In today’s age, you’d be hard-pressed to walk into a room in which there wasn’t at least one person who bore a tattoo upon their body. Tattoos are everywhere—appearing TV, movies, books, and real life. One of the reasons tattoos have gained such incredulous popularity is due in part to their variation: they are a staple of individuality. Each mark means something to different to the wearer, whether it be a flash piece or a custom design. You can find everything from celebratory tattoos, to quotes, or memorial pieces. Each and every one is unique in its own right. And this has been true throughout history.
Tattooing is one of the oldest practices known to man, spanning as far back as 3,000 BC. Over its years, it has had several different uses and forms—of which we are going to explore today.
Not quite tattoo’s high day, but still a large part of its history is the use of tattooing as branding. The ancient Romans, Greeks, and Japanese utilized tattooing as a form of punishment: branding their slaves, criminals, and war prisoners with symbols and marks indicating their crimes.
2. Clan Acceptance
While the aforementioned Greeks, Romans, and Japanese cultures were employing tattooing as a method of punishment, several tribal cultures were using it in the absolute opposite. Tribes such as the New Zealand Maori or the Arctic Inuit believed body ink to be a great tool in identifying the difference between rival tribes and friendly ones. It also showed acceptance into the Clan during adulthood—meaning one had proven worthy of remaining in the Clan of their birth.
3. Afterlife Passage
Many primitive tribes believed that the inked markings provided safe travels into the Afterlife. The markings provided a way for the spirit to be guided in its journey. Some tribes, such as the Ainu tribe, feared that those who remained unmarked were carried straight to Gehenna—their concept of Hell. Others believed that the markings allowed spouses who were separated by death a way to find each other in the next life.
4. Coming of Age
Several tribes across the world used tattooing as a rite of passage for the youth of the community. Tattooing of the primitive world was quite painful, to say the least, and it was said that once you endured said pain, you would be confirmed an adult. Many Native American tribes used totem tattoos to signify the selection of a spirit animal, and thus the entrance into adulthood.
5. Magical Charms
For some primitive communities, tattoo ink held magical properties. For some, it was thought to bring good luck or protection; for others—like the Burmese tribes— they were believed to function as love charms when the ink was crafted from certain ingredients.
6. Military or Warrior Symbols
Tattoos were frequently used to show military rank, or in some particularly ferocious tribes, kill count. Military tattoos have evolved with modern culture, and are still in use today—however, they’re obviously not documenting kill count; at least, I hope not!
7. Status Symbols
Before tattooing was shunned by society, it was actually used to display status within a tribe, community, or faction. For example, the Thracian upper class would tattoo themselves in order to flaunt their wealth and status.
Another form still in use today is the memorial tattoo. Appearing in early tribal communities, the memorial tattoo was used to commemorate and memorialize ancestors. Today, the memorial tattoo is employed in remembering friends, family members, and comrades.
Tattoo has evolved over its 5,000 years. Some tattoo styles have simply adapted, some have disappeared from use altogether. Other styles have surfaced. But one thing has remained the same: tattooing is all individuality and expression. No matter the type or style tattoo you select, you can be sure it will mean something special to you.