History Of Tattoo In Latin America
Tattoos, a mysterious phenomena that engulfs the minds of men, not to mention their bodies, have a certain sense of auras and a powerful religious symbolism associated with them, that though some religions adhere to them, other religion oppose them decisively. Coming to the Latin American involvement of the concept of Tattoos, historians believe that the its history goes far back to that of 12th century where the Mayans who had the upper hand at the politics of the Latin American engraved themselves with tattoos and piercing as it symbolized higher power, bravery and courage. While this show of courage was greatly appreciated and flaunted, the tattoo saw its use on the other side!
Criminals were tattooed on their heads which were considered a mark of shame and warned others to stay from the, and if the person was caught again on any thieving activities, tradition says that he'd be tattooed again for his whole face from chin to the forehead! Tattoos acted then as the mark of the upper and the lower class, oxymoronic! Isn't it?
No serious efforts were taken to record these wild eyes fancies till 17th century where researchers started taking astonishing studies and researches on the concept of tattooing in Northern America. Tattoo was then a symbol that signified many different things -
-Transition from childhood to adulthood was marked by the pierce of the tattoo.
-Some of the powerful aristocrats went as far to personalize the spirits according to their own convenience commonly called as the spirits that had the power of guidance at afterlife! This too was marked by tattoos.
-Tattoos also served as badges to distinguish the ranks among the warriors, and the tattoo on the women increased her status among her class, as tattoo were held with special importance in those centuries.
-Tattoos also helped, they believed, in many therapeutic causes, which they reasoned helped them to ward of all the evil curses. They went so far as to imprint it on their foreheads.
The bleak effect produced by this art of tattooing was that, some tribes went so far to engrave their bodies with the tattoos of the Demons, Snakes, Scorpions, and many more filthy creatures. This enraged the western culture which marked it as the work of Satan, by piercing themselves with such hideous creatures, A missionary notes that, they were affected even to the point of subconscious mind that got those images even in their dreams.
Finally I'd be on the safe shore to say that, while the idea of tattooing was repulsive to the famed whites at its inception they got used to the concept of tattooing, and soon they acknowledged the noble art and started infusing it on their own culture, so tattoo became a popular culture or trend. It has nowadays become a fashion icon among the rising generation fuelled by the so called Emo music. Tattoo parlors are gaining business and momentum in South America which was had its roots in Latin America.
