The surprising story of tatoos in Denmark

Eh told us that a lot of Danish boys and Danish girls have tattoos, and in fact he was right! Last time, we went to the swimming pool and we saw many tattoos on the legs, backs, arms and shoulders of people. So we tried to discuss about it with a Danish student and one answer us that a lot got tattoo, it’s like buying new clothes or a pair of shoes. But this didn’t explain the origin of this mode. So we search on the web and we found that tattoos and Danish have a long story, and Copenhagen is the origin.

Today, tourists walk in the Copenhagen's waterside quarter of Nyhavn, take photos of the sailing boats and brightly painted houses along the quays and walkways, while others enjoy the old-fashioned bars and beer houses. But very few people stop at the distinct yellow storefront of Nyhavn 17. The modern history of tattooing in Denmark began in the late 19th century, when sailors poured into Nyhavn sporting tattoos they had gathered on their journeys.

Nyhavn 17

In 1951, a Life magazine article shows a shirtless King Frederik IX, a sailor and former King of Denmark, showing off his extensive collection of tattoos, including the handiwork of Tattoo-Ole (the oldest tattoo shop in the world). Given such royal endorsement, tattoo culture gained popularity in Denmark, while bringing awareness of Danish tattooing to a world audience.

King Frederick IX of Denmark

However, popularity brought its own problems: Copenhagen's notorious motorcycle gangs became regular customers at tattoo parlors, which expanded into the city's roughest neighborhoods. Over time, tattooing became associated with criminality and lawlessness.

In response, the Danish government passed regulations in 1965 that banned the giving of tattoos to children under 18 and outlawed tattoos on the hands, feet, neck and face. Eventually, Copenhagen lost its preeminence as a regional tattoo hub.

The old cliche about tattoos and sailors is waterproof, there were all inspired by sailors who would come from the United States and other places. Denmark and Nyhavn in particular, was the headquarters for tattooing in Scandinavia for nearly 100 years, from the 1890s to 1975. And we found a great video with Jon Nordstrøn, a famous author, who explain the Danish tattoing:

So to be fashion" Eh thought to get a tattoo, but he don't know which tattoo yet!

Eh decided to go get more information about tattoos. So we accompanied him to the tattooist. The reception was a bit cold, we wanted to know the price of a of approximately 25 cm², and he replied that the price depends of several factors: the number of square centimeter of skin to be tattooed, the difficulty of drawing and detail required, with or without colors and the number of hours that the tattooist will have to spend.

He told us that on average, a tattoo of this size costs 700kr (about 93 Euros). The employee was not very talkative, and we understand that if we don’t wanted tattoo, we cannot stay. We were still able to ask him what tattoos people get here. He told us that everybody want different tattoos, nothing in particular is required.

http://vimeo.com/22262374

http://english.people.com.cn/90001/90777/90853/7355492.html

http://portable.tv/talks/post/a-colourful-history-tattooing-in-denmark/

http://mobclub.com/resources/productmaster/Monkey%20Tattoo%201019.jpg

http://tattoos-and-art.com/wp-content/gallery/monkey-tattoos/100_1927_large.jpg

http://fa.img.v4.skyrock.net/fa5/frederictattoo/pics/761418533_small.jpg