Tattoo's : A Permanent Mark On Pop Culture
...that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years BC.
The purpose of tattooing has varied from culture to culture and its place on the time
line. But there are similarities that prevail form the earliest known tattoos to those being
performed on people around the world today.
Tattoos have always had an important role in ritual and tradition. In Borneo,
women tattooed symbols on their forearm indicating their particular skill. If a
woman wore a symbol indicating she was a skilled weaver, her status as prime
marriageable material was increased. Tattoos around the wrist and fingers were
believed to ward away illness.
Throughout history tattoos have signified membership in a clan or society. Even
today groups like the Hells Angels tattoo their particular group symbol. TV and
movies have used the idea of a tattoo indication membership in a secret society
numerous times. It has been believed that the wearer of an image calls the spirit of
that image.. That tradition holds true today shown by the proliferation of images of
tigers, snakes, and bird of prey.
In recorded history, the earliest tattoos can be found in Egypt during the time of
the construction of the great pyramids (It undoubtedly started much earlier). When
the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing spread as well.
The civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia, and Arabia picked up and expanded the art
form. Around 2000 BC tattooing spread to China.
The Greeks used tattooing for communication among spies. Markings identified
the spies and showed their rank. Romans marked criminals and slaves. This
practice is still carried on today. The Ainu people of western Asia used tattooing to
show social status....
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