The Evolution of the Tattoo Machine

The techniques used to embed the tattoo in the skin are sometimes linked to a particular region or culture. For example some tattoos are obtained during cultural ceremonies, as rites of passage. However all tattoos result in creating permanent marks and designs on the body.

In more industrialized western countries like the United States tattoos are applied using a tattoo machine. Tattoo machines are professional equipment that that greatly aid tattoo artists in applying ink pigment into the skin. They have electromagnetic coils that repeatedly insert a needle into the skin in order to embed ink or pigment. The tattoo machine contains a hand-held device that allows that artist to draw very fine lines to broad shapes. It's interesting to note that tattoo artists usually refer to their equipment as a tattoo machines or a tattoo irons whereas novices often use the term tattoo gun.

Most people would be surprised to discover that Thomas Edison, who is usually associated with the advent of the light bulb, is partially responsible for inventing the first tattoo machine prototype. Mr. Edison patented a battery powered device in 1876 and called the "Stencil-Pens." This device would punch holes in paper indifferent designs and patterns. The punched paper would be placed over a solid surface object and colored powder would be dusted over the paper. This served to transfer the pattern onto the object. It's not too difficult to imagine how this technique could be used to place patterns and designs on the skin.

Sure enough fifteen years later the Stencil-Pens was modified by Samuel O'Reilly to include an improved tube assembly, an ink chamber, a needle to insert ink into the skin, an on and off switch, and stroke adjustment capabilities. O'Reilly registered his design and received the first tattoo machine patent.

However, the design patented by Percy Waters in 1929 is the one that most closely resembles the modern day tattoo machine. Waters' design included two electromagnetic coils set parallel with the frame. It also included a spark shield and an easier to use on and off switch. Waters continually improved upon the configuration of the device but the basic design stayed the same for many years.

A patent for the next tattoo machine wasn't registered until fifty years later in 1979. It was issued to Carol "Smokey" Nightingale, a former Merchant Marine who was dubbed "The Man with the Golden Needle." Carol claims to have learned about tattooing techniques from his mother, a circus worker. His design included springs of different lengths for different types of detail work and a lever for total adjustability of the coils.

Modern tattoo machines can control needle speed, depth, and pressure, which have allowed tattooing to become a very precise art form. The machines are so precise and sensitive that a particular type of facial tattooing called dermapigmentation or permanent makeup has evolved.

As you can see the tattoo machine has gone through numerous modifications since the first device was designed by Edison over 100 years ago. This practice continues to this day. Almost all tattoo artists purchase standard machines and then modify them to accommodate their tattoo styles and application techniques. As such, no two tattoo machines are the same. Although most tattoo artists don't take the time to patent and register their modifications they are nonetheless improving upon the original design, regardless of how slight the changes may be.

Tattoo machines will continue to evolve in design and application as tattoo artists continue their search for the "perfect" tattoo machine.

For the latest information on tattoo designs and tattoo techniques please visit Free Tattoo Patterns Online.

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Finding a Turtle Tattoo that is Right for You

In Asia, the turtle was thought to have magic that could help you unite heaven and earth within your own life. To some ancient Native Americans, it was thought to contain the secrets of the power of female energies. Some believe that turtles can awaken the senses. No matter what you believe, if you are considering getting a turtle tattoo you might be surprised to know that there are lots of different choices. Choosing the right turtle tattoo for you isn’t really that hard, though. Here are some things to think about.

Style

The style of your turtle tattoo is very important to the overall look.

Tribal

This style is usually in black, with bold, stylized lines. A book of Celtic art would be a good place to find a tribal design of a turtle.

Cartoon

This style is for those who have a wacky sense of humor. You can find ideas for cartoon-like tattoos by watching kid’s shows, thumbing through the newspaper’s funny pages, or looking through coloring books.

Whimsical

If you loved Lisa Frank as a kid, then this is probably the type of turtle tattoo you are looking for. In fact, you may want to Google “Lisa Frank” to get ideas. This type of turtle tattoo screams for a rainbow colored shell, ribbons of water cascading down around it, and maybe even a heart or two.

The Meaning of Your Turtle

Your choice of turtle should reflect the style you chose as well as a meaning you would like to convey.

For example, you could pick a turtle that represents the huge sea turtle from the Japanese folktale Uraschimataro and the Turtle, or a little box turtle to represent the turtle in The Tortoise and the Hare.

Sea turtles were thought by Mayans to be associated with music and thunder. This may be your way to show a love for music.
You could pick the snapping turtle tattoo to convey a sassy attitude. Or, if you are patient and clam, look up “turtle totem” and get your inspiration from the turtles used for calming.

The colors you choose should also echo the meaning of your turtle. Blues and purples stand for royalty, but can also be very calming, as well as light green and pink. Red and black are very bold and are used together when trying to evoke power and strength. Yellow is usually used to mean friendship and joy. Red alone sometimes stands for love. White is the color used for purity.
No matter what turtle tattoo you choose, make it your own and wear it proudly.

Need A Tattoo Idea or Design?

We all have seen those eye grabbing figures many people wears on their skins. If you are a tattoo fan you may be on the look for an original tattoo you can wear without finding the same design on the arm of every guy you find at every club.
For one reason it seems that most guys and gals prefer and like creepy tattoo designs and ideas. But where can you get the best ideas for these? For example one way of getting great ideas is by watching those big wrestlers on the ring. They usually wear pretty awesome tattoos on their skins, tattoos that translate into an identity, into what their represent on the ring. Maybe your design won’t be the most original by choosing this source of inspiration, but you’ll grab the idea and with some variations you can get a real good tattoo design for yourself. A tattoo that will have an identity.

Of course, there are other sources. One of them is the world of movies. If you love horror movies, then you will be delighted by incorporating some of their stars into your designs (they will always make an eye grabbing tattoo); for example the world famous Freddy Kruger, legendary beasts as Alien, The Thing, Dexter, or even Scream, and Pet Cemetery can make a really good and original tattoo for your preferred piece of skin.
Once you have found a great image with an identity for itself you can translate it into a tattoo, incorporating your own creativity to make your new tattoo all you want it to be.
If you want to visit a huge gallery of tattoo designs, so huge you won’t have time to review all of them in one evening visit:
=>> http://www.askingplanet.com/Tattoo-Designs/
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Tattoos-A Social Mark For Outcasts Or A New Method Of Symbolizing Yourself-You Be The Judge

Teenagers who are afraid to get a flu shot from the doctor will sit for hours on a table and allow a stranger to pierce their skin repeatedly until a muti-colored picture emerges on their skin. The skin is swollen red and painful but the teen emerges from this operation with a smile and a feeling of pride?
Big strong men who refuse to go to a doctor for a checkup medication will allow an unknown person to use a needle to inject ink on to their skin for hours. Sometimes this ink is projected on very personal parts of the body. They leave the little tattoo shop beaming and proud.
What is the allure of enduring hours of pain in order to get a picture of your soon to be ex-girlfriend on you arm. The process will have to be repeated to change the name from Carla to Paula and then perhaps back again.
The purpose of getting a tattoo is as diverse as the symbols, signs and pictures that are available to adorn the body. At one time tattoos provided a non-status symbol for the radical members of society, hippies, motorcycle riders and prostitutes. The tattoo kept them apart from mainstream society.
On August 1, 1981, television changed forever. MTV devoted an entire cable network to a combination of music and video. MTV showcased musicians who were sporting tattoos. MTV exploded and so did the tattoo industry.
Tattoos have now became mainstream. People from all walks of life wanted a tattoo. Everyone wanted to be have a mark. Teenagers were allowed to get tattoos. Businessmen took off their shirts and got symbols or their favorite cartoon characters. Lawyers and doctors marked themselves with the symbols of their profession.
The reason for the need to have tattoos may be less to do with being rebellious and stepping outside the established status quo as it is an ancient custom that is older than the modern craft of body art.
Human have an intrinsic need to express themselves. If you have artistic talent you can express your thoughts and feeling using traditional methods. You can write a song, or write poetry. If you have a lot to say you may even write a book. Artist must Draw or paint to showcase their feelings. But if you have feelings or needs that you can not communicate in the standard formats, you may find the need to tell the world about you, your thoughts or ideas via a tattoo.
The act of getting a tattoo may be even more than the need of self expression. Some cultures believe Tattoos have magical powers. Other think that Tattoos offer protection against evil, sickness and Misfortune. In African cultures tattoos are used In some fertility rites
It is claimed that the art of putting symbols and pictures on the body existed 12,000 years BC. It is believed that The Egyptians created the art of tattooing. The theory is that Egyptians believed that amulets for protection. The Permanent protection that could not be lost Or stolen was a permanent adornment of the Body that today we refer to as a tattoo. protect them from evil. To insure the protection from the Gods the tattoo became a permanent adornment of the body. Although the word tattoo comes From the Tahitian “tatu” which means to Mark something
There are cultures that use tattoos as part of fertility rites, tattoos are thought to have magical and religious significance in these cultures.
The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian "tatu" which means "to mark something."
For more information on tattoos to include what to look for in a tattoo shop, how to pick the perfect tattoo design and how to choose the best tattoo parlor try visiting Tattoo-Shops.info
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10 Things To Consider Prior To Getting A Tattoo

If you are thinking about getting a tattoo, take a moment to consider your answers to the following 10 questions. You will be glad that you did.
1. Is the tattoo artist experienced? This is perhaps the most important thing to consider before hiring any one particular tattoo artist. An experienced professional will be knowledgeable in the proper cleansing of equipment, which is an absolute necessity, and also how to create designs that the customer will enjoy.
2. Will the tattoo image be as important to you in the future as it is right now? For instance, if your tattoo will be in celebration of a love interest, are you absolutely certain that person will be there 10, 20 or even 50 years from now?
3. Why do you want to get the tattoo? Is it because you want to or because someone else wants you to? Is it to fit in with a crowd or possibly a love interest? If you are making any type of permanent marking on your body, including a tattoo, you will want to be sure that you are doing it for the right reasons.
4. Are you prepared to deal with possible consequences that may arise out of getting a tattoo? This may include an infection or severe soreness of the skin at the site of the tattoo. In addition, surgery will be the only way to later remove it if you should ever change your mind.
5. Do you have a design in mind? If you don’t, stop by the local tattoo parlor and ask to see some samples of what is available.
6. Can you afford the tattoo? The larger the tattoo, the larger the cost. Even the smallest tattoo can be expensive, especially if you are on a budget. Before deciding to get the tattoo, make sure that you know how much it will cost and make arrangements to have the full payment ready on the date of it’s application.
7. Do you have a fear of needles? If you do, tattoos may not be for you. Either this or you will have to find some way to put the thought of it out of your mind. A lot of people have a fear of needles and perhaps the best alternative is a temporary tattoo, which are made to look quite realistic these days.
8. What type of tolerance do you have for pain? There is no other way to say it, but getting a tattoo is painful. It does involve needles and you should really consider your level of tolerance before signing up for a tattoo.
9. What will you do if you ever decide to have it removed? Can you afford the cost associated with surgery? The only way to remove a tattoo is through surgery, which can be very expensive. Unless it is for medical reasons, most health insurance policies will not cover the cost of a tattoo removal. This means that the patient will often find themselves with 100% of the financial responsibility and, before getting a tattoo, you should make sure that you will be financially able to handle any future medical procedures that are associated with a tattoo.
10. Are you prepared to treat the area as recommended to avoid infection? This will likely involve keeping the tattoo site covered until it is able to heal properly and keeping it clean in the way that the tattoo artist or physician recommends.
This article is to be used for informational purposes only. The information contained herein is not intended to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Before deciding on getting a tattoo or having one removed, the patient must consult a licensed medical doctor for medical advice and/or to determine the best course of action for his/her individual healthcare needs.
Read about tattoo salons, tattoo experience and many other tattoo related subjects on TattooType forum http://www.tattootype.com/forum/
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Why Gene Kelley Is Still Popular Today

Gene Kelley was born in 1912 in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. He had grown up with talent that wasn't seen often at the time. He had flashy dance moves and a dynamic personality. He quickly became a well known actor in the 1940's. With his dance moves he appeared in 47 films, which alone was quite a feat for the time. He acted with his brother, Fred Kelley, briefly in theatre but the big screen was calling him.
In 1942 he starred with Judy Garland on the big screen in a movie called "Me and My Gal". This was the true launch of Gene Kelley's career, as MGM Studios recognized his talent at once. Being the largest and most powerful studio in Hollywood, MGM signed him on to become one of the most recognized talents of all time.
With WWII underway, many people from Europe fled to America to avoid the Nazi powers. They came to Hollywood with talents as artists such as singers, dancers, and actors. This became an active time for Hollywood and MGM studios as the entertainment world expanded. Gene Kelley had a talent that was often compared to Fred Astaire. With awesome dance moves and an electric personality Gene Kelley brought the working man to the big screen in his street clothes and rugged good looks. His powerful dance moves intrigued the audience and electrified Hollywood.
When Gene Kelly starred with Debbie Reynolds in the hit "Singing in the Rain" in 1952, he captured the hearts of many. His powerful and yet graceful dancing style earned him an instant love of adoring fans. Being a smash hit, the film was one of the first 25 films selected by the Library of Congress for its National Film Registry of movies to be part of the American Heritage, an elite status even today.
Gene Kelley's stardom increased as he starred in film such as An American in Paris, Cats Don't Dance, Christmas Holiday, A Guide for the Married Man, Marjorie Morningstar, That's Dancing and That's Entertainment.
His talents were clearly recognized as being original and heartwarming. He had an athletic style of dance so free and innovative that he continues to impress yet today. In 1992, he was entered into the theater hall of fame because of his work on "My Pal Joey" with his brother Fred Kelley. He continues to be a part of American culture as he was the silent eye behind Madonna in 1993 for her Girlie Show Tour. In 1994 he was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bill Clinton.
In his personal life Gene Kelley was married three times and had fathered three children. On February 2, 1996 in Beverly Hills, California Gene Kelley passed away due to multiple strokes. He will forever be remembered as a great talented dancer and artist.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as movie downloads at http://www.videomoviedownloads.com
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Star Tattoos - Why Unique is Better Than Out of The Brochure.
Even if you're considering a simple star tattoo, it is much better to commission your own unique design rather than apply a tattoo that someone else is wearing. It is so easy to pick up a pen and piece of paper and start sketching, it is a wonder why more people do not do it.
A star tattoo is something that you will live with for life. Surely, by making the decision to get a star tattoo, it is also worth taking the time and coming up with a design that is unique to you. Research suggests that there is less regret among tattooed people who have designed their own tattoos, than those that simply got their designs from a brochure.
The reason for this is the emotional input. For example, why would you want a star tattoo design? Is it because you like the look of it? If so, how do you think you'll feel in twenty years time when you look at your star tattoo knowing that it is the result of your own hard work? It's fair to say that you'll most likely prefer it to an off the shelf tattoo, so to speak.
Many people have tattoos to symbolise something important in their life, a tattoo becomes their visual recollection of the event. Again, if the event is so important that you want to permanently record it on your body, surely it is important enough to take the time and develop your own design.
Spend time researching star tattoos and asking opinions of friends. Tattoo galleries can be found on the internet and can be great for inspiration to help you come up with your own star tattoo design. Remembering that this star will be tattooed on your body for the rest of your life do you not think that it is important to spend as much time as possible on the design of the tattoo?
Often star tattoos form part of a tattoo collection. Maybe you will have more than one star tattoo? One on each arm? Or two stars together shooting across your back? There are also many possibilities for combining star tattoos with other tattoo designs.
Some people like to get tattooed with special friends. Maybe you and your special friend could get matching star tattoos to show a special bond or commitment to one another. Star tattoos can represent a time in your life when you are dreaming and reaching for high goals.Articles Source - Free Articles
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Article by Tattoo art and design - visit the website for more informative articles on star tattoos
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Tattoos Enter Our Popular Culture
Tattoos have become an established part of our popular culture. The demand for tattoos is growing and today you are more likely to encounter a professional person or a housewife in your local tattoo parlor than a rebel. This acceptance into the mainstream of our culture has resulted in an increasing demand for tattoos, tattoo parlors, skilled artists and tattoo supplies. It is a growth industry! Tattoos have become part of our popular culture. The demand for tattoos has grown and today you are more likely to encounter a professional person or a housewife in your local tattoo parlor than a rebel. This acceptance into the mainstream of our culture has resulted in an increasing demand for tattoos, tattoo parlors, skilled artists and tattoo supplies. It is a growth industry! Business is booming in the world of tattoo art as tattoos are becoming more and more popular both amongst the rich and famous and within the general population as a whole. Around one in every seven adults today sports a tattoo and they have become integrated into our popular culture. Popular cable TV shows like Miami Ink and Inked have taken viewers inside the world of tattoo artistry.
These shows are based around tattoo artists who open and run tattoo parlors where they live, work, and showcase their art. These are very popular shows which help to increase the popularity of the art of tattooing. So much so, that phrases such as 'slinging ink' and 'pounding skin' are now entering the nation's vocabulary. In the past the tattoo industry was more underground and associated with a bad-boy type image. Developments in popularity brought about by tattooed celebrities and athletes as well as a focus on health and sterilization has helped push tattooing into the mainstream of our culture. Today the focus is on professionalism and artistic development. And reputable equipment and safe supplies has played its part in its growing popularity. This has helped to generate a safe and comfortable environment which has been accepted by a wider audience. Tattooists look for supplies that match their requirements. For cost effective alternatives many turn to quality tattoo starter kits to meet their needs. These hand picked tattoo kits include all you need to get started in a tattooing career.Articles Source - Free Articles
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Alan Tennent writes for TattooKits.com a leading supplier of tattoo kits. Visit their website http://www.tattookits.com
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The Fundamental Basics of Cosmetic Tattoos and Permanent Makeup Pigments
Permanent makeup (cosmetic tattoos) is often misunderstood by the general public. Many people believe permanent makeup is like getting a regular tattoo. There are similarities, but also important differences. Always consult a trained practitioner who communicates honestly about the risks and listens. Below is some information to help you to make an educated decision.
What is permanent makeup? Permanent makeup is the placement of a pigment (solid particles of color) below the skin to create the impression of cosmetics. The pigment is placed in the skin with a needle.
Why are cosmetic tattoos different? Essentially permanent makeup is a tattoo, but has a different goal than traditional tattooing. Permanent makeup artist Liza Sims Lawrence, founder of Wake Up With Makeup, LLC in Anchorage explains, "the goal is to be subtle rather than to draw attention." The artist strives to harmonize with the facial features and skin tones. What are pigments? According to the article "From the Dirt to the Skin-A Study of Pigments" by Elizabeth Finch-Howell "The Dry Color Manufacturers Association (DCMA) defines a pigment as a colored, black, white, or fluorescent particulate organic or inorganic solid, which is usually insoluble in, and essentially physically and chemically unaffected by, the vehicle or substrate into which it is incorporated." The vehicle, which can be distilled water or other appropriate liquids combined with an antibacterial ingredient such as ethol alcohol, must keep the pigment evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
What ingredients are in pigments? Permanent makeup pigments always contain basic ingredients used by all manufacturers. A small number of pigments are created with iron oxides. According to Elizabeth Finch-Howell "iron is the most stable of all the elements and inorganic iron oxide pigments are non-toxic, stable, lightfast and have a range of colors." Lightfast means the pigments retain their original hue over time. The difference in pigments is generally associated with the vehicle, or liquid, used to place the pigment under the skin. "I use distilled water and ethol alcohol," states Finch-Howell, "I do not use glycerin as some other manufacturers do because it doesn't evaporate." "Glycerin is a humectant with an extremely large molecule," continues Finch-Howell, "this molecule is literally punched into the skin." Glycerin is also found in a variety of quality grades. Other permanent makeup practitioners prefer pigments with glycerin because they glide on the skin and do not dry out in the cup. Pigments do not contain mercury, talc or carbon. What regulations apply to the permanent makeup field? The Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act does not regulate pigments. However the FDA requires all color additives to be screened and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration prior to being sold. Elizabeth Finch-Howell states, "There is a list of FDA approved color additives for food, drugs, and cosmetics [that] pigment vendors should be drawing from to formulate their pigments". "All organic colorants are subject to batch certification by the Color Certification Branch of the FDA," Finch-Howell continues, "of the approximately 90 pigments on the FDA approved color additive list, all inorganic colorants listed are exempt from certification."
Do allergic reactions or side effects occur? I have never had a client suffer allergic reactions to permanent makeup. According to Liza Sims Lawrence, authorized distributor of LI Pigments, "photo sensitivity reactions (sunlight) may sometimes be revealed by slight itching and raised, but this is normally associated with reds and violets used in body art tattooing." Sims Lawrence continues, "Once the area is no longer exposed to intense sunlight, the itching and raising usually dissipates. In permanent cosmetics we do not often use body art reds and violets on the face. True allergic reactions are extremely rare." Permanent makeup has been known to cause itching and burning during an MRI. However, the FDA states, "This seems to occur only rarely and apparently without lasting effects." It is best to inform the doctor and MRI technician that you have permanent makeup
What is the difference between organic and inorganic pigments? Organic pigments are made from plant matter and inorganic pigments are made from dirt, as are topical cosmetics. In permanent makeup, organic and inorganic pigments both play important roles; pigments are not labeled organic in the same way food is by the government. Organic based pigments are necessary for vibrancy of color. Inorganic pigments give us earth tones and are lightfast. According to Elizabeth Finch-Howell, her pigment company, Derma International, uses inorganic and organic pigments and has been operating for 17 years without a single allergic reaction ever reported.
Permanent makeup is an amazing opportunity for men and women to make their lives easier and to love the way they look every day, but there are many misconceptions. Talk to a professional, ask questions and review references. To learn more about the health advantages of permanent makeup and specifics on lip, brows and eyeliner procedures visit http://www.DawnColors.com. Articles Source - Free Articles
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Dawn Willard has been in the fine arts field for over 23 years. She currently owns the Permanent Makeup Studio in Asheville, NC. Ms. Willard accepts clients from many states including North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina. To learn more about permanent makeup and cosmetics visit http://www.dawncolors.com.
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The History Of Tattoos
The History Of Tattoos Arguably, tattoos date back to about 3000 B.C. Marks found on a mummified human body dating that old, have tattoos. Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies that date back to about 2000 B.C. Many references can also be found in books from classical authors referring to the Greeks, Germans and Gauls.Europeans rediscovered tattooing when they encountered Polynesians and American Indians during some exploration. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word "tattau" which means "to mark". European and U.S. societies considered tattoos very exotic so many tattooed Indians and Polynesians drew a crowd at the circus and fairs during the 18th and 19th centuries. The reason for tattooing has changed over the years and across various cultures. In the early practice of tattooing, it was primarily for decoration. This ancient practice still holds true today for most people. Early Romans used tattoos for identification. They would tattoo slaves and criminals so that everyone would know their status. Tahitian tattoos were rites of passage and told to story and history of the person's life. In the early days of the U.S. when sailors would travel to foreign lands, they would collect tattoos as souvenirs of their travels and experiences.
Methods of tattooing varied across cultures and time as well. Many Indians in North and South America created tattoos simply by pricking. Some tribes in California then began to introduce scratches when introducing color. In Polynesia, pigment was pricked into the skin by using a small tool that resembled a rake. In New Zealand, the Maori people used wood carving techniques using a bone-cutting tool to make shallow, colored grooves in the skin. When the Europeans arrived, they began to use metal, taking a small step toward the puncture style of tattooing we see today. Articles Source - Free Articles
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Dan has been providing tattoo designs and tattoo ideas to the Internet community since 2002. To download tattoo designs visit http://www.tattoosunlimited.com.

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The History Of Tattoos
The History Of Tattoos Arguably, tattoos date back to about 3000 B.C. Marks found on a mummified human body dating that old, have tattoos. Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies that date back to about 2000 B.C. Many references can also be found in books from classical authors referring to the Greeks, Germans and Gauls.Europeans rediscovered tattooing when they encountered Polynesians and American Indians during some exploration. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word "tattau" which means "to mark". European and U.S. societies considered tattoos very exotic so many tattooed Indians and Polynesians drew a crowd at the circus and fairs during the 18th and 19th centuries. The reason for tattooing has changed over the years and across various cultures. In the early practice of tattooing, it was primarily for decoration. This ancient practice still holds true today for most people. Early Romans used tattoos for identification. They would tattoo slaves and criminals so that everyone would know their status. Tahitian tattoos were rites of passage and told to story and history of the person's life. In the early days of the U.S. when sailors would travel to foreign lands, they would collect tattoos as souvenirs of their travels and experiences.
Methods of tattooing varied across cultures and time as well. Many Indians in North and South America created tattoos simply by pricking. Some tribes in California then began to introduce scratches when introducing color. In Polynesia, pigment was pricked into the skin by using a small tool that resembled a rake. In New Zealand, the Maori people used wood carving techniques using a bone-cutting tool to make shallow, colored grooves in the skin. When the Europeans arrived, they began to use metal, taking a small step toward the puncture style of tattooing we see today. Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author
Dan has been providing tattoo designs and tattoo ideas to the Internet community since 2002. To download tattoo designs visit http://www.tattoosunlimited.com.

Visit our Photo Gallery

The History Of Tattoos
The History Of Tattoos Arguably, tattoos date back to about 3000 B.C. Marks found on a mummified human body dating that old, have tattoos. Tattoos have also been found on Egyptian and Nubian mummies that date back to about 2000 B.C. Many references can also be found in books from classical authors referring to the Greeks, Germans and Gauls.Europeans rediscovered tattooing when they encountered Polynesians and American Indians during some exploration. The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word "tattau" which means "to mark". European and U.S. societies considered tattoos very exotic so many tattooed Indians and Polynesians drew a crowd at the circus and fairs during the 18th and 19th centuries. The reason for tattooing has changed over the years and across various cultures. In the early practice of tattooing, it was primarily for decoration. This ancient practice still holds true today for most people. Early Romans used tattoos for identification. They would tattoo slaves and criminals so that everyone would know their status. Tahitian tattoos were rites of passage and told to story and history of the person's life. In the early days of the U.S. when sailors would travel to foreign lands, they would collect tattoos as souvenirs of their travels and experiences.
Methods of tattooing varied across cultures and time as well. Many Indians in North and South America created tattoos simply by pricking. Some tribes in California then began to introduce scratches when introducing color. In Polynesia, pigment was pricked into the skin by using a small tool that resembled a rake. In New Zealand, the Maori people used wood carving techniques using a bone-cutting tool to make shallow, colored grooves in the skin. When the Europeans arrived, they began to use metal, taking a small step toward the puncture style of tattooing we see today. Articles Source - Free Articles
About the Author
Dan has been providing tattoo designs and tattoo ideas to the Internet community since 2002. To download tattoo designs visithttp://www.tattoosunlimited.com.

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Cute Tattoo Designs for Women and where to get the best ones.
The whole field of tattoos for women is growing at a tremendous rate. If you think back even 20 years ago tattoos for women were not all that popular and most of the women getting them were keeping them covered up. However times have definitely changed and tattoo designs have really advanced at a tremendous rate. Today's tattoo have more brilliant colors and are a far cry from your grandfathers Hawaiian girl tattoo on his forearm.

Dolphin Tattoos: What Is The Symbolism Behind Them
Dolphin tattoos are among some of the most popular tattoos currently being designed and inked. This article looks at some of the potential symbolism behind a dolphin tattoo and why they might be so popular. It then describes some tattoo ideas for getting a dolphin tattoo

Don't Pay for a Tattoo that Millions of People Have - Get a Unique Custom Tattoo Design
Recently it was reported that tattoo related terms received more searches per month then most adult related keywords. This has spawned a huge growth of websites selling flash tattoo designs. You can go and visit these sites and for $10 or so find a tattoo design. You can then download this design and take it to your local tattoo parlor and get a new tattoo.

Hawaiian Arm Tattoo and Arm Band Tattoos - The New Tribal Tattoo
One of the biggest and hottest growing trends in the art of tattoo design is Hawaiian arm or leg band tattoos. As this trend goes a lot of people think to themselves, well of course. At least that is what I said to myself at first. You can hardly drive more then 10 minutes on the freeway in southern California where I am from and not see a big SUV like a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade and not see a Hawaiian sticker. Things with flowers designs, or turtles, dolphins. Ya see it started off with the sticker and then the car seat covers with hibiscus flowers everywhere and it just grew from there.

The Meaning and Symbolism Behind the Lotus Flower Tattoo
Lotus flowers are amazing and have strong symbolic ties to many Asian religions especially throughout India. The lotus flower starts as a small flower down at the bottom of a pond in the mud and muck. It slowly grows up towards the waters surface continually moving towards the light. Once it come to the surface of the water the lotus flower begins to blossom and turn into a beautiful flower.

Tattoos Of Movies A Good Idea? Things Like Star Wars Or Lord Of The Rings Tattoos?
have noticed recently that there are a few jobs being posted on the web for custom tattoo designs involving movies. In fact I saw one on my site a day or so ago for a custom star wars tattoo design. This was something that the person wanted to get done that would span across their calves. It was honestly a pretty cool plan for a design and might come out very artistically.

Tattoos Hit Prime Time Reality Television And Become Mainstream. The Struggle Begins!
There are two brand new reality Television series that will be coming out this summer that have already started a rumble within the tattoo industry.
You see for a long time there has been an on going struggle and a hotly contested battle between what I call tattoo traditionalists and the newer tattoo artists. This is really a reflection or similar to the age old power struggle that teenagers often go through as they try to form their own identity and separate themselves from their parents.

Swallow Tattoos, Nautical Stars, and Cherry Tattoos are Hot Ideas for Rockabilly Girls
I have noticed recently that there are tons of Rockabilly girls getting some great tattoo work done. They are getting themes like swallow tattoos, or nautical stars, and even cherries. These are all very classic and great looking tattoo designs. Many of them will work wonderful in combination with each other. For example a large chest piece tattoo design that incorporates two swallows on either side of a sacred heart with some nautical star tattoos to round out the design!
These work so well and

Sources for Free Tattoo Ideas and Tattoo Design Ideas
Have you been wanting to get a tattoo but don't have an exact idea or not sure what you want? Tattoos are so popular and there are so many ideas but many of us feel stuck at times on the exact tattoo we want to get. For me I often feel stuck when I think of how permanent a tattoo is. I see a lot of cool designs that I like at the time but when I start thinking about the having it permanently done I start to change my mind and look for something else.

Rap Tattoo: The Tattoos of Rap Artists and Rap Stars! This is a Huge Trend!
Rap tattoos or rap artist tattoos are very popular. This phenomena has lead to a strange mix of cultures. You everyone is into celebrities, movie stars, signers, and rappers. Even those of us like myself who like to say we are not sometimes get caught up in what is hot with different celebrities. Well rap artists have created a whole new type of celebrity. It is almost the anti hero of sorts. Rap artists often like to play the gangster become big time star role and in fact many of them have achieved this lifestyle.

Nautical Star Tattoos the History, Meaning and Symbolism: What a Strange Mix!
The history, meaning and symbolism of nautical star tattoos is a hotly debated topic. Today many different groups have adopted the Nautical star tattoo as a symbol for their own movement and they have all ascribed their own meaning and history to the symbol. Thus has lead to a wide disagreement as the the meaning of the tattoo.

Japanese Kanji Tattoos
Thinking about getting a Japanese Kanji Tattoo? These are definitely very popular items to get tattoo of. The beauty of the Japanese and Chinese calligraphic style of writing has a definite allure to many people. That coupled with the fact that the writing is foreign to most of us and therefore looks mysterious and magical. Therefore Japanese Kanji makes a great artistic item to get tattoos done of.

Japanese Kanji Tattoos
Thinking about getting a Japanese Kanji Tattoo? These are definitely very popular items to get tattoo of. The beauty of the Japanese and Chinese calligraphic style of writing has a definite allure to many people. That coupled with the fact that the writing is foreign to most of us and therefore looks mysterious and magical. Therefore Japanese Kanji makes a great artistic item to get tattoos done of.

Hot Koi Fish Tattoos, Design, and Ideas! A Revitilization of a Traditional Japanese Design
Koi fish tattoos are quickly growing in popularity. In fact many traditional Japanese tattoo designs are coming to life with new vivid tattoo ink colors. This is a rapidly growing movement very similar to the west coast tattoo style. The west coast tattoo style started with the idea of taking older classic tattoo themes like anchors, hearts and etc and adding a ton of bright, and beautiful inks to them. A few years back the west coast tattoo style was about the hottest thing in tattoos.

Hawaiian Arm Tattoo and Arm Band Tattoos - The New Tribal Tattoo
One of the biggest and hottest growing trends in the art of tattoo design is Hawaiian arm or leg band tattoos. As this trend goes a lot of people think to themselves, well of course. At least that is what I said to myself at first. You can hardly drive more then 10 minutes on the freeway in southern California where I am from and not see a big SUV like a Lincoln Navigator or a Cadillac Escalade and not see a Hawaiian sticker. Things with flowers designs, or turtles, dolphins. Ya see it started off with the sticker and then the car seat covers with hibiscus flowers everywhere and it just grew from there.

Don't Pay for a Tattoo that Millions of People Have - Get a Unique Custom Tattoo Design
Recently it was reported that tattoo related terms received more searches per month then most adult related keywords. This has spawned a huge growth of websites selling flash tattoo designs. You can go and visit these sites and for $10 or so find a tattoo design. You can then download this design and take it to your local tattoo parlor and get a new tattoo.

Dolphin Tattoos: What Is The Symbolism Behind Them
Dolphin tattoos are among some of the most popular tattoos currently being designed and inked. This article looks at some of the potential symbolism behind a dolphin tattoo and why they might be so popular. It then describes some tattoo ideas for getting a dolphin tattoo

Cute Tattoo Designs for Women and where to get the best ones.

The whole field of tattoos for women is growing at a tremendous rate. If you think back even 20 years ago tattoos for women were not all that popular and most of the women getting them were keeping them covered up. However times have definitely changed and tattoo designs have really advanced at a tremendous rate. Today's tattoo have more brilliant colors and are a far cry from your grandfathers Hawaiian girl tattoo on his forearm.