...Historical Body of Art "Tattooing" James M. McDermott COM/150 March 21, 2010 Comfort Ugwuh Historical Body of Art "Tattooing" In 1936, Life Magazine provided information from an independent study showing approximately 6% of the nation's population had a tattoo; the Harris Poll conducted in 2003 showed that approximately 15% of the population had acquired tattoos (Swan, 2006). A similar study in 2005 revealed approximately 24% of the population then had at least one tattoo (Ford, 2010). Those two studies revealed statistics that illustrate the number of people in the United States with tattoos increasing astronomically. In 67 years the number of people with tattoos increased 9%, in just two years between 2003 and 2005 the United Stated witnessed the number of individuals with tattoos increase another 9%. Tattoos are still gaining acknowledgment in society today; the number of people with tattoos is increasing exponentially with athletes, musicians, and actors ushering a wave of acceptance. Figure 1 Tattoos have been evident in societies and the human race for thousands of years. Scientists have uncovered Egyptian mummies evidently preserved in the period as early as 2000 BC, analysis revealed evidence of tattooing and other forms of body art on their mummified bodies. The Egyptian tattooing thought to be one of the earliest appearances of tattoos came into question in 1991 with the discovery of Iceman (Lineberry, 2007). A pair of hikers in the Austrian Otztal Alps stumbled...
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...Anthropologists believe that humans have been tattooing themselves for thousands of years, since at least 3250 B.C., says Marilyn Scallan in the article, “Ancient Ink: Iceman Otzi has Worlds Oldest Tattoos.” The first record of a tattooed human is Otzi, also known as the iceman (Scallan). According to Scallan, he was found buried along the border between Austria and Italy, in the possession of 61 tattoos. The article, “Looking at the World’s Tattoos” by the Smithsonian Magazine, writes that the art of tattooing has been practiced throughout the entire world at some time, from the native Americans, to Japan, India, New Guinea, and Europe. For over 2000 years, the many tribes and people living in Polynesia have had tattooing as an important cultural...
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...to rise. Even though some people view it as the "devil's art", the changing culture and acceptance of tattoos is becoming more mainstream and viewed as an expression of individuality. Some people claim that tattoos have been around since 12000 B.C. Generally the earliest known tattoos are from the Iceman, a mummy found on what is now the Italian-Austrian border. The Iceman has been carbon dated as over 5000 years old. Prior to this discovery, Egyptian mummies were thought to show the earliest signs of tattoos. These tattoos usually were found on female mummies. The markings on the female represented their status and relation to the ruler or pharaohs of the time. As the Egyptian empire spread so did the influence of tattooing on other cultures and societies. Egyptians spread the art of tattoos throughout the world and different cultures adapted tattooing. Greeks used tattooing to mark rankings of spies, slaves and criminals. These markings were usually done on the face. Facial tattoos were also used in Japan on criminals. They were tattooed on the forehead with a design to signify a dog after three offences. In Japan, tattoos were also used for religious as well as social meanings. The Ainu, who introduced the art of tattooing to the Japanese, still use tattoos to mark girls coming of age and the status of married women(Tattoos by Design.com). According to DesignBoom, "Polynesian tattooing [is] considered the most intricate and skillful of the ancient world". The...
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...back to the Bronze Age of Europe - is also the oldest example of tattooing. The mummy had 59 tattoos, including stripes, lines and cruciform marks on various parts of his body, and thus began the history of tattoos. No one is sure of the meaning of the tattoos. Some may have been marking from his tribe, others may have been from rituals or even from medical procedures. Speculation abounds, but true reasons will be difficult to determine unless new evidence is found. (tattooslovetoknow) Women (and only women) were tattooed in Egypt in 1550 BC. While tattooing seems to have been around in Egypt before this time, this is when the simple dot and dash designs began to morph into recognizable forms, although most were still largely stick figures. In 316 A.D., the first known written ban on tattooing is found. Constantine, recently converted to Christianity, prohibited tattooing on the face as it was disfiguring that "which had been fashioned in the likeness of divine beauty." (tattooslovetoknow) Much of the tattooing done during this time period was often to identify tribes or families, mark criminals and spies, ward off illness or injury, worship in various religions, and show status. While it is possible that some tattooing was done for artistic purposes, the tattoos were often simple and primitive, making them more simple marks than the artistry we see today. (tattooslovetoknow) Tattooing in America has evolved from a long, rich history which began in...
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...Dr. Basanta Kumar Mohanta1 Dr. Mohan Lal Chadhar2 Abstract The tribal arts, crafts and architectures are one of the most fascinating parts of their culture. The knowledge of this art is a hereditary one which transmits from generation to generation through oral tradition. The art of tattooing or body decoration is widely found among the tribal of India in general and the tribals of Central India in particular, which is treated as an integral part of their life and culture. Baiga is one of the Particularly Venerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) of Central India, known for their traditional method of treatment and shifting cultivation. They live in a particular forested area of Dindori district of Madhya Pradesh, identified as “Baigachawk” and its neighbouring area. Both the male and female Baigas are very fond of body decoration. Besides, the female members like to decorate their body with different kinds of tattoos, known as Godna. Each of these tattoos has a specific cultural significance and tattooed at a particular age and a specific location of the body. It is related to their religion, belief system, health care practice, body decoration, social status, wealth etc. In this present paper an emphasis has been given on the importance of tattoo in the tribal life; symbols used in tattoo and their significance; method of tattooing and the continuity and change in the process, materials and symbols of tattoo. Assistant Professor, Department of Anthropology, Indira Gandhi National...
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...form of a body modification made by inserting special needles with indelible ink into the dermis layer of skin to change the pigment. Tattoos are known from the ancient times. The original meaning of tattoo were the ritual rites. In many cultures the only people who could wear tattoos were the Chiefs of the tribes. Only someone who killed an enemy and got his tattooed head could wear tattoos. The most popular way of tattooing that time was the facial tattooing called “Moko” which is still being used nowadays. ‘Moko’ facial tattoo History of tattooing The earliest record of tattoos was found in 1991 on the frozen remains of Ötzi the “Iceman” who was dated from the 4th to 5th millennium BC. His lower back, left wrist, right and left ankle, behind his left knee and foot were worked with several dots and lines, made by “rubbing powdered charcoal into vertical cuts”. These tattoos are thought to be made to reduce the pain, because their placement resembles acupuncture. Ötzi, the “Iceman”, 1991. Egypt was another place with a long large number of mummies found covered with tattoos – at first lines and dots, later images representing different gods. As much as Egyptians were expanding their empire, the art of tattooing spread as well to other civilizations like: Crete, Greece, Persia, Arabia, and finally around 2000 BC it spread to China. It is believed that Greeks were using tattoos for communication between spies, Romans marked criminals and slaves. Over...
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...said to has two major derivations- from the polynesian word ‘ta’ which means striking something and the tahitian word ‘tatau’ which means ‘to mark something.Tattoos have been marked onto the bodies of human- beings for thousands of years. They are permanent designs that carry true meaning and have been looked at as status symbols, signs of religion, declaration of love, belief and even forms of punishment. Tattooing has been observed on Egyptian wall painting and also on Mummies themselves. The earliest tattoos found were over 5,000 years old. In 1991, a 5,300- year- old mummy was discovered in The Alps. He had over 50 tattoos on various parts of his body, and he is the oldest human ever found to have tattoos. Tattooing has been practiced in Japan and also other Asian countries for thousands of years. The first written record of tattooing in Japan was found in a history of the Chinese Dynasty from the year 297 A.D. Today in Japan, tattooing is considered taboo because many of the Yakuza, the Japanese mafia, wear tattoos. Some people believe that the practice of tattooing may even date as many as 10,000 years into the past! What's This? Have you ever wondered how people tattoo their bodies when they don’t have access to a tattoo gun or a professional tattoo artist? You may be surprised to learn that many people have tattooed their skin using Indian ink, a sewing needle and a few lengths of the thread. India ink (or Indian ink in British English,) or less commonly called...
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... One fact obtained from doing research is, “Believe it or not, some scientists say that certain marks on the skin of the Iceman, a mummified human body dating from about 3300 B.C., are tattoos” (Krcmarik). It is very interesting to know that tattoos have been around for this many years, it was until 1991 when the tattoos were discover on the Iceman by scientist Otzi. It is incredible how they were still able to discover these markings on the Iceman after so many years of being frozen. Many people over look tattoos as dumb useless art on the body, but many tattoos have a symbolic meaning. Throughout history many different cultures and native tribes have had strong symbolic meanings towards their tattoos. It is amazing how many different meanings a tattoo has and the reason for getting the tattoo. If people in society were more aware of the history of tattooing and how far it has grown into the beautiful art that it is today then society would be...
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...tattoos. The purpose I choose this topic is to explain that tattoo is an art. THE HISTORY OF TATTOOS History shows that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years BC. The purpose of tattooing has varies from culture to culture and its place on the time line In Borneo, a woman’s particular skill is indicated when they tattooed their symbols on their forearm. Throughout history tattoos have signified membership in a clan or society. For an example, Hells Angels tattoo their particular group symbol. It has been believed that the wearer of an image calls the spirit of that image. The ferocity of a tiger would belong to the tattooed person. That tradition holds true today shown by the proliferation of images of tigers, snakes, and bird of prey. Egypt is the place where earliest tattoos can be found during the time of the construction of the great pyramids. As they expanded their empire, the art of tattooing spread as well. Around 2000 BC tattooing spread to China. Tattoo was used for the communication among spies in Greek. Romans marked criminals and slaves. This practice is still carried on today. The social status is showed through tattoo by Ainu people of western Asia. In New Zealand a facial style of tattooing called Moko was developed and still being used today. There is evidence that the Mayan, Incas, and Aztecs used tattooing in the rituals. While tattooing diminished in the west, it thrived in Japan. At first, tattoos were used to mark criminals. The Japanese body suit originated...
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...TATTOOING IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH- THE CULTURE OF TRIBAL TATTOING Tattoo is a pattern of body alteration by infixing ink into the skin to change the pigment. Years before celebrities and rock stars, tattoos were used by all tribal population across the globe, whether it was the Hausa and Fulani people of Nigeria or the Noctes, Apatanis and the Wanchos of Arunachal Pradesh, India. Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh are well known for its unique style of tattooing different parts of the body serves for personal decorations and social taboos are there behind the tattooing. Noctes and the Wanchos are the most famous tribes known for their amazing design and style of tattooing. Many tribes of Arunachal Pradesh used to tattoo different parts of the body as a means of personal decoration and in some cases, certain religious or social taboos were there behind the tattooing. The most famous tribes known for tattooing are the Noctes and Wanchos of Tirap district. Nocte men generally did not tattoo their faces or bodies except for a few cases where men were tattooed on the face and the chest. Tattooing of women was common in all Nocte villages. Women were generally tattoed on the arms and the back and the common design was normally big stars with cross lines joining the ends. In some of the areas, girls were tattooed after puberty and in some other cases it was done by the maternal uncle of the girl. Faces of the small girls were tattooed on chin with a diamond and line through it. Besides face...
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...Body Art: Tattoo Tattooing is a form of body art that allows people to express various forms of meanings and messages. Body art, in general, is a “visual language” that can demonstrate accomplishments, display desires and memories, and serve as an identity to exhibit a person’s status in society (Schildkrout 107). However, tattooing can often be misinterpreted and misunderstood, leaving either negative or positive perspectives upon the person that is tattooed. According to Enid Schildkrout, an anthropologist who examined the diverse cultural meanings of body art, body art is “not just the latest fashion”. Rather it is a way of expressing “individuality, social status, and cultural identity”. Tattooing is used in different groups and cultures, and is also processed using different techniques. In Body Art as Visual Language, it is stated that the Japanese would work by hand by using a collection of needles set in a wooden handle. In Polynesian culture, tattooist would pierce the skin with a hammer-like instrument to mark the body. Steve Gilbert published a collection of historical records of tattooing throughout the world from ancient to present times. He states that in New Zealand, people practice Moko, which was a unique form of decorating the face with “intricate spirals that were incised into the skin to make scars in the form of parallel ridges and grooves” (67). Creating these marked ridges and groove features required the instrument to “penetrate deeply into the flesh”...
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...geometric patterns. A second female mummy, who appears to be a dancer, also exhibits similar patterns as well as a cicatrix pattern over the low pubic region. Several figurines from the Middle Kingdom known as the “Brides of Death” also display similar geometric patterns (Jones 2000). Though Egyptian tattoos have been found on only female mummies, designs which seem to represent tattoos are seen on both men and women in Egyptian art, suggesting tattoos were not restricted to women. While tattooing sprung up independently around the globe, the significant Egyptian influence also helped spread the practice. Ancient Greece and Rome: Tattoos as Marks of Ownership and Criminality The Greeks learned tattooing from the Persians who, as Herodotus informs us, would tattoo slaves, prisoners of war, and even Hellespont with the name or mark of Xerxes. While tattoos sometimes served as a way to transmit secret messages across enemy lines, Herodotus notes that the Greeks typically associated voluntary tattooing with barbarians, such as the Thracian (Maenads) women who were believed to have murdered Orpheus for his homosexual interest in their husbands. Herodotus was the first to use the root “stig” as in the pejorative “stigma” to refer to tattoos as a mark (estichthai) or a “pricking.” Other...
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...the naked eye, using infrared photography, it was discovered that Ice man had 57 stripes in 16 groups along with both a large and a small cross-like mark in different places on his body where physical stress might cause him pain (Othmar). Throughout history, references to permanent markings have appeared. They have been discovered on the bodies of people who lived thousands of years before our time. There have been figurines decorated with what were probably the tattoos of the time, and tattoos are all around us in present day. Although tattoos have been around almost since the beginning of human history, the way they have been used and whether tattoos were seen in a positive light or a negative light has changed with each culture. In ancient cultures, the people believed that tattoos had magical significance or healing powers. Kitamura mentions one historical book about Japan that wrote about the discovery of clay figurines from the Jōmon period (10,000 B.C. - 300 B.C.) (Kitamura). Those clay figurines that were found were covered in designs that were probably the tattoos of that time. In 1948, the body of a Scythian man who lived around the year 550 B.C. was found in Siberia. He had very detailed tattoos that depicted mythical animals that covered his limbs and torso. A number of years after that discovery, another tattooed body of a woman who dated around the same time period was found...
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...Ornamentation: Different Cultures Angel Torres ANT 101 Introduction to Cultural Anthropology Dr. Marissa Kesel June 29, 2014 Body Art and Ornamentation: Different Cultures For centuries, body art and ornamentation haves been in existence in many cultures around the world with each piece of art on the body having a symbolic meaning to one’s particular culture. Culture, as defined by Richley Crapo, is “a learned system of beliefs, feelings, and rules for living around which a group of people organize their lives; a way of life of a particular society” (Crapo, 2013). Some of these forms of body art that cultures represent consist of tattooing, piercing, painting, shaping, and scarring, all of which communicated a visual language to their people. Body art has significance within each culture that may translate as a relationship with their ancestors or peers, a protection against evil or a meaning of good luck, and an expression as someone’s status of individuality. Decorating the body until present day is a way of communicating. In some way it sends a perception to others who you are and to which group you may be a part of. Every society has many different forms of expressing body art used by people. A person’s body art can represent their beliefs, gender, power, and hierarchy. Decoration of the body to some may seem more attractive to people when displayed in a certain part of their body. For the purpose of this paper, body art of two different cultures has been researched...
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...generations have gradually started opening up to embrace a whole new subculture---a subculture that is more experimental with art, music and sports. Crews and crews of Graffiti artists as well as Skaters are flourishing, Local bands are reaching new heights, and of course, the Industry of Tattooing is growing by the minute. The word tattoo was said to have two major derivations. From the Polynesian word “Ta” which means “to strike something” and from the Tahitian word “Tatau” which means “to mark something”. Archaeologists across the globe have unearthed preserved corpses and mummies that are tattooed. These mummies are said to have lived thousands of years ago, and most of the bodies bore tattoos that signify their cultures, ranks and beliefs. According to research, tattooing has been in activity to many countries such as Japan, Egypt, China, Polynesia, New Zealand, Indonesia, India, Thailand, Africa, Ancient Greece and Rome, America, England, France, and the Middle East thousands of years ago. It is arguably claimed that tattooing has existed since 12,000 years BC and it is as diverse as the people who wear them. The purpose of tattooing varies from culture to culture and its place on the time line. Tattoos have served as rites of passage, marks of status or rank, symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations of bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment,...
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