Com150_Final_Essay

The History of Tattoos and Body Piercings NAME Axia College Often times people are ridiculed for having a couple tattoos and body piercings. People have been given mean looks, been treated badly, and have even been turned down for things simply because of their choice to express themselves through body art. Some people look at people with tattoos and piercings and think it is wrong to do such a thing. However when you look at history you will see that this form of art is normal and although many people are against it, the art of tattoos and body piercing's has played a major role throughout many cultures for years. The word tattoo originates from the Tahitian word “tatau” meaning to mark or strike. British Captain James Cook visited Tahiti in 1969 where he and his crew encountered heavily tattooed Polynesians. After Cook's voyage him and his crew returned to England and introduced the word “tattoo” into the English language. (Janey Levy 2008) Tattoos have been used for thousands of years. Until recently the earliest evidence of tattoos were on mummified Egyptian females dated back to c.2000 B.C. That was until the 1991 discovery of the Iceman on the Italian-Austrian border of the iceman. The iceman was found with tattoo markings on his lower spine, right knee, and ankle joints. It is believed these markings may have been used for therapeutic reasons based on the locations of them. The findings of the iceman and his tattoos has pushed the evidence of tattoos back another thousand years when he was carbon dated at around 5,200 years old. ( Lineberry 2007) Different cultures utilized tattoos in different ways. In 1948 between Russia and China mummies were found that dated back to 2,400 years ago. The tattoos found on them were mostly animals believed to be magical. Archeologists believe the tattoos were used to reflect the status of the individual. The Egyptians are believed to have to have spread the practice of tattoos all over the world. the Egyptians spread the practice of tattooing throughout the world. The Egyptians developed international nations with Crete, Greece, Persia, and Arabia during the pyramid building third and fourth dynasties. By 2000 B.C. the art of tattooing had spread throughout Southeast Asia. The Western Asian Nomads then brought it with them as they moved to Japan. The earliest evidence of tattoos in Japan are based on figurines which have paintings and engravings to represent tattoo marks. The figurines represent stand-ins for living individuals who symbolically accompanied the dead on their journey to the unknown. The oldest ones found have been recovered from tombs dated 3000 B.C and older. The Japanese were interested in tattoos because of the art and not necessarily for magical or religious reasons. Polynesian tattooing is a big part of the tattoo history and their art is believed to be the most skillful of ancient tattooing. The Polynesians believed that a person's spiritual power and life force was shown through their tattoos. In Samoans used tattoos to show rank and status. They practiced tattooing ceremonies for young chiefs around the time of puberty and this would forever show their dedication to cultural tradition. In Indonesia tribal tattooing is still practiced today the same way it has been practiced for thousands of years holding onto their cultural tradition. Their brand of tattooing is still used today and is what the Western people call “tribal”. India and Thailad males would get tattoos of a mythical monk. These tattoos are put onto the human body by monks who incorparate magical powers into the design while tattooing. These tattoos are a symbol of strength. They exclude women because monks cannot be touched by women and because they believe women are already strong enough and do not need the extra strength. In Africa where skin tone is often darker it is hard to get colored tattoos. However they were determaned to have tattoos do they came up with a different method. They lift the skin a little and rub sand or ashes into the wound to create a raised scars in the form of patterns. This makes it so the body art could be seen where normally ink wouldnt show. In Ancient Greece and Rome people's faces were often tattooed as a punishment for their crimes. That was until Constantine became Roman Emperor. Constantine believed the face was a an image of god and should not be defiled. In Central, South, and North America tattooing was wide spread among the Native Americans. Native Americans often used tattoos to be a sign of rank. The best warriors wore tattoos. Some tribes also had women tattoo their chins to show marital status. Often times travelers from all over the world would see these cultures and recieve tattoos while they were there. When they returned home they would show these tattoos and this is how the art of tattooing became so widespread throughout the world. (Designboom 2000-2009) Tattoos are not the only ancient form of art that has played a huge part in culture. Body piercing's also have been around in cultures for thousands of years.The earliest mummified remains of a pierced human is over 5000 years old. He was found with large gauge piercing's in his ears. The Egyptians used piercing's as a sign of wealth. Almost every wealthy Egyptian wore earrings to show their wealth and enhance their beauty. Pharoah was the only person allowed to have a navel piercing. Anyone else seen with a pierced navel would be executed. Romans used body piercing's for specific reasons as well. Roman centurions considered nipple piercing's a badge of honor and they believed that this piercing showed strength. Gladiators who were almost always slaved would have piercing's in their genetals with large bars and rings as to not get hurt in battle and so that they could not have sex without their owners consent. The Aztecs and Myans practiced the piercing of their tounges. They used this form of piercing as a ritual of blood-letting to bring them closer to the gods. These tribes were also warrior tribes and pierced their septums because they believed it made them appear more fierce to their enemies. In Central and South America libret piercing's were especially popular. They considered women with piercing's through their libret to be more attractive. Often times the women would stretch the piercing as much as possible to accent their lips. (Martell 2008) After a while, mideaval churches began to look at body piercing's as a sin and for a few hundred years all of Western civilation abandoned this practice. That was until sailors became convinced that piercing one ear would improve their sight. After a while it became common to see sailors with one ear pierced. The practice of having one ear pierced became popular with men during the time of the Renaissance and almost any member of nobility had at least one ear piercing if not more. Women then began piercing their nipples and sometimes wearing chains and pearls between them as to not be outshown by the men. After this men and women began to notice that piercing's were not only good looking but could also be pleasurable. This also was enchanced in the Victorian ages where people were getting peircings purely for sexual pleasures. Some of the piercing's today are still used for that reason alone. ( Martell 2008) Although many people are against it, the art of tattoos and body piercing's has played a major role throughout many cultures for years. After reading this essay hopefully people will see that tattoos and body percings have been a big part of our history and will take it more litely. Hopefully the next time they look at a person who expresses themselves the way all these cultures have chosen to, they will be more respectful and look at it as art and not some unnatural human being. Cate Lineberry (January 1, 2007) Tattoos: The Ancient and Mysterious History July 22, 2009 http://www.smithsonianmag.com/history-archaeology/tattoo.html James Martell (June 16, 2008) The History of Body Piercings: Ancient and Fascinating Around the World July 22, 2009 1 http://www.thehistoryof.net/the-history-of-body-piercings.html 2 A Brief History of Tattoos July 22, 2009 1 http://www.designboom.com/history/tattoo_history.html 2 Janey Levy (September 2008) Tattoos in Modern Society July 22, 2009