How long has the tattoo culture in China been?

China tattoo culture has lasted for more than 2000 years.

Tattoo culture is often related to totem worship at first. In ancient China, many ethnic minorities living outside the Central Plains also had similar traditions. In the Book of Rites, there is such a description of the tribes in the East: "The East is a foreigner, with tattoos and people who don't eat fire." Shuo Wen Jie Zi also said, "Fujian, Southeast Vietnam, snake species." Today, the native Minyue people living in Fujian take snakes as their totems. Because they often come into contact with water in their production and life, they have snake patterns tattooed on their bodies, which I believe can avoid the invasion of fish, insects and monsters in the water.

Another common reason for tattoos is punishment. In ancient China, prisoners were often tattooed on their faces or other parts of their bodies and sent to remote areas. This punishment is called "stabbing to death" or "smearing ink". One of the most famous tattoo artists in China is probably Lin Chong, the 800,000 imperial coach of Fengxueshan Temple in Water Margin. However, this was originally a humiliating punishment mark, but later it became a symbol of loyalty in the rivers and lakes and developed into an identity of the underworld. Shi Jin, Lin Chong's sworn brother, is very proud of his beautiful tattoo.