A tattoo is a permanent kind of body art. A design is made by puncturing the skin with needles and injecting tattoo ink into the deep layer of the skin.

The word 'tattoo' is derived from the Tahitian word 'tatau', meaning to mark. The word 'tattaw' was first used in the published account of Captain Cook's first voyage, which appeared in 1769. It has been suggested that 'tatau' is an onomatopoeic word.

During the 1960s and 70s, tattoo culture started gaining popularity outside of traditional counterculture circles. It became a form of self-expression and a way for individuals to break free from societal norms.