In traditional societies tattooing may have been very common, but it was ceremonial rather than purely decorative. You had to earn your tattoos, for the most part, and you were restricted in terms of choice of tattoo designs.
Then, in western society, tattooing briefly became popular among the upper classes in the seventeenth century. Both men and women got tattoos, but it was an expensive process few could afford. And when the invention of the tattoo gun made it affordable it became less socially acceptable.
For a time only sailors and those who had a criminal or gang-related past had tattoos. Up until a few decades ago, in fact, only men had them and though there were some great tattoo designs, they were rather limited in range.
Then, in western society, tattooing briefly became popular among the upper classes in the seventeenth century. Both men and women got tattoos, but it was an expensive process few could afford. And when the invention of the tattoo gun made it affordable it became less socially acceptable.
For a time only sailors and those who had a criminal or gang-related past had tattoos. Up until a few decades ago, in fact, only men had them and though there were some great tattoo designs, they were rather limited in range.
