Tattoos

As early as prehistoric man, (about 3,300 years BC) there lies proof of tattooing. Although it appears to be of a therapeutic reason to be there, the method existed that long ago. It only appears now, that tattoos be noticed more because it has become so mainstream in the last 75 years, or so. To tattoo was reserved for different cultures around the world to represent status, societal authority and sometimes even 'magical protection' during a battle. Through exploration of the world and mans need to migrate the earth the practice of tattoo was better made known throughout and so did method and reason for this body modification.
Tattoos have several methods of getting placed into the skin. From making combs out of bone and turtle shell and then tapping the ink mixture of choice in, to carving, as a wood carver would, the skin, and then pressing the ink into the cuts. Although these methods of body modification are selected to remote areas of the world and are far too painful for average man to withstand we have evolved the methods over time to better suit our need to modify and adorn our bodies. Body modification through method of tattoo has become machine and electricity assisted and as of recent, also through assistance of air.
Just as the methods have evolved in tattoos, so have the reasons. Art and artistic needs to express are not limited to a canvass material stretched and stapled to a wood frame, but, the human body also serves a canvass for expression. This can also be coined "body art". Culture does not limit the ability to modify the body any longer, nor does heritage. Reason and whim to do this body modification can completely vary, as well. Each piece that adorns the body can tell a personal story or can be placed there out of sheer love for a design. From a memorial piece for a loved one lost to an astrological sign, tattoos are a way to express your own individuality.
Finally, on the subject of tattoos and for sure the most important part, is the artist who will perform this procedure of body modification. This individual usually is born with artistic talent and spends much of their life perfecting to the best of their abilities through practice. It is not enough to posses the ability to draw or paint, you must also be able to apply this to skin. A moving and talking canvass that has their own ideals of how this individual piece of art should look and that is a pretty tall order in itself! Then, most important is the oath of health and safety each artist must always respect and execute.