Overview

Historical evidence shows that tattooing was practiced as early as 6000 B.C.E as a method of body inscription and modification. The evidences were found in female mummies. The recent history of tattooing is directly influenced by globalization and the advent of new media technologies - tattoo blogs, websites, and online galleries are now ubiquitous across the Internet. Idiosyncratic tattoo traditions, philosophies, and styles are virtually shared and displayed, fertilizing new hybrid tattoos born from a culture of appropriation. However, ancient tattoo practices demonstrate that cultural forms have always migrated across continents and societies, albeit at a much slower pace. Tattoos clearly played a significant role within many premodern, non-Western societies. Anthropological studies document a wide range of practices chronicling the symbolic significance of tattoos and their functions. Significantly, the meanings and uses of ancient tattoo practices share many commonalities with contemporary tattoo customs. Modern-day tattoo narratives suggest that there are certain traditions, for example, using the tattoo to commemorate a rite of passage or a major accomplishment or to memorialize the death of a significant other, that transcends historical and cultural boundaries. The earliest tattooed bodies date to roughly 6000 BCE - the oldest and arguably most well-known (and well-studied) is the mummified 'Iceman', discovered in the OEtztal Alps on the Italy-Austria border in 1991, dated 5300 BCE. The mummified body is covered in 57 tattoos including lines scored in groups on his lower back and ankles, a cross behind his right knee and two rings circling his left wrist. Anthropologist Lars Krutak speculates that the tattoos may have been connected to the Iceman's medical condition as 80% of the tattoos on his body overlap with Chinese acupuncture points. Krutak (1999) makes a strong case for the medicinal usage of tattoos by the indigenous Yupik peoples of St. Lawrence Island in Western Alaska. This research expands our search toward understanding the possible reasons why people tattooed themselves in early human history, and how tattoos may have functioned in relationship to health and embodiment.What does it mean to have a tattoo in today's world and why shall I have this tattoo bank book?As discussed previously, tattooing was a method of body modification for several means and purposes. In terms of the driving force behind tattooing, there are some discrepancies between the motivations in the ancient times and the society that we live in nowadays. People nowadays mostly use tattoos to express their experiences, emotions, goals and desires, find or create new identities, boost confidence, feeling better about themselves and standing out from the ordinary etc. It is often said that tattooing is addictive, so please be mindful and take precautions in this matter. N.B.The tattoo sketches that are presented in this book should be used as an example as to what your desired sketch can look like. It is advised that the tattoo artist personalizes these tattoos for the client and adding colour to what already exists is highly welcomed.According to tattooforaweek.com , the top 10 most popular tattoos are those of: Crosses, Dragons, Butterflies, Wings, Eagles, Hearts, Skulls, Tribal Designs, Flowers and Celtic Symbols. Therefore, a variety of these sketches will be illustrated throughout the book.Although there is no universal rule on which tattoo should be used for which part of the body, it is customary that wings are usually used on the back (since this indicates someone is an angle), crosses and hearts are an all-round player, flowers, butterflies and tribal go on the legs and arm, eagles and dragons can go on the chest.

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