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{{Era|Culture}}
{{Era|Culture}}{{WP-REAL}}
{{WP-REAL}}
[[File:ACTF-DanielInsignia.jpg|thumb|250px|Daniel Cross' Assassin insignia tattoo]]
{{Pre-release}}
A '''tattoo''' is a mark on a body made by inserting ink and/or pigments into the skin which can either be temporary or permanent. Sometimes the term ''tattoo'' is also used to refer to face paint, scars, or other means of adorning the skin with color.<ref>{{WP|Tattoo}}</ref>
{{Imageneed}}
'''Tattoo''' is either a temporary or permanent mark made by inserting color into the skin. Sometimes the term 'tattoo' is also used to refer to face paint, scars, or other means of adorning the skin with color.


==History==
==History==
===Antiquity===
===Classical antiquity===
In the time of the [[Peloponnesian War]] in [[Greece]] tattoos were largely something [[bandit]]s had<ref name="ACOd">''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''</ref>, others used the artform as well, like the sailor [[Barnabas]]<ref>[[Assassin's Creed Odyssey (The Official Novelization)|''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' novel]] </ref>.
Many [[bandit]]s in [[Greece]] at the time of the [[Peloponnesian War]] adorned their faces, arms, backs, and chests with tattoos. For groups which lived in the wilderness like the [[Followers of Ares]] and the [[Daughters of Artemis]], these markings signified their allegiance.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''</ref> Other people like the sailor [[Barnabas]] also wore them for their own personal reasons.<ref>[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (novel)|''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' novel]] </ref>


While both the [[Daughters of Artemis]] and the [[Followers of Ares]] decorated their skin as well, it is uncertain whether these were tattoos or just paint.<ref name="ACOd" />
[[File:ACO The Heron Assassination 02.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Bayek crossing off a name]]
After the [[Order of the Ancients]] murdered his son [[Khemu]] in 49 BCE,<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]'' – [[The False Oracle]]</ref> the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] had icons depicting the animals that were the cryptonyms for the three members responsible tattooed on his right arm: a [[heron]], a [[snake]], and an [[ibis]]. After identifying "The Heron" as [[Saqqara Nome]]'s {{Wiki|nomarch}} [[Rudjek]], Bayek confronted him beneath the [[Bent Pyramid]] and made a point to cross out the heron icon with an [[arrow]]head in front of Rudjek before [[Assassination|assassinating]] him.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[The Heron Assassination]]</ref> Other Egyptians like [[Hapti]] took tattoos to remember their homeland.<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[Taking Liberty]]</ref>


During the 1st century BCE in [[Egypt]], the [[Medjay]] [[Bayek]] of [[Siwa]] had the cryptonyms of his [[Assassination target|targets]] tattooed on his right arm.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''</ref> Others as well took tattoos, sometimes to remember Egypt like [[Hapti]].<ref>''Assassin's Creed: Origins'' – [[Taking Liberty]]</ref>
===Medieval era===
[[Vikings]] tattooed their skin, believing the artwork to enhance their own innate abilities. These designs could be applied at places like [[Svend]] and [[Tove]]'s [[Tattoo Shop]] in [[Ravensthorpe]], and included such patterns as a "[[Hel]] Sign", [[Jörmungandr]], and an "''[[wikt:auka|Auki]]'' Sign".<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref><!--, and the [[ACSisterhood]] logo. -->


===Dark Ages===
The [[Moors]] of [[Spain]] were in habit of tattooing their faces, and this was also practiced by the [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Spanish Assassins]] [[María]] and [[Aguilar de Nerha]].<ref>[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'' film]]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''</ref>
During the [[Dark Ages]], around the 9th century, the [[Viking]]s tattooed their skin, believing the artwork to enhance their own innate abilities.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''</ref>


===Renaissance===
===Modern age===
During the [[Renaissance]], the [[Moors]] of [[Spain]] were in habit of tattooing their faces, and this was also practiced by the [[Spanish Brotherhood of Assassins|Assassins]] [[María]] and [[Aguilar de Nerha]].<ref>[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'']]</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''</ref>
[[File:Diving For Medicines 8.png|thumb|250px|Edward Kenway's tattoos]]
During the [[Golden Age of Piracy]], tattoos were especially favored by [[Piracy|pirates]] themselves, with the [[Wales|Welsh]] pirate [[Edward Kenway]] sporting numerous tattoos all over his body.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref>


===18th - 19th centuries===
Among the [[Kanien'kehá:ka]], decorations like tattoos were common. [[Teiowí:sonte]]'s markings were specifically referred to as tattoos.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed III]] – [[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy]]'' – [[One-Man Wolf Pack]]</ref>
By the time of the [[Golden Age of Piracy]], tattoos were favored specially by [[Piracy|pirates]] themselves, with the [[Wales|Welsh]] pirate [[Edward Kenway]] sporting numerous tattoos all over his body.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag]]''</ref>


Among the [[Kanien'kehá:ka]], decorations like tattoos were common. [[Teiowí:sonte]]'s markings were specifically referred to as tattoos.<ref name="AC3">''[[Assassin's Creed III]]'' – [[One-Man Wolf Pack]]</ref>
In the 19th century, tattoos were born by various people of [[London]], [[England]]. Of special note was the [[British Brotherhood of Assassins|British Assassin]] [[Jacob Frye]], who had a tattoo of a peregrine falcon on his left pectoral and a cross surrounded by [[diamond]]s on his left upper arm.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''</ref>


In the 19th century, tattoos were born by various people of [[London]], [[England]]. Of special note is the [[Assassins|Assassin]] [[Jacob Frye]], who had a tattoo of a bird and another of a cross.<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''</ref>
In modern times, tattoos became more commonplace, with multiple people known to sport ink patterns, among them [[Desmond Miles]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><ref>''Assassin's Creed III''</ref> [[Daniel Cross]],<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref> and [[Kiyoshi Takakura]].<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]''</ref>


===Modern times===
==Behind the scenes==
In modern days, tattoos have become more commonplace. Multiple people, among them [[Desmond Miles]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''</ref><ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''</ref><ref name="AC3" />, [[Daniel Cross]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''</ref> and [[Kiyoshi Takakura]]<ref>''[[Assassin's Creed: Uprising]]''</ref> have been known to sport tattoos.
In ''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]'', various [[Animus mod]]ifications allowed either the Eagle Bearer themselves, or the crew upon their [[ship]], the ''[[Adrestia]]'', to display tattoos. For the Eagle Bearer, these included the [[Mighty Harness]], and for the crew, this was clear including in the skin [[Poseidon Naval Pack|Water Born]].
 
While tattoos are a prevalent feature of pop culture's idea of Vikings, historically, it is less well attested. The Arab traveler [[Ahmad ibn Fadlan]] describes a group of [[Russia|Kyivan Rus']] as being tattooed from "the tips of his toes to his neck".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jais/volume/docs/vol3/3_001-25_MONTGO1jun24a.pdf|title=Ibn Faḍlān and the Rūsiyyah|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095151/https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/jais/volume/docs/vol3/3_001-25_MONTGO1jun24a.pdf|archivedate=4 March 2016|author=Montgomery, James E.|date=2000|publisher=''{{Wiki|Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies}}'', '''3'''(1)|accessdate=15 February 2025}}, pg. 5–6.</ref> However, this is one of the only attestations for tattooed Vikings. There is no known word for tattoo in {{Wiki|Old Norse}} nor do any Norse sources mention the practice.<ref>{{Youtube|ED3Yb4DlADo|Vikings didn't have tattoos|@JacksonCrawford|video=Vikings didn't have tattoos|channelname=Jackson Crawford}}</ref> While this does not mean it never occurred, it implies that it was not as staple to the Viking culture as depicted.
 
==Gallery==
<gallery captionalign="center" position="center">
ACOd-DoAHuntress1.jpg|A Huntress of Artemis
ACOd-bandit-tattoo-doublearches.jpg|A bandit with simple facial tattoos
ACOd-bandit-tattoo-fullface.jpg|A bandit with large facial tattoo extending to neck
ACOd-bandit-tattoo-chestarm.jpg|A bandit archer with feathers on his arm and a [[Griffin (mythology)|griffin]] on his chest
ACOd-bandit-tattoo-zigzagarm.jpg|A bandit archer with elaborate arm tattoo
ACO Bayek's Tattoo Render.png|Bayek's unmarked tattoos
ACV Promotional Screenshot-hornrunes.jpg|Tattoo on Eivor's temple
ACMovie Maria.jpg|María's facial tattoos
ACS Blighters Thug Render.png|A member of the [[Blighters]] sporting arm tattoos
</gallery>


==Appearances==
==Appearances==
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed II]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Revelations]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: The Fall]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed III]]''
**''[[The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Initiates]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Black Flag]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Syndicate]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'']]
*[[Assassin's Creed (film)|''Assassin's Creed'' film]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Origins]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Odyssey]]''
*[[Assassin's Creed Odyssey (The Official Novelization)|''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' novel]]
*[[Assassin's Creed Odyssey (The Official Novelization)|''Assassin's Creed: Odyssey'' novel]]
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Rebellion]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla – Geirmund's Saga]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Valhalla]]''
**''[[Dawn of Ragnarök]]''
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Nexus VR]]'' {{Mdat}}
*''[[Assassin's Creed: Mirage – Daughter of No One]]''


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
{{ACV}}
[[Category:Culture and society]]
[[Category:Culture and society]]

Latest revision as of 05:35, 22 October 2025

Daniel Cross' Assassin insignia tattoo

A tattoo is a mark on a body made by inserting ink and/or pigments into the skin which can either be temporary or permanent. Sometimes the term tattoo is also used to refer to face paint, scars, or other means of adorning the skin with color.[1]

History[edit | edit source]

Classical antiquity[edit | edit source]

Many bandits in Greece at the time of the Peloponnesian War adorned their faces, arms, backs, and chests with tattoos. For groups which lived in the wilderness like the Followers of Ares and the Daughters of Artemis, these markings signified their allegiance.[2] Other people like the sailor Barnabas also wore them for their own personal reasons.[3]

Bayek crossing off a name

After the Order of the Ancients murdered his son Khemu in 49 BCE,[4] the Medjay Bayek of Siwa had icons depicting the animals that were the cryptonyms for the three members responsible tattooed on his right arm: a heron, a snake, and an ibis. After identifying "The Heron" as Saqqara Nome's nomarch Rudjek, Bayek confronted him beneath the Bent Pyramid and made a point to cross out the heron icon with an arrowhead in front of Rudjek before assassinating him.[5] Other Egyptians like Hapti took tattoos to remember their homeland.[6]

Medieval era[edit | edit source]

Vikings tattooed their skin, believing the artwork to enhance their own innate abilities. These designs could be applied at places like Svend and Tove's Tattoo Shop in Ravensthorpe, and included such patterns as a "Hel Sign", Jörmungandr, and an "Auki Sign".[7]

The Moors of Spain were in habit of tattooing their faces, and this was also practiced by the Spanish Assassins María and Aguilar de Nerha.[8][9]

Modern age[edit | edit source]

Edward Kenway's tattoos

During the Golden Age of Piracy, tattoos were especially favored by pirates themselves, with the Welsh pirate Edward Kenway sporting numerous tattoos all over his body.[10]

Among the Kanien'kehá:ka, decorations like tattoos were common. Teiowí:sonte's markings were specifically referred to as tattoos.[11]

In the 19th century, tattoos were born by various people of London, England. Of special note was the British Assassin Jacob Frye, who had a tattoo of a peregrine falcon on his left pectoral and a cross surrounded by diamonds on his left upper arm.[12]

In modern times, tattoos became more commonplace, with multiple people known to sport ink patterns, among them Desmond Miles,[13][14][15] Daniel Cross,[16] and Kiyoshi Takakura.[17]

Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]

In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, various Animus modifications allowed either the Eagle Bearer themselves, or the crew upon their ship, the Adrestia, to display tattoos. For the Eagle Bearer, these included the Mighty Harness, and for the crew, this was clear including in the skin Water Born.

While tattoos are a prevalent feature of pop culture's idea of Vikings, historically, it is less well attested. The Arab traveler Ahmad ibn Fadlan describes a group of Kyivan Rus' as being tattooed from "the tips of his toes to his neck".[18] However, this is one of the only attestations for tattooed Vikings. There is no known word for tattoo in Old Norse nor do any Norse sources mention the practice.[19] While this does not mean it never occurred, it implies that it was not as staple to the Viking culture as depicted.

Gallery[edit | edit source]

  • A Huntress of Artemis
    A Huntress of Artemis
  • A bandit with simple facial tattoos
    A bandit with simple facial tattoos
  • A bandit with large facial tattoo extending to neck
    A bandit with large facial tattoo extending to neck
  • A bandit archer with feathers on his arm and a griffin on his chest
    A bandit archer with feathers on his arm and a griffin on his chest
  • A bandit archer with elaborate arm tattoo
    A bandit archer with elaborate arm tattoo
  • Bayek's unmarked tattoos
    Bayek's unmarked tattoos
  • Tattoo on Eivor's temple
    Tattoo on Eivor's temple
  • María's facial tattoos
    María's facial tattoos
  • A member of the Blighters sporting arm tattoos
    A member of the Blighters sporting arm tattoos

Appearances[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Tattoo on Wikipedia
  2. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey
  3. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Odyssey novel
  4. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The False Oracle
  5. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – The Heron Assassination
  6. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Origins – Taking Liberty
  7. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Valhalla
  8. ↑ Assassin's Creed film
  9. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Rebellion
  10. ↑ Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag
  11. ↑ Assassin's Creed III – The Tyranny of King Washington: The Infamy – One-Man Wolf Pack
  12. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Syndicate
  13. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood
  14. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Revelations
  15. ↑ Assassin's Creed III
  16. ↑ Assassin's Creed: The Fall
  17. ↑ Assassin's Creed: Uprising
  18. ↑ Montgomery, James E. (2000). Ibn Faḍlān and the Rūsiyyah. Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies, 3(1). Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved on 15 February 2025., pg. 5–6.
  19. ↑ Vikings didn't have tattoos on the Jackson Crawford YouTube channel

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