5 Facts About the History of Tattoos (National Tattoo Day)

5 Facts About the History of Tattoos (National Tattoo Day)

5 Facts About the History of Tattoos From expressions of love to religious symbolism, tattoos have been around for thousands of years.

In honor of National Tattoo Day, here's some insight into the history of the popular markings.

The first tattoo dates back to about 5,300 years ago, with the discovery of the Iceman.

Tattoos appear to have been an exclusively female practice in ancient Egypt.

The Tahitian terms "tatatau" or "tattau" influenced the modern usage of the word “tattoo.” During the Han Dynasty in China, only criminals were tattooed.

New Zealand’s Maori culture uses tattoos as a form of identification, since markings usually indicate status, rank, ancestry and ability.