The Intrigue of Tattoos and Body Piercings
Tracy Hadley
Com/150
April 18, 2010
Mariah de Gruy
The Intrigue of Tattoos and Body Piercings
The Neolithic age or New Stone age, started the practice of tattoos and body piercings about 9,500 BCE in the Middle East during the development of human technology period, traditionally known as the last part of the Stone Age. Have tattoos and body piercings changed much from the Neolithic times to now? Tattoos and body piercings history is intriguing and the changes in generations have brought new meanings and uses for them (Wikimedia Foundation Inc. March 26, 2010).
Around the Neolithic time, approximately 3,300 BC, tattoos began. In the 1990s in Pazyryk, Russia tattoos were found on the right arm of a Scythian chieftain mummy believed to be from more than 2,500 years ago (Wikimedia Foundation Inc. March 26, 2010).
An interesting fact is the meaning behind tattoos change with different cultures. In the novel “Water Margin” at least three of the characters mentioned, wore nearly full body tattoos. According to Chinese legend, one mother of a famous general tattooed the words repay his country with pure loyalty in Chinese, using her sewing needle (Wikimedia Foundation Inc. March 26, 2010). Additionally; Egypt and India used Henna, a flowering plant native to tropical, and subtropical regions of; Africa, South Africa, and Northern Australasia in semi-arid zones; to dye skin, hair, fingernails, leather, and wool, temporarily for special occasions. This form of temporary tattoo was known as Mehndi (Wikimedia Foundation Inc. March 26, 2010).
Another interesting meaning behind tattoos is in the Philippines. As the Spanish landed on the island, they were met by “Painted Ones,” people displaying full body tattoos. Moreover; the “Painted Ones” tattoos were permanent unlike the temporary ones used in Egypt and India; and seen as a form of rank or accomplishments. Some even believed they had...