The Origins of Celtic Tattoos

The Origins of Celtic Tattoos

It is thought that Celtic tattoos were first seen on the Picts, who were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Medieval Celtic people, who lived alongside the British Islands, which Historians think that they tattooed themselves by stabbing their skin with hot sticks to create eternal designs on their skin. Later on they discovered a blue pigment which came from the leaves of a plant they called the Woad plant. They used to do so by harvesting this plant and by leaving the leaves to dry. Then the leaves are boiled and strained, and boiled again to obtain a thick, sticky paste. This paste was then tapped into the skin with a needle like equipment forcing it under the skin layers, to create permanent designs. These tattoos were most common among Celtic warriors, to intimidate their opponents. Celtic tattoos are seen till today especially the Celtic Cross. 

Celtic Tattoos - History and Meaning. 2013. Celtic Tattoos - History and Meaning. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.whats-your-sign.com/celtic-tattoos.html. [Accessed 17 May 2013].

Tattoo Design Ideas: Celtic Design Tattoos. 2013. Tattoo Design Ideas: Celtic Design Tattoos. [ONLINE] Available at: http://greattattoosnow.hubpages.com/hub/celtic-design-tattoos#. [Accessed 17 May 2013].