Indigenous Australia (Oceania)

In Indigenous Australian cultures, permanent body marking—including scarification and body painting—has been used for millennia. While ink-based tattooing was less common than other forms of body modification, there is growing archaeological and cultural evidence suggesting certain groups practiced incision-based markings that held spiritual and ceremonial meaning. These markings often denoted social status, kinship ties, or rites of passage. Respect for ancestral knowledge and the Dreaming is foundational to understanding the context of these traditions, and they are considered sacred by many Indigenous communities today.

Polynesia and the Pacific Islands (Oceania)

Tattooing is deeply rooted in the cultures of Polynesia, Micronesia, and Melanesia. The word “tattoo” itself derives from the Polynesian word tatau. In Samoa, Tonga, Hawaii, and the Marquesas, tattoos have been integral to identity, spirituality, and social hierarchy. The Samoan Pe‘a (for men) and Malu (for women) are complex tattoo systems signifying maturity, service, and status. Marquesan tattooing, known for its intricate geometric designs, inspired Western fascination in the 18th century.

In these regions, tattooing was (and still is) a sacred rite, performed by specialist tattooists using tools made from bone, turtle shell, and natural pigments. The tradition was disrupted during colonisation and Christian missionary efforts but has since undergone a powerful cultural revival.

Japan (Asia)

Japan’s tattoo tradition—irezumi—has a dual legacy of beauty and marginalisation. Tattooing in Japan dates back at least to 10,000 BCE, with early decorative markings found on clay figurines. By the Edo period (1603–1868), tattooing became a sophisticated art form, with full-body designs inspired by folklore, woodblock prints, and warrior legends.

Yet tattoos in Japan also became associated with criminality, particularly with the yakuza. As a result, social stigma persists to this day. Despite this, modern Japanese tattoo artists remain globally respected for their technical skill, aesthetic mastery, and reverence for traditional methods, including hand-poked techniques (tebori).

China (Asia)

In ancient China, tattoos were historically viewed with suspicion and were often associated with criminals, prisoners, or outsiders. The philosopher Confucius condemned body modification, believing the body should remain as one received it from one’s parents.

Yet, in China’s diverse ethnic minority groups—such as the Dulong and Li peoples—tattooing held unique cultural meaning. Dulong women, for example, received facial tattoos as a rite of passage and protection against slavery.

India and South Asia (Asia)

While permanent tattooing has ancient roots in South Asia, it has often been overshadowed by the more dominant tradition of mehndi (henna). However, tribal groups across India—such as the Baiga, Bhil, and Santhal—have long used permanent tattoos (godna) as markers of age, tribe, and spirituality.

These designs often carried symbolic meanings related to fertility, protection, or religious devotion. In many regions, tattoos were also seen as a kind of spiritual armour, remaining with the soul in the afterlife.

Thailand and Southeast Asia (Asia)

In Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, spiritual tattoos—known as sak yant—combine ancient Khmer script, geometric patterns, and sacred animals. Monks or spiritual masters (often Buddhist or animist) apply them using long metal rods, blessing the recipient with protection, strength, or fortune.

These tattoos are often part of religious rituals and may require the wearer to follow strict moral codes or spiritual rules. Despite modern adaptations, sak yant remains a deeply respected tradition, drawing both locals and global pilgrims.

Ancient Egypt (Africa)

Tattooing in Ancient Egypt dates back at least to 2000 BCE, primarily among women. Mummies of priestesses and dancers have been found with tattoos arranged in patterns believed to offer protection, fertility, or divine favour.

Unlike many cultures where tattoos marked criminals or warriors, Egyptian tattoos had strong spiritual associations, particularly with female roles in ritual and healing. Pigments were typically made from soot or ash and applied using needles or sharpened tools.

Sub-Saharan Africa

Tattooing and scarification have played major roles in many Sub-Saharan African cultures. In Ethiopia, the Oromo and other groups used facial tattoos for beauty, status, and tribal identity. In West Africa, body markings often denoted lineage, social rank, or adulthood.

Though colonisation and missionary activity suppressed many of these practices, they remain important cultural identifiers and are being revived in some communities alongside broader efforts to reclaim Indigenous identity.

Europe: Ancient to Modern

In ancient Europe, the Celts, Picts, and Scythians are believed to have practiced tattooing. Greek historians wrote of tattooed “barbarians,” and archaeological finds in Siberia suggest elaborate body art among Eurasian nomads as early as 500 BCE. Roman soldiers and slaves were also tattooed for identification.

During the Middle Ages, Christian doctrine largely opposed tattooing. However, by the 18th and 19th centuries, tattoos resurfaced in Europe as part of naval and explorer culture, spreading quickly among soldiers and adventurers. By the Victorian era, even aristocracy adopted tattoos as exotic fashion statements.

Today, Europe is home to some of the world’s most innovative tattoo styles and studios, blending traditional techniques with avant-garde aesthetics.

Indigenous Peoples of the Americas (North and South America)

Tattooing was practiced by many Indigenous cultures across the Americas long before European contact. In North America, the Inuit used hand-poked tattoos for rites of passage and spiritual beliefs, particularly among women. Plains tribes, such as the Sioux and Cree, marked achievements in battle or status through tattoos.

In South America, Amazonian tribes like the Kayapo and Shipibo-Conibo used tattoos as both ornamental and ceremonial tools, often tied to cosmology, protection, and identity. Pigments were usually plant-based, and application tools were made from thorns or sharpened bones.

United States and Western Revival

In the United States, tattooing gained popularity through sailors and military personnel in the 19th century. The invention of the electric tattoo machine in 1891 by Samuel O’Reilly revolutionised accessibility and artistry.

Throughout the 20th century, tattooing shifted from carnival sideshows and outlaw culture to a legitimate art form. The 1970s and 80s punk and biker subcultures played a major role in popularising tattoos, leading to a full-blown cultural renaissance in the 1990s and beyond.

Today, the U.S. is one of the world’s most tattooed nations, home to a thriving industry of artists, studios, conventions, and media. American traditional, black and grey realism, and neo-traditional styles have all emerged as internationally influential genres.

This guide honours the depth and diversity of global tattoo traditions. Where specific practices are sacred or restricted, we urge respectful interest and recognition of cultural sovereignty.