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The History Of Tattoos
Tattoos have a rich history of tradition, dating back thousands and thousands of years. Throughout the course of time, there has always been an important role of tradition and ritual behind tattoos. In the past, women in Borneo used tattoos as a way to mark their skills. Tattoos were also used in the past as a way to ward away illnesses and disease by placing the tattoo around the fingers and on the wrist. Throughout history, tattoos have also been used to symbolize a clan or society as well.
The purpose of tattoos has differed from culture to culture throughout the course of time. Research has shown that the earliest tattoos come from Egypt during the time of the pyramids, although most believe they started much earlier. Egyptians at this time were believed to use tattoos as a way to mark the slaves and the peasants. Around 2,000 BC, tattoos spread to China and then on to Greece, where the Greeks used tattoos as a way to communicate among spies.
Along the way, Japan also incorporated the use of tattoos as well. The Japanese people used tattoos for religious and ceremonial rites. During this era, Borneo women were the artists. They produced the designs that indicated the individuals point in life and the tribe that he was affiliated with. Tattoos were very popular during these days, although infections were quite common. Tattoos were a long way from being perfected which showed in the way they were done.
Tattoos were shown in the western regions as well, although they werent well accepted at first. William Dampher, who was once an explorer, was the man who re-introduced tattoos to the western areas. During the year 1961, he brought a heavily tattooed Prince to the area, showing off his tattoos with exhibitions. He made quite a bit of money with these attractions, which in turn made tattoos very popular and well desired throughout London and surrounding areas. Before then, it was nearly 600 years since tattoos had been witnessed in the area.
Chatham Square, which is located in New York City, was the first place to feature American styled tattoos. During the turn of the century, Chatham Square attracted people from all over the United States, especially those with money. A man by the name of Samuel O-Reily set up shop in Chatham Square, becoming the first man to use an electric tattoo gun. In the beginning, the now popular tattoo gun was based on Thomas Edisons electric pin that used a needle point to puncture paper.
The electric tattoo gun features moving coils, a needle bar and tube, which are common components of todays guns. The electric gun was very popular, allowing those who wanted a tattoo to get one at a great price. These guns helped to revolutionize tattoos and allowed the tattoo artists to give tattoos fairly fast as well. People took to this new technology in flocks, making it by far the best and most efficient ways to get tattoos.
During the late 1960s, tattoos really began to take off. They were featured in magazines, television, and talked about everywhere. These days, tattoos are very common, with nearly of the population in the United States having at least one tattoo. They are still common with bikers and clans, symbolizing that one is a member. There are millions of designs out there for tattoos including different color combinations that have helped to make tattoos the phenomenon they are today.
Have Fun with Chinese Calligraphy
By Rodney Dagan
 Have you noticed the writings on the pots and plates in the Chinese restaurants? Even their chopsticks, dresses, and other accessories were designed with Chinese calligraphy. It's so nice to see and use those china wares with artistic writings. It's like eating in an emperor's palace.
You can't help but notice the different strokes of the brush used in every writings and paintings. It's as if every single word is an art to master. I can't stop wandering if all Chinese were calligraphers. Even my kids asked me the same questions.
Maybe we can learn their skills in doing the calligraphy. I read that there are special learning centers for these kind of skills. Even though we are not Chinese, they would still teach us the different steps of calligraphy.
Would you like to enhance the artistic side of you through the well known oriental Chinese calligraphy? You can create your own designs that you can put on your personal things such as hankies, bags, wallets, notebooks and many other things. You can also give your own creation of Chinese calligraphy gifts for your loved ones and friends.
There are many ways you can make use of this art and have fun while doing it. One way is by painting or writing the names of all family members on a piece of cloth and put it on top of your center table. At first, they will not recognize the names because the art appears to be an abstract one.
Try convincing them to learn the calligraphy by asking them 'What's your name look like when written in Chinese calligraphy?' They would surely agree and, without your knowing, they are already on their way to writing their own names.
When they finally learned how to write their own names, they would eventually recognize that the abstract art painted on the table cloth is their names in calligraphy. You could even print out tattoos on transfer paper.
Another way is if you want to make your mugs personalized for each family member, you can paint their name on their favorite colored mugs. When you serve their breakfast drinks every morning, they would be delighted to see their names on it. This could also motivate them to finish their drinks before going to school or to the office.
Your family will really appreciate your effort and your skills of calligraphy. You don't have to be an oriental native to be able to practice this form of art.
This type of oriental arts were appreciated and recognized around the world. Many people are attracted to this art of writing, especially if their own name was the object of this art. They would even shout out loud that it was their names written in Chinese.
There are many kinds of this art already exhibited around the world. Some work of arts and master pieces were well-known and some were ignored.
We don't have to be an artist to be able to relate to this art. Just as long as we appreciate the art itself, we are already artists in our own way.
Rodney Dagan invites you to explore the culture and arts of ancient China, you can also find more about arts, crafts and culture from native and aboriginal peoples from around the world at Native Art World
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