History: Short Hair and Body Tattoo
Short hair and body tattoo(断发文身)were ancient customs of the Yue(越)tribe in southern China, between 2000 BC and 1000 AD, in the area of Zhejiang, Fujian, Canton, Guangxi and other nearby regions.
The Yue tribe lived in the lakes and coastal areas, and they cut the hair on the forehead and temples, in order to facilitate work and life in a warm and humid environment, which was very different from the custom of long hair and wearing a hat as in other areas.
Their lives were full of variables and dangers, they needed to obtain food from deep water and compete with fierce beasts for living space. They carved patterns on their skins, dressed up as beasts, hunted in the sea, went into the mountains, and fought against the natural and death.
“In the south in the Jiuyi Mountains, the land is scarce and the water is rich. There, people cut off their hair and marked tattoos that looked like fish scales. ”
Text from ancient Chinese book 《Huainanzi》 (179 BC – 122 BC)
These tattoos were a sort of totemic writing, which gave them extra power to hunt and fish. The word “totem” refers to a depiction of something (such as an animal, plant or supernatural being) that gives a family or tribe its name and that often serves as a reminder of their ancestry. The term also refers to anything or person having particular emblematic or symbolic importance, as the fish scale tattoos did.
In 1984, Nanjing Museum, Sun Yat-sen University and Zhenjiang Museum created an archaeological excavation team to excavate three tomb mounds at the top of the northern hill of Dagang. Ancient sculptures with tattoo patterns were discovered. These sculptures reflected the history and appearance of Yue tattooing and hair customs.
This bronze sculpture was founded in Zhejiang province, made in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BC – 476 BC). Collection: Museum of Keqiao District, Shaoxing City.
The bronze sculpture clearly shows the image of tribal forms from two thousand years ago,the whole body is covered with patterns of various shapes, it’s typical Yue tattoo.
Besides the reason of totem worship, the tattoo also has an important meaning in becoming an adult, which was an important ceremony popular in the matriarchal communes. In the period of the clan commune, only after the tattoos were completed, could the clan members can be confirmed by the tribe, and enjoy all the rights and obligations of the tribe.
For the tribe of Yue, and acceptance of new members, the ceremony of adulthood symbolizeed the strength of power and was an important means of maintaining and consolidating the clan system. This was a clan member’s top priority in their life.
Wu Taibo (吴泰伯) (circa 1200 BC – 1100 BC), was the son of King Tai of Zhou (周 太王) and the legendary founder of the State of Wu(circa 1200 BC – 400 BC). He was the first prince documented to have a tattoo in the history of China.
Reference from ancient Chinese book《Records of the Grand Historian》 (104 BC – 91 BC)
Wu Taibo was born in the middle of China, but he moved to the southeast of China to live with the Yue tribe. He cut his long hair and got body tattoos to show respect for local customs. He guided the Yue tribe in profiting from the region, in conserving water and in cultivation. Together, they created a new civilization.
Editor: Xiang