As for the origin of tattoos, there are still different opinions among academic circles. It can be said that the reasons for the ancient tattoos of each nation are different, and within the same nation, each tribe is also different. Looking at the historical conditions and origins of the tattoo customs of some ethnic groups in the world, in summary, there are generally the following reasons:
1. Totem says:
Tattoos exist as symbols with cultural functions, originally representing national totem marks. In early times, people believed that they originated from some kind of animal, plant or other object. They believe that certain animals, plants or other objects that accompany them have special kinship, and regard them as ancestors, new tribes or protective gods. They often tattoo the totem images they worship on their bodies as permanent symbols. From the perspective of other nations, the totems worshiped between nations are often the same. Over time, totem worship becomes the symbol of the nation. The people of the kangaroo tribe of the Bonikea tribe in southern Australia regard the kangaroo as their totem, and it later became the symbol of the nation.
2. Religious beliefs:
Due to the low productivity and lack of scientific knowledge in primitive society, when people faced the unpredictable world and many natural phenomena, such as the sun, moon, stars, lightning, thunder, etc., they felt that nature was mysterious and terrifying. And because they cannot correctly understand their own body structure and physiological phenomena, and cannot explain dreams and death, they believe in the soul, "which also gave rise to the concept of the immortal soul"⑤. Primitive people used the concept of animism to explain all natural phenomena, which is also the ideological basis for the origin of tattoos. They want to pray for blessings from gods and seek good fortune and peace through tattoos; or they want to avoid the harm of demons and ghosts through tattoos. This concept is more common among the indigenous peoples of Sudan in Africa.
3. Coming of Age Ceremony:
Cultural anthropologists have never denied that tattoos are related to coming-of-age ceremonies. In fact, in many ethnic groups and tribes, coming-of-age ceremonies are also tattoo ceremonies. That is, when teenagers reach a certain age, they must hold a grand "coming-of-age ceremony" ceremony and have their bodies painted. Tattoo patterns serve as markers of entry into adulthood. In Polynesia, young men and women without tattoos are not considered adults and cannot get married. Tattooing as a rite of passage is equally popular in Africa and Australia.
4. Sexual attraction theory:
Researchers who hold this view are based on the theory of rites of passage. Moreover, holding a coming-of-age ceremony proves that they are mature and can choose and mature the opposite sex to ensure the subsequent marriage-sexual relationship. Some researchers believe that tattoos were originally beautification decorations made by humans in order to win the love of the opposite sex. Because tattoos can make the body sexier and attract more responses from the opposite sex.
5. Beautiful decoration says:
Tattoo is regarded by some ethnic groups as a beautiful decoration of the human body and a special art form of the human body. It specifically expresses the aesthetic consciousness of some ethnic groups. Grosse said: "The main purpose of body painting among primitive peoples is for beauty".
6. War Signs says:
During the period of primitive peoples, hunting and war were the most important activities. In order to facilitate the identification of people of their own tribe in melee, each tribe has its own permanent mark-tattoo. It also serves as a symbol of bravery. For example, the Polynesians established a system of merit in order to have tattoos all over their bodies.
7. Status level theory:
After entering class society, tattoos were used to mark dignity and class status. In the Marquesas Islands, only nobles can have tattoos on their heads, fingers, toes, and all over their bodies. Among the various ethnic groups of the Gaoshan people in Taiwan, there are very detailed regulations on the rights of civilians and nobles in tattoos, such as age, pattern, location, color, etc.
8. Function theory:
In the early days, tattoos had a strong functional purpose. For example, the Onge people painted their bodies for practical purposes such as preventing mosquito bites. Later, seeking blessings and avoiding disasters and totem worship also developed from this theory.
In addition, there are researchers who hold the witchcraft theory, ancestor identity theory, imitation theory, etc. There is no doubt that these explanations of the origin of tattoos can explain certain aspects of the problem, but tattoos are a complex cultural and artistic phenomenon that has gone through a long history of mankind. It is impossible to fully explain it by simply using a certain explanation. Originated.