Get a tattoo for National Tattoo Day
ORLANDO, Florida. – Celebrate your creative expression on National Tattoo Day, which falls annually on July 17th.
We can love and appreciate works of art any day, but this national holiday is meant to recognize the history and culture of this ancient art form.
According to the Smithsonian Institution, the first known tattoo is by Ötzi, who was “a European Tyrolean iceman who died and was buried under an Alpine glacier on the Austrian-Italian border around 3250 BC.”
Ötzi had 61 tattoos on his body, including his wrist, shins, lower back and torso.
According to the National Park Service, the word “tattoo” itself comes from the Samoan word “tatau”, which comes from the tapping sounds of an instrument made during a tattoo.
A primitive tool made of bone or boar skin, which was sharpened in the shape of a comb, was attached to a small piece of tortoise shell connected to a wooden handle.
The ink in tatau rituals is made from candle walnut or llama walnut. These nuts were placed on a hot fire to smolder, and a coconut shell was placed on top to collect the soot formed from the nuts. The soot was then mixed with sugar water.
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Here is a photo of my space kraken that I took a few years ago by the talented Steve Roberts at The East Tattoo in Orlando.
A space kraken made by Orlando tattoo artist Steve Roberts. (Copyright 2023 WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)
Tattoos have been around for a long time, and some people may still associate them with the military. Veterans of foreign wars even have a web page dedicated to the history of military tattoos.
During the American Revolution, sailors’ American citizenship papers were often ignored by the ships of the British Navy. Sailors began tattooing their identification to avoid being illegally recruited by the British Navy.
The rest, as they say, is history.
So, how do you celebrate this “permanent” day that only happens once a year? As you wish.
There are many talented tattooists in Central Florida. Do your research, look at their portfolio, and discuss your idea. If your idea doesn’t fit the style they specialize in, they can refer you to someone who specializes in that area of work.
However, good artists can book places months in advance. So, if you have an idea, you might have to wait until their books are open for meetings, but it’s worth waiting for something serious.
Don’t forget to use #NationalTattooDay on social media to share your ideas, show off your tattoos, or just thank your artist.
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Copyright 2023 WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
