Tattooing is a common practice worldwide, from New Zealand Maori, to Taiwan, Cambodia and beyond.
The symbolism of tattoos can signify many things to different people. They can signify a rite of passage, be a symbol of spiritual devotion, or denote ranking within a tribe. They can simply be a work of art, or even a pledge of love. Tattoos can signify belonging to a particular group, and in some cases are even thought to increase luck. It continues to be popular today around the globe and is still prevalent in many cultures.
The word tattoo is derived form the Samoan/Tahitian/Tongan word tatau, meaning “to mark something”. It has been hypothesized that tattoos began as a mistake. It is thought that someone had a wound and rubbed dirt or ash into it that left a permanent mark when it healed.
Otzi the Iceman, a preserved body that is thought to be five thousand years old, caused a worldwide stir when he was discovered on the mountain between Austria and Italy. His skin bears approximately 57 tattoos on his ankle, his knee and down his spine.
In 1948, a Russian archaeologist discovered Siberian mummies that are thought to date from around 2400 years ago. On their bodies were tattoos that represent animals. From Ancient Egypt to pre-christian Germanic and Celtic cultures, tattooing has a long history and tradition. In Japan tattooing is thought to go back some ten thousand years. The horis, Japanese tattoo artists, were masters of the form.
For Pacific cultures tattooing has massive historical significance. It is related to spirituality, and is considered to be some of the most intricate tattooing in the world. In Samoa, the hand-applied tattoos defined rank within society. These tattoos today have spread around the world.
New Zealand Maori have a particular kind of tattoo unique to their history, the moko, a full-face tattoo that communicates bloodlines and tribal affiliations. It represents events in their life, and although not as popular today, still exists in modern society.
In Indonesia ancient practices are still alive today, as they have been for thousand of years. In Africa, because their skin is darker, tattoos are not as effective, and so they have developed a technique of lifting the skin and inserting special sand or ashes to create a raised area on the skin.
Some ancient cultures colored cuts and wounds with ashes, while others hand-pricked the skin and inserted dyes. Fascination with this ancient art form endures today as it has done for centuries.