Customizing the Body (PDF file) - Print My Tattoo

14 Introduction
crucifix or other religious images to insure a Christian burial
should they die in a foreign land. Until the eighteenth century
this form of religious tattooing was the only significant practice
responsible for retaining tattooing within western culture. Tattooists
in Jerusalem did a lively business among pilgrims who received
religious images commemorating their journey and
indicating their devotion to God. This practice continues to this
day (see Govenar 11983]).
The modern history of westernlEuropean tattooing begins with
the exploratory voyages of Captain James Cook and his encounters
with tribal tattooing in the South Pacific. In July of 1769
Cook noted in the ship's journal:
Men and women [of Tahiti) paint their bodies. In their
language. this is known as ta-tu. They inject a black colour
under their skin. leaving a permanent trace.... Some have
ill-designed figures of men. birds or dogs; the women generally
have the figure Z simply on every joint of their fingers or toes.
The men have it likewise and both have other figures such as
circles. crescents. etc. which they have on their arms and legs.
In short. they are so various in the application of these figures
that both the quantity and situation of them seem to depend
entirely upon the humour of each individual. Yet all agree in
having all their buttocks covered with a deep black. over this
most have arches drawn one over another as high as their
short ribs which are near a quarter of an inch broad. These
arches seem to be their great pride as both men and women
show them with great pleasure (quoted in Thevoz. 1984:
39-40; Oettermann. 1985: 23).
Prior to this encounter with tattooing. the practice was called
"pricking" in the west. Cook introduced the Tahitian word "ta-tu"
meaning "to strike" or "to mark" and soon "tattoo" became the
common term.
Officers and sailors of the Endeavor received tattoos from Tahitian
artisans to commemorate their adventures and. on his second
voyage to the Pacific. Captain Cook returned to England with