The Rich and Beautiful History of Tattoos
In 1846 the very first tattoo shop was established in New York City by a German immigrant named Martin Hildebrant. People have been getting tattoos for centuries, and it is often regarded as one of the world’s oldest art forms. The fascinating history behind different cultures independently beginning to tattoo without outside communication shows how humans have a natural inclination to embed art into their skin.
Ötzi the Iceman is a preserved glacier mummy from the Copper Age. He was originally discovered by hikers in Schnalstal, also known as the Val Senales Valley, in 1991, and has since provoked intensive research. When he died, his body was preserved in the ice, which gave modern day scientists a lens into the late Neolithic age. Ötzi has 61 tattoos, made from ash and soot. The tattoos on the mummy unite modern day people with a man from an entirely different era, which is not a small task.
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Other mummies have been discovered with tattoos, especially in Ancient Egypt. It is no shock that mummies have been of interest from a place with such a complex and vigorous history. The tattoos have been found only on women and it is theorized by historians that in Ancient Egypt tattoos were done by and for women. Similarly, in the Aures Mountains, Chaouia women would traditionally be tattooed as a way of enhancing their beauty. Many believed they were a symbol of feminine rejuvenation ,fertility, and beauty. In the late 1700s in Tahiti, tattooing ceremonies were held for young men destined to become chiefs. They represented honor and community.
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Tattoos have been a meaningful art form for a variety of reasons around different cultures for more than a thousand years. Yet, we are still cautioned to be weary of tattoos for professional reasons. There have been no studies proving that putting ink into your skin shrinks your brain or your capabilities. Still, despite a rich culture behind the art form, tattoos are often stigmatized and looked down upon. According to PubMed’s article, “Tattoo or taboo?” A study amongst college students showed that participants generally rated tattooed people, especially women, higher on negative character attributes.
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Holding onto a negative stereotype of tattoos is out of date. Baby Boomers grew up in a more conservative society, but as time and technology progress, younger generations become open minded and push for new mindsets. Psychology Today stated that 47 percent of millennials have tattoos, in comparison to 36 percent of Generation Xers, and 13 percent of baby boomers. With the rise of tattoos comes the rise of creativity, individuality, and authenticity.
Strike Out,
Indigo Carter
Saint Augustine
