Tattoo

A tattoo is a permanent form of body modification.

It involves inserting ink, dyes, or pigments into the dermis layer of the skin. The dermis is the deep layer of skin that holds the design long-term. Artists use various processes to achieve this. Some use modern tattoo machines to drive needles. Others use hand-tapping methods to strike the ink into the skin.

This practice can be decorative, symbolic, pictorial, or textual. A decorative tattoo has no specific meaning. A symbolic tattoo carries meaning for the wearer. Pictorial tattoos depict specific people or items. Textual tattoos use words or pictographs from written languages.

There are several distinct ways to mark the skin. Anthropologist Ling Roth described four specific methods in 1900. The first is "tatu," which uses pricking to leave the skin smooth. This is common in the Pacific Islands. The second is "moko," which combines tattooing with chiseling to leave furrows. This method is found in New Zealand. The third is "cicatrix," or scarification using a knife or chisel. This is practiced in West Africa. The fourth is "keloid," which involves irritating a wound to form a raised scar. This occurs in Tasmania, Australia, and Central Africa.

Tattooing has a history spanning thousands of years.

The earliest known tattooed person was Ötzi the Iceman. He lived around 3330 BCE. Ötzi had 61 tattoos on his body. Scientists believe these marks might have been a form of acupuncture to relieve pain. The word "tattoo" is a loanword from the Samoan word "tatau." This term means "to strike." It refers to using a wingbone from a flying fox as an instrument.

In the 18th century, Westerners often called this practice painting, staining, or scarring.

Societal views of tattoos have changed significantly over time. In the 20th century, tattoos were often associated with sailors or prisoners.

In the 21st century, people choose tattoos for many reasons. These include artistic, cosmetic, or sentimental purposes. Tattoos can also show belonging to an ethnic group or a subculture. However, tattoos have also been used as a tool of control. During the Holocaust, the SS forcibly tattooed identification numbers on inmates at Auschwitz.

This practice began in the fall of 1941 to identify registered prisoners.

Beyond art, tattoos serve many functional and medical purposes.

Cosmetic tattoos, or permanent makeup, create long-lasting eyebrows, lips, or eyeliner. Micropigmentation can even mimic the look of hair on the scalp. Medical tattoos help doctors in several ways. They can mark the correct location for radiotherapy. They can also convey vital information like a person's blood group. Some people use tattoos to cover vitiligo, which is a skin pigmentation disorder. Others use tattoos to create realistic nipples after a mastectomy.

Tattoos are also used for identification in various fields.

In commercial pig farming, a slap mark on the ear is a standard identification method. Beef cattle are sometimes identified with ear tattoos. In the UK, 8.5 million pet dogs are required to have microchips, which is an alternative to tattoos. Forensic pathologists also use tattoos to identify bodies. Because pigment is deep in the skin, it is not easily destroyed by fire. This helps identify victims in criminal investigations or after accidents.

Tattooing connects to complex social and historical systems. It has been used as a mark of status, rank, or religious devotion. It has also been used as a punishment for crimes. For example, ancient Chinese authorities used facial tattoos to mark prisoners. In the Roman Empire, slaves were sometimes tattooed with the words "tax paid."

Even religious laws have impacted the practice. In AD 330, Emperor Constantine I banned facial tattooing. In AD 787, the Second Council of Nicaea banned all body markings as a pagan practice. Today, tattoos remain a powerful way for individuals to express identity and history.