tattoos aztec art
Tattoos are a very ancient form of body art dating back to ancient times when many cultures used. Some historians say that tattoos go back 5000 years, while others believe they are more than 10,000 years earlier.
The first evidence of tattooing dates back to the markings found on the mummified body which was discovered in the Alp Mountains in 1991. Oetzi 5300 years old – was tattooed Iceman of Tirol, the oldest European mummified human. 58 tattoos which appeared to serve only a decorative function simple as some of them represent known pressure points or acupuncture has been found in his body. The fact which was tattooed was no coincidence and was probably quite normal for the people of his time to be tattooed.
Ancient Egypt where wall paintings as old as 2000 BC, have suggested the use of tattoos is now generally accepted as the cradle of tattoo art. Tattoos have been found in a small number of female mummies. The example of it are the mummified remains of a priestess of the goddess Hathor who lived sometime between 2160 BC and 1994 BC.
When the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art tattoo spread to the civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia. Around 2000 BC it spread to China. The Maya also known to have tattoos, like the Aztecs and the Incas. Tattooing spread among Polynesian peoples and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Africa, North America and Japan.
The purpose of tattooing varies from culture to culture. The Greeks, for example used for communication among spies. Romans used to mark criminals and slaves. Tahitian tattoos served as rites of passage, telling the story of the life of the user. Tattoos served as symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations of bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, amulets and talismans, protection, and so on.
Tattooing was rediscovered by Europeans when they came into contact with Polynesians and American Indians.
About the word – Tattoo
The word – tattoo originates from the Tahitian word ta-tau, which means – to make a mark. Ta-tau means to mark or puncture the skin and is a repetition of the word is – ta – Meaning – to strike. Tattauing or tattoo was a word introduced to Europe by Captain James Cook after his 1769 expedition to the South Pacific.
The history of tattoo began thousands of years and is as diverse as the people who had. Today, tattooing is becoming more popular and accepted than it has ever been.
About the Author:
If you want to learn more about tattoos and are looking for cool tattoo designs, visit: Printable Tattoo Designs
Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – History of Tattooing
