The emergence of the first tattoo was a normal process of natural skin injuries during the chase. Wounds and scratches blended in whimsical designs. Among the various tribes facial tattoos always come first. Maori of New Zealand made tattoos on their faces that resemble masks and are called "moko". They served as a constant combat decoration and showed courage and social status of its owner. According to the customs of the Maori, if a warrior was killed in a battle, he was tattooed with the mask “moko”, which was high honor. Women of ancient Japanese tattooed on their faces their marital status. In the tattoo can be determined whether the woman is married, and if yes, how many children she has. Tattoos on the women’s bodies showed their stamina and fertility. Local women’s tattooing was brought the extreme: children born from women without tattoos were killed immediately after birth. There were also cases where the tattoo was served as a punishment. In some parts of Japan, for a first offense robbers received a horizontal line across the forehead, for a second - curved, and for a third – another one curved line. From here comes the Japanese character “Inu” which means “dog”.
Captain James Cook contributes most of the development of tattoos in Europe. Returning from the trip in 1769, he brought from Tahiti not only the stories for the tattoos but also completely tattooed Polynesian. He became a sensation. The oldest tattooed body was discovered in 1991 frozen in the mountains between Australia and Italy. Archaeologists say that this man is at least 5000 years old. On the body there are 57 tattoos. In ancient Egypt there was a practice of tattooed women priestesses in ritual purposes (between 2160 BC and 1994 BC). Tattoos represented a group of dots and dashes arranged into abstract geometric patterns. Little by little the Egyptians spread the practice of tattooing throughout the world - in Crete, Greece, Persia and Arabia. Around 2000 BC this practice reached and Southeast Asia (western Asian nomads) from which later spread to Japan. The first written evidence of tattooing in Japan dates back about 297 years BC The Japanese were interested in this art, mostly for religious reasons. Traditional Japanese tattoo is usually on the whole body. The first French expedition to Samoa in 1787 reported that the "buttocks of the men are tattooed in such a way that one might think that they are wearing, although they are almost naked”. This practice of tattooing is carried in New Zealand and later in Europe. In Hawaii aired was the art of tattooing called "cocoa”. Tattoos have served not only for decoration but also to illustrate a good health and soul. The men usually are tattooed on the arms, legs, body and face simulating woven needs or other natural shapes. The women most often tattooed their legs, toes, wrists and tongue.
In now days there are hundred of tattoo studios where women and men cover their bodies with different tattoos which make them in some way unique.
