Tattoos can be classified on the basis of their origin
- Historical - Based on the Historical development such as Tribal Tattoos.
- Location - Based on the region and culture from which it has developed such as Celtic Tattoos, Cross Tattoos, Dragon Tattoos etc.,
- Designs - Based on the designs of the Tattoos such as Angel Tattoos, Butterfly Tattoos, Fairy Tattoos, and Flower Tattoos.
- Type of Application - Temporary or Permanent such as Henna Tattoos.
- Area of Application on the Body - such as Lower Back tattoo.

All these types are again interrelated. For instance, Tribal tattoos can also contain angels in their design. Celtic Tattoos can also contain Fairies. The Tattoos can be engraved in part of the body, and hence we cannot possibly define any particular design for Lower Back Tattoos.
Tattoos which originated from ancient tribes are called Tribal Tattoos. The original tribes, which had enriched the tattooing styles are the
Celtic Tribes - who lived in England and Ireland, had a style which was interlacing, spirals, dogs, birds and humans.

Maori Tribes - Originated from New Zealand and have traditional facial tattoos and special leg tattoos. Their style shows a lot of resemblance with wood carving techniques in which skill the Maoris excelled. The designs in their faces were so unique, to the extent that each person had an identity of his facial design. Maori hunted each Other to retain their supremacy among their tribe.

Haida Tribes - The Indian Tribes, which lived in the North West of America. Their tattoos show a lot of resemblance with the woodcarving of the Haida tribes, consists of thunderbirds, beavers, bears and fish.

Marquesan Tribes - who inhabited Marquesan Islands in Polynesia. They used to be completely covered with tattoos. Their bodies showed picture stories, for other tribes to recognize them. Their style was originally based on divinity Tiki, who was always portrayed with his eyes closed because he smells danger before he sees it. Images that are used a lot in this style are Shells [Wealth], Shark Teeth [protection], Lizards, Whales, turtles Fish Hooks and so on.

Borneo - Situated in Indonesia. The head hunters, of this tribe lived on ground and protected the others of their tribe who lived on the trees. Typical of their style are The Scorpions, flowers, dogs, dragons and spirals.

Thus the subject and range of symbols covered by Tribal Tattoos are vast and are classified as Native Indian, North American India, Pacific Northwest American Indian, Indigenous, African, Egyptian, mayan, Aztec, Hawaiian, Samoan, Maori, South Pacific, Micronesian, Polynesian, Melanesian, New Zealand, Eskimo, Inuit, Wiccan, Pagan, Gothic, Tahitian, Borneo, Oceanic, Oriental, Asian, Japanese, Chinese, Buddhist, Tibetan, India, Hindu, Deities, Aboriginal, Fraternal, Military, Heraldic, Ritual, Amulets, Talisman, Sacred, Mythological, Magical, Alchemy, Mythic Folk Art, Astrology, Astronomy, Neo-Tribal, Contemporary Tribal, Abstract Tribal, Geometric tribal, Traditional Tribal etc.,

This article is written by Dagfinn Rognerud, former Norwegian officer. This article may be reproduced as long as all Live links are included. Dagfinn has several pages about tattoos: http://www.supply-tattoo.biz/ http://www.temporary-tattooonline.com/ http://www.tribal-tattooonline.com/

Tattooing is a widely practiced method of body decoration in which markings such as signs, symbols and letters are applied to the body by puncturing the skin's outer layer and inserting color into it. Whether ancient or modern techniques are used, the skin is punctured with a sharp instrument, now usually an electric moved needle. In earlier times and other cultures, Tattooing required one or more needles fixed to a stick and driven into the skin by slight tapping, the very process that has led to the term Tattoo via the early Polynesian sound - equivalent of the tapping action: Tau Tau.
A variety of methods were used to create tattoos. In a classic example of tribal tattoo evolution, among the Sioux, for example, women would draw a circle or line on a person's skin with clay, punch the design with an awl, and then rub the blue clay over it. By the time the clay was dry it would have penetrated beneath the awl holes. Among California natives, an old woman would scratch the skin of a subject and rub charcoal dust or plant juice into the scratches for color. Following the contact with Europeans, the Ojibwas drew on the skin with a stick dipped in gunpowder dissolved in water. The figure was then pricked with needle dipped in vermillion and the skin was seared with punk wood to prevent festering. The area would then be treated with an antiseptic herbal wash. These processes often took number of days.

Concerning all tribal tattoo styles, the division in black and white is important. Not only of what has been tattooed must have a good shape but also the parts that have been left Blanc must also be well shaped. Besides, it is more beautiful that the shapes follow your body contours. The balance with tribal and Ornamentals are very important. For this reason, it is important to have a tattoo done by someone who understands the different styles.

In technical terms, tattooing is micro-pigment implantation. Tattoos are a type of body modification. A tattoo is a design in ink or some other pigment, usually decorative or symbolic, placed permanently under the skin.
The origin of the word Tattoo is usually traced to the Tahitian taut or tatau, which means to mark or strike. The term tattoo is now universally used, even if it is referred to, in any specific language by some other word.

The most popular scientist Thomas Edison designed the pioneering electric engraving pen, which was developed further by Samuel O'Reilly in 1891. Today, the most common method of tattooing is with an electric tattoo machine. In this procedure, ink is inserted into the skin via a group of needles that are soldered onto a bar, which is attached to an oscillating unit. The unit rapidly and repeatedly drives the needles in and out of the skin, usually 50 to 3,000 times a minute. Tattoo machines operate on an electromagnetic principle.

All these forms of tattooing are generally of permanent type.
Henna tattooing is a temporary form of tattooing. Henna, a type of herbal plant is made into a paste along with coffee or tea, lemon Juice and sugar and applied on to the skin in various areas. These applications may stay for a few days or months - depending on the Henna quality and the application followed.

This article is written by Dagfinn Rognerud, former Norwegian officer. This article may be reproduced as long as all Live links are included. Dagfinn has several pages about tattoos: http://www.flower-tattoo.info/ http://www.henna-tattoosite.com/ http://www.lower-back-tattoo.com/

When David Beckham, Sachin Tendulkar or Tiger woods enter their Arena, they are greeted by their fans, who generally decorate themselves with paintings on the face, head or shoulders, which can be seen by the whole world in the media.

More ardent fans identify themselves with their Heroes with almost semi or permanent body marks or designs based on their regions culture or Background.

These marks or paintings perform more dominantly than their Heroes of the Day!

These performers are the Tattoos that have been the most widely exhibited forms of expressions since the beginning of mankind. The working or labor class people followed tattoos, for a long time throughout the Globe, a major form of expression of their emotions, loyalty or identity etc.,
It is not the fans alone, who flaunt tattoos so prominently. For instance, in 2004 Louis Malloy flew from UK, to give David Beckham a new winged Cross Tattoo on the back of his neck - right in the midst of a soccer Game.
Not just sportsmen - Angelina Jolie is probably the most tattooed Academy Award winning Actress to date. She has a Tribal - Dragon tattoo, a Thai Tiger and various Latin sayings across her shoulders.

Such is the influence of Tattoos in modern days. They are being flaunted not only by celebrities but also by their fans.

Today, middle and upper class people along with their thirst for custom Jewelry, Fashion Boutiques, high-end Antique shop, also throng the Tattoo shops in every Area of the world.

Even films are portraying Tattoos in their films. Films like MYSTIC RIVER and BARBWIRE, exhibited tattoos in them. It is estimated that 35% of the RICH and FAMOUS in various fields have been sporting tattoos. It has had a major impact on tattoo business. Thy have created a new market for high-end custom tattoo art studios geared to an affluent and demanding clientele that only patronizes vendors who provide high standards of service in clean, respectable surroundings.

The more established and popular tattoos can be classified mainly as Angel tattoos, Butterfly tattoos, Celtic tattoos, Cross tattoos, Dragon tattoos, Fairy tattoos, Flower tattoos, Henna tattoos, Lower Back tattoos and Tribal tattoos. The tattoo related arts are studied and celebrated by leading museums, galleries and art institutions across the globe. Millions of tattoo designs are available across the world in various forms like CDs, Internet and Albums.

Most tattoo enthusiasts refer to tattoos as art and to Tattooists as artists. This usage is rapidly gaining support, with mainstream art galleries holding exhibitions of tattoo designs and photographs of tattoos.
Tattoo designs are mass produced and sold to tattoo artists and such studios are called Flash. "Tattoo Flash" is also the name of an American tattoo magazine.

This article is written by Dagfinn Rognerud, former Norwegian officer. This article may be reproduced as long as all Live links are included. Dagfinn has several pages about tattoos: http://www.angel-tattoo.info/ http://www.butterfly-tattoo.info/ http://www.celtic-tattoo.info/

There was always an important role in ritual and tradition for tattoos. Women in Borneo used to tattoo symbols on their forearm indicating their particular skill. If a woman was to wear a symbol showing she was a skilled weaver, her status was then considered as prime marriageable material. To ward away illness tattoos were place around the wrist and fingers. All throughout the history of tattoos, they have signified membership in a clan or society. Even groups today, like the Hells Angels, tattoo their group symbol. It has sometimes been believed that the wearer of an image that was tattooed calls the spirit of that particular image. If that belief holds true, the ferocity of a tiger would belong to a person with a tiger tattoo. That tradition seems holds true even today shown by the images of tigers, snakes and bird of prey tattoo on a person's body.

The word tattoo is said to come from the Tahitian word "tatu" which means "to mark something". Tattooing has arguably been claimed to have existed since 12,000 years BC.

Tattooing's purpose has varied from culture to culture and its place on the time line. The earliest tattoos can be found in Egypt during the time of the construction of the great pyramids (It probably started much earlier) but this is the earliest recorded history. After the Egyptians expanded their empire, the art of tattooing began to spread as well. The ancient civilizations of Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia picked up tattooing and expanded the art form. Around 2000 BC tattooing was then spread to China. For communications among spies, the Greeks used tattooing. Certain marking identified the spies and showed their rank. The Romans used tattoos to mark their criminals and slaves. This tradition continues even today. In western Asia girls coming of age were tattooed to show social standing, as were the married women.

The Ainu people of western Asia were known to show the Japanese the art of tattooing. It Japan tattooing was developed to be used in a religious and ceremonial rites. The women of Borneo were the tattooists. They were the one to produce designs that showed indications of the owner's station in life and what tribe he belonged to. New Zealand developed a facial style of tattooing that is still used today. It is called Moko. There are even tribes found in Alaska that practiced tattooing. Their style indicated that it was learned from the Ainu. There is even evidence that the Incas, Mayans and Aztecs used tattooing on rituals.

William Dampher is the one who is responsible for re-introducing tattoos to the west. He was once a sailor and an explorer who traveled the South Seas. In 1691 he brought a heavily tattooed Polynesian named Prince Giolo to London. He was known as the Painted Prince. He would later put on exhibition, a money making attraction showing off his tattoos and became the rage of London. Before that it had been 600 years since tattoos had been seen in Europe. It would be another 100 years before tattoos would make it's mark in the West.

Chatham Square in New York City was the birthplace of the American style tattoo. At the turn of the century, Chatham Square was a seaport and an entertainment center that attracted working-class people with money. Samuel O'Reily came from Boston and set up shop there. Samuel O'Reily was the first one to patent the first electric tattooing machine. The machine was based on Edison's electric pen which punctured paper with a needle point. The basic design of this machine was with moving coils, a tube and a needle bar, are the components of today's tattoo gun. The electric tattoo machine allowed anyone to get a reasonably priced and readily available tattoo. As the average person could easily get a tattoo but it was the upper classes that turned away from it. He took on an apprentice named Charlie Wagner and when O'Reily died in 1908, Wagner opened a supply business with Lew Alberts. Lew Alberts had trained as a wallpaper designer. He then transferred those skills to the design of tattoos. He was noted for redesigning a portion of early tattoo flash art.

It wasn't until the late 1960s that the attitude towards tattooing changed. A lot of the credit should go to Lyle Tuttle. He then tattooed celebrities, particularly women. Television and magazines went to him to get information about tattooing. Tattooing has made a strong comeback. It is more popular than ever.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Tattoos

Many people believe that tattoos signify an out of the box thinker who is not so interested in mainstream society and all the silly rules and game playing? And for the most part they would be right. Most folks with tattoos really are not into wearing ties to work nor are they interesting in putting some sort of mask or fake persona to impress you.

Yet this does not mean they are not true-blooded Americans, in fact expressing their individualism and customizing their bodies to fit their selves, actually they are exercising their rights to be free, more than the others who perhaps do not have tattoos. And back to the point of true blooded Americans it should be obvious from the number of United States Military Veterans with logos of their military service that they too have something to say about strength and honor, what they are about and what they believe in you see?

Tattoos of Strength and Honor or Military Service are extremely common in American society and although you do not always see them in public those who wear them are pretty proud Americans and we too should be proud of them. For those who do not understand what tattoos are all about and wish to prejudge those who choose to partake, chances are you have not thought thru your perception correctly and need to re-think you skewed view of the world inside you little box. Consider this in 2006.

Lance Winslow