A World Tradition

The practice of tattooing is about as old as humans themselves. In 1993, the tattooed body of a Siberian woman known as the Ukok princess was discovered roughly 2,500 years after her death. Almost perfectly preserved, she is one of the oldest known examples of early tattoos.
Fast forward a handful of centuries and we are still tattooing today, and although methods and motives have certainly changed, much remains the same. Our Ukok princess wore sleeves depicting various creatures and symbols representing her stages in life and her social status. I write to you now with my own arms covered in more or less the same things, for more or less the same reasons.

above: my tattooed shoulder

below: the tattooed shoulder of the Ukok princess (source)

From the days of the Siberian princess to present times, different societies have adopted tattoos into their own cultures. The Japanese mafia, known as the Yakuza, wear full body suits as a symbol of their lifelong commitment to the organization. Maori tribesmen in New Zealand use a hammer and chisel method called 'moka' to tattoo the marks of a warrior.
The invention of the electric tattoo machine in 1891 brought a surge of young men in arms covering themselves with military insignias, lovers' names, and countless other now-iconic images symbolizing the good, the bad, the highs and the lows of life.

Percy Waters, 1933 (source)

It is these traditional American tattoos that initially sparked my passion. As a tiny girl I saw my grandfather's friends with their anchors and flags, their tributes to women loved and lost, their bodies-turned-road-maps of their young lives. My already-rebellious little mind fell in love and a lifelong obsession began.
I got my first tattoo at, of course, age 18. I am now 22 years old, straddling the line between "tattooed" and "heavily tattooed." Constantly met with opposition from parents, friends, and complete strangers, my passion remains strong.
To an outsider, tattoos often represent only rebellion and the poor decisions made in one's youth. My hope in writing this blog is to open those tightly closed eyes and reveal just how much more there is to this world. Tattooing links together people who are otherwise so wildly different. It is an increasingly popular medium in which to create and appreciate art. It is a record of history.
Together we will learn about the various subcultures mentioned above, as well as important individuals in tattoo history and so much more. Join me next week, when I will tell you all about my first time under the needle and we will delve further into the history of traditional American tattoos.
Stay tuned!