For centuries, tattoos symbolized belonging to groups, families, but for a few years, tattoos have become more popular. It is possible that many people have them not only for decorative purposes, so we must understand why more than thirty million people around the world have undergone this type of self-mutilation. The choice of a tattoo today can say something about the soul of its owner; Some believe that a tattoo is the graffiti of the soul…
We will find many surprising stories about the meaning and role of tattoos: many sailors believe that a tattoo is a talisman against the possibility of drowning at sea. American Indians believed that tattoos protected them in battle and some Burmese even today believe that a tattoo over the heart can stop bullets.
The history of tribal tattoos is a true kaleidoscope; Every place on Earth where tattoos are popular has a unique and often surprising history, meaning, tradition, and technical achievement. But almost everywhere tattoos appeared a few hundred years ago.
The place where the word tattoo originated, where tribal tattooing reached perfection for thousands of years is Tahiti. Here the tattoo applications are more painful, but reach a high level of artistic effort. Samoans still believe that the elaborate geometric design of the traditional body suit is the way to show respect for the qualities of God, for others it is the rite of passage into manhood.
Ancient Maori warriors began their tattoo tradition by painting their faces with charcoal before each battle. They then started making the design permanent, calling it “moko”. A man without “moko” was said to be a “papatea” (simple face) and considered an outcast.
Celtic tattoos are one of the most attractive design options. The design comes from the ancient art of Ireland, Scotland and England. They are as old as Celtic history.
Some fifth-century paintings depict warriors with tattoos all over their bodies; tattoos indicate rank or caste. Later they were also symbols of religious devotion, simply for decoration or appeal to fertility.
Celtic tattoos do not duplicate real things, they are made of sinuous lines that intertwine to complete a cycle. Almost all Celtic tattoo designs are complicated, they have neither end nor beginning. There are many intricate patterns too…
Celtic animal designs are endless, but some have strings ending in feet, heads, or tails. Many designs feature zoomorphic or spiral elements.
Tattoos are also largely considered the trademark of Yazuka, the Japanese mafia. A full body tattoo can take many years and cost around $50,000; The intricate color design of the tattoo seems to have a mythical power and only some specialized masters can achieve such a miraculous work of art.
In China, tattoos are made with 2,500-year-old designs, and represent a variety of fantastic animals: fish, deer, dragons. They are made for personal protection and as emblems of noble birth. Siberian tribesmen still paint symbols on their spines to cure back pain.
In Russia, the tradition of tattoos is not so old – they were the secret language of prisoners. In Stalin’s gulags, tattoos were a form of protest; today they are just a luxury accessory.
Borneo is an exotic and hard-to-reach place where tattoos prevent harm and disease. In the “heart of darkness” tattoos as protection gain some credibility.
Hawaii is home to some famous tattoo artists, like Norman Keith. He is well known “for kickstarting the modern tattoo revolution”. He began to move the American tattoo towards a more Japanese style, a personalized and unified design. He also changed the status of tattoo artists, bringing them out of the underground into the growing light of artistic respectability.
On the island of St. Lawrence, members of the Asian Eskimo tribe can live to be over 100 years old and have arguably the latest, most authentic tattoos on the planet.
We can find spectacular tribal tattoos even in the Queen Charlotte Islands, where the images are family history told in images. The animal designs on the hands announce the family name.
In the Mackenzie Delta, small crosses on the cheeks or shoulders keep track of the number of whales caught. Netsilik women were tattooed in order to enter the afterlife.
In northern Kalinga (Philippines) the tribesmen are the most ornate people in the region; her body art is resurrected once more.
Now let’s look at the tribal tattoo tradition in America. Since the 18th century, merchant sailors have acquired tribal skin art upon returning from voyages in the South Seas. Because members of the British aristocracy traditionally went to sea and returned with (discreetly hidden) tattoos, a Western tattoo artist set up shop near the docks. Tattoos become exotic for the upper classes. Later, the port city tattoo artist began to tattoo criminals, feuds and prostitutes and the tattoo became the trademark of the underworld. This is the reason why for hundreds of years the tattoo remained underground. The tattoo artist was considered an outlaw and the tattoo artist was a prisoner of persecutions and prohibitions born of innumerable fears.
Now tattoos are done with modern and safe devices, capable of making 125 punctures per second. Designs are featured all over the world using the most spectacular advertising tools.
Whether it’s on an arm or ankle, a butterfly or a tribal symbol, a piece of body art no longer has the rebellious appeal it once did…