Tattooing is the way in which a visible design is applied under somebody’s skin.  A tattoo is made by putting ink through the outermost layer of skin (epidermis) and into the layer of skin beneath (dermis).  The cells within the dermis are stable and do not shed so a tattoos are permanent.

Ink is applied by either piercing or cutting the skin.  Historically, tattoos were applied using needles, knives, chisels or even cactus needles.  Nowadays this is usually done using an electric device that punches a needle up and down through the skin, piercing the skin and injecting a small amount of ink with each stroke.

Most tattoos are created using a stencil.  A stencil can be applied to the skin prior to the tattooist making the design permanent, allowing the customer to make the final decision on its size, design and positioning.  The stencil then provides an outline of the design on the skin, which the tattooist follows.

The tattooist then prepares the skin by thoroughly cleaning (with antiseptic and soap) and shaving the area.  The tattooist will then follows the stencil to create the basic outline before enhancing the lines and infilling.

Not all tattoos need to be permanent – temporary tattoos (such as transfers or henna) may be applied, which eventually wash off, or fade as the skin sheds.

Technorati Tags: Tattoos, Temporary Tattoos

Tribal Tattoos: Designs & Origins

Ancient tattoos are often preserved when skin has been mummified or preserved in ice or peat, but nobody knows for sure when the first tattoo was inked.

This blog post is written to take you on a quick trip around the world looking at some interesting facts about the origins of tattoo designs.

The Pacific Islands

It is thought that the word tattoo originated from the Tahitian word tatau, meaning ‘to mark’.

Maori men tattooed their faces with fierce looking patterns and Maori women tattooed their lips and chins and were a sign of beauty.  These tattoos are caved into the flesh using a bone chisel, and ink is then placed in the cuts.  Recently Maori tattoos have become popular in the tattoo world.

In Samoa the tattoo marks the ability to bear pain and is still true today.

Tattooing in Japan is thought to go back some ten thousand years, with probably the most recognisable (and probably the most beautiful and elaborate) form of Japanese body art is associated with the organized crime group the Yakuza.

Central and South America

There is evidence showing that prior to the arrival of the Spanish in Central and South America that tattoos and body painting was widespread and largely used for social and spiritual purposes (rather than just decorative).  The arrival of the Spanish marked the start of a rapid decline and termination of many indigenous cultures, taking with them the knowledge of how these looked and how they were applied.

Central and South Africa

Tribal tattoos designs were traditionally applied using a the method of marking out the design on the skin with series of black dots, which works less well on darker skins.  This may explain why tribal tattoos are not as prevalent as in Central and South African cultures.  Rather than tattoos – skin painting and scarification is widely used as a way of decorating the body.

Europe

The remains of Ötzi the Iceman were found entombed in a glacier in the Italian / Austrian Alps and have been dated back some 5,000 years shows that he had about 57 carbon tattoos consisting of simple dots and lines on his lower spine, on his right ankle and behind his left knee.

Tattooing in Europe has obviously been around for many thousands of years (as seen on Ötzi the Iceman), although it was thought that Captain Cook ‘re-introduced’ tattooing back into Europe after his expedition around the Pacific in 1769.  Many sailors returned bearing permanent souvenirs on their bodies.  Since the return of this voyage, tattoos have been associated with life on the sea.

Tribal Tattoos Designs

Tribal Tattoos Designs vary considerably in terms of their design and style, however they mostly use large areas of solid black called ‘blackwork’

Below are a few links to other websites which, if you are looking for tribal tattoo designs or forearm tattoo designs would be a good place to start looking (please note we may get a commission if you purchase anything from these sites).

Tattoo Me Now (3,523 designs (and growing!) in 40 categories, including many blackwork designs)

Chopper-Tattoo (provides you with literally thousands of award winning tattoos, including tribal tattoos designs – easy to browse)

Print My Tattoo (7,500 tattoo designs ready to be printed and used, including many forearm tattoo designs).

See more information about tribal tattoo at: ezinearticles.

Technorati Tags: Blackwork, Forearm Tattoo, maori, Tattoo Designs, Tribal Tattoo Designs, Tribal Tattoos Designs, yakuza

I like forearm letter tattoo designs because they can be a unique way of expressing oneself. 

If you do not want an image or any particular forearm tattoo design you could opt for words or a phrase which could be transformed into a good looking tattoo letter designs on your forearm (or elsewhere on your body).

Letter or number only designs are becoming increasingly popular as a choice of tattoo.  Ideas could include a quote from your favourite movie, important dates, lines from a poem or a witty or poignant quote.

Think about what is important to you (and try not to be influenced by others).

Oriental writing is a popular way of adding a touch of class or mystery.  Too often though, I have heard horror stories where the writing states the wrong thing.  Make sure you do your research and get is checked by a native speaker of the language – otherwise you could look silly.

Ever heard of an ambigram tattoo?  Ambrigram tattoos are words that can be read in two different directions.  These types of tattoos are also becoming popular.  A two word ambigram could be placed along side one another so that one word reads from left to right while the other word reads from right to left.

Remember to take the time to choose the right phrase and the lettering style you want.  You could have a temporary tattoo to check the positioning and lettering is right for you.

Technorati Tags: ambigram tattoo, ambigram tattoos, forearm tattoo design, forearm tattoo letters, Temporary Tattoos

Creating and making your own tattoo designs, which are then put on by a professional, can be a fulfilling and even a spiritual exercise.

Decide where you want to put the tattoo on your body, some tattoos work better on different parts of the body.  The scale of the tattoo should also be considered.  A timid tattoo may be lost on the forearm or middle of the back and a large blackwork design may not look right when placed on the ankle.  

Even if you are making your own design, we would recommend some internet research  to find some designs to try against your body, just to get an idea of positioning, scale and colour.

Then with the use of a bit of tracing paper, start putting some design ideas down on paper.

When you have come up with a design you are happy with hide it away and forget about it for a while.  If you still like it when you dig it out, youcould tray a temporary tattoo based on your design.

If the design is still right on you (and obviously doesnt just apply to forearm tattoos), then make a decision and head on down to the best reputable tattooist in your area and make it permanent.

Technorati Tags: Forearm Tattoos, Tattoo Design, Tattoos, Temporary Tattoos