Tattoos can be dated back to between the fourth to fifth millennium BC, in the Alps. These first tattoos were thought to help in healing since they were found in places usually used for acupuncture, like the lower back, behind the knees and ankles. Some tattoos were also found in Egypt and dated back to the second millennium BC.
Further examples of early tattoos were found on many Pre-Christian groups including the Picts, a confederation of Celtic tribes living in what was later to become eastern and northern Scotland. The Picts were tattooed with dark blue designs.
Tattooing in Japan is thought to have started about ten thousand years ago. Evidence of Japanese tattoos can be found from viewing clay statues that have painted and engraved faces that represent tattoos. These figures can date back to before five thousand BC.
Western style tattoos can trace its lineage back to the tatau and Polynesians. European sailors popularized the tattoos of the Polynesians and spread it to the western world.
Tattoos have also been played the role of symbolizing religious, devotion, bravery, sexuality, marks of rank, fertility, rites of passage, love, punishment, protection, slavery, and much more. But today tattoos are generally serve a cosmetic role but can still be seen playing a role as a religious symbol or identifying mark with a particular group. Some tattoos and symbols are associated with gangs or other outlaw groups.
The use of tattoos has evolved as people and the art has. Most recently tattoos have started to move further from the outlaw groups and more towards mass markets. Tattoos have even started to be used as permanent makeup in eye-liner, eye shadows, lip coloration, and much more. Recently tattoos have been gaining notoriety for their ability to provide the wearer with a permanent method of letting people know of a specific ailment that may be affecting them at that time. Ailments may be blood types or diabetes. Some medical tattoos are being used for breast reconstruction purposes and to cover up skin blemishes.
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