Mummies, dating from the end of the second millennium BC have been discovered bearing tattoos. In fact, Otzi The Ice Mummy (3350 - 3100 BC) was discovered in the early 90's, preserved fairly well and with 50+ tattoos covering his body. Scientists feel the tats were for some sort of healing ritual similar to acupuncture.
The word tattoo (tautau) comes from the Polynesian language. Tat tat was the sound made by tattooing. The tatatau tools consist of a comb with anywhere from 3-20 "needles." They're carved from bone, shell, or shark’s teeth and are placed on the skin. The handle is tapped (tat tat) with a second wooden stick, causing it to puncture and insert the pigment.
In America, a needle is attached to a tattoo gun then dipped in ink.
Symbolism of tattoos varies in different cultures. They can serve as symbols of spiritual and religious devotion, marks of status and rank, rites of passage, declaration of love, wounds of punishment, protection, marks of outcasts, honor a loved one, or celebrate friendship.
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Megan Fox
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I'm totally fascinated by tattoos. Esp. ones on Adam... Sighing with you.
ReplyDeleteHe is beautiful, isn't he? :)
DeletePass on a tattoo, thanks!
ReplyDeleteTo each his own, right? :)
DeleteI absolutely love the very first picture. It's probably going on my pinterest board. =)
ReplyDeleteI love it, too. That'd be awesome if you passed it on! :)
DeleteI'm chiming in on love for that first image too. What irks me is how folks of my generation get all huffy about the way kids look today...it really is like they forgot all about what it was to be that young and just figuring yourself out. It's the 21st century and we still can't get beyond the surface with some people. Gah.
ReplyDeleteSome Dark Romantic
I know. It's pathetically sad. :(
DeleteAww, that first one is great...and so true!
ReplyDeleteI have one. :D
It is. <3
DeleteAwesome. :)
I read a beautiful coffeetable book on typography tattoos some years back. If I ever got a tattoo (which is doubtful, since I'm strongly leaning towards becoming Liberal Modern Orthodox eventually), I'd get a typographical one, in my favoritest font, Palatino. A well-done tattoo is a work of art; people who still condemn tattoos as degenerate and tattoo parlors as crawling with AIDS and hepatitis are not living in the modern era.
ReplyDeleteI agree!
DeleteYou know I love 'em!
ReplyDelete:) yep!
Deleteone of my son's has done his own tattoos and has had many done by others--i don't mind them--but i think he regrets some of them---some that he has are, his siblings that died--their names--those are very special
ReplyDeleteThat's very sweet!
DeleteI really like tattoos that tell a story. There are so many great designs.
ReplyDeleteMe too. :)
DeleteThere's something about purposely letting myself be stabbed with needles a gajillion times that doesn't do it for me. However, they can be pretty neat for those who don't mind that kind of thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's really not all that bad. :)
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