Tattoos Revealed
In 1991, a mummified human body found in the Alps was estimated to date back to 3300 B.C. The man had apparently 50 tattoos over his body. While we may sometimes think of tattoos as thoroughly modern, their roots go back – way back to the ancient Egyptians, the Celtics, and the ancient Greeks.
History of Tattoos
The word tattoo comes from the word "tatu"—which in the Tahitian language means to mark something. There are many reasons why people want to mark their bodies, but in most cultures, it all comes down to ritual. Ancient Greek spies used tattoos to secretly communicate, for example, while Hawaiian and Native American cultures used tattoos in initiation or religious rites.
Even today, there is something ritualistic about getting a tattoo. Whether you turn to ink because you have joined the military or because you want to flaunt your adulthood, your body art transforms you into someone different – permanently.
One of the great things about tattoos is that if you want to transform yourself into someone different, there are tattoos to match almost every "new you" you could imagine. Check out our galleries for mythical tattoos, for example. You might find that fairy tattoos, wizard tattoos, unicorn tattoos, dragon tattoos, supernatural tattoos, phoenix tattoos, and mermaid tattoos appeal to you. An animal lover? Then bird tattoos, ladybug tattoos, horse tattoos, panther tattoos, scorpion tattoos, wolf tattoos, frog tattoos, cat tattoos, snake tattoos, dog tattoos, lion tattoos, tiger tattoos, butterfly tattoos, dragonfly tattoos, dolphin tattoos, or eagle tattoos might be right for you. Or check out some lizard tattoo designs if you feel a little cold-blooded. Feeling a little more abstract? Star tattoos, shooting star tattoos, skull tattoos, and heart tattoos are classic but can be customized into something amazing. Check out the pictures of animal and charm tattoos here on RankMyTattoos.com to find the designs that really stir your passions.
Today's Tattoos
Today, what is old is new again and old school tattoos are back. Today, tribal tattoos, including Maori tattoo and tribal armband tattoos, remain popular. To understand some of the tribal tattoo symbolism that you can incorporate into your body art, be sure to check out the cool resources we have for you here at RankMyTattoos.com. If tribal art tattoos are not your thing, classical Celtic tattoos also offer lots of choices. From Celtic cross tattoo designs to other traditional tribal and Celtic symbols, you have lots of options. If you are feeling a little overwhelmed, check out RankMyTattoos.com. We can give you the inside scoop on the history of Celtic design tattoos as well as cool galleries of the best Celtic tattoo designs. Our Tattoo Makeup Explained section tells you everything you need to know about inks and our Celtic tattoo art FAQ is great place to start exploring.
Religious tattoos are still quite popular, although they are not generally used in religious rites, as the ancients used them. Today, you can use Christian tattoos, angel tattoos, or cross tattoos to express your beliefs, though. Cultural tattoos are also still big news, as well. Chinese tattoos, featuring lines of Chinese text, are very popular. You can also indulge in a variety of Egyptian tattoos, islander tattoos, Japanese tattoos, Canadian tattoos, Native American tattoos, Irish tattoos, Aztec tattoos, zodiac tattoos, African tattoos, patriotic tattoos, and Mexican tattoos – whatever truly expresses you. Whether you want to show your pride in your heritage or want to express your admiration for another culture, tattoo art lets you say a great deal.
Where to Put Your Tattoo
When thinking about tattoos, don't forget that where you place your tat can make as big an impact as the design you choose. Specific body areas just make tattoos look better, and some designs work better with specific body parts. Whether you are considering a breast tattoo, back tattoos, upper back tattoos, arm tattoos, lower back tattoos, armband tattoos, or other options, we have you covered. Learn the skinny on foot tattoos, read our neck tattoo FAQ, and use our body tattoo guide to get the best possible tat experience.
Tattoo Techniques
Samuel O'Reilly invented the tattoo machine in 1891. Since then, basic tattooing procedures have remained largely the same. A needle is dipped into ink and punctures the skin in an up and down movement. The tiny punctures form an image. Since the ink sinks past the main layer of skin (the epidermis) and into the dermis, the tattoo is permanent.
Although the basic technique has remained the same, tattoo technology and tattoo flash (as designs are known) have improved dramatically. Unless you are getting prison tattoos with no professional equipment, you will find that tattoo supplies such as tattoo guns have come a long way, allowing for more precise detailing and better color. Flip through a tattoo magazine or two for tattoo ideas or simply come up with your own cool tattoos or sexy tattoos on paper – whatever tattoo flash art you can imagine, today's modern tattoo parlors can likely deliver it. Tattoo artists today are often true artists, able to create stunning masterpieces on the skin, from complex designs to intricate tattoo lettering. Many artists also work hard to come up with jaw-dropping designs that will wow celebrities and regular clientele alike. That mummy in the Alps would surely be proud.
Body Art and Tattoos
Today's tattoos are often seen as a form of body art, as a way to express inner creativity. If you want your tattoo designs to be more than just great tattoo designs, you might want to peruse our Tattoo Symbols Q and A when deciding on tattoo designs. That way you can combine meaningful designs with your choice of female body art – or male body art. Tattoos are body paint art at its finest, so get some tattoo flash tips and decide carefully.
One interesting innovation in today's tattoos has been cosmetic tattooing. While some tattoo fans want tattoos of brands, sports, and themes, some people are looking for a more natural look. Cosmetic tattooing allows you to permanently imprint eyeliner on your eyes or permanently darken and shape your eyebrows.
Today, technology allows you to get any sort of tattoo you can imagine – from gothic tattoos, Disney tattoos, sports tattoos, superheroes and comic book tattoos, job-related tattoos, music tattoos, feminine tattoos, celebrity tattoos, brands and companies, armed forces tattoos, Nature / Flower Tattoos, Cherry Tattoos, Floral Tattoos, Flower Tattoos, Sun And Moon Tattoos, Rose Tattoos, joker tattoos, cartoon tattoos, to erotic tattoos. Make sure that you decide carefully, though, or you will need tattoo removal. Get tattoo care recommendations and start choosing a tattoo artist carefully to avoid that costly and permanent ink mistake.
Temp Tattoos
If you have bad tattoos, you may be wondering "Are Tattoo Removal Lasers Safe?" We have all you need to know about laser tattoo removal, from the skinny on tattoo removal clinics to our laser tattoo removal FAQ. Of course, you can avoid all the expense and pain of removing a tattoo by opting for a temporary tattoo. Temporary tattoos let you try out a design without the commitment. And some temporaries – such as airbrush tattoos or Henna tattoos – are so cool that you will want to try them whether you have a "real" tat or not. Learn which type of temporary tattoo you might want with our basic guide.
Body Jewelry & Piercing
Tattoos are not the only body art in town. Piercing and body jewelry are also very popular ways to express the inner you. Read our facts about piercing and be sure to read our piercing stories for a look as to really what goes on when you decide on body piercing. While today's piercing tools make the piercing process easier, be sure to read our guide on the dangers of body piercing so that you know how to protect yourself. If you're feeling brave, check out our history of body piercing.
Piercings can be a great way to go about displaying body jewelry if you opt for facial piercings, neck piercings, or ear piercings. They can also be decidedly more intimate if you choose nipple piercing, navel piercing, exotic piercings, or genital piercing. All surface piercings have their risks, but if you want to pierce your hands, you face more risks than most piercers so read our Hand Piercing FAQ to stay safe. Our general Piercings FAQ can help you out if you have general questions. If you are a guy, our male piercing info is required reading and if you are not a guy, female piercing Q and A is a must-see. We've compiled lots of resources, including body piercing facts and tips and our best tips on piercing stores to help you out. Whether you want the lowdown on non-piercing jewelry, body jewelry, or want to imitate your favorite celeb with a celebrity piercing, have all the information you want about tattoos and piercings. From a Wholesale Body Jewelry Q and A to information about body piercing jewelry and body jewelry manufacturers, we have it all.