The history behind traditional tattoo style and it’s evolution. Tattoos have been a part of human culture for thousands of years, with evidence of tattooing dating back to ancient civilizations such as Egypt, Greece and Rome. However, the traditional tattoo style that many people associate with classic tattooing has a more recent history, originating in the Western world in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
The early days of traditional tattooing were heavily influenced by the work of sailors, who often traveled to distant lands and returned with tattoos that they had received from local tattoo artists. These tattoos were often simple designs, such as anchors, compasses and nautical stars and were often applied by hand using a simple needle and ink.
As the popularity of tattoos grew, so too did the number of professional tattoo artists. In the early 20th century, tattoo shops began to pop up in major cities throughout the United States and Europe, and the traditional tattoo style began to take shape.
One of the most iconic styles of traditional tattooing is American traditional, also known as old-school or Sailor Jerry style. This style is characterized by bold, black outlines, a limited color palette, and designs featuring patriotic symbols, animals, and other popular imagery.
Sailor Jerry, a tattoo artist based in Hawaii in the 1930s and 1940s, is widely credited with popularizing this style. Sailor Jerry’s designs were typically executed in a limited color palette of red, blue, and green, with bold black outlines.
In the post-war years, American Traditional tattoos continued to gain popularity, becoming more mainstream as they were adopted by bikers, rockabilly enthusiasts, and other counterculture groups. The style remained popular throughout the 20th century, with artists like Don Ed Hardy and Mike Malone pushing the boundaries of traditional design while still adhering to the style’s signature bold lines and limited color palette.
Today, American Traditional tattoos remain a popular style, with many artists specializing in classic designs and techniques. The style has also influenced other tattooing styles, with elements of American Traditional appearing in everything from neo-traditional to black and grey realism.
Another popular traditional tattoo style is Japanese traditional tattoo, also known as Irezumi. This style is characterized by intricate designs, often featuring mythical creatures such as dragons and phoenixes, and a bright color palette. Japanese traditional tattooing has a long history, with evidence of tattoos in Japan dating back to the 3rd century.
Traditional tattooing continued to evolve throughout the 20th century, with new styles and techniques emerging. In the 1960s and 1970s, blackwork tattoos became popular, featuring designs made entirely of black ink. In the 1990s, the popularity of tribal tattoos exploded, with many people choosing to get designs based on Polynesian and Native American motifs.
Today, traditional tattooing remains a popular style, with many artists specializing in classic designs and techniques. While modern tattooing has opened up a world of new possibilities, from hyper-realistic portraits to abstract watercolor designs, there will always be a special place for the timeless beauty of traditional tattooing.
