Tattooing is the making of permanent marks and designs on the body by introduction at pigment through ruptures in the skin. The word ‘tattoo’ itself was introduced from Tahiti, where it was first recorded during James Cook’s expedition in 1769. The term ‘tattoo’ sometimes is loosely used also to mean sacrifice.
Tattooing has been practiced in most parts of the world. People believed that tattoos provide magical protection against sickness or misfortune. However, decoration is perhaps the commonest motive for tattooing. Tattoos have been found on Egyptian mummies dating 2000 B.C.
After the advent of Christianity, tattooing was forbidden in Europe, but it persisted in the East and other parts of the world. Many tribes customarily tattooed the body, face or both. Tattooing was however, re-introduced by Europeans when the age of exploration brought them into contact with American Indians and Polynesians.
The usual technique for tattooing was simple pricking, but some tribes introduced colours into scratches and some made needle punctures through which a pigmented thread was drawn underneath the skin. In Japan needles set in a wooden handle are used to tattoo in multi-coloured designs; in many cases covering much of the body. Burmese tattooing is done by brass.
The first electric tattooing was implemented and patented in the US in 1891. The US became a centre of influence in tattoo designs. The patriotic, romantic and religious motifs are now similar in style and subject matter throughout the world.
In 19th century, released US convicts and army deserters were identified by tattoos. In Nazi concentration camps, prisoners of 2nd World War were similarly marked.
In 1961, the practice was sharply restricted by many governments all over the world because of the role of the contaminated tattooing equipment in spreading diseases like skin cancer. However, the practice is still prevailing among various people all over the world including India.