The word tattoo comes from the Tahitian word “tattau”. This word literally means “to mark” which makes sense considering that a tattoo involves marks and designs on the skin. In the 18th and 19th century Tattoos were rediscovered by Europeans. During their explorations they came across the Polynesians and American Indians who prominently displayed tattoos. At this time tattoos were very uncommon in Europe and the United States, so the Europeans were quite amazed to find the Polynesians and Indians covered in tattoos. Can you imagine what these early explorers thought when they saw this – it must have been quite a trip.

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