Maud Wagner, one of the most iconic tattooed women in history
Although since 2012 in the United States tattooed women outnumbered men for the first time (23% compared to 19% men), it is still not uncommon for women to tattooed women face certain prejudices such as that they are less attractive or that they do not respect their body. Obviously, nothing could be further from the truth.
In this post we will see a brief history of female tattoo and how the tattoo has gone from being a symbol of the tradition to, in some cases, a symbol of empowerment and strength.
Illustrated women, a story as old as the world
A heavily tattooed couple displays their artwork (Source)
It is well known that tattoos are one of the older artistic expressions and that, until relatively recent times, have been related to tradition, magic, social status ... but perhaps it is not so well known who was the first tattooed woman. History refers us to a surprising date: the first archaeological find related to tattoos is a clay statuette covered with tattoos, called the Venus of Nubia, dated 4.000 BC. tattoos on women they were also frequent in other cultures of antiquity such as the Egyptian.
It is curious, indeed, to see that traditionally tattoos were typical of both women and men. In ancient times, women were tattooed to show their abilities or for magical or protective reasons. It is not up to your ban for centuries in Europe that tattoos started to get a bad name. Tattooed men were considered to be criminals, criminals or prisoners, and, in turn, tattooed women were considered to be "monstrous."
A symbol of economic independence
Some women, like Pam Nash, became real celebrities (Source)
It is believed that one of the first western tattooed women was Olive oatman. His story is, to say the least, exciting. After her family died at the hands of the Yavapais, a Mohave tribe adopted her and tattooed her, in 1858, with a traditional chin tattoo.
Although this is one of the first (and most striking) examples of tattooed Western women, the truth is that during the XNUMXth century things began to change and tattooed women began to see themselves with different eyes. In it United Kingdom, there was a fashion in which women tattooed themselves from butterflies to initials in places that could be easily covered. It is even said that Queen Victoria had a tattoo bengal tiger fighting with a python!
Illustrated blonde woman with proud smile (Source)
However, the true tree arrived with the circuses and variety shows, in which women began to be shown with their entire body tattooed. This allowed women to have economic and personal freedom. Some of them became real celebrities: Betty Broadbent, Maud Wagner, Pam Nash ...
The tattoo renaissance
Janis Joplin's example was vital to many women.
Little by little, and until the wonderful sixties, the world of tattoos left diversifying and opening. In the 60s, it was Janis Joplin the one that caused a large number of women to get tattooed. The singer, who was at the peak of her popularity at the time, had a flower tattooed on her wrist. This simple step became quite a symbol of freedom and transgression for the women.
Until now, the tattoo (and more specifically, tattooed women) has only expanded and normalize, as in the case of this Tattoo studio formed only by women. In the case of tattooed women, sometimes the tattoo takes an extra reading, not only to beautify, but to claim that the woman's body does not belong to the state, it does not belong to the church, it does not belong to her husband. It is yours, and no one else's. For this reason, it is not uncommon to find initiatives like the one promoted tattoo a crown as a symbol of self-love and strength.
Currently, more women are tattooed than men.
In short, tattoo history is exciting and very old, like the tattooed women. Although at first glance it seems that this phenomenon is something of two days ago, nothing could be further from the truth. And you, would you like us to continue telling about the history of tattoos? We wait for you in the comments 😉