HISTORICAL CONTEXT AND RITES OF PASSAGE

For us as Americans, we have certain things we consider to be rites of passage. Whether it be going to the first day of school, senior prom, or many graduation ceremonies we have to endure it is just a part of our culture. In my research I've found that even if some of these things seem trivial or annoying as our rites of passage... just imagine getting a tattoo on your face or hands instead.

YEAH. TATTOO ON YOUR FACE.

The mummified image above is that of a woman from the pre-Inca Chiribaya found in Chile with a facial tattoo on her left cheek. I don't know about you but that's pretty hardcore for a woman, and would most certainly be a taboo in today's society.

The hand above is also that of a woman from the Chiribaya culture which lasted from AD 900-1350. I was surprised in my research to find that tattooing of the ancient times was almost EXCLUSIVELY bound to women. Male excavators used their preconceived notions to decide amongst themselves that the women they found with tattoos must be prostitutes. Later on, it was proven that not only where they wrong, but that most of the mummies found with tattoos on them were often royalty or in high status and that the markings probably were a symbol of fertility and health. Now if that isn't grisly enough for you, lets put it into context in pain level comparison to todays tattooing.

The Modern Tattoo Gun = Painful but the needs are relatively small so it isn't terrible. This is me getting tattooed last Spring. Not so bad right?

Now check this out.... Imagine getting tattooed with these ancient tattoo needles (HUGE!) . With a process pretty close to what is shown right below with someone repeatedly hammering the "needle" with ink into your skin several thousand times... it had to be rough.

HA! Check out these other methods, which are much closer to what ancient women would've had to go through for their body art. It HAD to be important to them because I sure don't have the cahones to go through with THIS. In context, it would be obvious that in ancient times women with tattoos would've been honored and respected with no question... just some food for thought before we get into the meat of what the "modern media" has to say about women with tattoos.

The craziest part about this historical context is that in MODERN American culture, face and hand tattoos are still considered very taboo and unprofessional. Some people even consider them to be crude or "unladylike". I have to say I'm down with the Chiribaya's!