Rebellion, personality, History. These might be one of the few words that can define the meaning of the tattoo among us. In the context of contemporary society, individualism induces many people to make their skin the place for registering ideas, values or simple vanity. One of the best known records of tattoos is that of the English captain James Cook, when he was trying to get in touch with the natives of Tahiti.
The people of that region designated the habit of definitively painting the skin of “tatau”, due to the noise produced by the instruments used in the making of their tattoos. However, we cannot say that they were the first to develop this type of habit. Ötzi's man, over 5300 years old, was the envy of any tattoo aficionado today. More than fifty tattoos were found on his body that, according to some scholars, had religious significance.
The practice of tattooing was also recorded among the Egyptians and Picts, an ancient civilization in Northern Europe. In Brazil, several indigenous tribes wore tattoos on their bodies. The Waujás and Kadiwéus are some of the indigenous peoples who used the definitive painting to express rites of passage and reverence for some elements of nature. Despite the existence of the tattoo, this habit was not popularized by indigenous cultures.
It was the English sailors, through contact with the Polynesians, who spread this practice around the world. The reproduction of sea beasts, skulls and ships demonstrated the adventures of these men who launched themselves into the sea. Being the same subjects of little financial condition or social influence, they made tattooing something popular among the ghettos, brothels and taverns frequented by the “scum”, that is, idlers, street fighters, criminals and prostitutes.
This marginal tone given to the tattoo also made tattooed bodies a guaranteed presence in the circus attractions of the so-called freak shows. It was only in the second half of the 20th century that tattooing incorporated the ideals of Western culture. Its contesting tone overcame barriers, becoming a symbol of boldness and personality.
Intimate, delicate and gentle motivations have also incorporated the world of tattoos. Older men and women today also tattoo their bodies. It ceased to be an exclusive item of a youth culture to become a way of expressing subjectivity.