THE HISTORY OF TATTOO IS HARD TO RECOUNT EVENTHOUGH IT’S AN ANCESTRAL PRACTICE WE CAN’T PLACE IT’S ORIGIN.

The word tattoo comes from the tahitian “ta-tu” which derives from the expression “ta-atouas” composed of “ta” drawing and “atouas” spirit. In fact the aboriginals would mark their bodies to have the protection of their spirit, their “guardian angel”. The first description of a mark is in the bible (genIV-15): ” and YHVH put a sign on CAIN so none that meet him would hit him.” Where and when tattoo was born? It is hard to say, but it is certainly not in china as says the legend. The hindhu legend of CYRROHEE and BANTAS mentiones it. But we have a real proof with the discovery of the mummy of a priestress of hator of the XIth dynasty (2200 BC). We can also see in the leningrad’s museum the body of a SHIITE warrior frozen in ice for 2000 years, it’s arms are covered with sophisticated tattoos. Closer to us in europe wa find traces of tattoos with the gallic and the “british”. Ceasar in his “de bello gallica” says that all the britons colored their skin with a colouring matter thet was blue. The romans would use tattoo to mark the criminals etc…After the battle of hastings the beheaded body of the king arnold was identified thanks to the word “edith” tattooed on his chest. The first eastern christians would tattoo the symbole of their religion on their wrists this tradition lasted until the XXth century amongst the pilgrims of jerusalem. In the middle ages rome forbidds tattoo.

HISTORY OF TATTOO.

We owe the expension of tattoo in the west to captain COOK in 1769 when he discovers tahiti. Cook brings back with him the prince OMAI whom the tattoos became an appeal for the londoners in the exhibition. Some memebers of the expedition got tattooed. In 1891 samuel O’RILEY invents the electrical tattooing machine which enable to improve the quality of tattoo, the quickness and to lower the pain. Since the 1970’s tattoo becomes a phenomenon of fashion and touch every classes of the society; thanx to artists like SPYDER WEBB- LYLE TURTTLE- DON E. HARDY- GEORGE BOONE.

TECHNICS.

Since 1891 in the west mainly tattoos are made with the tattooing machine. This machine works at 3000 to 5000 pricks per minute. Once the pattern is chosen the tattooist clean the surface of the skin and reproduces the pattern wether with a stencil wether with free hands. Then he strats tattooing the outlines with small needles, then he does the shaddings (if needed) and to the coloring. Once done the tattoo is cleaned again covered with cream and a bandage.