Tattoo is a form of body modification created by injecting indelible ink into the skin layer of the dermis to change its pigment. The word "tattoo" was first mentioned in the logbook of Joseph Banks (1743 - 1820), a naturalist who sailed aboard James Cook's Endeavor. He wrote: "I want to mention the way they put indelible marks on their body - each is marked according to their customs and inclinations." Thus, the word "tattoo" came to Europe when James Cook returned from his expedition to Tahiti and New Zealand, publishing a journal mentioning a certain process called "tatau" (before that it was described with such words as "scarring" or "drawing"). Unlike the modern drawing process in specialized salons, Maori tattoos (a tribe living in New Zealand) are still applied to the skin as a sacred rite. Typically, they are spiral lines on various parts of the body in men and women, and are performed using charcoal and a skin incision stick.
Types of tattoos and their meaning
It is conditionally possible to distinguish 5 types of tattoos:
- Traumatic or so-called "natural" tattoos resulting from road accidents, ink pen damage, etc.
- Amateur.
- Professional.
- Cosmetic types of tattoos, known as "permanent makeup".
- Medical tattoos.
Coal mine workers have been known to develop specific marks due to coal dust getting into their wounds. It can also happen when exposed to black powder or when substances like asph alt get under the skin. In general, traumatic tattoos are difficult to remove as they can extend into multiple layers of skin, and discoloration and scarring are inevitable.
Amateur and professional types of tattoos can be part of a rite of passage, indicate status, be symbols of religious affiliation, courage, love, serve to enhance sexual attractiveness, play the role of charms and talismans, be applied to the skin as a punishment, and so on..
The symbolism and purpose of tattoos varies by place and culture. The tattoo can show feelings for relatives (usually mother or child) or loved ones.
Today, the drawing is often applied for decorative, cosmetic, commemorative, religious or magical purposes, as well as to identify one's affiliation with groups, including criminal gangs.
The cosmetic surgery industry, meanwhile, is using the popularity of this phenomenon to its advantage. Cosmetic types of tattoos are used as makeup or to neutralize skin pigmentation disorders.
Permanent makeup includes eyebrows, lips, eyes and even moles.
Medical types of tattoos allow for precision in certain types of surgeries and therapies.
Sometimes they are used to mark some important information about the carrier (blood type, he alth status, etc.).
Among other things, flesh-colored tattoos can be applied to hide vitiligo, a pigmentation disorder of the skin.
