How old are tattoos, really? The oldest tattoos were, of course, manually done tattoos called stick and pokes. Stick and poke tattoos are universal, and their history is thousands of years old. While it’s impossible to know for sure when the first tattoo was performed, we do know two tattooed characters that are well-known for their venerable…

Sak Yant tattoos are handpoked tattoos made by tattoo masters from Southeast Asia (mainly in Thailand, but also in Myanmar and Cambodia). The history of Sak Yant tattoos is far reaching and their designs are unique and precise. They often represent sacred symbols whose purpose is protecting its bearer or improving her life. Sak Yant…

Sak Yant Tattoos are symbols that carry different religious meanings. While they sometimes depict Hindu gods such as Ganesha, Buddhist figures like the Buddha or mythological creatures like the phoenix, Sak Yant Tattoos are part of the Thai Buddhist culture, but as their magic symbolism suggests, they are deeply influenced by animist beliefs. During the…

Irezumi is a japanese word for tattoo. It is a word with a deep history. We can actually trace irezumi back as far as Japan’s recorded history. Irezumi, is also somtimes used to refer to a specific kind of tattoo, designed as large piece to be worn under clothes. Those tattoos are easily recognizable since…

A stick and poke tattoo is a tattoo made by manually poking the skin with a sharp object and ink.  So, are stick and poke tattoos amateurish or professional? Are they simple or complex? Hazardous or safe? Old school or fashionable? Actually stick and poke tattoos can be all of those things, depending on the…

Robertiko Ramos or Roberto Ramos Mori  works as a tattoo artist in the Cuban tattoo parlor, La Marca. When he showed us his work, we were immediately seduced by the quality of his designs and his mastery of colors. In this interview, Roberto shares his vision and pieces of advice of stick and poke tattoos…

Have you ever seen tattoos with this shape? These tattoos are called Unalome tattoos. There are various belifes about people from western cultures getting these tattoos. Some think it is not right for those to get one! Cultural controversy Get one without being from the culture? Most people want their tattoos to hold a special meaning.…

Stick and Poke Tattoo in 9 Simple Steps Stick and poke tattoos, also called hand poked tattoos, homemade tattoos or DIY tattoos, can be done by anyone taking the right precautions and using the proper tattoo tools. Here is a step-by-step guide detailing how to stick and poke.