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Introduction
1.1 Background
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology of tattoo as, "In 18th c.
tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian tatau. In Tahitian, tatu." The word tatau was
introduced as a loan word into English; its spelling was changed over time from
the "tattow" seen in late 18th century writing to the modern "tattoo" and its
pronunciation was changed to conform to English phonology. The first written
references to the word, "tattow" appear in writings from the first voyage of James
Cook by many of the crew members. Before the importation of the Polynesian
word, the practice of tattooing had been described in the West as pricking,
painting, or staining.
Tattoo enthusiasts may refer to tattoos as "ink", "pieces", "skin art", "tattoo art",
"tats", or "work"; to the creators as "tattoo artists", "tattooers", or "tattooists";
and to places where they work as "tattoo shops", "tattoo studios", or "tattoo
parlors".Many tattoos serve as rites of passage, marks of status and rank,
symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures
and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans,
protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. The symbolism
and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures.
Tattoos may show how a person feels about a relative (commonly mother/father
or daughter/son) or about an unrelated person. Today, people choose to be
tattooed for artistic, cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, and magical
reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular
groups, including criminal gangs (see criminal tattoos) or a particular ethnic
group or law-abiding subculture. Some Māori still choose to wear intricate moko
on their faces. In Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, the yantra tattoo is used for
protection against evil and to increase luck.
In the Philippines certain tribal groups believe tattoos have magical qualities, and
help to protect their bearers. Most traditional tattooing in the Philippines is
related to the bearer's accomplishments in life or rank in the tribe. Extensive
decorative tattooing is common among members of traditional freak shows and
by performance artists who follow in their tradition.
1.1 Background
The Oxford English Dictionary gives the etymology of tattoo as, "In 18th c.
tattaow, tattow. From Polynesian tatau. In Tahitian, tatu." The word tatau was
introduced as a loan word into English; its spelling was changed over time from
the "tattow" seen in late 18th century writing to the modern "tattoo" and its
pronunciation was changed to conform to English phonology. The first written
references to the word, "tattow" appear in writings from the first voyage of James
Cook by many of the crew members. Before the importation of the Polynesian
word, the practice of tattooing had been described in the West as pricking,
painting, or staining.
Tattoo enthusiasts may refer to tattoos as "ink", "pieces", "skin art", "tattoo art",
"tats", or "work"; to the creators as "tattoo artists", "tattooers", or "tattooists";
and to places where they work as "tattoo shops", "tattoo studios", or "tattoo
parlors".Many tattoos serve as rites of passage, marks of status and rank,
symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures
and marks of fertility, pledges of love, punishment, amulets and talismans,
protection, and as the marks of outcasts, slaves and convicts. The symbolism
and impact of tattoos varies in different places and cultures.
Tattoos may show how a person feels about a relative (commonly mother/father
or daughter/son) or about an unrelated person. Today, people choose to be
tattooed for artistic, cosmetic, sentimental/memorial, religious, and magical
reasons, and to symbolize their belonging to or identification with particular
groups, including criminal gangs (see criminal tattoos) or a particular ethnic
group or law-abiding subculture. Some Māori still choose to wear intricate moko
on their faces. In Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand, the yantra tattoo is used for
protection against evil and to increase luck.
In the Philippines certain tribal groups believe tattoos have magical qualities, and
help to protect their bearers. Most traditional tattooing in the Philippines is
related to the bearer's accomplishments in life or rank in the tribe. Extensive
decorative tattooing is common among members of traditional freak shows and
by performance artists who follow in their tradition.