Now read on for some real history of history of body images.

Tattoos are no longer merely a form of art of the elite or related to social malevolents. Men and women regardless of age and from all walks of life are uncovering their own precise meaning in tattoos. Once related strictly to societal malefactors, tattoos were created among men and women sharing common interests and by persons expressing their own uniqueness. Tattooing is contemporary in its form only in the tools and designs used. The concept and skill of tattooing has been existent for many centuries, starting as early as Ancient Egypt around 2000 B.C.

Ancient Egypt mummies have been found with evidence of line and dotted patterns tattooed on their bodies. They are mainly female Egyptian mummies and the variety of shapes on the bodies match those drawn on figurines from the same historical period. Some of these figures have been associated with the Goddess Hathor. One among best known tattooed Egyptian mummies is that of Amunet, a priestess of the Goddess of Hathor.

The fine art of tattooing in Egypt came from the Nubians. It gained maturity and it blossomed at the time of Middle Kingdom and well beyond. The highest count of these early tattoos were created on women and for ritualistic practices.

Beyond Egypt, art of tattooing was popular in Japan and other Asian cultures. Throughout Kofun, Jomon and Yayoi times tattooing flourished. Archeological research has discovered dogu (figurines) made through these historical periods with markings surrounding mouth area believed to be tattoos. These marks have caused combative debates, but proof of tattoo markings on Asian people of this period support the argument that the marks are tattoos and not mere ornamental decorations.

Through the Yayoi period, 300 B.C. – 300 A.D., men in Japan and China decorated their faces and bodies to ward off large serpents and evil forces and spirits. The variations and size of the tattoos differed according to the societal position and rank of the individual.

Tattooing through Kofun era of 300 – 600 A.D. Took on more meaning through society. Thieves bore specific tattoos and tattooing became the penalty for other crimes and related to prisoners and gangs. Tattooing was not something done by the upper society. To this day, in Japan, ideas about tattoos have not changed much and are still thought of as being associated with the mob, criminals and deviants of lower society.

In other parts of the earth, tattooing was reserved to the elitist culture. People are often amazed to note that royalty such as King George V, Grand Duke Alexis of Russia and King Harold bore tattoos. At one time, tattooing was an expensive form of artistic expression, not within reach to regular people. Tattoo artists were viewed as highly as painters.

In the 1700′s in London, a heavily tattooed Polynesian male name Omai caused a great sensation. Some upper class people requested small discrete tattoos after seeing his artistic body.

In early American history, the tattoo was reserved for the elite. Native Americans were well known for their tattoos and many European Americans began to see tattooing differently with the elite of Europe showing tattoos.

The popularity of the tattoo remained with the military during World War II. Sailors and soldiers bore their allegiances to their country and their women with body art. They bore names of their units, ships and divisions proudly. Tattoo shops were located on docks and near military bases and tattooing flourished.

The introduction of the electric tattoo gun caused the prices to drop and tattooing to be accessible to everyone. This led the tattoo to be associated with lower classes, including circus people who often displayed extravagant facial designs and full body tattoos.

Another revolution in tattooing history came with the Hippie movement. Prior to and through these times, people were having peace signs, ying yangs and other symbols tattooed. Flower power was permanently placed as body art and proudly displayed. After the Hippie movement many of the tattooed held prominent jobs within the common society. Tattoos were no longer for the societal delinquents.

Today, tattooing has reached a new popularity. Henna, an Indian practice, is popular as long lasting temporary body art and more temporary tattoos are emerging and found in all types of stores. No longer just for the elite and no longer related strictly to the societal derelicts, tattooing has reached its own level of individuality, as unique as the tattoo artist and the tattooed.

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