Roman Soldiers’ Tattoo History

Posted on October 13, 2009
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For almost two centuries the researches from every corner of the globe have been unsuccessfully trying to explain the motives of sailors and military men for tattooing, but the fact is evident – the tradition goes back to the ancient times. At those times nations and ethnos of various social and national background were aware of identification or distinguishing tattoos and made extensive use of them.

In Ancient Greece and Rome tattooing was connected with barbarian raids. The technology itself was borrowed by Greeks from Persians for labeling thieves and outlaws. It was further borrowed by Romans, who, in their turn, used tattooing for army purposes in order that deserters might be easily identified.

So, in Ancient Rome the tattooing of people became not a mere tradition but a principle of law. Roman soldiers were tattooed – either compulsory or voluntary - according to their duties. For instance, the instructions of West Roman Honorius (384-423 AD) and East Roman Arcady (377-408 AD) told that the armorers of Roman legions were to be forcibly tattooed with special signs.

Each Roman soldiers’ tattoo corresponded to a certain legion’s logo and were done on the soldiers’ arms. The technology was as follows: at first the skin was greased with leek sap as antiseptic, and then ink was tattooed with the help of sharp tools. The ink was composed of pine crust, bronze powder, vitriol and little quantity of leek.

Not only did the Romans tattoo their legions, but also criminals and slaves were tattooed. In this case the word “tattoo” is synonymic to “the brand of disgrace and shame.”

With the introduction of Christianity in Roman Empire tattoo art began to decline. In 325 AD Emperor Konstantin issued a decree never to tattoo faces, but arms and legs, as he thought that the face that was given by God must not be dirtied. In 787 AD Pope Hadrian forbade any other types of tattooed, and all the future Popes fallowed his example. That’s why tattoo art was in fact unknown to the Christian world up to the 19th century.

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Tattoo Blowout

Posted on October 11, 2009
Filed Under Tattoo Care | 1 Comment

Alongside with all the advantages and all temptations tattoos offer, one should remember that tattooing is a painful procedure that can have unpredictable aftereffects. One of them is a “blur” effect called also tattoo blowout.

A great many of people now complain about the ink that has bled into the skin near the tattoo and caused a halo-like effect, or smoky effect around large black areas. This imight not be tattoo blowout as we all know that when the ink is healing, the body absorbs and flushes out the medium that’s why small ink particles may float around the tattoo.

Blowout is another thing. Sometimes the needle goes too deeply into the skin and the ink can spread by capillaries into neighboring tissue causing a blurry halo around the main lines. It happens usually by a too heavy-handed tattoo artist, or if the machine lets needles go into the skin slanted. Some body parts with especially gentle skin and fatty areas are more vulnerable to tattoo blow-out.

People say that all you need is an experienced tattoo artist with a good hand and quality inks and it won’t happen. And that providing excellent aftercare, your tattoos will hold up well over time. But still it happens and one should take measures.

It’s vital to say that tattoo blowout does not fade out itself. You should talk to a tattooist to find out the solution for your tattoo problem. They usually offer to redo the lines with minor changes in them to improve the overall image. Your tattoo artist can fix those problematic lines even free of charge.

After healing you should to your best to tale care of your tattoo, for the end result will depend on you. You should try to keep the skin safe from moving, pulling or stretching, especially during the first seven days. And don’t forget about proper cleaning and lotion.

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Is Sailing Anchor Tattoo the Notion of the Past?

Posted on October 6, 2009
Filed Under Curious Tattoo Facts, Tattoo Meanings | Leave a Comment

Is Sailing Anchor Tattoo the Notion of the Past?
Sailing Anchor tattoo are typical of people of a certain profession - of people who pursue marine or navy career.

Yes, it was sailors who revived tattoo art in the West as they were the first to visit Polynesian Islands in the Pacific Ocean and the countries of the South-eastern Asia. As early as in 1786 Captain Cook during his research work on Tahiti, in the Hawaii and New Zealand did sketches of the native people tattoos. The very word tattoo came is derived from a Tahitian word “tat-tow,” which imitated the natives making a tattoo with traditional tools.

Life was very severe at the sea, and only the strongest survived. Dependent constantly on weather and the mood of the sea, the sailors were very superstitious and believed that a tattoo will protect from being thrown overboard, from the shark and from a shipwreck.

Sailors actually did not regard themselves as representatives of “tattoo culture,” tattoos were just an inseparable part of their existence. Every tattoo was meaningful: when having crossed the equator, one tattoo design was appropriate, when visiting the East – the other.

Is Sailing Anchor Tattoo the Notion of the Past?

Sailors liked having a tall ship tattoo on their breasts or cannon on arms and backs. Many of them had prayers and religious texts tattooed, though leading a wild life. It was to remind them about piety and also to minimize heavy bodily punishment. Very popular among sea tattoos were those of mermaids, hearts and names of the beloved, sailing anchors, swallows, which all constituted the entire direction in tattoo art of the 19th-20th centuries. Now it is referred to old school or traditional tattoos.

Sailing anchor tattoo is a classic old school tattoo design. It has been one of the most widespread tattoos in the west for the last two centuries. Its symbolism and meanings have been known since ancient times. Anchor is a symbol that helps not to lose the way, to withstand winds and streams and to stay yourself in any situation.

Anchor tattoos were often made by sailors after having crossed the Atlantic. Synonymic sea tattoos are tall ship and mermaid tattoos and other navigation symbols.

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Roaring Lion Tattoo

Posted on October 5, 2009
Filed Under Before You Decide, Tattoo Meanings | 1 Comment

The Lion is the “King of beasts,” its roars are certainly loud can be heard from many miles. A roaring lion tattoo designs are extremely popular among animal tattoos and are very impressive to look at. The Lion is considered to symbolize intellect, nobility, generosity, valor, justice, pride, triumph, watchfulness and courage.

The Lion has a deep symbolism and is found in all the cultures. In the African and Asian folklore the Lion is a symbol of supreme divine power, strength and authority; the sun and fire. African people perceive image of a Lion as an embodiment of the supernatural spirit of dead ancestor who is now the patron or the totem. It is both Creator and Destructor.

Chinese Lion is one of the four animals that personify the idea of power. Ancient Greeks ascribed strength to the Lion as the first and foremost its quality: Heracles was called as strong as a lion.

In Christianity the Lion is an emblem of Jesus Christ and many saints for instance Mark, Geronimo, Ignatius, Adrian and other. In Buddhism the Lion stands for such personal traits as courage, nobility and permanency. It is believed to bring good luck.

A very special meaning has the image of the Lioness: it symbolizes maternity being attribute of many goddesses of maternity and at the same time it embodies voluptuousness.

You can often come across the image of lion in heraldry and emblems of a considerable number of peoples. In heraldry the Lion symbolizes firmness, strength of mind, calmness and wisdom. In the folk medicine and witchcraft the Lion is a symbol of good health and spirit of life.

There are various representations of the Lion in tattoo art. Some people choose to get lion tribal tattoos whereas others prefer the beast to be depicted in its natural habitat.

The pose of a Lion adds much to the meaning of your tattoo. A quiet Lion suggests confidence, calm force. A roaring Lion discloses your desire to execute power over what is happening in your life. The Lion in a battle shows your readiness to fight for that you believe in. The Lion coupled with a calmer animal, for instance a lamb, means your longing for peace.

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