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Tattoo

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He who increaseth knowledge, increaseth sorrow.

This article contains spoilers, meaning it has information and facts concerning recent or upcoming releases from the Assassin's Creed series. If you do not want to know about these events, it is recommended to read on with caution, or not at all.

This template should be removed from the article 17 February 2021.

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This article contains content from pre-release sources that may or may not be reflective of canon upon release. This article therefore likely contains spoilers.

A picture of Daniel Cross' tattoo

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.

History

Classical antiquity

Many bandits in Greece at the time of the Peloponnesian War adorned their faces and arms, as well as 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.[1] Other types of people like the sailor Barnabas also wore them for their own personal reasons.[2].

File:The Heron Assassination 03.jpg
Bayek crossing off a name

After his son was murdered by the Order of the Ancients in 49 BCE, the Medjay Bayek of Siwa had the cryptonyms of each of their members tattooed on his right arm.[3] Each time he assassinated one of these members in his quest for vengeance, he crossed the name out. Others as well took tattoos, sometimes to remember Egypt like Hapti.[4]

Medieval era

Vikings tattooed their skin, believing the artwork to enhance their own innate abilities.[5]

The Moors of Spain were in habit of tattooing their faces, and this was also practiced by the Assassins María and Aguilar de Nerha.[6][7]

Modern age

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.[8]

Among the Kanien'kehá:ka, decorations like tattoos were common. Teiowí:sonte's markings were specifically referred to as tattoos.[9]

In the 19th century, tattoos were born by various people of London, England. Of special note is the Assassin Jacob Frye, who had a tattoo of a bird and another of a cross.[10]

In modern times, tattoos have become more commonplace. Multiple people, among them Desmond Miles[11][12][9], Daniel Cross[13] and Kiyoshi Takakura[14] have been known to sport tattoos.

Behind the scenes

In Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, various Animus modifications allowed either the Eagle Bearer themself, 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.

Gallery

Appearances

References