IN THE TRACE OF INK
Tattoo industry
Tattoo
His Journey and Story
Tattooing is an art form that has existed for centuries. While it served different purposes in different eras, today it is mostly done for aesthetic reasons and can be considered a fashion trend.
Tattooing is an art form that has existed for centuries. While it served different purposes in different eras, today it is mostly done for aesthetic reasons and can be considered a fashion trend. Some believe tattoos bring good luck and fortune, while others see them as a way to express emotions at different stages of life. A tattoo is a reflection of one's soul on the skin. It has even become one of the means of self-expression.
The History of Tattoos
The introduction of tattoos into human history is, of course, not so simple. For example, it is known that in the past, noble and heroic individuals among the Huns had tattoos, while in Rome, conversely, they were used as a mark to identify criminals and slaves. In the Ottoman Empire, tattooing was quite common among sailors and Janissaries. Tattoos, known as "dak" in Eastern and Southeastern Anatolia, were formerly more than just body adornment; they were done with the belief in protection from evil, luck, and prosperity. The history of tattoos dates back to 30,000-10,000 BC. They were frequently seen among Native Americans, ancient Egyptians, Kazakhs, and Kyrgyz Turks. In unique communities, the tattoo artist would perform the tattoo within a mystical ritual.
There's also a story about the history of tattoos in the Ottoman Empire;
If there's a special cipher that needs to reach the Principality of Wallachia and Moldavia, the roads are certainly fraught with danger… The influential lords of the Ottoman court first shave the head of the special messenger. The secret message is tattooed right on top of his head… And from then on, the messenger sets off on his journey, encountering the fires of the merchants… He doesn't rest in the bazaars or with the caravans… Now, his hair grows long in the desolate villages. Even if letter-obsessed dog bandits ambush him… They find neither the letter nor the cipher… This messenger must reach his destination safely… When the morning call to prayer hits the shore, he's there… His head is shaved with a razor after performing ablution… And there, the Sultan's letter is in its place… Oh, poor Cavlak Cerze… Did he have any companion other than the Bitlis tobacco he rolled along the way?
Source: Bahadır Boysal included this note about the history of tattooing in his book, "Ottoman Tortures and Others".
The First Journey of Tattooing ''TATAU''
Let's take a look at where the journey of tattooing first began. In New Zealand, the Maori, known for their warrior spirit and facial tattoos, practiced face tattooing called moko. The origins of this tattoo date back 2000 years to Polynesia. In traditional Maori design, the winding lines and spirals are inspired by nature, and each design has its own unique meaning. Each moko conveys detailed information about the person wearing it, their family, and their status. Moko symbolized beauty for women and war for men. According to the traditional Maori method, a flat-tipped chisel was used to carve shapes into the face. Once the wound healed, it was reopened. Then the wound was shaped, and the inside was filled with ink made of plant extracts and corundum. The method of application was almost torture compared to today.
In the late 1700s, the lives of the Maori changed with the arrival of the British in the South Pacific, and Westerners encountered tattoos for the first time. Body tattoos later evolved from these facial tattoos called moko. Because the moko tattoos of the Maori were considered unique by foreign warriors, they mummified the heads of those killed in battle and kept them as souvenirs. In fact, the heads of Maori with moko tattoos were deliberately cut off and either traded for weapons or sold to Europeans. And of course, after all this, the art of moko came to an end. In the Hawaiian Islands, at the northern tip of Polynesia, tattoos defined people's roles in society; who they were, what they did, and the battles they won. They believed that tattoos protected people from physical harm and evil spirits. To make tattoos, they used bone sticks called "nifo," which had 35-40 teeth made from bird beaks, fish fins, and pig teeth, and applied by striking with the hand. There, this was called "Tatau."
Yakuza Tattoos in Japan
In Japan, getting a tattoo has become illegal because of a Japanese mafia group called the Yakuza. They had their own unique tattoos (irezumi), which covered the entire body, resembling body clothing. Because of this, getting a tattoo became a source of fear, violence, and sadness. The Yakuza still exists as an organization in Japan today. Its history dates back to the 1600s. Yakuza members see themselves as a kind of knightly order and call themselves samurai. It is said that the number of Yakuza members today is between 80,000 and 150,000. (Click here for more information about the Yakuza)
Tattoos in prisons
In Arizona prison, tattoos are being made despite health risks and being prohibited. These tattoos carry meanings of fear and hatred and represent gangs. To get a gang tattoo, criminals must either kill or attack someone. Getting a tattoo without being a gang member can result in death, and the tattoo can be removed by peeling off the skin if necessary. Because tattooing is prohibited in prison, inmates have been making their own tattoos using materials such as guitar strings, real ink, Walkmans, razor motors, and wires. These tattoos reflect the person's identity and the crime they committed.
Lizardman
In Texas, between 1800 and 1920, men and women covered their bodies with tattoos and performed in circus shows. The most interesting of these was an American circus performer known as the Lizardman. He had tattoos of green reptiles all over his body, and it's said these tattoos took him 700 hours to complete. These tattoos supposedly represented his life experiences.
The Lizard Man
Erik Sprague, known as "Lizard Man," was one of the first people to transform himself into a lizard by covering his entire body with green tattoos and undergoing various cosmetic surgeries. Sprague completed his appearance by sharpening his teeth and splitting his tongue in two. People thought he was insane.
Here are some key details about Lizard Man:
Transformation process: More than 90% of his body is covered in green tattoos.
Body Alterations: In addition to tattoos, its teeth have been sharpened to resemble lizard fangs, and its tongue has been split in two to give it the appearance of a forked tongue.
In Southern California, getting tattoos has become a tradition among Marines. Soldiers get motivational tattoos called "moto." After surviving many conflicts, soldiers get tattoos for reasons such as remembrance, honor, protection, and preserving the memory. In the American Navy, tattoos symbolize either carrying your shield or having it carry you when you return. There's also something called a "stage tattoo," which is done after a special event at sea. Additionally, sailors get pig and rooster tattoos on their feet. They believe these tattoos save them from drowning and bring good luck.
The First Known Female Tattoo Artist
Maud Stevens Wagner (February 1877 – January 30, 1961)
Maud Wagner is known as the first female tattoo artist. She worked with her husband at Wagner Tattoo. She was also a circus performer. They are considered one of the most famous couples in history. The photograph showing them with their tattoos was taken in 1911.
2500-Year-Old Siberian Princess Mummy
Before giving some modern information about tattoos, let's also show an image of the tattoos found on the 2500-year-old Siberian Princess Mummy.
Siberian Princess's Tattoos
This mummy (the Siberian Ice Princess), found in the ice of Siberia's Ukok Plateau, bears some of the oldest and most detailed examples of tattoos in the world.
Detailed Figures: The tattoos have been fully revealed thanks to high-resolution scans performed using modern techniques.
Animal Style: The designs reflect an art style known as "animal style," which frequently features deer and fantastical creatures.
Body Location: The tattoos are spread across the princess's shoulders, arms, and even fingers.
There are many more stories and things to tell about the art of tattooing from the past.
Every culture has carried and preserved the tradition of tattooing to the present day for completely different reasons and stories. Each story is unique and fascinating. I think that when people learn about the long history of tattooing, they will think more carefully and thoughtfully about the tattoos they get or will get. The meaning of the tattoo, and the culture or belief system it represents, becomes a more important and valuable consideration.
Especially for tattoo artists, who want to carry on the rich heritage of thousands of years of history, this cultural practice must be well-studied and understood. We believe this is important both for preserving and nourishing history and culture. The art, whose first examples we saw on the bodies of our ancestors, has been developed and advanced significantly, particularly by America, through the production of all kinds of equipment. In our country, our artists have important responsibilities in this regard. Every artist should internalize the culture of this profession and love their work, turning it into a way of life. Of course, we have many artists who do this. The number of successful and original tattoo artists is increasing day by day, and new techniques are developing and new trends are emerging. Turkish tattoo artists continue to successfully represent Türkiye in many countries around the world.
Getting a tattoo is purely a pleasure. However, the dilemmas before getting your first tattoo—where to get it, what to get—can feel like an endless nightmare. With so many opinions and suggestions from friends, you're left completely bewildered. That is, until you actually get your first tattoo. After that, as they say, it can really become an obsession; you might get one every month if you could! And take our word for it, don't ask anyone for advice about your first tattoo; just get the first thing that comes to mind. There's no regret about your first tattoo! If you're considering getting your first tattoo , it's worth taking a look at the tattooing process .
