Editing Tattoo

{{Status|Canon}}
{{Wikipedia}}

A '''tattoo''' is a permanent design marked on skin using inked needles. Tattoos are a common style of body modification used among [[humans]]. Humanity's interest in body art dates back to their [[Prehistoric human civilization|prehistoric civilization]], when military officers were adorned with white facial markings very reminiscent of tattoos.<ref>'''Halo 4''', ''[[Terminal (Halo 4)|Terminal 2]]''</ref> Some groups in the ancient civilization's [[Erde-Tyrene civilization|regressed remnants]] used [[Wikipedia:Scarification|scarification]] in lieu of tattoos, with religious meaning attached to the carved markings.<ref>'''Halo: Primordium''', ''pages 53, 275''</ref> Other decorative and noninvasive body markings are also made using body paint or make-up. While facial paint is sometimes used for fashion, it could also be used to mark one's social status or serve as war paint when going into battle.

==Tattoos of organizations==
[[File:ODST tattoo.png|250px|thumb|[[Cadmon Lasky]] showing off his newly acquired ODST tattoo.]]
Tattoos are often used to promote bonding between members of a certain group.

===ODSTs===
Tattoos are frequently displayed with pride by the [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s. [[Melissa McKay]] wore a tattoo of a skull and the letters "ODST" on her bicep.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', ''page 34''</ref> [[Cadmon Lasky]] also got a tattoo of the ODST emblem on his back while he was at [[Jericho VII]]. [[Jacob Keyes]], while not an ODST, was given an ODST tattoo of the kanji symbol for either "bastard" or "bad ass", as the meaning differs depending on who is asked.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''', ''page 105''</ref>

===Keepers of the One Freedom===
Human members of the [[Keepers of the One Freedom]] have tattoos around on their arms. A favorite tattoo symbol among the Human Keepers was a celestial highway.<ref>'''[[Halo: Retribution]]''', ''page 145''</ref>

===Kelorists===
The [[Kelorism|Kelorists]] of [[Mamore]] mark members with a tattoo of a cross within a circle.<ref>'''[[i love bees]]''', ''[[Axons|Axon]]'' [[Media:ILB_Security sweep.ogg|security_sweep]]</ref>

===Fraternities===
Members of fraternities such as [[Sigma Chi]] are known to wear tattoos to signify their involvement. One such tattoo ended up blowing the cover of an [[Office of Naval Intelligence|ONI]] sent to test [[Rani Sobeck]].<ref>'''i love bees''', ''Axon'' [[Media:ILB_Formal wear.ogg|formal_wear]]</ref>

==Prison tattoos==
Human [[Convict|convicted criminals]] were marked with a prison barcode tattoo across the triceps of their arms.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe''', "[[The Mona Lisa]]"</ref>  

==Individual tattoos==
Tattoos can also be personal decorations of individual persons. 

*[['Drem]], an ancient [[Ussan]] [[Sangheili]], had runic tattoos on his neck.<ref>'''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''', ''page 100''</ref>
*[[Dominique]] had a [[Bessel function]] tattooed around his wrist.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 277''</ref> 
*[[Jun-A266]], a [[SPARTAN-III Program|SPARTAN-III]], wore a tattoo of a fist grasping three arrows on the left side of his head.<ref>'''Halo: Reach'''</ref>
*[[Michael Horrigan]] had a wolf's head tattooed on his left bicep.<ref>'''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''', ''Chapter 1''</ref>
*[[Morgan Kinsano]] has tattoos going down across the left side of her face and on her chin.<ref>'''Halo Wars 2'''</ref> 
*[[Myras Tyla]] had ornate tattoos on her head, face, and front torso.<ref>'''Halo: Uprising'''</ref> 
*[[Hamish Beamish]] wore a tattoo of a plain Scottish thistle.<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', ''[[The Ballad of Hamish Beamish]]''</ref>
*An [[Unidentified corporal]] had the words "cut here" tattooed around her neck.<ref>'''[[Halo: The Flood]]''', Chapter 6, ''page 162'' (2003 paperback); ''page 180'' (2010 paperback)</ref>

==Gallery==
===Tattoos===
<gallery>
File:Jun tattoo.png|Jun's fist full of arrows tattoo.
File:Nightfall - Horrigan pose.jpg|Michael Horrigan's tattoo.
File:Morgan Kinsano closeup.png|Morgan Kinsano's tattoos.
File:Myras.png|Myras Tyla's facial tattoos.
H Evol - Mona Lisa John Doe barcode.png|The prison barcode on ''[[John Doe]]'s'' arm.
</gallery>

===Body markings===
<gallery>
File:H4 - Forthencho.jpg|[[Forthencho|The Lord of Admirals]]' white markings.
File:H5-geisha-sign.jpg|A decorated geisha woman.
File:HE18 Preparation.jpg|[[Holly Tanaka]] applies face paint stripes.
File:Brute marks.png|A Brute minor with Forerunner-inspired body markings.
File:Halo Escalation 1 Variant.jpg|[[Chieftain]] [[Lydus]]' orange body paint.
File:H5G-Arbiter-02.jpg|The [[Arbiter]], [[Thel 'Vadam]], displays paint on his left upper arm.
File:Atriox Halo Wars 2-.jpg|[[Atriox]]'s war face-paint.
File:LC - Alo Sebukah.jpg|Covenant scripture markings on [[Alo Sebukah]]'s right forehead.
</gallery>

==List of appearances==
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
*''[[i love bees]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo: Initiation]]''
*''[[Halo: Broken Circle]]''
*''[[Halo: Nightfall]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Fractures]]''
**''[[The Ballad of Hamish Beamish]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''

==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}

==Related links==
===Internal===
*[[Mark of Shame]]

[[Category:Art]]
[[Category:I Love Bees]]