The history of tattoos goes way back. Used as a way to identify which tribe you belonged to, tattoos designated importance, social rank and most of all, spiritual status, for a tribe member. Tattooing was, and in many cases still is, a part of many tribal rituals and religious ceremonies.
If you'd like to know more about the history of tattoos and how they were used in different parts of the world, here are some interesting links. Exploring some of this information can also help you find inspiration for your own tattoos.
Some cultures, like the Samoans and other native tribes of Polynesia, would create complex, full-body tattoo designs as a rite of passage into manhood.
The Tahitian word "tatau" translates to the act of "marking or striking." The explorer James Cook discovered the natives of Polynesia during the 18th century, and would help to bring the word "tattoo" back to the European language.
Other societies, from the Vikings to the ancient Egyptians, would tattoo themselves to show strength in battle and get the blessings of the gods.
These ancient tattoos were created using wood ash that would be pushed under the skin with sharp stone tools.
Henna tattooing has also been done in Pakistan, the Middle East, and India for thousands of years. Henna tattoos are painless and use a plant dye that is placed on top of the skin as opposed to under it. This style of temporary tattoo is still very popular for birthdays and weddings since it only lasts for a few days to a week.
In Europe, tattoos grew in popularity around the 18th century, and sailors were among the first to have ink done .