Tattoos have been in existence since Neolithic times. In 1991, the remains of "Otzi, the iceman" (a mummy from 3,300 B.C.) was found in the Ötztal Alps, near the border between Austria and Italy . The mummy bore 57 tattoos. Among them were numerous small parallel lines along the lumbar, legs and the ankles. We now think that this was done for the treatment of arthritis
Tattooing has also been featured prominently in one of the Four Classic Novels in Chinese literature. Henna and Mehndi were popular in ancient India and ancient Egypt and still remain popular today in the Indian subcontinent, Middle East and North Africa. Tattooing in the Philippines is a tribal form of rank and accomplishment. Some tribes believe that tattoos possess magical qualities
During the gradual process of Christianization in Europe, tattoos were often considered remaining elements of paganism and were generally prohibited under law. In the classic Greek period, tattooing was only common among slaves. In Japan, the art of getting tattoos is also ancient; dating back to 10,000 B.C. Traditional Samoan tattooing is quite painful and lengthy and is an ordeal that even today is not lightly undertaken
In the 18th century, Captain James Cook sailed to Polynesia in the South Pacific. When Cook and his men returned to Europe, they spoke of the 'tattooed savages' that they had encountered. Cook introduced the word "tattoo" to the English language. The Tahitian word, "tatau" is the origin of the English word "Tattoo"
The upper classes all over Europe sported body tattoos in the 19th century. In Britain, it was whispered that Queen Victoria had a small tattoo in a very private location of her body. Denmark's king Frederick had tattoos and even Winston Churchill had an anchor tattooed on his forearm.
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