Tattoos are increasingly fashionable, and more and more people are fascinated by them to the point of deciding to get at least one during their lifetime.
The world of tattoos is very interesting, as is discovering the various styles that are popular, the favorite subjects, and the trends.
However, there are some very interesting facts that not everyone knows: we are here to talk about just that! Here are 10 little-known facts about tattoos.
Everything you want to know about tattoos
The first interesting fact concerns the word tattoo itself. Do you know where it comes from? From the Polynesian word tattaw, which means to decorate. The term was coined by James Cook in 1771. Returning from a long voyage in the South Seas, he coined the term “tattoo,” which comes from a Polynesian word that, in turn, recalls the sound of the sticks used to engrave the skin.
The second interesting fact involves some statistics. Do you know how many people have a tattoo? According to the European Society of Dermatology and Venereology, at least 15% of adults and 30% of teenagers have at least one tattoo. These are the figures for Europe, while in the United States the percentages are higher, as it has been established that at least 4 out of 10 adults have one or more tattoos. At this point, one wonders whether more women or men get tattoos. In recent years, the trend has been in favor of women.
However, we are sure that not everyone is aware of this interesting fact. In 2005, the fashion for ‘promotional tattoos’ was born. Specifically, that year, a woman agreed to have a casino’s phone number tattooed on her forehead so that she could pay for her daughter’s studies. The news spread around the world and is still remembered today.
Furthermore, not everyone knows that, in the United States, between 1967 and 1991, there was a law prohibiting tattoos but, of course, it was rarely enforced.
Many heads of state have tattoos. Some examples? Winston Churchill had an anchor tattooed on his arm, but he was not alone!
Another interesting fact concerns the most tattooed man in the world. His name is Lucky Diamond Rich and he is Australian. Over the course of his life, he has covered his entire body with tattoos. At this point, we must also ask ourselves who was the first tattooed man. In this case, the answer brings to mind the mummy Oetzi, who was tattooed and found in 1991. In short, tattooing has extremely ancient roots!
A recent study has found that some of the inks used for tattoos may be toxic, which is why it is important to remember to always choose a reputable professional to carry out this type of work, as your health is at stake.
The last interesting fact concerns antiquity. Many paintings from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance already depicted men and women with tattoos, which means that even at that time, their ornamental function was recognized!
