Tattoo Art and its Origins

Tattoo art is a cultural phenomenon, it seems that almost every college aged individual either has a tattoo or has thought about getting one. Tattoo art for a long time was viewed as rebellious behavior and would be prominently found on the likes of sailors, bikers and prisoners. However times have definitely changed and today’s cultural norms definitely embrace the act of expressing yourself with the permanency of tattoo art. While it seems that tattoos have only been part of our culture for a few hundred years at best, research has shown that tattoo art has been around for far longer. If you have ever been intrigued by the origin of tattoo art- read on.

Tattoo Art and the Egyptians
The Egyptians had an enormous influence on our art and culture over the millennia and for a long period of time it was believed that tattoo art actually originated with them. Evidence has been uncovered that tattoos were part of the Egyptian culture. Many tattoos can be still be seen on the various figurines, tomb scenes and even mummified bodies. It might come as a shock that tattoo art during the Egyptian empire was for women only. Men simply did not wear tattoos during this time. In fact, for a long time, researchers theorized that those women that wore tattoos were part of the lower classes and even included strippers and prostitutes. However, new research actually dismisses this theory.

After careful research it is now believed with a high degree of certainty that those women that had tattoo art were not prostitutes or from the lower classes, in fact, tattoo art was expressively for women in the higher classes. The tattoos during ancient Egypt were usually dots in a web like formation around the thighs, stomach and breasts. Researchers now believe that these tattoos served as protection for pregnant mothers and not a sort of Scarlet letter.

It wasn’t until 1991 that a discovery in Europe turned the theory of Ancient Egyptians originating tattoo art on its head. Incredible as it may seem, tattoo art is an extremely old art form- perhaps dating back over 5,000 years. For those interested in the origins of this art form they consider to be fresh and new today, Smithsonian Magazine has an extremely interesting article on the subject. To learn what scientists believe to be the origin of tattoos today, please visit our main website at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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Tattoo Art: An Old Art Form

Tattoos are extremely popular these days. Walk around any college campus and you will see tattoo art on practically every part of the body- on both men and women. With the popularity of tattoo art soaring in the last couple of decades, many that now have tattoos wonder where this art form originated from. The Smithsonian Magazine has also been fascinated with tattoo art and recently put together and extremely interesting article regarding this phenomenon.

Originally, tattoo art was believed to come from Egypt. During archeological diggings, scientists found both paintings and mummified bodies that included tattoo art. However, it turned out that tattoos were only found on woman and in addition a certain caste of woman. Finally it was understood that tattoo art in Egyptian culture were used to ward off evil for a pregnant woman. The tattoo art took shape in the designs of simple dots or webs that covered the abdomen area.

However, a recent discovery in 1991 stood this theory on its head. Egyptians were in fact, not the originators of tattoo art- tattoos occurred much earlier. To find out who originated this art form that has become extremely popular today, please visit Smithsonian Magazine at the following link: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/

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