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A tattoo is a mark made by inserting pigment into
the skin for decorative or other reasons. Tattoos on humans are a type of
decorative body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly
used for identification or branding.
Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of
Japan, wore facial tattoos, as do some Maori of New Zealand to this day.
Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples, and among certain tribal
groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Mentawai Islands, Africa, North America,
South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia, New Zealand and China.
Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular
all over the world.
It is commonly believed that the original root word of "tattoo" comes from
the Samoan word tatau, meaning to mark or strike twice (the latter referring
to traditional methods of applying the designs).[1] The first syllable "ta",
meaning "hand", is repeated twice as an onomatopoeic reference to the
repetitive nature of the action, and the final syllable "U" translates to "color".[citation
needed] The instrument used to pierce the skin in Polynesian tattooing is
called a hahau, the syllable "ha" meaning to "strike or pierce".[citation
needed]
The OED gives the etymology of tattoo as "In 18th c. tattaow, tattow. From
Polynesian (Tahitian, Samoan, Tongan, etc.) tatau. In Marquesan, tatu." The
first closest known usage of the word in English was recorded in the diary
of Captain James Cook in 1769 during his voyage to the Marquesas Islands.
The text reads, “...they print signs on people’s body and call this tattaw”,
referring to the Polynesian customs.[citation needed] Sailors on the voyage
later introduced both the word and reintroduced the concept of tattooing to
Europe.[2]
In Japanese the most common word used for traditional designs or those that
are applied using traditional methods is irezumi ("insertion of ink"), while
"tattoo" is used for non-Japanese designs.
Tattoo enthusiasts may refer to tattoos as "tats," "ink," "art," or "work,"
and to tattooists as "artists." The latter usage is gaining greater support,
with mainstream art galleries holding exhibitions of both traditional and
custom tattoo designs. Copyrighted tattoo designs that are mass-produced and
sold to tattoo artists are known as flash, a notable instance of industrial
design. Flash sheets are prominently displayed in many tattoo parlors for
the purpose of providing both inspiration and ready-made tattoo images to
customers.
History
Tattooing has been a Eurasian practice at least since Neolithic times. Ötzi
the Iceman, dating from the fourth millennium BCE, was found in the Ötz
valley in the Alps and had approximately 57 carbon tattoos consisting of
simple dots and lines on his lower spine, behind his left knee, and on his
right ankle. Other mummies bearing tattoos and dating from the end of the
second millennium BCE have been discovered at Pazyryk on the Ukok Plateau.
Tattooing in Japan is thought to go back to the Paleolithic era, some ten
thousand years ago. Various other cultures have had their own tattoo
traditions, ranging from rubbing cuts and other wounds with ashes, to
hand-pricking the skin to insert dyes.
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This site was last updated 10/20/08