A tattoo is a mark made by inserting pigment into the skin, in technical terms, tattooing is dermal pigmentation. Tattoos may be made on human or animal skin. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, while tattoos on animals are most commonly used for identification. Tattoos are created by inserting colored materials beneath the skins surface.
Tattooing has been practiced worldwide. The Ainu, the indigenous people of Japan, wore facial tattoos. Tattooing was widespread among Polynesian peoples, and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Africa, North America, South America, Mesoamerica, Europe, Japan, Cambodia and China. Despite some taboos surrounding tattooing, the art continues to be popular all over the world.
Tattoos have served 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. Today, people choose to be tattooed for cosmetic, religious and magical reasons, and as a symbol of belonging to or identification with particular groups. Tattoos of favorite bands and football teams' logos are fairly common in the west. Some Maori still choose to wear intricate moko on their faces. In Cambodia and Thailand, the yantra tattoo is used for protection.
Types of Tattoos
Abstractions: Abstractions are tattoo designs that are mostly derived from archaic tattooing. Almost all the tribal tattoos belong to this category, as well as Celtic or modern, western abstract designs.
Naturalistic Tattoos: When attempt is made to portray some things in naturalistic style, they tend to take natural form. Naturalistic tattoos fall in this category. The portrayal involves detailing, shading and perspective to make an image look realistic.
Pledge or Dedication Deigns: These kinds of designs are associated with sailor or 'traditional' western tattooing. Some examples of pledge or dedicated tattoos are the heart and name banner tattoo, the anchor with a ship name, and the insignia of a military regiment.
Simplifications or Stylized Designs: Simplifications or Stylized appear in all styles of pictures. This may range from a cartoon character, flash from the wall of the tattoo shop to animals or flowers. You can also stylize non-flash, custom tattoos. This may include hearts, stylized flowers, leaves, and other images and characters.
Complex Structures or Combinations: Another popular tattoo type is complex structures like the traditional Japanese body suits or an amalgamation of images and characters which are not directly associated with each other.
Tattooing Tips
•Before visiting the tattoo studio make sure that the tattoo studio has biohazard containers for blood-stained objects, sharps containers for old needles, autoclaves and accessible facilities for washing the hands with hot water and soap. A knowledgeable tattoo artist will not tattoo minors, mentally ill and also the drunken ones.
•A professional tattoo artist ensures that the customer is satisfied with and sure about the design before applying the tattoo design.
•He will be in a position to answer all your questions.
•You must insist that the tattoo artist wash his or her hands with water and soap or a standard sanitizing agent, and wear latex gloves.
•Before tattooing, make sure that the artist always opens new, sterile needle packages in front of you and always use new, sterile disposable instruments.
•Always keep in mind to remind the artist to use fresh ink for each session.
•The tattoo artist must provide clear tattoo aftercare instructions and products
•To ascertain authenticity of the artist you can enquire about his/her association with professional organizations and groups.
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