Discover the true meanings behind more than 200 popular tattoos with this comprehensive book, illustrated with more than 100 tattoo designs. From sailors' swallows and Mexican skulls to prisoners' barbed wire and intricate Maori motifs, tattoos have been used as a means of communication by cultures around the world for thousands of years. Through detailed research, the Tattoo Dictionary reveals the fascinating origins of the most popular symbols in tattoo history, uncovering their hidden meanings and forgotten stories behind them. This beautifully packaged book is an inspiring look at tattoo culture and an essential guide for choosing your own tattoo.