Tattoo History

Tattoos are a very old form of body art that go back to ancient times when many cultures used them. Some historians say that tattoos go back 5000 years, while others believe they go back well over 10000 years.


The earliest known evidence of tattooing goes back to markings found on the mummified human body that was discovered in the Alp Mountains in 1991. 5300 years old Oetzi - The Tyrolean Iceman, the oldest European mummified human, was tattooed. 58 tattoos, which appeared to serve more than a simple decorative function as some of them represent known pressure or acupuncture points, has been found on his body. The fact that he was tattooed was not a coincidence and it was probably perfectly normal for people of his time to be tattooed.


Ancient Egypt where wall paintings as old as 2000 BC have been suggesting the use of tattoos is today generally accepted as the cradle of tattoo art. Tattoos have been found on a small number of female mummies. The example of this are the mummified remains of a priestess of the goddess Hathor who lived some time between 2160 BC and 1994 BC.


When the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing spread to the civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia, and Arabia. Around 2000 BC it spread to China. The Mayans were also known to have tattoos, as were the Aztecs and Incas. Tattooing became widespread among Polynesian peoples, and among certain tribal groups in the Philippines, Borneo, Africa, North America, and Japan.


The purpose of tattooing varied from culture to culture. The Greeks for example used it for communication among spies. Romans use them to mark criminals and slaves. Tahitian tattoos served as rites of passage, telling the history of the wearer's life. Tattoos served as symbols of religious and spiritual devotion, decorations for bravery, sexual lures and marks of fertility, pledges of love, amulets and talismans, protection, and so on.


Tattooing was rediscovered by Europeans when they came into contact with Polynesians and American Indians.


About the word - Tattoo


The word - tattoo originates from the Tahitian word ta-tau, meaning - to make a mark. Ta-tau means to mark or puncture the skin and is a reduplicated form of the word - ta - meaning - to strike. Tattauing or tattooing was a word introduced to Europe by Captain James Cook after his 1769 expedition to the South Pacific.


The history of tattoo began thousands of years ago and is as diverse as the people who had them. Today, tattooing is becoming more popular and accepted than it has ever been.

Top Halloween Costume Ideas

Planning to attend a Halloween party this year? Be ready to see some really scary costumes there. In fact, some wearers who have designed and thought up their whole Halloween look want to enjoy the shocked expression on the faces of the other guests at the party. However, true there are many people who don't want onlookers to go into a scary fit when they show up at a party. They all want to look elegant and well-groomed, even on Halloween night. And a party is the ultimate place for fancy Halloween costumes that add a lot of glamour and blitz to the occasion mainly due to the standard Halloween garb donned by most common people. But wanting to look unique and actually attaining the look are two very different ball games. We are here to help you out with your dilemma and will try and give you a few useful tips on how you can look your best on Halloween every year.

Some very elegant Halloween costumes carry with them an influence, dating back to the Victorian age.

If you want to go with this type, you will have to adapt to the Victorian look and feel. Think gothic. Think of the super scary novels that were written in this era- Dr, Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, Dracula, and so many more. There were a few gothic characters in this age too. I am talking about characters like Jack the Ripper. You will just have to let your imagination run away, and you will be flooded with ideas. Victorian dressing will help you look perfect on your big night. Since too many people don't go for this look, you will definitely stand out in the crowd.

If this is way too elaborate for you and you don't want to devote too much time and energy to your costume, you can get inspiration from some of the characters in the "old west".

Done right, it will go miles in lending you the very sought after elegant look. Remember the traditional saloon gambler? They were some of the best looking men in history. They had to do it credibly. You will need a pair of boy's cowboy boots. The very 19th century American west look is going to work, I can promise you that.

If you think none of this sounds perfect for you, delve deep into history and settle on the garb of an Egyptian pharaoh. No harm done if you end up looking like one of them, even if you have none of their power or wealth. For inspiration and ideas, watch the Ten Commandments all over again. Yul Bryner's performance as the pharaoh will leave you agape once more. A period piece by way of a Halloween costume will be a hit!

This list is not exhaustive. You can use your own brain to think up more innovative costumes for Halloween night. This article is just to help get you started. Hopefully, you will get the hang of the dressing up concept with this.

Find More Costume History Articles

Miami's History

With the sun, sea, beach and general fun,  Miami attracts not only I but many people as well. But the fact shows that many people have ever come to Miami but they don't know more about the beautiful place. Therefore, the article I wrote following will give some information the place.

 

The history of Miami

10,000 BC

Archaeologists have informed us that although they left very little evidence of their existence there were people living in Miami as long ago as 10,000 BC; Tequesta Indians arrived in South Florida. They survived as hunter-gatherers in the local area which also included what we call Miami and other places like the Everglades and the Keys.

 

Now a huge jump to 1513AD

In 1513 is when the first European lands in Florida; Juan Ponce de Leon.

He arrives in Florida to seek out the fountain of youth. Although he didn't find the fountain of youth he did find the Gulf Stream.

 

1565 AD

The city of St Augustine was found by Pedro Menendez de Aviles who lands in Florida who then is the first European to stay in a continental in what is now the United States.

 

1783

America is granted independence at the Treaty of Paris by the British. Florida is then vacated and is given back to the Spain.

 

1821

Florida is acquired from the Spanish by the USA. There is now tension in this area as a large number of white migrants and Native Americans take residence in this area. Many white migrants take in black slave workers.

 

1835-1842

Second Seminole War where black allies fight against the US which results in a lot of the tribes exiled to the west.

 

1845

Florida is now the twenty seventh state of USA.

Although there are many people now living in America roughly half are salves.

 

1914

Miami's first hotel the WJ Brown Hotel is opened which means this area is dubbed to be the 'cool' place to hang out