The West and Tattoos
Wednesday, November 25th, 2009Tattoos in the west had its origins in Polynesia, after James Cook, a British explorer made a trip to Tahiti in 1769. The islanders’ used the term “tatatau” or tattau, meaning to hit and this became the modern term “tattoo”. Tattoos then became fashionable among Europeans, starting with the sailors and 18th century explorers. Sailors and later, coal miners, both had professions that carried serious risks. This would then explain the almost amulet-like use of anchors or minor’s lamp tattoos on the men’s forearms. From the sailors, the practice of tattooing later spread to many Western societies.