| Ancient Egyptian culture has done much to contribute | | | | popular requests include likenesses of Isis, Osiris, |
| to the modern tattoo industry. Historically and socially, | | | | Bastet, Amun, and Amun Ra. |
| Egyptian tattoo designs have emerged as a category | | | | Hieroglyphics and many other ancient symbols are |
| of art and as a visual artifact of Middle Eastern history. | | | | often incorporated into larger-scale tattoos as well. |
| The ancient Egyptians relied heavily on tattooing for | | | | Sphinxes, scarabs, phoenixes, and cats are popular |
| body ornamentation and other religious and social | | | | requests, as are objects taken from the ancient |
| reasons. The mummy of Amunet, a priestess, was | | | | Egyptian magic amulets like modified crosses called |
| discovered in Thebes and dates back thousands and | | | | ankhs, the eye of Horus, cobras, and birds. |
| thousands of years. This mummy shows one of the | | | | Society's obsession with all things Egyptian continues |
| earliest know examples of this type of tattooing. | | | | to be driven by many forces. Museum exhibitions, |
| These ancient Egyptian tattoos consisted of elaborate | | | | mummy and tomb excavations, specials on the |
| dot and dash patterns often used for fertility rites or | | | | Discovery channel, and even Hollywood depictions of |
| ceremonies. Thus, many of these tattoos were | | | | Egypt and the mystery that surrounds the land keep |
| reserved for use only on females. And although | | | | interest piqued in this culture. The mere images of the |
| tattooing was a regular ritual for the ancient Egyptians, | | | | Pyramids and the great Sphinx elicit curiosity in people |
| such practices are not nearly as prevalent in modern | | | | of all kinds. It is obvious why tattoos of this sort are |
| Egyptian society where the Islam religion - which | | | | popular as well. |
| disregards tattooing - prevails. | | | | Egyptian tattoo designs also give tattoo artists a real |
| Instead, the popularity the Egyptian art and symbols | | | | opportunity to showcase their artistry. From |
| has prevailed in many Western cultures, including the | | | | complicated color schemes to intricate design |
| United States and other parts of North America. It is in | | | | elements, Egyptian art is heralded for its detail and |
| these regions that the Egyptian motif has really begun | | | | complexity. So for an ambitious inker and a dedicated |
| to take off. | | | | wearer, tattoos Egyptian in nature are a logical choice. |
| The many half-human/half-animal gods and goddesses | | | | Any combination of images or symbols is acceptable, |
| of ancient Egyptian religion and lore lend themselves to | | | | and the boundaries of such are constantly being |
| be designed as intricately drawn tattoos. The other | | | | tested. This is an art form that future tattoo seekers |
| shapes and characters that have proliferated as | | | | are sure to explore. |