20 Surprising & Fun Facts About Tattoos

In this article, we will explore some interesting facts about tattoos that you may not know. From the longest tattoo session on record to the most expensive tattoo in the world, these facts will give you a deeper understanding of the art and history of tattoos.

Tattooing is an art form that has been around for thousands of years. It involves using ink to permanently mark the skin. The process of getting a tattoo is usually done in a professional setting by trained professionals. 

Whether you like or dislike tattoos, you cannot deny their enthralling history. It was thought that tattoos were used as a healing item, just like acupuncture, but later on, they were transformed into art. In the Western world, when tattoos were introduced, they were mainly taken as a symbol of sailors, but in the 1970s, the tattoo world started gaining popularity. 

Tattoos have a rich history behind them, which can be more surprising for you. For example, do you know that only one American man was legally allowed to get Disney tattoos on his skin? Or the European missionaries tried to remove their tattoos from the skin by scrubbing them with sandstone. We have assembled more fun facts about tattoos that you might want to discover.

What Is a Tattoo?

Tattooing is an ancient art which has been around for a very long time. It involves using ink to permanently mark the skin. Different cultures have their own unique styles of tattooing, with some using traditional tools like needles made of bone or bamboo, while others use modern equipment.

Tattoos can be used for various purposes such as expressing oneself, telling a story, or as a form of spiritual or cultural expression. The history of tattooing is rich and fascinating, dating back to ancient civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans.

Today, tattoos have become a popular form of self-expression and can be found in people from all walks of life. With the advancements in technology, there are also more options for safe and hygienic tattooing practices.

Astonishing Facts About Tattoos

• Do you know when the oldest tattoo was discovered? It was found on the skin of the human body, Ötzi – the Iceman, who lived sometime between 3350 and 3105 BC. His body had almost 61 tattoos containing simple dotted lines and was found in the Alps.
• Tattoo is a Latin word which means stigma. According to a survey conducted in 2012 in the U.S., women have tattooed their bodies more than men.
• The very first electric tattoo machine was invented in 1891 by Samuel O’Reilly. The idea of a tattoo gun originated from Edison’s electric pen when Samuel added an ink reservoir and needles.
• In the past, it was thought that some tattoos had their hidden meanings, too, such as the dragon indicating that the particular sailor served in China or a turtle meaning that the person had crossed the equator.
• Another surprising fact about tattoos is that America has almost 20,000 tattoo parlours, which is increasing every year.
• The oldest recorded recipes of tattoo ink contain vinegar, leek juice, bronze, Egyptian pine bark and insect eggs.
• In 1936, when social security cards were allotted, people started to tattoo their numbers on their arms.
• Gregory Paul McLaren won the Guinness book world Record for covering his all body with tattoos. Even he had tattoos on his foreskin, mouth, and ears.
• The popular spots for tattoos are; the lower back, arm, chest, foot, ankle, breast, back-piece, neck and wrist.
• A tattoo machine comprises a needle, a tube with ink, an electric motor and a foot pedal.
• Americans are spending almost 1.65 billion annually on tattoos.
• Johnny Depp once said that “I see my body as my journal and the tattoos on it as the stories that I want to tell.” This quote highlights how tattoos can be used as a way to document one’s life experiences and personal journey. For him, his tattoos are not just art but also have a deeper personal meaning.
• To remove a tattoo through laser, primarily black is used because of its more absorbing nature than green or yellow.
• Scott Campbell, known as the world’s wealthiest tattoo artist, charges a high rate of $1000 for the first hour of work and only takes clients during the weekends.
• Do you know that even now, tattooing is considered illegal in three countries; Turkey, UAE and Iran?
• The most common body area where men get tattoos is their arm, while women have it on their ankles.
• New Zealand is the country which has the most tattooed people in the whole world.
• It is even considered to be unethical to copy someone else tattoo in the body art world. Some artists don’t even duplicate a mummy’s tattoo because they think it belongs to those who wore it.
• In the last three centuries, tattoos were common in Russian and English Royalties because they were so expensive for an ordinary man.
• It is said that the Greeks learned the art of tattooing from the Persians; they used this technique for marking up their slaves and criminals so that they could be easily identified.

The Bottom Line

Tattoos have been around for centuries and have been used as a way for people to express themselves and show off their artistic abilities. The practice of tattooing has changed over time and across cultures, but it remains popular today. Some interesting facts about tattoos include that the longest tattoo session on record lasted for 56 hours and 30 minutes and that 23% of people regret getting a tattoo.

Additionally, tattoos can be expensive, with the most expensive tattoo in the world costing $924,000. However, it is worth noting that unsanitary tattooing practices can transmit diseases such as syphilis, hepatitis B and HIV.

It’s always better to do your own research and make an informed decision before getting a tattoo, as it’s a permanent mark and should be something that you love and want on your body. Also, always choose a reputable tattoo artist and make sure they follow proper hygiene practices.

If you have any other questions, or doubts or do you know any other interesting, random or astonishing facts about tattoos, then feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments section below! We will reply as soon as possible. And please visit our Telegram, Twitter, Pinterest And Facebook page for more Fun Facts.

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