The Thousand-Year Journey of Tattoo: Tattoo Art from Past to Present

The origin of tattooing, which is seen as a hobby today, dates back to 7000 years ago in the history of humanity. When people began to communicate through signs and symbols, over time these symbols became important tools that could reflect a person's identity and status in society. Tattoos have become an art form that emerged by using the body as a canvas and has been adding meaning to people's lives for thousands of years.

Traces of tattoo art can also be found in ancient beliefs such as Shamanism, Paganism and Buddhism. Tattoos have served not only as a tool to reflect concrete and abstract meanings, but also to represent a person's beliefs and social status.

The tradition of tattooing is very deep-rooted in ancient Turkish culture. Pigdograms and various motifs have been documented by wandering explorers and scientists throughout history. Tattooing continued as an old tradition in Turkish culture and has become fashionable among young people today.

In research conducted in Bozhöyük, it was observed that the tattoos contained shapes similar to runic writings. These body marks are similar to the marks that Turkmen tribes made on their animals and form a part of the cultural richness in the region.

The history of the tattoo dates back to a historical event where the ice man found on the Austrian-Italian border was tattooed. Traces of tattoos have been found from ancient times to the present day, and they have had different meanings in different cultures. For example, tattoos that served to identify criminals and slaves in Rome became popular among sailors in 19th-century England.

In Southeastern Anatolia, the tattoo tradition manifests itself with marks made on the hands, nose, chin and cheekbones, especially in men, while in women it extends from the hands to the arms, feet and facial areas.

In Bozhöyük, the places where tattoos are made and the way they are made vary depending on gender. It has been stated that the tattoo is made at certain stages of the person's life and especially at the beginning of the spring season.

The meanings of tattoo motifs are generally based on features that determine religious, magical, mythological, social and sexual status. The body markings examined in Bozhöyük vary according to the distribution area of the tribes and reflect the cultural diversity of the geography.

The tradition of tattooing was kept alive in Bozhöyük, despite the basic sources of religion, and was carried out in particular by complying with certain religious and magical rules. However, today this tradition is in danger of being forgotten.

In conclusion, we can say that tattoos are a powerful form of expression used throughout history to decorate people's bodies and add meaning. Tattoo art, which has evolved in different cultures from past to present, continues to coexist with aesthetic, religious and social meanings today.

Tattoo art, which has evolved over the centuries, has a broader perspective today, despite the traditional practices in Bozhöyük. Modern tattoo artists create unique designs that incorporate personal meanings and aesthetic preferences in addition to traditional motifs.

Today, tattooing has become a social phenomenon as well as an art form that reflects the personal expression of the individual. The evolution of art has contributed to tattoos becoming a tool of originality and creativity, rather than simply determining the status of the individual. With tattoo studios, professional artists and hygiene standards, tattoo art has become an industry that offers a safe and aesthetic experience.

Research conducted at Bozhöyük shows that tattoos contain not only traditional meanings from the past, but also modern elements that allow individuals to express their world today. Motifs similar to the stamps of traditional Turkmen tribes still carry valuable meanings today and remain popular among younger generations.

Although the purpose of tattooing continues with the unchanging rituals in Bozhöyük, this tradition has a wider range of meaning today. Individuals who get tattoos express not only traditional beliefs, but also their own inner world, memories and life philosophies with designs specific to them.

Getting a tattoo provides a connection between cultures in different corners of the world, starting from Bozhöyük. Different motifs, symbols and meanings have become one of the ways people share their cultural identities and personal stories.

As a result, tattoo art has evolved from past to present, becoming a powerful tool for individuals to express themselves and connect. This tradition, which started in Bozhöyük, continues to provide a platform to highlight the uniqueness and cultural diversity of individuals in the modern world.