Is tattoo an ancient art?

The Origins of Tattoos Tattooing is one of the earliest visual art forms and has served as a means of self-expression for thousands of years. The process was probably discovered when ash or dirt became embedded in an open wound, leaving an indelible mark when healed.

What were tattoos originally used for?

The ancient Greeks and Romans used tattooing to penalize slaves, criminals, and prisoners of war. While known, decorative tattooing was looked down upon and religious tattooing was mainly practiced in Egypt and Syria.

What do tattoos represent?

Tattoos may be skin deep, but their significance sometimes goes deeper. The messages sent by body art are an individual’s self-expression, but there are recurring motifs that can often tell you something about the wearer. Barbed wire can mean a stint in prison. A red rose is often a reflection of romance.

What do Vietnamese people think about tattoos?

Having a Vietnamese background, Tran says that although tattoos represent a growing industry many Vietnamese people still do not accept it as a form of art. “Heaps of my relatives in a more rural area of Vietnam still think body art is a taboo and reckon whoever’s getting a tattoo isn’t a good person,” he says.

What kind of art is popular in Vietnam?

Vietnamese silk painting is one of the most popular forms of art in Vietnam, favored for the mystical atmosphere that can be achieved with the medium.

How did people tattoo before tattoo guns?

Before the tattoo machine was invented or even a thought, ancient cultures used tools like rose thorns, sharks’ teeth, and pelican bones to push pigments into the skin. Natural pigments like red ochre and soot were used to provide the color. The entire face of the man was tattooed.

How were tattoos viewed in the past?

In ancient times, people used tattoos for a variety of purposes. With the rise of Christianity, many cultures began to frown on tattoos and view them as unholy and sacrilegious. Today, attitudes are shifting back more in the direction of our ancient ancestors.