A Brief Peek at The History of Tattoo Making

Nowadays, finding a person with a tattoo on their arms, legs or on any part of their body for that matter is a common occurrence. This just goes to show that the tattoo industry has been steadily prospering as more and more people, for their own reasons, has gotten a tattoo of their own. But have ever wondered as to how the process of tattooing came to be? Let’s try to trace back our tracks and see how the tattoos of the old days fare with ones on this modern age.

History

It wasn't clear as to when it started, but tattoos have been believed to exist for as far as 10000 B.C – back when we were still using rocks and twigs for tools. This was on Japan and it was mainly used for spiritual and decorative purposes. There were no actual records for this however. The oldest evidence of a tattoo came from a 5,200 year old frozen mummy dubbed as “Iceman”, replacing the mummies of several female Egyptians for the top spot – they’re now in second with their tattoos dating back to 2000 B.C.

Tattoos have also been proved to exist in other places as well. Aside from Egypt and Japan the culture existed in India, some parts of the Middle East as well as North Africa. It also flourished in some parts of Asia like the Philippines and in Europe too.

Purpose

Tattoos differ in various ways – be it in the designs, the materials used and of course, their purpose. Compared to the modern day tattoos which were more on self-expression and art, tattoos of the olds days bore a deeper and darker meaning to them. People back then have utilized these tattoos to indicate their status and nobility aside from being used for religious purposes.

However, during the Japanese Kofun period, these tattoos have been used to brand people as criminals. This was discontinued when the Meiji period came, but since the tattoos on the said people were permanent, they were still shunned by society. These people found it impossible to commingle with society, which have made some to resort to criminal activities. These happenings led to the birth of the Yakuza – the Japanese mafia.

Tattoos are also used to indicate ones prowess as a warrior. A tribe based on the mountainous regions on the northern part of the Philippines paints their warriors as a sign to others how many people have died by their hands.

Others have used the tattoo as a right of passage. The Samoan tribe has long regarded their tattooing process with high value. The boys who are in line as the leaders of their tribe have to undergo this process as a part of their ascendance for the role. If by some chance that they would back out due to severe pain, the tattoo would remain unfinished and they would be labeled as cowards. The tattoo would serve as a mark of shame that they’re going to bear for the rest of their lives.

Materials

Compared to what the tattoo artists use today, the materials and the devices used for tattoo making before were much cruder and thus, much more prone to infections. The device used to etch the tattoo could vary – from a needle to sharpened animal bones. And inks used can come from a variety of sources too. It can be made from plants or even blood.

Conclusion

Through the course of time, tattoo making has flourished all over the world. People inspired by it, be it as a form of self expression or for the sake of art, have continued to find ways in how to share their ideas to others. Nevertheless, even with the modern technology all around us, there are still those who are still using the old ways of tattoo making. Nevertheless, though lacking in modern devices, in the hands of a master, a traditional tattoo can be just as majestic as a modern one – and maybe even better.

Most Popular Tattoo Styles

Flash Tattoo

Flash tattoos are the simple stock designs that tattoo shops often have posted on their walls or in their books. A client can walk in, point to a flash and get it done, usually in a couple of hours. These are designs that the artist has normally done hundreds of time, and so can finish quickly.


Traditional American Tattoo

This style of tattooing is thought to have originated on American military bases in the 30s or 40s, but has become more associated with sailors than with military.


Black and Gray Tattoo

Any tattoo can be completed in black and gray, but as a style in and of itself, there are two specific branches of black and gray. The first has come to be known as prison or biker tats. It’s easy to assume that the reason for the naming is that because the style is only worn by prison inmates or members of biker gangs, but as with all forms of tattoos, prison/biker tats have gone mainstream.


Tribal Tattoo

There is no debate that there is a style of tattooing that is tribal. However, lumping all tribal tattoos in one category is nearly blasphemous, as different tribes on different continents have used different designs to represent different meanings.

Asian Tattoo

Asian tattooing is often considered a style in and of itself, but I have a hard time lumping the biggest continent in the world’s tattoos into a single category, so I’m splitting it into three, and even then, when I talk about Asian, allow me to be clear that I’m referring to Oriental-styles, not expanding to all of Asia proper or the subcontinent which have their own tattoo cultures.

• Traditional Asian Tattoo

It is thought that the Japanese might be the first people to have ever practice tattooing or irezumi (insertion of ink under the skin). Some believe the practice goes back to 10,000 BC, where the tattoos had spiritual or purely decorative uses, but what we recognize today as Asian tattoos started probably closer to 1600, when woodblock tattooing became fashionable – mainly among the lower classes.

• Modern Asian Tattoo

Modern Asian tattoos are a mix of the style of traditional Asian tattoos and the American style of tattooing. The subject of the tattoos remain the staples of Japanese and Chinese mythology, featuring dragons, koi fish, phoenixes, fu dogs, etc. However, the style borrows more from the style of comic-books and manga, rather than the traditional look of woodblock tattoos.

• Kanji and Lettering Tattoo

Chinese and Japanese lettering are so intricate, that writing in these logographic scripts is an art form in and of itself. The combination of the beauty of the script and the ability to associate a meaning to the symbol (because it’s actually a word) have made these very popular flash tattoos.

Photorealistic Tattoo

Realistic tattoos are a relatively recent phenomenon in tattooing for two reasons. First, as the tattooing has become more popular, the skill level of artists has increased. Second, the technology of the inks and guns has progressed to a point where doing fine levels of detail have become increasingly possible. Realistic tattoos are often portraits, but wildlife is another common subject.

Celtic Tattoo

Celtic tattoos are composed of large black lines, and are generally only done by experienced Celtic tattoo artists, because of their complexity. Celtic tattoos originated as a form of war paint. The subjects of a celtic tattoo are often Celtic symbols, such as the Celtic knot, and animals. Another common, but more recent addition to the list of subjects of Celtic artists are trees.

Biomechanical Tattoo

Believe it or not, but the history of this style of tattooing is normally traced back to a single movie: Alien. Whether or not the Alien movies were the source of biomechanical tattoos, the imagery can’t help but make one think of them. For the hardcore sci-fi fanatics, the biomechanical tattoos generally portray some combination of human and robotic parts intertwined. Tattoos that mimic ripped flesh exposing mechanical parts underneath are the most common variety, and are normally placed on muscular parts of the body like the arms or legs.

Caricatures Tattoo

As caricature artists are to portrait artists, so too are tattoo caricatures to… well, every other kind of tattoo. Caricatures require their own special kind of skill, quite different from the skill to create photorealistic tattoos. Colours are usually used in loud, flash patterns, and features of an otherwise recognizable piece are exaggerated for a comical effect. It’s a safe bet that people who choose to ink themselves with a caricature piece have a good sense of humour.

Polynesian Tattoo

The Polynesian tattoo symbols of spear heads can be found in almost every Polynesian tattoo design. It’s designed to express courage and fight. It’s also used to represent warrior, sharp items, and sting of animals and rays. Spear heads are usually used in combination with other symbols to express certain meanings. For example, one line of spear heads and one line of enatas upside down along its side can express the meaning of defeating enemies. Like the picture above, it has many variations with arrows repeating.

Tattoo Making – Some Simple Facts

Tattoo making is a process of embedding permanent artistic markings on one’s body. It’s a form of art that has garnered mixed reactions from people – both good and bad. Though, despite the negative opinions from the others, the industry continues to strive and prosper. And most of these derogatory remarks are results from common misconceptions that have misled people to think that tattoo making is hazardous to ones health. Now let’s try giving an explanation to these misconceptions.

One of the most common misconceptions that people have about tattoo making is that the process can cause skin diseases that could even lead to getting cancer. It’s true, and has been proven, but only in rare cases. These rare cases are often the results of malpractice and the use of materials that aren’t suitable for tattoo making.

If you’re planning on having a tattoo for yourself, you should first know how it should be done correctly. Doing so could prevent yourself from having a poorly made tattoo on your body. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts in having a tattoo.

WRONG

• Recycling and reusing of needles to other tattoo clients. 

• Tattoo maker is not wearing any medical gloves during the process.

• The needles used are not sterilized.

• The inks used have hazardous chemicals and are not suited for tattoo making. (ex. Chinese based inks)

• Clients aren’t following the safety guidelines after the tattooing process (i.e Prohibition in bathing the tattoed area in salt water before a week has passed, etc.)

RIGHT

• Materials used for the whole process (needles, caps, grips, med kits) have to be used only once and must be disposed after use.

• Tattoo maker has to undergo proper sanitation and must wear gloves during the process.

• Needles have to be disinfected and sterilized.

• Inks used must be intended for tattoo purposes only and have passed quality tests. (ex. US based inks)

• Strict following of safety precautions before and after the tattoo process.

Here’s a simple tip – cheap tattoo inks that are usually bad for the skin are watery compared to the legitimate ones which are a lot thicker. 

Knowing these do’s and don’ts might not only save you thousands of bucks in medical expenses; you’ll even have a great tattoo on your body. That’s why, when you’re planning a tattoo for yourself, stop going for those cheap ones – you might just end up spending more. For the right price, you can get quality tattoos on legitimate shops and undergo the right process of making one.

Here at Momoi’s Ink Shop, you can be sure of having quality tattoos without the risks of having medical problems – the process is completely by the book and the inks used are US based. Of course, you’re not spared of the pain that comes along with it. Then again, as any owner of a well done tattoo would proudly say – it was totally worth it.

Color Outside the Lines: A Tattoo Documentary (2012)

Directed by: Artemus Jenkins
Conceived and Produced by: Miya Bailey
Music by: Go Dreamer and Brian Sterling of Operation A.D.D./ The Flush

Struggle, Joy, Failure, Success; words like these could serve as the backdrop for the next big hollywood blockbuster, or as a description of a tattoo artists life. Color Outside the Lines is the first film that provides a deep look into the history, culture and lives of the world's top black tattoo artists. Creating a film that would accurately tell the stories of these amazing artists, was initially a dream that manifested into a reality when world renowned tattoo artist, Miya Bailey linked with burgeoning filmmaker Artemus Jenkins. After three years of filming and tattooing everywhere from Atlanta to Amsterdam, this film is here to make sure the story and legacies of these artists will live on forever.

Tattoo Making

Nowadays, there are a lot of trends going on like the latest fashion or the newest games and such. The same could be said with tattoo making. Making tattoo has become a part of human culture for as early as 2000 B.C. It has also represented many things for the people who undergo the process of having a tattoo. Some may have been for their own beliefs and superstitions, others as an act of showing the people their spoils of war and nowadays, a form of art.

Tattoos have undergone a lot of changes as time passed. It has been heavily affected by the flow of time and modernization and has become what it is today – a very artistic form of art etched on the body. Styles have differed from each tattoo artist that have made. It can range from simple letterings and shapes to those vividly real, almost lifelike images that seem too real to be a tattoo.

The price range of having one can range just like that too. It can have a price tag that would go from a few bucks down to more than a thousand dollars. However, for those with over the top pricings, the results are jaw dropping. A tattoo artist can turn your arm into a cybernetic piece of equipment and make it look like all those wires and metal are there, along with your flesh.

Truly, having these great works of art embedded on you is great and all. But let’s not forget the pain that comes along with it. Though, not what it’s like in the olden times where you have your skin literally pricked by a needle a thousand times leaving a permanent mark on your body, tattoo making of today is less painful, much safer from infections and therefore much more bearable, all thanks to modern technology. But nevertheless, it’s still painful.

But I guess, it’s what they always say – No pain, no gain. If you want that majestic Polynesian art on your arm or on any part of your body for that matter, then you’ll have to bear with the pain. And aside from that, you’ll have to endure those prickling sensation for hours, and even sessions, depending on how large the tattoo would be. Though, I’m pretty sure that you’ve prepared yourself for it, since every man or woman that has a tattoo that they like on their body would always say “It was definitely worth it.”

For tattoo lovers, having a newly added tattoo on their body is like having another trophy they can show for their friends. A masterpiece indeed – and one that you will have for as long as you live. Just as tattoos have existed for several thousand years, its industry will never cease to exist.  Because there will always be people wanting to have a piece of art embedded on their body – and there will always be people who will do it for them. Tattoo making has been permanently etched in human history.