| A Brief History of Tattoos
Tattoos and the art of tattooing have a long history - right back to the Bronze Age. The first tattoo was more than likely an accidental permanent mark created when someone rubbed a wound with dirt or ash.
The word itself had its origins in two ancient cultures, either from Polynesia or Tahiti.
Tattoos For Arthritis?
Many people credit a find made in the mountains between Austria and Italy in 1991 as the starting point for a history of the art form. A 5000-year-old preserved corpse was found there with no less than 57 crude tattoos on different parts of his body, and experts think the positioning of some of the markings might have had some therapeutic value. Markings of parallel lines crossing the ankles might have been used as an early attempt to treat arthritis.
It should also come as no surprise that the art of tattooing was present in a civilization that cradled human development in many ways - ancient Egypt. Just before the turn of the last century, the mummified remains of the priestess Amunet were discovered with tiny dots and geometric patterns emblazoned on her body. It is believed that by 2000 BC, the practice of tattooing had spread from Egypt to Southeast Asia. And back then, it truly was permanent because of the lack of a safe tattoo removal procedure.
The Celts
Celtic culture is well known for fine examples of body art. The Celts used a substance called woad to create blue designs often in the shape of spirals and lines that twisted themselves into complex braids. These lines often formed labyrinths that historians now believe symbolized the twists and turns that life took for these early people.
It didn't take long for tattooing to spread from one part of the world to another. Early English explorers often returned home from their travels with pictures inked on their bodies of the natives and cultures from lands newly discovered. By the middle of the 18th century, tattoos were so popular amongst British sailors that many British ports had a tattoo shop nearby or in the port.
In fact, in 1862, the Prince of Wales got a Jerusalem cross inked on his arm which set off a craze among British aristocracy at the time.
North America
An important chunk tattooing history exists right here in Canada, too. A specific tattoo often represents the high status of its Iroquoian owner.
The very first predecessor of the kind of tattoo shop we see today was set up in New York to 'tat' Civil War soldiers.
The first electric machine for tattooing was developed in 1891.
Until recently, the art of tattooing has been plagued in modern society by unfair stereotypes. Every circus had at least one fully tattooed juggler or sword swallower, and it was quite common amongst sailors back in the day. Traditional designs such as hearts, birds, snakes and ships were actually popularized by sailors.
However, in recent times, tattoos have gained mainstream popularity and are so commonplace that they no longer have such a negative connotation. However, methods of tattoo removal still remain |
