A tattoo (also scientifically called as Tatauierung) is an image or text, with ink or other pigments in the skin is introduced. Today, the color is usually inked with the help of a tatoo machine by one or more needles (depending on the desired effect) under the top layer of crisp skin and an image or text drawn.

The origin and development

Tāmati Wāka Nene, a TA with Māori moko, about 1870 Jede ethnicity of the earth probably knew at some stage of their development the custom of tattoo artists / body and practiced it. Is controversial, however, where the focus has developed tattoo. It was always trying to tattoo her originating from a specific geographical area assigned. The oldest evidence for the presence of tattoos come from South America and Europe. In the north of Chile were 7,000 years old mummies found that already tattoos on the hands and feet showed. The glacier Iceman mummy was already more than 5000 years from coal and wood beams existing characters, with needles under the skin were brought. These characters can be considered as the oldest known tattoos designate. Particularly elaborate and extensive tattoos are from the Iron Scythians, the equestrian people of the Russian steppe regions and the Caucasus region, known. This fact seems to be widespread theory that the custom of tattoo artists / body originally from the southwest Asian region comes from there via Egypt to Australia and Polynesia and eventually spread to North and South America continue to take was to rebut. Contrary to a variety of theories, all of which are trying to determine the origin of the tattoo in a particular geographic area to squeeze, may be determined from the diverse and all over the globe scattered references to assume that the custom of tattoo artists / body among the various peoples of the earth independently and independently developed. In its original probably only ritual significance, it is usually later in Micronesia, Polynesia, where indigenous populations and also for example, the Ainu and the Yakuza (Japan) disseminated.

Function and meaning

Overall, offers a wide range of diverse functions and meanings of the tattoo. Looking at the relevant literature features described as a member of characters, ritual or sacred symbol for opportunity phrase delineation (see also Bourdieu) and exclusivity, resources to enhance sexual stimuli, jewelry, protest (punk) and not least of political opinion, it showed closer look at this first significant similarities rather disjointed appearing areas.

With so-called prison tattoos can rank by the Cross of the thieves when presented, as well as functions of the prisoner during the captivity outlets, such as “bat”, “hooligan”, “rebel” or “Boss”. In addition, there are markings for murderers or “Life”, and also the opinion of Justice to open threats, or even successfully executed revenge may be known as a tattoo. Sexual preferences can be seen on tattoos.

Information, in what areas it was already detained, the yearning for freedom or intent are just out of issues such as the number of abzusitzenden years, for example in the form of images, which so in the number of firewood in a fire or barbed sting on show .