Why did some cultures use tattoos for protection against sickness or misfortune?

Across various cultures, tattoos have been utilized as a form of magical protection against sickness or misfortune. These designs are often considered to have apotropaic qualities—a term derived from the Greek word apotrépein, meaning "to turn away"—which refers to objects or symbols believed to avert evil or ward off harm.12

By inscribing these marks onto the skin, individuals and societies sought to create a protective barrier against perceived threats to their well-being. In many social systems, the human body serves as a "natural symbol" of purity and pollution; through such body modifications, the skin becomes a canvas for communicating status, identity, and spiritual defense. While the primary motivation for tattooing in many societies is decoration, the use of these permanent marks for spiritual or protective purposes reflects a long-standing human endeavor to influence one's fate and maintain health through symbolic ritual.13