History is full of Tattoos and reasons for having them.

Three tattooed mummies from about 300BC were extracted from the permafrost of Altai in the second half of the 20th century (the Man of Payzyrk, during the 1940s; one female mummy and one male in the Ukok plateau, during the 1990s). Their tattooing involved animal designs carried out in a curvilinear style.

In 1991, a five thousand year old tattooed man ‘ötzi the ice man’ made the headlines of newspapers all over the world when his frozen body was discovered on a mountain between Austria and Italy. This is said to be the best preserved corpse of that period ever found. The skin bears 57 tattoos: a cross on the inside of the left knee, six straight lines 15 centimeters long above the kidneys and numerous parallel lines on the ankles. The position of the tattoo marks suggests that they were probably applied for therapeutic reasons (treatment of arthritis).

Polynesian people believed that a person’s mana, their spiritual power or life force, is displayed through their tattoo.

Between 1603 and 1868 Japanese tattooing was only practiced by the “ukiyo-e” (The floating world culture). Generally firemen, manual workers and prostitutes wore tattoos which communicated their status. Then later between 1720 and 1870, Criminals were tattooed as a visible mark of punishment, this actually replaced having ears and noses removed. A criminal would often receive a single ring on their arm for each crime committed which easily conveyed their criminality. Amazingly outside of that stigma you can also find history that involves Japanese tattooing for spiritual and decorative purposes

In African history they were borne not for fashion. Instead, they were generally inscribed in the body, essentially for the medicinal and spiritual qualities.

Members of the armed forces have been getting tattoos for decades to signify their membership in a group and mark rites of passage like tours of duty. I’ve also seen many who have a tattoo on their upper arm of a girl’s name they left behind when they went off to war.

Generally, nowadays tattooing is done as an expression of yourself or as a tribute to someone or something important to you.

Are there dangers involved when getting a tattoo? As far as tattoo parlors are concerned, it’s the responsibility of the operator to make sure his/her equipment and shop are clean and sanitary. It’s also their responsibility to use hygienic procedures. Tattoo parlors are governed by state and local laws to do so.

The best thing to do, when looking for a reputable business, would be to get recommendations from a large group of people that have been there and done that. They’re going to know how good the artists are and how clean the business is. Plus if you find a place, like a web site, that offers discussion between artists, you can see what they’re tattoo ended up looking like by a particular artist and business.

If you’re thinking of getting a tattoo, do not get one when you’ve been drinking or on the spur of the moment. Find a design that means something to you and figure out where you want to put it on your body.

Remember that when you get older, those handprints on your butt may look more like melting hands. Or the name of that girl you met that night at the bar, might not be as special anymore.

Also remember that a lot of workplaces do not want to employ someone who has visible, offensive tattoos. You may not want to be an accountant when you get the tattoo, but if you change your mind in a few years than you’ve got a problem. It’s just safer to get one where it’s hidden by everyday clothes.

Whether you agree with them or not, tattoos are a big part of many cultures and they are here to stay.

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Kari is an advocate for environmentally friendly living and is not afraid to speak up for the good of the planet. She is also an advocate for the health of pets and the nutrition and care they deserve. Some of her present goals are to finish writing a book she's been working on, to keep working from her home business, and to enjoy every day that comes her way. She lives in Spruce Grove, Alberta with her Fiancé, Saverio, and their three dogs.