout my investigation and writing I have emphasized the tattoo as a permanent commitment of body art or symbolism, this may ring true in the traditional sense but technology and various methods can help to remove unwanted art work from the skin. The idea of temporary tattoos and tattoo stockings has continued to grow helping to serve those who may not be able to stomach the idea of needles or commit to having ink permanently shown on a part of their body that may even change over the years to come. This idea of fake tattoos even reached out to children (minors) with water based temporary tattoos being available to buy in shops as well as be found in certain confectionary items as a free gift.
Whilst tattoos may still be used and applied in the traditional sense, in today’s mainstream and popular cultures the reasoning for a person to want to ink themselves branches across a wide spectrum of reasons all the way into the area of very little reason or the result of a drunken night out on the town with all the regret of the stupidity of the act the next day. Whilst people from various generations and backgrounds may have their own opinions and assumptions about the kinds of people who wear tattoos, in the general public tattoos have become more fashionable and more accepted by many and even embraced by those who would not have part in the culture had it not exploded in popularity.
The most tattooed person in the world – Lucky Diamond Rich, Born in New Zealand
Example of Tattoo stockings becoming more and more popular.
Some tattoos are merely for the enjoyment of others who see them, similar to grafiti and street art
Sources:
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2009 Tattoo, Wikimedia Foundation Inc, accessed 27th September 2009, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tattoo>.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2009 Otzi the Iceman, Wikimedia Foundation Inc, accessed 27th September 2009, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi_the_Iceman>.
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2009 Mokomokai, Wikimedia Foundation Inc, accessed 27th September 2009, < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mokomokai>.
Tattoo Museum 2009, Vanishingtattoo.com, accessed 27th September 2009, <http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_museum/index.html>.
Tattoo History – Maori / New Zealand Tattoos 2009, Vanishingtattoo.com, accessed 27th September 2009, <http://www.vanishingtattoo.com/tattoo_museum/maori_tattoos.html>.
History of Tatoos 2009, Designboom.com, accessed 27th September 2009, <http://www.designboom.com/history/tattoo_history.html>.
