Tattoos - Technologies of Text

Hand with minimalist tattoos. photo in black and white

(image from Pinterest @Hrstian)

Ink on skin, a mark that lasts forever on and beneath the layers of the human body, crafted with the intention of communicating.

To communicate a feeling ,thought, time, something, someone, or whatever in the life of the person that has the tattoo.

History

(video from Ted.Ed)

There are various findings that hint at tattoos existing ever since the dawn of time like tattoos of mummies, old tools, and even sculptures of tattooed people.

Two tiny ancient sculptures that have marks on their bodies which seem like tattoos.

(image from archaeology.org)

Back of a man fully tattooed. With caption on picture Captain Elvy star drawing and year 1934.

There is no specific origin of tattoos but the reason why they are all universally called tattoos is because “tattoo” is a modification of the Polynesian word “tatao” used in Tahiti.

Tahiti is also the land where captain James Cook in 1769 discovered the people of Tahiti heavily tattooed.

And James crew got their tattoos too to use them to note their travels, some examples include an anchor for crossing the Atlantic, or the south of the Equator is represented by a turtle!

(image from in.cdgdbentre)

Machinery

Picture of tattoo artist and person getting tattoo with their body covered in tattoo.

The mechanics of tattoos, firstly created by the use of wooden sticks later developed into a tattoo machine. First based by Samuel O’Reilly machine in 1891 which was inspired by the stencil machine of Thomas Edison in 1876.

Blueprint of tattoo machine with numbers and names of parts.

The process consists of using needles in the machines that go within the layer of the skin repeatedly while injecting ink. This then leaves a permanent mark aka the tattoo!

(images from in.cdgdbentre)

Styles

Drawing of a heart with arrow in and a tag that has MOM written on it.

Tattoos come in diverse styles with no strict design rules; they can include various colors, letters, numbers, symbols, images, and more.

However, there are some traditional tattoo styles. They vary based on historical and cultural context, each carrying universally recognized meanings.

One of the traditional tattoos are the tattoos of sailors. Such as the heart tattoos which is about keeping loved ones close and cherished through distance in fear of not returning home after the journey.

(image from Sailor Jerry)

Identity

Tattoo of geographic location on arm of person.

Getting a tattoo involves complexity like pain and responsibility. Nonetheless tattoos carry rich historical and personal meaning to their owners and creators.

Tattoos can be for the aesthetics or could hold deep personal value. As people use these tattoos to create their identity and view themselves and beliefs or maintain memories. And many other personal values.

(image from Pinterest)

Text Technology

I think that viewing tattoos as a text technology makes it a complex system. At times these tattoos contain letters and words that make up actual texts while other times they can be made up of signs that indicate meanings or words!

And I believe that whether you agree or disagree and if you have them or you do not… Tattoos are a technology that involve form and process similar to other writing practices. Like the use of a writing tool aka the tattoo machine and what is tatted like images or texts being drawn.

They include many elements such as color, shapes, texts, and images all to resemble something, someone, or sometime. Simply used to express and represent, the act of marking.

This form of text technology allows people freedom and control in their personal bodied communication.

Personally I find it interesting to consider tattoos as a writing tool. Because it takes the idea of identity and personalized texts on another level! Not only are these marks being written or drawn in various ways with endless interpretations, they also impact the identity of the person owning them beyond words.

Texts are cool but so are tattoos for sure!

Reference list

The history of tattoos – Addison Anderson. (2014, September 18). [Video]. TED-Ed. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/the-history-of-tattoos-addison-anderson

Tattoos – Sailor Jerry. (n.d.). Sailor Jerry. https://sailorjerry.com/en/tattoos/

Quynhtran. (2023, June 30). Discover 58+ percy waters tattoo – in.cdgdbentre. in.cdgdbentre. https://in.cdgdbentre.edu.vn/percy-waters-tattoo-woghlxos/