How long have tattoos been around?
What were the purposes for tattoos?
What tools were used for tattoos?
Why are tattoos permanent?
How long have tattoos been around?
How long have tattoos been around? Inca civilization (Peru)
• 1100 A.D.
Mayan, Aztec, and Toltec civilizations
• 200-800 A.D.
Japan
• 500 B.C.
Egypt
• 2000 B.C.
Original purpose for tattoos
Religious beliefs, Pride, Magic, and Social status
Religious beliefs
• In many tribes it is believed that after death the spirit leaves the body as an exact replica of the earthly body. Tattoo marks where a way of identifying the body in the spirit world.
• The Sioux Indians believe that after death there is an old woman who examines each ghost as it passes, if no tattoos are found it is denied entrance to the spirit world. And is pushed down a cliff into this world and become homeless wonderers. This is the path to the Many Lodges.
Magic
Cure for Illnesses and Relief of Pain
India
• Believed that certain marks, usually by branding, give relief from suffering.
• A tattoo of the monkey god, Hanuman, was believed to relieve pain caused by dislocation.
• In the Toda tribes, woman got ceremonial keloids on the wrist to cure pain at pregnancy and to keep away evils that are active during pregnancy.
• Babies of the Kaikolan people were cured of sickness when marked on chest and abdomen with a number of large and small discs
Magic
Execution
• The Andamanese executioners mark themselves as a selfinflicted punishment. This is intended to substitute any revenge the ghost of the person executed might be inclined to take. Magic
Charms
Burma
• Certain tattoo marks were received for protection. These charms provide immunity from death by drowning, gunshot, or spearthrust.
• The men, desiring general good luck and favour with princes will have a parrot tattooed on the arm, while the operation is in progress he must repeat at intervals the words, “A parrot tattooed on the arm will give great favour with princes.”
Siamese (Thailand)
• A custom among the lower classes, tattoos were general charms to secure good fortune
Social Status
Social Status of Woman
Puberty and Marriage
Paraguay
• Girls at puberty are marked with a blue line made from the roots of the hair down to the nose to the top of the lip. When the girls marry the line is extended to the chin
The Salish people
•The Salish woman get three lines from the corner of the mouth to the cheek, and two parallel lines from the center of the lower lip to the top of the chin. These are added after the puberty rites in order to mark new status.
Social Status
Social Status of Woman
Fiji
• Every girl is tattooed shortly before puberty.
• The band that is tattooed is made up of intercrossing of parallel lines and lozenges
• This operation must be done when all men are absent in the fields, and a ceremonial feast is given by the parents
Social Status
Tribal Markings
• Its important to the Omahas to mark a child five days after its birth. The child of the deer clan is marked with red spots on its back to imitate a fawn.
• Certain Australian tribes marked their children at child birth. this was believed to protect the child by allying it with the family group.
Pride
Head Taking
• Dusun men would take heads from their enemies and had a
