Alternative Art
Mix Fix
Tattoos: One Of The Oldest Forms Of Art by Yusuf Taşkiran
Tattoo is the art of self-expression that people inscribe on their bodies to emphasize something, sometimes with a letter or text, sometimes with a shape or drawing. Today, people from different cultures get tattoos on their bodies for different reasons. So, how old is the history of this art, which remains popular these days? Why are the meanings they represent so important to people? Tattoos are considered one of the oldest forms
Nowadays
of art.The beginning of tattoo art, which is sometimes a fashion and sometimes a means The tattoo industry and culture has evolved of self expression, is almost as old as the his- over the years. In recent years, tattoo culture has been developed by many artists and turned tory of humanity. into modern fine arts. With the increasing popularity of tattoo culture, many people get tattoos Tattoos in history on different parts of their body for different There are many more stories from the past, reasons. However, there are still prohibitions many things to be told about tattoo art. Differ- against tattoo art in some countries. For exament cultures, with different reasons and stories, ple, in Japan, if you have a tattoo on your body, have carried and kept the tradition of tattooing entrance in some places is forbidden because until today. In ancient civilizations, tattoo de- getting a tattoo in Japan is associated with a signs sometimes represented status symbols, criminal organization called the Yakuza. In Densometimes religious beliefs, or even forms of mark, tattooing on the hands and face is conpunishment. Some civilizations even thought sidered a crime. Before getting a tattoo in the that the tattoo had a protective role against country of prohibition, North Korea, you must diseases and evils. For example, in the past, get government approval. In Thailand, a Budnoble and heroic people had tattoos among dhist country, it is prohibited to have a Buddha the Hun Turks. In Ancient Greeks, tattoos were tattoo on your body. made to show criminals and slaves. In Ancient Egypt, tattoos included motifs consisting of My skin is my canva symbolic images of gods. In New Zealand, the Maori tribe applied facial tattoos called “moko” The shape of each tattoo, the message it wants to their faces. Moko was defined as a symbol to give and the meaning it represents are very of beauty for women and a symbol of war for different. Tattoos represent thoughts and feelmen. It was considered disrespectful to have ings that we sometimes don’t talk about. These this tattoo done by non-Maori people. In the designs that people embroider on their bodies Hawaiian Islands, they believed that tattoos can sometimes be simple and sometimes detailed. Each tattoo has a meaning that is improtected people from evil spirits.
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