Tattoo Origin: Where Did Tattoos Come From? 

History reveals the origin of tattoos as an evolution that began etching marks on man around the same time man began etching his mark in history.

Humans have been tattooing for ritual and cosmetic purposes since at least the Neolithic era. During the Middle Ages in Jerusalem, Christian pilgrims were tattooed symbolizing the "stigmata of the Lord Jesus." The Renaissance era evoked tattooing of astrological signs displayed magical powers. And in the Western world, tattooing served as a sign of shame, a brand of criminal behavior.

The act of branding is also linked to tattooing slaves and prisoners of war in ancient Greece and also in the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Tattoos have also been used for centuries to reflect changes in life status, whether the passage into adulthood or induction into a group such as military or a gang.

In recent years, tattoo and body art has become overwhelmingly popular as a fashion accessory. Celebrity basketball players, musicians/bands, and screen stars fuel this tattoo fashion trend. According to a published report by the Food and Drug Administration as many as 45 million Americans have tattoos. This number results from a a Harris Interactive Poll in 2003 outlining 16 percent of all adults and 36 percent of people ages 25 to 29 had one or more tattoos. This poll also discovered 17 percent of these tattooed Americans regretted having tattoos and have considered tattoo removal.