Tattoo

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 civilization, when military officers were adorned with white facial markings very reminiscent of tattoos. Some groups in the ancient civilization's regressed remnants used scarification in lieu of tattoos, with religious meaning attached to the carved markings.

Tattoos of organizations
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 Troopers. Melissa McKay wore a tattoo of a skull and the letters "ODST" on her bicep. 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. An Unidentified corporal had the words "cut here" tattooed around her neck.

Kelorists
The Kelorists of Mamore mark members with a tattoo of a cross within a circle.

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 ONI sent to test Rani Sobeck.

Prison tattoos
Human convicted criminals were marked with a prison barcode tattoo across the triceps of their arms.

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


 * Dominique had a Bessel function tattooed around his wrist.
 * Myras Tyla had ornate tattoos on her head and face.
 * Jun-A266, a SPARTAN-III, wore a tattoo of a fist grasping three arrows on the left side of his head.
 * 'Drem, an ancient Ussan Sangheili, had runic tattoos on his neck.

List of appearances

 * Halo: The Fall of Reach
 * 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

Internal

 * Mark of Shame