中国古代开始就有关于刺青的记载，先秦时代以来黥刑就是在犯人脸上刺字。在中国古代典籍中，就曾出现文身、镂身、扎青、点青、雕青等文字，其他还有用刺青来作警示的例子如岳母刺字的故事．但慢慢刺青已演变成个人装饰的一种，例如在四大名著之一《水浒传》中，至少就有三个身满刺青的重要角色：花和尚鲁智深、九纹龙史进与浪子燕青（燕青）。
There have been records of tattoos since ancient China, and since the pre Qin period, the practice of tattooing characters on the faces of prisoners has been practiced. In ancient Chinese classics, texts such as tattoos, carved bodies, tattoos, dots, and carvings have appeared. Other examples of using tattoos as a warning include the story of mother-in-law tattooing. However, tattoos have gradually evolved into a form of personal decoration. For example, in one of the four great classics, "Water Margin," there are at least three important characters covered in tattoos: the flower monk Lu Zhishen, the nine patterned dragon Shijin, and the prodigal son Yan Qing (Yan Qing).
部份的刑罚让人对刺青产生负面的印象，但在许多文化中，刺青是一种社会阶级与地位的象征。包括台湾泰雅族和赛夏族之内，世界各地的原住民都有在面部刺青的传统，古埃及更利用刺青来画分社会地位，英国维多利亚时代的妇女流行在唇部文上红色，类似现代的文唇、文眉等永久性彩妆的美容方式。
Part of the punishment creates a negative impression of tattoos, but in many cultures, tattoos are a symbol of social class and status. Including the Taiya and Saixia tribes in Taiwan, indigenous peoples around the world have a tradition of tattooing their faces. Ancient Egypt used tattoos to depict social status, while women in the Victorian era of Britain popular red lip tattoos, similar to modern permanent makeup methods such as tattooing lips and eyebrows.
日本江户时代的文身，1870年
Tattoo from the Edo period in Japan, 1870
日本江户时代的文身，1870年上古三代时，福建境内至少居住着7支互不相属的土著部族，古文献称之为“七闽”。春秋末，楚灭越国，部分越人遁入福建，史称这个时期的福建土著为“闽越”，他们喜欢傍水而居，习于水斗，善于用舟，最重要的习俗是以蛇为图腾、断发文身
Tattoos from the Edo period in Japan. In 1870, during the Three Dynasties period, there were at least seven indigenous tribes that did not belong to each other living in Fujian Province. Ancient literature referred to them as the "Seven Mins.". At the end of the Spring and Autumn period, Chu conquered the state of Yue, and some Yue people fled to Fujian. History has called the indigenous people of Fujian during this period "Min Yue". They liked to live by the water, were accustomed to water fights, and were good at using boats. The most important customs were using snakes as totems and having tattoos with severed hair