The most famous tattoo in Chinese history belonged to Yue Fei, a famous general during the Song Dynasty. Legend has it that the field marshal serving under Fei betrayed him and defected over to the enemy’s side. In protest, Fei resigned and left the field of battle. Upon returning home, however, his mother was enraged that he had abandoned his post and punished him by inking his back with her sewing needle. The four characters she created roughly translates to “serve his country with ultimate loyalty.”