Tattoos are very common these days. The word was introduced into the English dictionary when Captain James Cook visited Polynesia in the 18th century and described the practice. Tattooing comes from the Tahitian word “tatau”. Experts agree that tattooing may not be originally from Polynesia. It goes back a long time.

We find the earliest tattoo on the body of a 5,200-year-old iceman from the Austrian-Italian border. The mummy was discovered in 1991. Tattoos were common in ancient Egypt as well, mostly with women. Mummified remains with tattoos have also been found in Japan, China, Greece, Peru, Siberia, Scandinavia, and among the indigenous Americans. This shows the practice was common in many cultures.

Main Popular Types of Tattoos

In the modern world, tattoos come in different styles. From traditional old-school style to designs with a lot of symbolism and meaning, there are plenty of options now. Often, the styles have their history as well. The popularity of these styles also varies geographically. For example, American traditional tattoos are popular in England, whereas Japanese designs are popular in the United States.

Here are the main popular tattoo types – 

Minimalism

Minimalist tattoos have clean designs. They are characterized by simplicity. Here the underlying theme is “less is more”. The expression is subtle and modern. These tattoos appeared first when many people wanted something different than the intricate and elaborate styles of the time. Minimalist is a contemporary trend, inspired by the straightforward aesthetic of traditional designs.

The minimalist type has been popularized by artists like Korea-based Playground Tattoo and JonBoy and their small, impactful designs. Curt Montgomery offers minimal designs, which are bold and sexual. Playground Tattoo is best known for including subtle shading and fine lines in the work.

Hieroglyphs

Hieroglyphic tattoos are also very popular. They provide depth through symbolism and the attraction of ancient art. The experts have been able to understand a lot of the hieroglyphic texts of Egypt. However, it has not fully been deciphered yet, which adds to its mysticism. Many people want to depict hieroglyphic art as they are intrigued by this half-decoded ancient language. The wearer of this art can also convey his or her fascination with a long-lost culture.

Egyptian hieroglyphic body art is a script-style tattoo, much like Japanese calligraphy. If you learn Japanese calligraphy in different-level.com you will understand the similarities and differences between the two. People of all ages and of any gender can have a script-style tattoo on their body. The cryptic symbols are visually attractive. They have a unique magnetism, which attracts the eyes.

Animals

Animal tattoos have been popular for a very long time. You will find the oldest known animal tattoo on an Egyptian mummy that goes back to 3350-3320 BC. It is called the “Gebelein Man A”. The tattoo shows a Barbary sheep, which is like a goat, and a wild bull. Animal tattoos also go back to the ancient Pazyryk culture, which is a nomadic Iron Age culture and an early version of modern-day Russia. The nomads of the community depended on horses and painted their bodies with their pictures.

Modern-day animal tattoos are of course, hugely varied. There are many styles to pick from like realistic animal tattoos, abstract tattoos, geometric and tribal animal tattoos, watercolor tattoos, and animal and human hybrid tattoos. Animal lovers can look beyond all this and simply get a design to showcase their emotions or feelings.

There is symbolism too. For example, you can get a lion tattoo to symbolize courage or bravery. Animal tattoos can be both ferocious or brave and soft or petite. They can be decorative and meaningful. These tattoos can look good on any part of the body.

Black and White

Blackwork is a style where you will see a mixture of various black and white designs. It applies to body art created with black ink solely. The portfolio is varied as you will find ancient geometry designs to modern abstract and ornamental designs.

The blackwork style originated from tribal designs having bold and thick black lines in different geometric shapes. There is presently a lot of experimentation work in this style as the artists are trying out different things and including various patterns.

There is also black and grey, which is related to the blackwork style. This style also uses black ink solely but with different degrees of shading throughout the work. The artist achieves the grey tones through the combination of distilled water and black ink. This grey-washing technique adds dimension and depth to the artwork.

Nature

These tattoos celebrate the beauty of nature. They feature intricate designs showing plants, trees, fruits, and flowers. The style can be traced back to traditional designs, where natural elements like flowers are used symbolically.

 

In recent years, artists like David Allan, Alice Carrier, and Dodie have made botanical designs extremely popular. In their work, you will find detailed shading and linework that captures the beauty of nature. Botanical tattoos have a timeless elegance. They can also convey a personal meaning.

Tattoos as a Part of Modern Culture

Tattoos once had religious significance. They were also seen as a symbol of rebellion. Even a decade or so back, there was a negative sentiment about them as tattoos represented aggressiveness and a criminal mentality. They have since then evolved greatly and are now widely accepted as an expression of identity. They have become culturally significant and a mainstream form of art. They are perfectly acceptable now even in the workplace unlike a few decades back.

Kim Kardashian had a tattoo in 2010 on the inside of her arm. It said “Sanity”. Kim received a huge backlash for this tattoo with people saying that she had ruined her body. The next year, Justin Bieber got a tattoo saying “Son of God” on his wrist. He was also mocked by many. The media too made fun of him. Nowadays, you will rarely find any negative reaction. Since his first tattoo, Justin has got 30 others throughout his body, including a few big ones and this hasn’t bothered anyone, which shows the increasing acceptability of tattoos now.

The modern-day society is fascinated by them with many new types of tattoos coming up all the time. The tattoo industry is also doing very well. You will find tattoo parlors everywhere now. Huge tattoo expos are also organized every year throughout the world and they attract thousands of visitors too.

The Importance of Choosing a Tattoo That Reflects Personal Values and Style

The tattoo you want to have on your body should align with your personal preference, style, and values. Always select carefully as there are so many options available. It can commemorate a milestone, like a personal achievement or an important life event. The design can also celebrate a cherished memory like a birth or a graduation ceremony. The tattoo may also illustrate your philosophies or beliefs.

Also, consider the placement and size of your tattoo. Placement will affect both personal comfort and visibility. The spot should also align with your intention. A thoughtfully selected and placed tattoo will make it more enjoyable. You will cherish the art on your body.