Tattooing has been practiced by the Inuit people for centuries and has a long history of significance and meaning. Dating back to over 4,000 years ago, Inuit tattoos were used as a form of protection, identity, and even as a way to commemorate important life events. Inuit tattoos were also used to mark a person’s belonging to a particular tribe or to indicate their rank in the tribe. The tattoos were created using a variety of methods including puncturing the skin with sharpened rocks, rubbing charcoal or ash into the punctures, and using a needle and thread. The tattoos were usually done in a ceremony or in a special ritual.