1. Evolution of tattoos from 18th century – today
Melanie M. Hornung

2. Some facts about tattoos
• The Latin word for “tattoo” is stigma.
• A tattoo is actually in the Dermis(2nd layer of skin) those cells are
significantly more stable than the cells in the epidermis.
• The top 10 most popular spots for tattoos are: 1. lower back; 2.
wrist; 3. foot; 4. ankle; 5. armband; 6. backpiece; 7. arm; 8. chest; 9.
breast; 10. neck.
• Not all skin on the body is the same and therefore will not take
tattoo pigment the same. (ie: elbows, knuckles, knees and feet)

3. 18th century tattoos & significance
• Prisoners
• Slaves
• Pirates
• Sailors
Cultures & Tattoos
• Greek & Roman Empire
• Japanese
• Egyptian

4. Tattoos were not always a good thing
• Greeks learned tattooing from the Persians to mark slaves and
criminals.
• Romans learned it from the Greeks – they would tattoo “fug” on the
foreheads of slaves. “fugitive”
• Famous criminal tattoos are worn by Japanese mafia (Yakuza).
Intricate and traditional designs that make up a full body suit that
shows commitment to their gang.
• Smaller tattoos also have significance among prison tats; in UK a
single dot on the cheek means that person has a “borstal boy” Three
dots between thumb and forefinger prove gang membership among
Latino population in the US.

5. 18th century Japanese
Early in the 18th century pictorial tattooing flourished
in connection with the popular culture Edo. The Japanese
wood block print was developed to print paralleled
illustrations on pages of novels; this technique had great
influence on the development of the art of tattooing.
Although tattooing was outlawed it thrived on among
firemen, laborers and many others on the lower end of
the social scale.
The middle of the 18th century, the popularity of
tattooing was stimulated by Chinese novel, Suikoden,
with many characters tattooed. The Japanese version of
Suikoden was illustrated by various artists who created
prints with new interpretations of the tattoos that were
described in the novel.
This novel and the illustrations influenced all
Japanese arts and culture.

6. 19th century tattoos design & meaning
By the middle of the 19th
century the Tokugawa shotgun was
overthrown and an emperor was
restored power. The tattoo outlaw
was lifted because the new rulers
feared that Japanese customs would
seem barbaric or ridiculous to
Westerners. Under new laws
Japanese tattoo artists were allowed
to tattoo foreigners but not
Japanese.
• Classical Japanese tattooing is
limited to specific designs that
represent heroes and religious
motifs, combined with symbolic
animals and flowers with waves or
clouds in the background.
• Traditional Japanese tattoo differs
from Western tattoos—single
major design that covers the back
and extends to the arms, legs and
chest; requires time, money and
emotional energy commitment.

7. 19th Century tattoo artwork

8. Changes made between 19th
& 20th century
In 1936, fighting broke out in China;
almost all men were drafted into
the Army. Men with tattoos were
thought to be discipline problems,
so they weren’t drafted & the
government passed a law against
tattooing. Then tattooists had to
work in secret. General MacArthur
liberalized the Japanese laws after
WWII and tattooing became legal
again. Even today you will find
tattoo artists operate out of
shops/parlors by appointment.

9. Designs and what they may mean
Tattoo Type/Design
• Anchor
• Angels
• Butterfly
• Cat
• Rose
• Rope
• Yin & Yang
Meaning
• Traditionally worn by sailors, the anchor shows that a seaman had
sailed the Atlantic Ocean. Also used by early Christians due to its
resemblance to the cross.
• Symbol of protection. As opposites play a key part in tattoo tradition
Angels & Cherubs are often inked along with devils.
• Popular with women, its short life & beauty have become symbolic of
youth and femininity.
• Symbol of independence & free thinking. Worshipped by the
Egyptians.
• Most popular of all flower tattoo designs, the rose is associated with
true love. A thorn symbolizes that its owner is passionate but should
be approached with caution.
• Traditionally a sailors tattoo, ropes represented professionalism &
strength.
• Represent two sides of a valley bisected by shadow & sunlight as well
as the duality of the universe, the male & female, positive & negative,
heaven & earth.

10. Tattoos today are much different than they used to be
Then
• If you were a person who had
tattoos then you were
considered to be a bad
influence.
• Tattoos then were a way to tell
someone's ethnic background
• Back then there were also many
distinctive religious tattoos.
Now
• People who have tattoos today are
not a bad influence to others.
• It is not uncommon to ask
someone about their tattoo(s);
they will usually tell you a story
about it.
• There are many different reasons
why an individual would get a
tattoo – not always because of
beliefs or religious reasons either.

11. I hope you enjoyed learning about the history of tattoos!
Here is a photo of my first tattoo:
It took me about two years to perfect the design.
An additional year to set my mind on where I
wanted it.
I lost my Grandma “Grandma Peanut” when I was
14. I had this work done at age 22.
I have two tattoos right now, I am going to be
getting my third one soon.
Melanie Hornung