Tattoo first into English Language

In 1977, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the word tattoo entered the English language.  “Tattoo” referred to tattooed pictures on the skin and at that time was placed in the dictionary.  Even though it’s meaning is still not clear we can follow it to a probable origin.

Tatau

It is recognized from the documents of Captain John Cook, whose expedition took place in the records in 1769.  Captain Cook went to the South Pacific and there the Tahitian word “Tatau”, which meant to “mark” was heard.  The factual word “tattoo” did exist before Cook about 150 years earlier.  This earliest meaning of the word meant “a quick rhythmic tapping” and Cook and his work party, as well as militaristic personnel, used this when they were referring to the call sounded before playing Taps.

Tapping Sounds

This happenstance arose from the information that came from the noise made by tattooing in Tahiti was in actuality a quick tapping sound as the collection of needles, which looked like small rakes, were striking to drive the liquid below the surface of the skin.  Even though Tahitians named it “tatau” and Cook wrote “tattaw, it may be that he and his personnel finally substituted a closely matched word from their own culture”. Since the time period of earliest exploration sea voyages, the art of tattooing in Polynesia has transfixed people in the West.

Tattoo Movement

Several of the island peoples of the South Pacific practiced the precise art of tattooing.  Both anthropological and archaeological research show that early movements of Southeast Asia (starting around 30,000 years ago) spread into the South Pacific region and whose people likely carried-over the branch of knowledge, symbolical and custom collection of tattooing with them.  The earliest evidence, which is noted above, show the artifacts in Polynesia included both the tattoo tools as well as decorated humane figurines.  These date back to 1000 B.C.E.

Presently even in Samoa where the practices have managed to proceed unbroken by the incursion of European culture, the grand knee to waist tattoo of the men is still done in a conventional fashion.  Also using the same conventional tools by hitting the posterior of a serrated tool to impel the liquid filled needles below the skin.  Full of beauty, sociable and religious ritualistic significance and the outer sign of adulthood the action remains a painful one.

Dayak Rosette

Borneo, which is located in the South Pacific, is known for the Dayak Rosette tattoo which is normally done at the front-most part of the shoulder joint.  Some tattoos among the Dayak have been coupled with headhunting and various matters of religious importance.

Maori

A cutting of the skin which is achieved using precise chisels before using the ink is quite celebrated in New Zealand.  This type of tattooing is called Maori.  Of course it is a extremely lengthy and agonizing process and is also remarkable as it is located mainly on the human face.  This is done most particularly on men.  This highly detailed, symmetrical and sometimes full attentions on the face composed of spirals, curved lines and other patterns, with great meaning integrated in the Moko.  Many of the meanings mean a mark of high status, a sign of accomplishment, and a signal of tribal membership and standing.