Arianna Speech

Tattooing is a body modification practice used for centuries across the globe. Because of the
multiple origins of tattoos, there are several techniques and countless styles. Every tattoo is unique
in meaning to the person that receives it, though often they can fit into generalized categories.
Tattoos have fallen in and out of popularity over the course of history, though they have never and
most likely will never disappear.

II. Specific Purpose

and Need to Know:

According to Written on the Body by Jane Caplan, "Tattooing is one of many forms of irreversible
forms of body alteration... and it is probably the oldest and most widespread [of these.]" Due to the
age of tattooing as a whole, there are countless things one can learn about its history.

III. Organizational
Preview:

Today I will condense some of the history of Tattoos into a brief speech, including tattoos in
ancient civilizations, historical tattoos and tattooing techniques in today 's world, and modern
tattoos in Western culture.

BODY

I. Main Point I:
For some the act of getting tattoos may seem like a phase in a generation, something to be regretted
later, but in actuality tattooing has been around

Informative Speech Outline: Updated 7.13.15

for thousands of years.

A.

Tattooing is not a new practice or form of body modification.

1.
According to an article written by Cate Lineberry titled "Tattoos" that I accessed on June 12th,
2017, and was posted to the Smithsonian Museum website on January 1st, 2007, the oldest
evidence of tattoos on an actual human body was found on the famous mummy excavated along
the Italian-Austrian border that was later dubbed Otzi the Iceman. Scientists have proven Iceman to
be around 5,200 years old.

2. Otzi
was not the only mummy to be discovered with tattoos. In fact, the same article states there have
been three female Egyptian mummies dated to 2000 B.C. to be found and several later mummies
of Greco-Roman origin with tattoos, also female. It is believed tattoos were a strictly female
practice in ancient Egypt, most of the tattoos received for or during pregnancy and symbolizing a
safe and protected birth.

B.
Several tribes of Ancient Britons partook in tattooing as a sort of national pastime.

1.
In an article titled "Ancient Britons: The Most Recognizable Tattoos of History" that I accessed on
June 12th, 2017, and was posted to Tattoo.com on February 16th, 2016, I learned that the tribes
used ink made from a plant called woad. It was diluted with urine and water, but because of the
plants antibacterial properties there was rarely ever a case of infection.

2.
We know of these tattooed tribes largely due to texts written by ancient Romans, who invaded the
British Isles, and in them they described the tattoos on the Britons as making them all the more
terrifying in battle.

C.
Evidence of tattoos is found not only on mummies or in text, but on the objects left behind by
ancient civilizations.

1.
There have been numerous images of Egyptian women depicted with tattoos as figurines dated as
early as 4000-3500 B.C. as well as in tomb scenes.

2.
Ancient tools made of bronze were discovered in Northern Egypt and were identified as tattooing
tools.

Transition:

Now that I’ve told you about some of the evidence of tattoos in history, I will next discuss how that
history has been kept alive.

II. Main Point II:

The emotion and expression shown through tattoos in eras past are still

Informative Speech Outline: Updated 7.13.15

viewed today, not only in the objects and mummies I spoke of previously but on real, living
people.

A.
An excellent example of this are the Japanese.

1.
In an excerpt from the book The Japanese Tattoo by Sandi Fellman, they write almost romantically
of the care and respect crafted into every tattoo. They describe the Japanese tattooer, both past and
modern, as an artist "playing with belief, fact and fiction, transforming fleeting prayers into mortal
permanence, disfiguring as to adorn," and so on.

2.
Fellman goes on to explain that tattooing in Japan, while beautiful and emotional and something of
great importance to the "tattooer and tattooee," was not always appreciated by the public. It was
once seen as a very low-class way of life, the tattoo scene was a breeding ground for scandal and
trouble in Japan for many years.

B.
Tattoos in Polynesia were used as a rite of passage and symbol of pride.

1.
The article "Ancient Tattoo Equipment" posted to the Livestrong website on October 11, 2015, and
that I accessed on June 12, 2017, tells us that generations ago Polynesians used tattoos to show
societal status and wealth, which is often still the case, and that people with tattoos were the
majority.

2.
The technique for tattooing in Polynesia was, and in some places still is, is to tap the back of a rake
or comb of needles dipped in ink with a wooden rod repeatedly into the skin.

C.
The same article tells of Thai Monks using bamboo to tattoo.

1.
Still in practice today, the monks will use a split and sharpened bamboo rod dipped in ink, or a
very similar tool made of metal, to tattoo.

2.
The monks have continued this throughout time as part of a tattoo ritual called "Sak Yant," or in
English, "magic tattoo;" the process includes Buddhist mantras and prayers, and is very sacred and
believed to bring a variety of good fortunes.

Transition:

Now that I have discussed tattoo history in today 's world, I will finally explain the evolution of
modern tattoos and tattoo culture in the Western world.

III. Main Point III:

Today, tattoos are often used as artistic adornments to skin and in some cases bold statements and
comments on modern societal norms.

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A.

One of the most popular forms of body modification today, tattoos have been used as a way for
people to define themselves.

1.
In In the Flesh by Victoria Pitts, the author writes of members of the gay community that use
tattoos to stand out, to be "queer among queer," as described by a gay piercer to the author.

2.
Some people use tattoos to further define or express their cultural or sexual identity.

B.
Tattoos can be used as a form of rebellion and confidence.

1.
The author writes of women and men using tattoos to push the expectations and rules of
femininity.

2.
Some women also use tattoos as a way to "rebel against male dominance and "reclaim" power over
their own bodies."

C.
In the same text, author Victoria Pitts wrote to inform us of a "tattoo renaissance" in the 1990s.

1.
This "renaissance" included an increase in interest in tattoos from people from many social
backgrounds, resulting in a significant increase in tattoo parlors and even the creation of several
new tattoo styles.

2.
One style that came about as a result of this movement were the still popular tribal-style tattoos,
most likely as a direct result from tattoo artists taking inspiration from native groups.
CONCLUSION

I. Summary
Statement:

Today, I have discussed with you the history of tattoos among three well-known ancient
civilizations, how the techniques, styles, and expression in historical tattoos are continued today,
and how tattoos are often used in the Western world.

II. Restate Purpose

and Need to
Know:

Learning about one of the oldest, if not the oldest, forms of body modification is very interesting
and helpful for anyone looking into

Informative Speech Outline: Updated 7.13.15

altering their skin.

III. Bookend
Statement:
Tattoos have remained popular throughout history as a form of expression, protection, and cultural
unity and will most likely continue in the coming years.