Tattooing embodies the technique by which colored dye or ink is introduced beneath the surface of the skin with some type of sharp instrument. In today’s western populace, tattoo designs are almost always applied with a motorized needle called a “tattoo gun”.

In other areas, however, tattoo designs are applied with a homemade tool, by hand, over a time period of several days, occasionally months. In such cultures, the fine art of tattooing hasn’t changed for thousands of years.

Archeologists have reported discovering tools they believe were most likely used for applying tattoo designs in many excavations all across the continent of Europe. The objects are round and flat. They are constructed of clay and have openings at the top where needles made from bone are inserted. They were in all likelihood used as a reservoir, and the bone needles were used to apply ink to the skin. Engraved figures of clay and stone from the same era have been discovered with these instruments. It is believed that these engravings depicted tattoos.

In 1991, the earliest known tattoo designs were discovered on a mummy known as Oetzi, an Iceman dated to be at least 5300 years of age. There’s some argument as to why the tattoo designs are there. The most popular idea is that the tattoo designs were used for medicinal purposes. Oetzi’s fifty-seven tattoo designs are situated over assorted joints on the body. The opinion is that the tattoo designs were attained while a form of acupuncture was administered to remedy painful joints. Nowadays, the same locations are used for acupuncture. Other theories range from social rank and ritual markings to tribal marks. It is speculated that the man was caught in a blizzard while hunting. There were a bow and arrows, a bronze ax, and flint discovered with the body, frozen within a glacier. Amongst the Bronze mans’ tattoo designs are a cross on the inside of the left knee, and six straight lines 15 centimeters in length above the kidneys. These tattoos are believed by experts to be either decorative or, possibly, to typify social status or magical meaning.

Before discovering Oetzi, the Russians unearthed bodies that were ascertained to be over 2400 years old. These mummies were discovered in the Altai Mountains of Siberia. Rather than lines, their tattoo designs are in the configuration of animals both real and imaginary. A great deal of these tattoos are considered to be ornamental only, although others seem to be a status symbol.

The Egyptians have one of the most familiar civilizations for tattoos. Dating back to 2100 BC, mummies have been discovered covered in various tattoos. Women flaunted tattoo designs that were confined to women exclusively. These designs comprised by and large a series of lines and dots around the body. Tattoos among the Egyptians are considered to have been varieties of ritual markings.

The History Channel online encyclopedia states that tattoos were being inked into Egyptians’ skin as early as 2000 B.C. According to Dr. W.D. Hambly, author of  “The History of Tattooing And It’s Significance”, released in 1925, there is archaeological evidence which suggests that tattooing could have begun several hundred years sooner than 2000 B.C. Produced in Egypt between 4000 and 2000 B.C., Egyptian female clay figurines which bear markings by puncture tattoo have been exposed. Two of these tattooed dolls are on exhibit in the museum at Oxford University.

From Egypt, the art of tattooing spread across the globe. The 3rd and 4th Dynasties represented the golden age of Egyptian pyramid-building. The monumental tombs, still standing at Giza were built during this time. During the period between 2800 and 2000 B.C., the art of tattooing started to spread across the globe, to Arabia, Greece, Persia, and Asia.

Along the way, Japan incorporated the use of tattoo designs as well. The Japanese people used tattoo designs for religious and ceremonial rites. In Japan, tattoo designs were first used on clay figures. These human shaped figures portrayed a deceased individual and were recovered in the tombs of the person they resembled. The tattoo designs were carved or painted on the faces of the figures. It is believed that these markings bear religious or magical meaning. The figures have been discovered in tombs that have been dated back to 3,000 BC.

Japan’s first documented tattoo is from 297 AD and has been revealed to be for decorative purposes only. Tattoo artists were known as “Horis” in Japan. The Horis were recognized as masters and in time created the full body suit tattoo designs.

William Dampher, a sailor and adventurer who journeyed the South Seas, is credited with the reintroduction of tattooing to the west in 1691. Dampher brought an ornately tattooed Polynesian, Prince Giolo, to London. Known as “The Painted Prince”, he was put on exhibition in something much like a carnival freak show and became the rage of London. It had been 600 years since tattoo designs had been witnessed in Europe and it would be another 100 years before tattoos would make their mark in the West.

In the llatter part of 1700s, Captain James Cook made numerous travels to the South Pacific. The citizens of London embraced his stories and were anxious to see the art and artifacts he brought back. After returning from one of these journeys, he brought a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Omai and before long, members of the upper class were getting small tattoo designs in discrete places. For a brief time tattooing became a fad.

Chatham Square, which is situated in New York City, became the first place to feature American styled tattoos. During the turn of the century, Chatham Square drew in folks from all over America, particularly those with money.

A man by the name of Samuel O’Reily established a shop in Chatham Square, becoming the first man to use an electric tattoo gun to apply tattoo designs. His tattoo gun was based on Thomas Edisons’ electric pen that utilized a needle point to puncture paper. The electric tattoo gun boasted moving coils, a needle bar and tube, which are still common elements of today’s guns. This new tattoo gun was extremely popular, allowing for those who desired tattoo designs to acquire them at a great price. These guns helped to revolutionize tattoo designs and allowed the tattoo artists to give tattoos reasonably fast as well. People embraced this new technology, making it far and away the best and most efficient means to get tattoo designs.

In the 1920s, with the prohibition era and then the Great Depression, Chatham Square lost its appeal. The center for tattoo art relocated to Coney Island. Nationally, tattoo artists opened up shops in locations that would support them, namely cities with military or naval bases. Even today you can find at least one tattoo parlor outside of most military installations.

The early 1960s saw a huge decline in the popularity of tattoo designs due to an outbreak of hepatitis. Although most tattoo shops had sterilization equipment, not many used it. News stories accounted reports of blood poisoning, hepatitis and other diseases. The general public held tattoo designs and tattoo parlors in high disregard.

In the late 1960s, the attitude toward tattoo designs transformed, when tattoo artist Lyle Tuttle began tattooing celebrities, particularly women. When asked what made tattooing gain in popularity during his early career, he responded: “Women’s liberation! One hundred percent women’s liberation! That put tattooing back on the map. With women getting a new found freedom, they could get tattooed if they so desired. It increased and opened the market by 50% of the population – hell of the human race! For three years, I tattooed almost nothing but women. Most women got tattooed for the entertainment value … circus side show attractions and so forth. Self-made freaks, that sort of stuff. The women made tattooing a softer and kinder art form.”

Today, tattoo designs are more popular than ever. It is more fashionable and accepted than it has ever been. Television series like “Miami Ink” and “LA Ink” have contributed to the popularity of the art. Presenting the viewers with an inside look at real tattoo shops and their artists. This rise in popularity has placed tattoo artists in the category of “fine artist” and has garnered a respect not seen for over a century.

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