The natives of Borneo tattooed an eye Hawaiians tattooed their tongues with three dots as a sign of mourning. In many tribes, tattoos were adopted as an important part of their tradition and culture and some continue even today. The word tattoo has originated from the ‘tatau’ in Tahiti, which means to make marks on the body. Eventually, it began to flourish in different parts of the world and became an important part of various cultures.
The Cross of Jerusalem was sported as a Christian identification mark. During the Crusades, the art evolved with a more serious meaning. However, gradually with time they too repealed the ban and began sporting special body marks. The art was only restricted to criminals and the condemned.
At first Romans did not appreciate the idea of painting abstract designs on the human body. Similar body art was also found on the bodies of Egyptian mummies. The emergence of various civilizations witnessed tattoos taking on a new role and meaning. A research on the earliest records of abstract tattoos has revealed that they may have been used as a part of some primitive medical treatment.This popular trend of body marking dates back to more than 5000 years. Abstract tattoos have a rich cultural history.