Buzz
A survey by The New York Times found that 21% of Americans had tattoos back in 1999. Fast forward to today, and that number has jumped to 40%, with many now embracing body ink in various forms.
For many, tattoos represent deep symbolism, personal rebellion, or serve as a form of creative expression. Regardless of the motivation, tattoos are here to stay. Adorning the body has been part of human culture long before written language emerged, and it's not just a passing trend.
10. 'Otzi The Iceman'
In 1991, two German hikers stumbled upon a body frozen in the ice and snow of the Alps. Fearing the worst, they quickly alerted the authorities, assuming the man had perished in a mountaineering accident. However, upon further examination, it was revealed that this man had been murdered—around 3500 BC. The discovery marked the finding of the oldest known intact human body, later dubbed 'Otzi the Iceman.'
Otzi’s well-preserved body has given scientists a rare glimpse into his life, providing insights into his diet, daily activities, and the manner of his death (he was shot with an arrow and later struck with a blunt force). Researchers also discovered that Otzi bore 61 tattoos, though many of them are hidden from sight due to the passage of time and his preservation in ice.
The majority of his tattoos are simple lines or X-shaped markings, likely created by making incisions in his skin and rubbing charcoal into the cuts. Most of these markings are located along his joints and ligaments, which has led many to theorize that they were therapeutic in nature, possibly serving as a primitive form of acupuncture to alleviate joint pain.
9. Mark of Nobility
For over 2,500 years, the Ukok princess remained entombed in a chamber beneath the Siberian ice, accompanied by two warriors who were likely her bodyguards in this life and the next. The princess, believed to have been around 25 years old at the time of her death, belonged to the Pazyryk people and had complex tattoos on her left shoulder.
While tattoos may still be frowned upon in certain professional settings today, the Pazyryk people wouldn't have been seen without them—quite literally. Tattoos were symbols of status and wisdom in their culture, with more tattoos indicating higher rank and greater life experience.
The Pazyryk people commonly adorned their shoulders with tattoos, displaying them openly for everyone to see. This was important not only in their earthly existence but also in their beliefs about the afterlife. Families often shared identical tattoos to recognize one another in the next life. In a manner reminiscent of matching family shirts at Disney World, the deceased could simply point to their tattoos and ask if anyone had seen a matching one.
8. A Form of Punishment
Herodotus, in his writings about fifth-century Greece, viewed tattoos in a much more negative light. Unlike the Pazyryk people, for whom tattoos were symbols of status, the Greeks regarded body ink with contempt. It was primarily associated with slaves and criminals.
Thieves and murderers were often marked permanently with tattoos that signified their crimes as a warning to others. The Thracian women, who voluntarily adorned themselves with tattoos, were labeled as 'Mad Women' or 'Raving Ones.' The only tattoos that escaped Greek scorn were the codes worn by wartime spies, used to smuggle intelligence across enemy lines.
Runaway slaves were frequently marked with tattoos that signified their crime of attempting to escape. One story, told by historian Zonare, recounts the punishment of two monks who publicly spoke out against Emperor Theophilus. When the emperor caught wind of their actions, he had them brought before him and had 11 lines of crude iambic pentameter inked across their faces and foreheads.
7. The Tattooing Family of the Crusaders
Tucked away in the heart of Jerusalem, a small family-run shop has been providing visitors with lasting memories for generations. The Razzouk family has been passing down the art of tattooing from father to son for over 700 years.
The family continues to use traditional woodblocks, some of which date back to the 1700s, to trace their designs. Crusaders and pilgrims would frequently get inked to mark their journeys to the Holy Land. Even royals like King Edward VII of England and King Frederik IX of Denmark left Jerusalem with tattoos from their travels.
In a region where religion is often a contentious and perilous issue, Coptic Christians commonly tattooed the Jerusalem cross—a cross with smaller crosses in each quadrant—on their arms to identify themselves as Christians, enabling them to gain access to their churches. In some cases, Christians were tattooed from a very young age, even toddlers.
6. Maori
The tribal tattoo has become one of the most popular tattoo styles today. Typically represented by black waves and intricate lines, this style originated with the Maori people of Oceania. Each tattoo told a deeply meaningful, intricate story.
A Maori’s facial tattoos are as distinct as their fingerprints, not only indicating their status but also telling the story of their family lineage. Various patterns symbolize different ranks and roles within their society.
For instance, the central forehead tattoo indicates one's rank, while the markings on the temple signify marital status. The designs on the cheeks denote one's profession, and the facial tattoo beneath the nose was widely recognized as a person's signature during transactions, remembered by everyone in the tribe.
Facial tattoos were reserved for those of high importance, but the process of getting them was far from pleasant. Traditional Maori tattoos were carved into the skin with a knife. Then, a mallet was used to tap a chisel dipped in pigment deep into the cuts, creating the intricate designs.
The process left a raised tattoo once completed. During the lengthy procedure, participants were prohibited from speaking or eating with their hands, and displaying pain was seen as dishonorable. Though the traditional method has been mostly abandoned due to concerns of infection and intense pain, some areas still have artists who practice the old ways.
5. Sailors
The striking tattoos of Pacific Island tribes, such as the Maori, played a significant role in the popularization of body art. As Western sailors journeyed eastward, they became enamored with these tattoos and began getting their own. The term 'tattoo' originates from the Tahitian word tattau, which means 'to mark.'
In the 17th and 18th centuries, tattoos became fashionable among sailors as a means of distinguishing themselves from people on land. The designs were relatively simple back then due to the painful nature of the process. It involved needles bundled together, dipped in ink mixed with gunpowder, and was often done while the boat rocked back and forth on the open sea.
Much like modern Maori or prison tattoos, sailors used tattoos to symbolize achievements or rank. For instance, an anchor indicated a successful crossing of the Atlantic, while a dragon represented a journey to China. A turtle tattoo signified crossing the equator.
Superstitious sailors would wear tattoos as protection against drowning. Common tattoos included a pig and a rooster on opposite feet, as these animals cannot swim. Sailors believed these tattoos would guide them back to shore if they were ever thrown overboard.
4. Olive Oatman
In 1851, fourteen-year-old Olive Oatman was traveling across Arizona with her family when they were ambushed by the Yavapai tribe. The Yavapai killed four of Olive’s siblings and both of her parents before taking Olive and her sister as captives. The events that followed remain unclear.
Olive and her sister were unaware that one of their brothers had survived the attack and spent the following four years searching for them. In 1856, rumors of a white woman living with the Mojave tribe led to messengers negotiating for her return. Unfortunately, Olive's sister had perished from starvation.
The Mojave tribe agreed to the return, and Olive was brought back to Fort Yuma with noticeable changes. Upon her arrival, she wore traditional Native American attire, and her chin was marked with five blue lines, inked with cactus dye.
Olive Oatman became the subject of a best-selling book and delivered public lectures about her time among Native American tribes. She claimed that her tattoos were marks of slavery, designed to make her easily identifiable if she attempted to flee, though she insisted that the tribe never mistreated her.
In Mojave tradition, the tattoos Olive received were common among married women and were believed to provide protection in the afterlife. As Olive aged, she began to speak less favorably of the Mojave people. Whether this was due to Stockholm syndrome or fear of rejection from white society, only Olive knew the full extent of her time with the tribe.
3. Apo Whang-Od
While electric tattoo machines are the norm today, Apo Whang-Od, a remarkable woman, is showing that traditional methods still have a place in the modern world. Turning 100 in 2017, Whang-Od is the last living expert of the ancient 1,000-year-old batok tattoo technique. This method involves tapping an ink-soaked thorn into the skin at a rate of up to 100 taps per minute.
In the Kalinga region, located north of Manila, every village once had its own tattoo artist to mark significant life events like births and marriages. This centuries-old practice was passed down through generations, with the knowledge traditionally passed from mother to daughter.
As times changed and strict customs were upheld, the tradition gradually faded, leaving Apo Whang-Od as the sole keeper of this art form. To ensure its continuation, she has started teaching her 10-year-old grandniece the ancient techniques of tattooing.
“Tattoos are one of our greatest treasures,” says Whang-Od. “Unlike material things, no one can take them away from us when we die.” In 2015, Apo Whang-Od was honored with a nomination as a national living treasure.
2. Scarification
Although not a form of tattooing, scarification still holds an important place in history, serving a similar role for many cultures. Most notably practiced in West Africa, scarification was especially common in regions where the dark skin tones of the population made tattoos less visible.
More dangerous than tattooing, scarification aimed to disfigure the skin intentionally, creating raised scar tissue. Cuts were typically made on the face using tools such as knives, glass, stone, or coconut shells.
Once the desired pattern was formed, the open wounds were treated with charcoal or the juice of certain plants to hinder the healing process. Those undergoing the procedure were expected to endure the pain without showing any signs of distress, as the scars were a symbol of strength and honor.
These scars carried the same significance as tattoos, symbolizing one's social standing, wealth, marital status, and number of children. In the tribe, a woman with more scars was viewed as more beautiful, not only for her appearance but also for her endurance and inner strength.
1. Presidential Tattoos
Despite the modern political controversies, the position of President of the United States is one of great respect and power. For much of the country's history, the leader in the Oval Office has wielded immense influence. However, behind the formalities, some of these presidents have kept a personal secret—hidden tattoos.
Andrew Jackson, the seventh president, is the first known U.S. president to have had a tattoo. Rumor has it that 'Old Hickory' had a Native American tomahawk tattooed on his inner thigh, an ironic choice given his role in the forced removal of Native Americans from their land.
Although James K. Polk may not be a name that everyone recognizes today, he had a tattoo that wouldn't seem out of place in modern times— the Chinese character for 'eager.' Teddy Roosevelt, a favorite among fans, was rumored to have proudly displayed a large Roosevelt family crest across his chest. Interestingly, he wasn't the only one; his nephew, Franklin D. Roosevelt, was also said to have the same tattoo.
