Whether they are big or ornate, colorful or black, tattoos always make a statement! While you may think they are all the rage now, they have been around for centuries and the craze for them continues even in the 21st century. Tattooing originated in ancient cultures as a form of healing and slowly evolved into a new art form. The word “tattoo” is derived from the Samoan word “tatau,” which means “to strike.” In 1769, Captain Cook, a British explorer, recorded his observations of the native Tahitian tribe who bore their cultural markings and was the first to use the word “tattoo” to describe them.
People with tattoos are often stereotyped and seen as more aggressive than those without distinctive markings on their bodies. On one hand, some tribes use tattoos to permanently mark their lineage on their skin, as seen in the Maori culture. On the other hand, tattoos have historically been associated with gangs, crime, violence, rebellion, and generally the idea of disobedience. While these stereotypes are still on the rise, the acceptance of tattoos in communities is certainly growing. In this modern era where we can see an increase in body art, knowing the history behind the art of tattooing can provide some much-needed context. Keep scrolling to learn facts about tattoos, straight from their history, trends surrounding them, and their impact on society.
30 Interesting Facts About Tattoos
Image: ShutterstockThe oldest tattoo in history found on human skin was on the body of Ötzi, an iceman, dating back to between 3370 and 3100 BC. His body was discovered in the Alps and had 61 tattoos. In 2023, it was discovered that, contrary to popular belief, men are more likely to get tattoos than women. In the United States, 38% of women have at least one tattoo, compared to 27% of men (1). Samuel O’Reilly was a tattoo artist in New York in the mid-1880s and he patented his invention of the first electric tattoo machine in 1891. It was inspired by Thomas Edison’s electric pen, which he modified by adding needles and a reservoir for tattoo ink to the design. A tattoo gun can penetrate about 1 mm inch into the human skin and pierce it with tiny holes 50-3000 times per minute. One of the oldest recipes for tattoo ink was made from corroded bones, vinegar, leek juice, vitriol, Egyptian pine bark, and insect eggs. Billy Gibby, an amateur boxer, had numerous corporate tattoos on his body. Many companies paid him to promote their brand on his skin. The word “tattoo” is one of the most misspelled words in the English language; it is often misspelled as “tatoo”.
Trivia
The desiccated skin of seven female Egyptian mummies discovered in Deir el-Medina, Egypt, showed traces of tattoos.
During a laser tattoo procedure, black pigment is thought to be the easiest to remove because it absorbs more light of different wavelengths (2). In comparison, lighter colors such as yellow and green are considered the most difficult to remove. Scott Campbell is considered the world’s highest paid tattoo artist. He is known to charge $1,000 an hour and only works on weekends. Kimberly Smith is believed to be the first woman to get an advertising tattoo on her forehead to pay for her son’s college tuition.
Image: ShutterstockA tattoo artist usually starts learning the ropes of tattooing by practicing their skills on fruits such as oranges, grapefruits, and lemons, as these have a texture that most closely resembles human skin. The traditional Filipino tattooing method, also known as batok, involves the use of elements such as tomato leaves, pig bile, or sugarcane juice. These ingredients are bound with soot, which is obtained by burning wood, to create the ink. Getting a tattoo on areas such as the face, neck, head, and ears can be more painful compared to other parts of the body. This is because these areas have a higher density of nerve endings and thinner skin than other parts of the body. In ancient cultures, such as the indigenous Polynesians, pain is an integral part of the process of getting a Polynesian tattoo. It symbolizes a rite of passage for boys coming of age. Trivia
In the ancient Greek and Roman Empires, tattooing was used as a punishment for people who committed crimes.
In Soviet Russia, many prisoners had the faces of their national leaders, such as Stalin and Lenin, tattooed on their chests and backs. This was not to increase their support, but to avoid the death penalty. Apparently, the guards could not shoot them, because it was illegal to shoot the images of these loyalists. Gregory Paul McLaren is known as the most tattooed person in the world, having almost 100 percent of his skin covered in black tattoos. He is currently creating colored tattoos by filling them in. Many people say that removing the tattoo feels like tiny drops of hot grease on the skin.
A blogger shared her experience with photos of what she felt while getting a tattoo removed. She wrote, “It felt like my foot was in an oven and I couldn’t get it out. It reminded me of when I was a kid and got braces and wondered when the pain would go away (i).” The blogger also stated that although the pain she felt while getting the tattoo removed subsided after a few hours, her foot looked swollen and bruised.
The red tattoo ink color is most commonly associated with or likely to cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. White ink and UV ink designs tend to be more expensive than regular tattoo ink designs. This is because they are notoriously difficult to work with, have never been proven safe, and are usually done by specialized tattoo artists, making their designs and efforts more valuable than general tattoo appointments. Tommy Lee, an American musician, made it into the Guinness World Records for being the first man to get a tattoo on an airplane.
Image: ShutterstockThe advancement of tattoo technology has evolved to the point where people can even incorporate the ashes of their deceased into tattoo ink designs to commemorate their memory. The FDA does not regulate tattoo color inks and pigments (3). Legendary boxer Mike Tyson’s tattoo artist, Victor Whitmill, sued Warner Brothers over the Hangover 2 tattoo scene. The film reproduced his copyrighted facial tattoo, seen in real life on Mike Tyson, for a character in the film. Body art (such as tattoos) is considered illegal in the UAE, Turkey, and Iran. Inner lip tattoos take about 3 days to heal due to rapid cell regeneration. As a result, these tattoos also fade away quickly. In South African communities, people with tattoos are considered more outgoing, social, friendly, and approachable than people without tattooed skin. It’s a common misconception that you can’t donate blood if you have tattoos. While donation guidelines vary by center, the FDA recommends waiting at least three months after getting a tattoo (4). Women typically get tattoos on their ankles, while men typically get their arms tattooed. The most common reason people regret getting a tattoo is when it’s a person’s name. As of 2022, the longest tattoo session recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records is 61 hours and 37 minutes (5).
So, these were some interesting facts about tattoos and people with body art. Although this art form originated as a form of healing and recording history, it has undergone many changes in perception over the decades to get to where it is today: a popular way of self-expression. I hope you enjoyed learning from this mishmash of facts.
From ancient cultures to modern artistic statements, tattooing the human body is a tradition that has been around for centuries. It is closely linked to cultural and religious practices and also serves as a form of artistic expression that gives a person a unique identity. It is important to note that the popularity of tattoo art has increased over the decades and still stands strong as an art form. Its meanings, techniques, and versatility continue to fascinate us to this day. Whether you like them or not, these permanent markers are definitely here to stay and there is no doubt about their cultural significance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do tattoos hurt?
Getting a tattoo is painful. However, the pain varies, for some it can be an excruciatingly painful process, while for others it can be a relatively less painful experience. Factors such as pain threshold and the part of the body that is to be tattooed will determine how painful the experience can be.
How long does it take for a tattoo to heal?
It can take about 2-3 weeks or even months for a tattoo to heal completely. The healing time of the tattoo also depends on several factors such as size, complexity, placement of the tattoo on the body, aftercare practices, etc. The tattoo recovery time is subjective and varies from person to person.
Do all tattoos fade over time?
All tattoos, even permanent ones, fade over time due to sun exposure, aging, poor aftercare, friction, etc. Touch-ups may be necessary.
Can you get a tattoo over a scar?
You can get a tattoo over a scar once the scar has fully healed. However, it is advisable to consult a dermatologist before taking the plunge to reduce the risk of infection, allergic reaction, or additional scarring.
Are there any trends in tattoo styles?
Some of the trendiest tattoo styles right now are microrealism, minimalism, temporary tattoos, novelty flash tattoos, ornamental tattoos, tribal tattoos, and geometric ink designs.
Key Points
Tattoos have been around for centuries. They have slowly evolved from a form of healing practice and tradition with cultural significance to a trend. People with tattoos often face negative stereotypes and prejudices, as they are associated with deviant behavior and are looked down upon. Women tend to get tattoos on their ankles, while men tend to get them on their arms.
If you want to learn some historical facts and weird trivia about tattoos, watch this video. Learn about interesting statistics and people with tattoos who broke records.
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