The first Greek explorers to visit these shores encountered natives with painted bodies and faces. They named them Pretani (Painted Ones) which when Latinized some centuries later became Bretan/Breton from which the word Brittania evolved. So, culturally speaking the name of our Isles is actually directly related to covering our bodies with painted decoration. ANORAK ALERT OFF !!
In Maori culture and by lesser standards, gang Initiation rites, The reason It seems , that Polynesians often display half covered faces or partial tattoos, that don't look quite finished. The folklore is that a tattooist WILL stop if a recipient calls out in pain. Any murmuring's and whimperings and that is it. Allegedly it is avisible distinction as to the manliness of the bearer of any tattoo.. The face Tattoos have got to hurt. Especially since they're done the old fashioned way.
Australian Aboriginies, quite differently, as they become of age in their respective tribes. And as a means of showing respect to a woman or women in the tribe, they cut their bodies, smear in to the wound , Ashes from the ceremonial fires in the camp. As the wound heals, A scar is left, that serves as a Tattoo.
King Arthur did nearly all mine on Midland Street in the days when he wouldn't do them on females..I use to spend my time on midland street when I should have been at school. He didnt have many colours in those days. Dont know why but everyone seemed to be getting stars on the hand at one time. well everyone who went in a certain cafe . This was when Tattoos were not a fashion Worst thing about arthurs shop he had a bloody Electric fire on all the time right near chair you sat in . Many a person flaked out because if that fire roasting them. His son works in scarborough as Arthur did himself before he died. RIP Arthur I forgive you for spelling a name wrong when you was half pissed. Remember king cod well as someone previously mentioned.
Yep thats it. I remember the day he got blue ink in and used it to do a skull and cross bones on my hand in between all the stars. Believe it or not I was 15 at the time as I left Hull just before I was 16
Arthur did mine early 70's - the 3 colours have all blurred and I'd really like to get it covered with something a bit more modern. I'm wary though, I've been taking a small dose of aspirin for a year or two which, I'm reliably informed, will cause me to bleed like a stuck pig and possibly ruin the design.
